A little over 4 years ago I felt trapped. Stuck. I could feel this little bundle of sticks and wool in the pit of my stomach. It was too painful to just let it sit there untouched. I tried to purge this kindling from my guts - but it just sat there - it quietly told me that it wasn't going anywhere. So I decided to set fire to it. To transform it.
I went on a quest to find a flame - and I took Jeremy with me. We looked for fire on the beaches of Mexico and on the coasts of Canada. But I couldn't quite find what I was looking for. I needed to dig deeper.
So we made a bold move and went to Mt. Everest. And on the top of a very cold mountain I found fire. A spark was ignited and a steady flame has been living in my stomach ever since but it's begging for more coal.
I don't want to be a tourist that collects souvenirs and postcards. I don't just want to look at pretty buildings and eat great food. I need to see the world through my fingertips and quadriceps and I want to find a little piece of home in the places I go. I want to stuff my well-traveled backpack with meaningful experiences and subtle stories.
I found my flame. I need more fuel.
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I am right there with you. We did the Incan trail in 2010 which is nothing compared to your hike (which my husband is begging me to take), but every day the itch to go gets bigger. What's your next planned trip?
ReplyDeleteColey - Is the Incan trail the same as Machu Picchu? That's on my list for sure of places to go.
ReplyDeleteWe're going to Poland this summer. We'll be hiking through the Carpathian Mountains and visiting a couple other countries (still TBD).
You guys should go to Nepal! You'll love it.
I love it. The outfit, the analogies, all of it.
ReplyDelete:)
Couldn't have said it better. We are expecting in July and can't wait to explore the world with the little one
ReplyDeleteEverest is a dream of mine.. until then, I live through blogs like yours {and Netflix!} : )
ReplyDeleteKathleen - It is to Machu Picchu! It's a 4 day hike and the ONLY way to get to Machu Picchu (in fact I liked some of the ruins that you only see on the trail more than MP)!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read all about your Poland trip! So fun!
Traveling I personally think is important for the soul, it allows a person to grow through experiencing culture, being out of comfort zones and creatively by seeing the beauty of other areas.
ReplyDeleteCosta Rica girls surf trip: March 2! Just sayin..
ReplyDeletehttp://www.yelp.com/biz/haiku-stairs-kaneohe
ReplyDeleteThis isn't a multi-day hike and certainly doesn't compare to Everest or Machu Picchu, but my goal is to be able to do the Haiku stairs before we leave Hawaii!
I need the good food and pretty buildings... It's just the kinda woman I am. But your lust for something more adventurous is still inspirational.
ReplyDeleteAnd I think training for a half marathon is hard. Ha!
ReplyDeleteThat's really beautiful. Sometimes it takes something "big" to light that fire within and it's awesome that you found it. xo
ReplyDeleteI don't even like hiking (ok, I like hiking, but something like Mount Washington is the extent of my crazy) but the idea of Carpathians sounds AMAZING.
ReplyDeletek..
ReplyDeleteso well spoken.. i am so happy for you that mt everest lit the flame (or rather is where you found the flame) i felt so unsettled for so long and our adventure this past year and finding our new hometown of edgewater has finally given me a sense of peace that allows all of my adventures from this point forward to be so much sweeter..
Girl, why not ditch the world of design for awhile and enroll in an anthropology course?
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