If I fall asleep right now,

‘If I fall asleep right now, I can get four full hours of sleep before my hike across the divide tomorrow.  Unfortunately, I’m still at work!’
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It’s that time of year when those of us who are lucky enough to live, work and recreate in the Estes Valley are stumbling around like a bunch exhausted zombies living on a diet of coffee, craft beer, beef jerky and gummy worms.

As summer begins to wind down, I am compelled to make the most of every moment and sneak in as many adventures as possible while attempting to stash enough money away to fund my winter ski adventures.  My quads and glutes feel as though I’ve spent the entire summer walking up an escalator that is going down.  My toenails are growing back in as my hip bones protrude further and my stomach seems like a bottomless pit.  Also, I could really use a massage!  I love late August!!!

It is the season of back-to-back 4 am wake-up calls followed by showers at the Rec Center and eight hours of slinging beers at The Rock Inn.  I can’t remember the last time I sat down for a meal with my boyfriend.  I think we maybe shared some bleary-eyed sips of early morning coffee earlier this week.  I love the busyness of it all, especially knowing that it is the final push before we transition into fall.

I’ve heard folks say that if you’re lucky enough to live in the mountains, you are lucky enough.  That is certainly true and I am so grateful for my good fortune!  On top of that, I have been blessed with a strong body, a (relatively) sound mind, and a job and coworkers (and customers!) who make work fun.  I get to play outside almost every day.  Sometimes I am not sure what I did to deserve all this and I even feel a little guilty about it.  The best way I know how to thank the universe for all I’ve been given is to practice gratitude every single day and share experiences and knowledge with others.

Lately I’ve noticed people declining my invitations to get outside because they feel intimidated.  To me, this is hilarious and these concerns are completely unfounded.  I have never considered myself an athlete.  Being able to walk a long way in the mountains carrying a heavy pack does not make a person an athlete.  It does make one a good candidate for manual labor, though.  My late husband was a classic sandbagger, forever lowering me down ice climbs that were grades above my ability level or taking me on adventures that lasted twice as long as he remembered, causing me to show up to more than one shift at work unshowered and wearing ski pants.  While I wouldn’t change a single one of those zany experiences, I am very careful to respect other people’s tolerances for risk and suffering.  For me, getting out into the mountains with someone is about the time spent with that person.  Whether we are going across the continental divide, up Longs Peak or walking to Mills Lake, time in the mountains is for sharing laughter, stories and sometimes tears.  It is certainly not about getting to some destination I have likely visited many times before that will still be there next week or even next year.  

All that being said, I am so grateful for the amazing adventure partners who have helped me expand my comfort zone.  I, too, love seeing people push themselves beyond what they believed they could do.  Let’s all continue to encourage one another to reach new heights while respecting boundaries, limitations and fears.
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Cheers to the end of another great season and to the memories made and friendships strengthened as we continue to navigate the peaks and valleys of this beautiful life.

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