Brad commented a few days ago that our trip with all the hard rides, and sliding down mountains doesn’t sound like much of vacation and he wondered why I do it. There are a few reasons, but first let me start off with a bit of an analogy.

For me, hiking and/or biking is sort of like giving birth. You’re in pain , uncomfortable, maybe even fearful but eventually that ends and you forget those moments and are left (eventually) with the joy and elation. I feel the same when I hike or bike. There may be moments when I’m uncomfortable, or in pain or afraid, but eventually, I succeed, the other emotions, and sensations are gone, and I’m left with a sense of elation and pride and looking for my next hike or bike ride.

But as for reasons, well, first, for me, the more active I am, the more I can eat and drink without gaining weight – huge, huge reason.

The second, well it’s to see things like this.

Falls in the Woods towards Nebraska Notch

Falls in the Woods towards Nebraska Notch

View From Taylor Lodge atop Nebraska Notch

View From Taylor Lodge atop Nebraska Notch


And that’s just yesterday’s hike. There are some things we’ve seen that a camera just couldn’t even capture.

Now, all that said, as I sit here sipping on my morning coffee and chomping on a blueberry muffin, we’re trying to figure out what we’re doing this morning (we’re going kayaking in the afternoon), and the idea of a lazy morning sounds very appealing. 🙂