Tripping Tuesday

As my good friend Shelley Dueck likes to say “Hey  you guys”. Hopefully you’ll get the pleasure of meeting her soon in a future blog but for right now we will move along to Trippin this fine Tuesday.

I’m going to say something that might raise a few eyebrows and I’m sure a few people think I’ve finally lost it. I’ve said this time and time again this pandemic has pushed so many people to their breaking point, myself included but, yes I said but, it has also made my family closer, more resilient, more patient and I fell in love with so many aspects of my life again. Anyone that knows me, knows my heart and soul are truly the happiest when I’m outdoors surrounded by trees taking photos, reading a good book or just letting time stand still. I had allowed my health, life,family obligations to keep me away and make excuses for not going far especially my health.

If you would have told me a few years ago that a pandemic would come, and I would be forced to really dig deep, make better decisions regarding my health and I would love hiking well, I would’ve laughed my ass off. Even before I got sick if someone would have said “Hey Sarah, wanna go hiking?” My response would have emphatically been hell no. But times have changed, and I’ve changed to.

So, I decided to go for a hike lol, yes, just like that. But like a newbie I didn’t do a lot of research on what would be easiest for someone who A) never done it and B) had a medical condition that limits mobility. Pffft I didn’t say I was smart all the time, all I knew was I wanted a waterfall at some point in the hike. To the Google we went, and we picked Grassy Lake by Canmore, Ab. I packed water bottles and snacks for when we were done, and we hit the road. Did I mention I fly by the seat of my pants sometimes? It’s about a 2.5 hour drive from where I live and a pretty drive depending on route. Parking is a bitch just a forewarning so either go early or be prepared to have to park a mile down the road in another parking lot and walk down. We got lucky the first time however the following times we had to park and walk.

I took a few snaps of the lake and the mountain we were heading towards, again not really knowing how far it goes, if I’d die (Hahahahaha) never said I wasn’t a tad dramatic either. Entering the hike, I was still a little cocky, thought this isn’t so bad until we came to the fork in the path.

Left was hard and right was easy. Well, my pleasantly plump self went to turn right naturally no need to push it. I was however told by my wonderful family that I would not be a “pussy” yes that word was used, jerk faces and the hard way was where my hobbit legs took me. Still, I digressed it honestly wasn’t so bad. It slowly inclines up with little trickles of water running off down the mountain in spots, a few benches along the way if u need a rest and u arrive at a lookout where low and behold the waterfall is. I was in complete awe and upon looking down notice we were high up and quite a distance from the parking lot already. Mission accomplished!

Ummmmm no I was again politely reminded we were not finished, and I behind me to see people climbing what looks like stairs carved from the rock. Some very unladylike words came out of my mouth side note- I’m sorry to the kids that heard me talking like a sailor. I feel like I’m rambling here I just want you guys to get the whole picture and I’m just setting the scene lol. Zigzagging up my legs were on fire I felt like I couldn’t breathe, I may have stopped several times to have an internal argument with my body to do what I want it to do. When it leveled out we passed a few small ponds that must’ve been what runs into the waterfall.

And when we rounded that corner, I was stunned and at a loss for words completely. Tucked in the mountains there was a stunning and I mean stunning aqua blue and green small lake, big pond you decide. In that moment it finally hit, I just did that. I just walked and climbed and pushed my body harder then I ever had since being being diagnosed with Lupus. And I ugly cried right there. The family was looking at me like I’d grown two heads, a lady stopped to ask me if I was okay, and I told her while sobbing what I’d just done, and this perfect stranger hugged me in that walkway. A stranger hugged me and gave me comfort for something that most people do and is quite easy for them. She understood what it meant to me. And when the tears dried up, I danced like a fool not giving any fucks who saw me do it. I did it, I didn’t let fear win, I didn’t allow my body to give up, so I sat on a bench by this amazing scenery, and I took the deepest breaths and reflected. Time stood still as I processed what this meant for me.

What this meant for my life and the constant fear and sadness I had felt for losing who I was when I got sick. I had just climbed up the side of a mountain and believe me when I say it was worth it, my God was it worth it. We walked around the whole pond, I took a million pictures and videos. We watched mountain climbers going up the rock face. You can go up farther up but I was honestly at peace with what I had done, so we started our descent which is just a long wide path down. And I thanked my family for not letting me take the easy way, for believing in me enough to know I could do it when I couldn’t. I stepped out at the bottom, and I was changed. Lame I know but it’s the truth. I was no longer going to be held back by fear, I wasn’t going to be stupid either, I am aware of my limits. But I was looking forward to all the possibilities. We sat at a picnic table and had the snacks I had packed, piled into the vehicle and headed home. This is a definite recommend and I will spam this post with all the pictures. Be bold, cry and dance like nobody is watching you.

Love a very enlightened and lighthearted Magnolia x

**** The only negative thing I will say, and I apologize in advance for my language but WHEN YOU GO TO PUT YOUR GARBAGE IN THE CAN AND SEE THAT IT IS FULL THAT DOES NOT MEAN DUMP IT ON THE GROUND ASSHATS. The ground around the cans were covered in garbage, doggie bags etc. I yelled at a lady who just tossed a dirty diaper on the pile. And that is why people, we now have to buy passes to go to these wonderful places. Because people are pigs. Ok I’m done now.