Heading for the Mountains

I can't believe I actually contemplated not going on my annual girl's trip to Colorado. My friend put the word out about three months ago and I almost declined thinking I wouldn't be able to walk or maneuver the hikes. I didn't want to be the perverbial "stick in the mud" who couldn't do anything because of my bad hip. Humorously, I'm the youngest of the group and the one who's had hip surgery. Ah...you gotta laugh at the irony of it all. I'm just so glad my inner voice talked some sense into me about this annual trek up to the mountains. It doesn't matter that I can't go out bounding like I used to do. This trip has become part of my therapy and rehab more than "training at altitude." My love and passion with trail running and hiking started in Colorado about six years ago with that first trip. While my girlfriends were in the condo reading their books or going on a walk, I took every spare moment to lace up the trail shoes and explore the paths around Crested Butte and Crested Butte South. It was my first trip to Colorado and I had never seen such beautiful scenery. I mean, I was and am emotionally, spiritually and physically blown away.

So, needless to say, I'm admittedly a little bummed at the thought that I'll be limited to shorter walks (dare I call them hikes?) on this trip. I won't have the pleasure of renting mountain bikes and crashing into a dirt pile (yep, I've done it).  Still though, I 'll take away from this trip what I always take away from it. Precious time with dear friends, precious time with nature and an overwhelming feeling of gratitude that I get to be the one to bask in all of it...even if I am sitting on a park bench with my walking stick.