We’re currently nestled up into a cabin on the top of a mountain in the Smokey Mountains, nursing sore muscles and a couple minor scrapes from our exploration yesterday.
I shared a quote on Facebook and Instagram yesterday that really struck a chord with me, especially on the tail of conquering so much.
“Life cannot be understood flat on a page. It has to be lived; a person has to get out of his head, has to fall in love, has to memorize poems, has to jump off bridges into rivers, has to stand in an empty desert and whisper sonnets under his breath… We get one story, you and I, and one story alone. God has established the elements, the setting and the climax and resolution. It would be a crime not to venture out, wouldn’t it?” ~Donald Miller
We saw, we climbed, we conquered… but it was more than just a mountainside. While that was tough enough in itself, ending in 2400′ elevation and probably close to 7 miles hiking up and down with three littles in tow, we overcame so much more. We pushed through the pain of burning muscles and skinned knees to replace it with the victory of reaching the top. And even in the midst of excitement over views and funny shaped rocks, I had a moment. A moment where the fear of heights tried to stifle progress. A moment where tear filled eyes couldn’t look further than one step ahead over my shaky legs in a standstill. In retrospect, and even at the time, I know that it seems silly and without merit, but that didn’t stop the drop in my stomach from happening. As happy kids bounced along ahead, “You’ve got this,” came through his lips with an outstretched hand.
We took our story to the great open landscape just waiting for characters to complete it.
And then we pushed some more, to higher tips and through more laughs and cries. We pushed together as a family, and found the reprieve of waterfalls as a family. Even with the mark on the page (or two) where I wanted to turn around, I’m glad we didn’t. Our pages are written with adventure, challenge, joy and real life, and I’m glad we conquered. It would have been a crime not to.
Have a wonderful week, and write some adventure into your life today!
xo
These photos were all taken on my phone and edited with VSCO and PicTapGo, a few were shared on Facebook and Instagram, you can follow along with our adventure there and with #BlueMountainTour.
Steph says
I love love love it up there! Have a blast!
Tabitha Blue says
Thank you so much Steph!!
Meg O. says
Looks so gorgeous! You are seriously a beast doing that climb with three littles in tow!
Kristy says
Oh, it looks like y’all are having so much fun! The mountains are breath-taking! Thanks for sharing the adventure. I love following along! 🙂
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom says
I love the mountains. We have the Rocky Mountains just a 4 hour drive away. I love going there and I feel most alive when I’m there.
What beautiful pictures and what inspiring words you shared to accompany them.
Wishing you a lovely weekend.
xoxo
Tabitha Blue says
A lovely weekend to you to, and happy holiday weekend as well! Yes, the mountains have definitely been a place to recharge, refresh and relax 😉 And you know, get a work out too with all of those hikes! Haha.
xoxo
~Tabitha