I've tackled that mountain....

STORY TIME :) last May I had the chance to go to Moab and hike all over the place. Southern Utah is BEAUTIFUL! There's nothing like seeing the realness of the red dirt in person. It's crazy. There are some beautiful hikes that are yes, challenging, but have extremely rewarding views. Went with some friends and had great conversations the whole way up.
Come June I realize I really want to hike the Y. Just in my backyard in Provo, Utah. If you don't know this about me, I'm extremely spontaneous and act on pretty much all impulses. So it's 7am and I'm wide awake laying in bed when I decide to conquer the mountain. I figured that since I had hiked all over Moab, I could pretty much conquer the world. Boy was I wrong. I start the hike and the whole way I'm thinking to myself, how am I ever going to make it. I had no idea how hard this was going to be for me. Hiking the Y is all switchbacks, all uphill. No level ground or downhill at ALL! Well, I get to switchback number 8. Extremely exhausted and having no idea how much further to the top, I then turn around and call it good.... Not knowing how many switchbacks there were left. I jogged down the hill feeling bummed that I turned around but happy that I made it that far.
This morning I woke up with a little extra hop in my step. I decide I'm going to hike the Y and this time make it all the way. I wasn't going to let myself turn around again. This time I come fully prepared with my ipod fully charged, some water, and my inhaler (don't laugh!). I start up the mountain, knowing this time that it's all or nothing. I make a little stop to rest after about the 3rd switchback. As I'm sitting there I notice a girl coming down the mountain. She smiles and says, "Goodmorning!" And I quickly say, "I have a question.... How many switchbacks are there?" She responds, "There's 10 to the bottom of the Y and 12 to the top. But don't worry, the first few are the hardest and longest of them all. You can do it!" I say thank you then start on my way back up. I get thinking to myself... "ARE YOU SERIOUS? I MADE IT ALL THE WAY TO NUMBER 8 LAST TIME THEN TURNED AROUND AND WALKED ALL THE WAY BACK DOWN!!!"
I quickly learned turned this into a life lesson... Me, walking on a path with the end not in sight, so often turn around to go back down the road already traveled. The first time I tried this hike I had nothing. Not an i-pod, no water, no inhaler, no friends to say keep going, and no road map to say how much further I had. I was walking completely blind on a path with literally no end in sight.
Well, I knew how much longer I had to go and lets just say when I was getting to the 11th switchback, I saw my final destination right there in front of me and starting running to reach my end goal. I DID IT! I MADE IT! All I needed was a little map, support, and entertainment.
Now, going back to the first time I tried this hike. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I thought that it was going to be a peace of cake. I had no idea that hiking the Y was all switchbacks and all UPHILL! Personally, I prefer my hikes with it's ups and downs. But this morning, I put it into perspective... In these last days there can't be ups and downs. Where I'm strong, but then fall a little downhill just to pick myself back up in a week or however long. These are the final days where it is going to be an uphill hike! Striving always to become better. I know the end goal and my final destination. I only hope that towards the end of my hike of life that I will again run full speed only this time to my Heavenly Father to embrace Him with a hug. Just as I did the final steps of hiking the Y.

the map of the Y

Beginning the trail...

I dropped my phone as I was sitting on top the the Y. I laughed as it fell all the way the the base of the Y. Hitting every rock and flying into three pieces: the back, the battery, and the front. I got it all put back together and working. Makes for a good story and great laugh. The scratches give it character!!! :)

PEACE + LOVE

LOOK MOM, I'M LIKE 10 YRS OLD AGAIN :)

laying on top of the Y, feeling on top of the world!

GOODMORNING UTAH!!