Reset

I haven’t been present in this digital space lately, which doesn’t feel like the worst thing considering I’ve been far more present in my everyday life. Summer is a busy time; making the most of long days and warm nights. Climbing trips. Camping trips. Hiking trips. Connecting with friends. Personal projects. Adventure after adventure. And then there’s all the other stuff that tends to pile up when you spend all your adventuring - work, errands, laundry, figuring out what the heck to eat for dinner every night. It feels like I blinked and summer waved goodbye.

Now the leaves are putting on a show, a chill fills the air, and the sun sets earlier every evening. And you know what, I’m not mad about it. My love for fall runs deep, but admittedly in the past, I haven’t always been so welcoming to the transition out of summer. The transition of the seasons often comes accompanied by a transition of my mood. I’ve struggled to ward off the looming doom feeling of knowing after the short season of fall comes the long gloom and doom of winter. A season I despise. (oh the drama)

But this year something feels different. The exhaustion of burning the candle at both ends of the stick has settled deep into my bones. My body begs me to slow down, and I’m finally ready to listen. Cooler temps mean climbing days get off to a later start, leaving mornings for rest and lingering with tea and books. Camping/hiking trips become fewer and further between (says the person who hiked over 26 miles then camped in 18-degree weather…and will be camping and climbing next weekend. Wish me luck!).

I recently took a trip with my good friend to visit her aunt who lives out in Ridgeway. It felt like the perfect way to welcome in Autumn. We serendipitously timed our trip with peak fall colors, which made the 5-and-a-half-hour drive actually quite enjoyable. We went on the trip without any set agenda, which is a rarity for me, being a typical type-A planner. We sat on a bench warmed by the sun as we waited to eat breakfast at the only place open in town. We made our way to an unfamiliar trail to hike for as long or as short as we pleased. As the leaves twisted and danced on their journey to the ground a large group of people on horseback came through accompanied by a whole herd of dogs. We sat and enjoyed sweet citrus treats as we basked in the sun. We soaked our weary bones in hot springs and even took a few rejuvenating cold plunges in between. We ate some of the best Thai food I’ve had in a long time. I watched the sun rise and set over the mountains each morning and night.

Although we only stayed for a day and a half, I left feeling like I had a week-long retreat at a relaxing resort. We drove home with full hearts and restored spirits. Sometimes it’s the simple pleasures in life that make us feel the most at ease.