As I gear up to move my life to Thailand I’m trying to fit in all the things that I never used to do into the next few weeks. I more or less have a ‘bucket list’ in Oregon, ‘things’ I must go do and see. Last week a friend and I went to the Jedadiah State Park (this is actually in N. California, but close enough). The trees were massive, the air was cool and the trails were perfect, conversation about love, life, adventuring, our futures flowed…
We decided to run Little Bald Trail, a 5-mile up and down trail that starts in the Redwoods and as you climb 1,800 feet the terrain changes drastically—trees thin out, the trail is more exposed and it gets HOT. Throughout the run we were either chasing or being chased by two women on horses. At one point we stopped and chatted, learned that we all have some sort of connection through a location, a mutual friend, a love for horses…it was a moment that made us stop and think about these woman and their lives, how one day it would be cool to ride up the trail instead of run.
The run ended, 10 sweaty miles later I was stoked from the run. I don’t know if it was a runner’s high, the big trees, hope for lunch or what, but I felt amazing being where I was, doing what I was doing. We drove to the coast, drank a beer and had lunch starring at the ocean and smelling the salt in the breeze. The cement post in front of us said “Live Free” that was our motto for the rest of the trip. I was learning to let loose and go with the flow a bit easier.
Hiking through the redwoods forces you to feel small. These trees are enormous, at any moment we were ready to see a dinosaur pop out and chase us down the path. This forest is only minutes from the coast, minutes from the Smith River and a couple hours from where I live. I love it. The world is so incredible; I want to see it all.
We plopped our tents down by the river and jumped in the pristine water, sat on rocks that seemed like they were made for out butts, we drank another beer and starred at the clouds passing by. Reflecting on the day, talking about the future, relating on the fact that we’re lost and confused. Remembering the horse-back riders, thinking that they are probably sharing with their husbands about ‘those crazy runners’ they saw on the trail, the small connections we make are the most important. This was the kind of bliss I needed; a night out of town, a friend to talk about life with, and a river to clean the salt off my body, I need this more often.
It’s funny how when I decide to change my life drastically I start truly enjoying what I have. I begin to really take advantage of my surroundings and love it. I think I just need to enjoy my surroundings, look forward to the future and see what happens with this upcoming adventure. I need to learn to stop worrying. Any tips?
thesolesearch 
I’m really enjoying reading your blog & I love the name, very clever! Your writing is inspiring me to do more writing myself and to continue to charge forward with more speed in accomplishing the things in life that I want to accomplish. I admire how you’re able to just write your thoughts and put it all out there for everyone/anyone to see. It would be hard for me to do this, but it would be a great way to challenge myself and grow; I hadn’t considered trying to make myself grow in this way until reading your blog. Thanks!
I grew up in the redwoods and reading your description about them and your experience in this environment made me nostalgic for home, but fulfilled at the same time. It makes me feel really good to know that others appreciate this environment just as much as I do.
One thing that happened to me after I came back from living abroad for years was a much deeper appreciation for my own country and for what I had right here at home. I truly enjoyed my adventure abroad, but it helped me to see my life in any location as an adventure. It seems like you’re already starting to gain a bit of clarity with regard to this.
As for how to stop worrying… That’s also something I can be really good at. One thing that has helped me is to recognize that my worrying won’t help me unless I’m going to use that worry to take some kind of action to change my situation. if I can’t change the situation, I just remind myself of that and tell myself that my worrying will only stress me out 🙂 It’s easier said than done and takes practice. The other thing is to really get real and ask yourself, “What’s the worst thing that can happen?” After you’ve made your peace with the fact that you can deal with this if it should happen, everything else by comparison shouldn’t seem as worrisome. Hope this helps.
Julie
Julie!! Thank you SO MUCH for your kind words! Keep writing, I’d love to read about your thoughts…sometimes it’s great to just get it out there.
You are so right about worrying. I think deep down I KNOW that, it’s just hard practice that sometimes. Mai pen rai…right?
Keep in touch! How are your shoes?!