OK, I know some of you were thinking... "FINALLY!" Well, even though it's not a guy (yet! I'm still praying & waiting!), it IS wonderful to be "falling in love" with the place you live in!
About a month ago, after a year and a half of living in Durango, I finally started getting out & taking advantage of some of the incredible things there are to do around here! My family was in town, and we went rafting, fishing & just generally enjoying being outside in such a gorgeous playground. During that time, I came to the realization that although I've been here for a year and a half, I've spent almost all of my time working & building up my business, and not getting out & having FUN! So I decided it was high time to get outside!
I've always liked to hike, and even though I've never really hiked in the mountains before, I asked a friend for some suggestions on favorite spots. He had previously used the phrase "hide in the mountains", and that picture just stuck in my head and wouldn't go away! I was so exhausted from several weeks of too much work and not enough sleep, and thought of HIDING in the mountains sounded wonderful... just what the Doctor ordered! So my friend gave me a few suggestions on hikes that would not only give me a challenge & the reward of great views, but that would also give me the solitude, peace & quiet that I was so desperately craving.
I went out that very next weekend on my first two Colorado hikes (ever!)... It wasn't long or challenging, but it did provide me with the solitude & peace that I was looking for! In fact, on the 2nd one, when it was time to leave (to get back to town to meet up with someone), it took me TWENTY MINUTES to will my legs to move! There wasn't another soul out there besides me & my dog, and the quiet of that place just sank deep into me, and I wished so much that I could just stay there forever (or at least longer than an hour!).
The next weekend I did a much longer and much more challenging hike (11 miles, 3000ft elevation gain!), and was rewarded with some of the most beautiful views I've ever seen!
Then the next weekend, I did another hike in a different location (7.5 miles, 1700ft elevation gain), and I thought the previous week's hike couldn't be topped... but it was MORE breathtaking! Can you imagine???
This weekend, I'm heading out yet again to challenge myself on a 10-mile hike that promises gorgeous views, lakes, and crossing the Continental Divide a couple times!
You know how when you're dating someone, and you want to spend all of your time with that person, getting to know everything about him or her? And you can't stop telling everyone about that wonderful person that has captured your heart? Well, that's how I feel about getting out into the mountains! I want to be there as often and as long as possible! I want to get to know them from all different perspectives, and just sit and enjoy "being with" them.
You know what's really happening, don't you?
I'm getting to know my Heavenly Bridegroom in a much deeper way, and falling more deeply in love with Him!
...
