The Couple That Hikes Together - Round Two

Chris and I have always been close. Like, extra-special close. But, like any other couple, we're also guilty of getting stuck in a rut. Of getting so caught up in and hypnotized by the monotony of everyday life that we fall into an overwhelming state of the doldrums and forget to appreciate. There are days when we all too easily undervalue the little things - waking up next to each other every morning, watching our favorite television shows while curled up on the couch together every night, the half hour or so after Chris gets home from work where we shut off the TV/computer/phone and just sit, share a drink and talk about our day...

Like every couple, there are times when we just forget to appreciate... each other.

And then we go hiking.

Immersing ourselves in nature and sucking in the fresh air of the Pacific Northwest centers us, restores us and, without fail, reminds us what's really important in life. Our concerns and troubles suddenly become less burdensome. We feel positive, hopeful and - dare I say it - even expectant. We're a team, out there on that trail, and just knowing that we have each other's back draws us even closer together.

Yes, more often than not we do come home sunburned, tired, sore, and scratching more bug bites than we can count. But we also come home smiling. And that's really the important thing, isn't it? :)


** A glimpse of what we saw yesterday while hiking the Old Sauk River Trail.

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"A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person."
-- Mignon McLaughlin

The Couple That Hikes Together

It's no joke.

The couple that hikes together, stays together.

Yesterday Chris and I embarked on a wonderful adventure - a hike to Snow Lake.

I honestly, truly, and hands down do not think a more beautiful Alpine Lake can be found - crystal clear blue-green water reflecting the surrounding peaks in its glass-like surface, a soft eggshell-blue sky lightly streaked with wispy, barely there clouds. It was... breathtaking. And the almost four mile trek up the mountain to get there? Equally amazing. Views of the neighboring mountains' snowy peaks broke through the thick forest after about a mile and tickled our vision the rest of the way up.

This hike made me fall (if possible) even more in love with my husband. Because without him, I think - er, actually, I know - that I wouldn't be here today.

Okay. So right about now Chris would cut in and say, "Lisa, stop being sooooo overly dramatic." (Hmmm... Sounds like he says this a lot, huh?) But, in all fairness, I'm not being overly dramatic. Not this time, anyway.

I have an overwhelming fear of heights. And this trail, with its steep switchbacks and narrow rock strewn paths, is almost more than a person with a height phobia can take. There were moments when I was mere inches from the side of a cliff, so close to the edge that I could actually feel the drop off. The vast emptiness just one wrong step away was practically tangible. There were several moments on that trail yesterday where I froze. Completely.

And then Chris offered me his hand.

With gentle and sweet words of encouragement, my husband graciously saw me down that mountain. He got me to laugh (many times!) in the face of my fear, and before I knew it I'd scrambled not only three and a half miles down, but well past my paralyzing phobia as well.

Chris and I have been through a lot together. Adversity can either make or break a couple. Luckily, in our case, it only makes us stronger.

Here are a few shots from our amazing day yesterday. We're so blessed to live surrounded by beauty such as this. :)

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"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves."
-- John Muir