Thursday, December 27, 2007

A Different Christmas


Well, it was a different Christmas for us. The night of December 24th, I developed a horrific stomach flu that lasted until the afternoon of Christmas Day. Needless to say, I spent the holiday in bed. I have never done that in my life. But as I was there, very sick and uncomfortable, a vision came to me, of the picture above. Why this picture in particular? It was taken after a similar occurence, when I suffered a severe stomach flu at Lakes of the Clouds hut in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. But that next morning I had no recourse. It was slated to be fantastic weather for crossing the Presidentials which are above treeline. No one passes up a sunny day to do this part of the trail. So despite being sick all night, I hoisted my pack and climbed Mt Washington, which you see here. I then proceeded to climb the rest of the Presidential range that day.

I reflected on that as I lay in my bed on Christmas Day, wondering how I could have possibly done that. It was truly a miracle. God watching over me, giving me the will and the strenght to carry out His purpose for my life. What I lacked this week He gave me when I needed it. And it made it all the more wondrous having another bout with a stomach flu this week. He truly does provide the strength one needs to overcome any and all obstacles. For me, my obstacle was not enjoying any of Chrstmas Day. But I have a peace about it. Not a loss. But a wonder of it all. He has brought me through and will continue to do so as I walk this path of life with Him.

Monday, December 24, 2007

Merry Christmas


A Merry Christmas scene from the trail. There was nothing like seeing the pines frosted over by newly fallen snow along the Appalachian Trail. Even though the calendar read late March, I did feel like I was strolling through a winter wonderland in mid December.
It's wonderful reflecting on the time we had hiking the trail this past year. And I can't help thinking what the years ahead may yield.
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

A Future Thru Hike??


Could this be us...in the future?

WHAT?

Well, we just got a great idea last night as we talked. I have been moaning to Skipper how much hiking the trail would help him physically, etc., and how I wish he could have hiked the whole thing with us. I have seen my back helped. I have dropped three dress sizes. And I guess with the warm weather we've been experiencing, I was thinking about my start last March on the AT.

And then we got to talking. And planning. And saying - can't we do the whole Appalachian Trail as a couple? A hubby and wifey team? Wouldn't that be fantastic?

Suddenly I was getting excited all over again. I felt like I had a new goal. We have several years to get the business in line, Paul Bunyan at UVA, some more of my books written (and hopefully published). I could celebrate this hike by doing it all over again with my hubby and allowing him to experience everything we did (and he would LOVE the ponds of Maine!).

Oh...it's SO nice to have a goal again. If it is meant to be...

And it's not even time for a New Year's resolution yet!