EVERYBODY FEARS BEARS

While hiking around Mt Hood I faced a fear that I didn't realize was a big deal.

I'm afraid of heights.

 
Not terribly.  I can frolic in trees, ride ski lifts, go up the Space Needle in Seattle but apparently, if I'm not tethered or in the safety of some mechanical structure, I get spooked.  I was chatting with my mom as we climbed and came to a steep spot on the trail.  (steep cliff to my right, drop off to my left  ...and the trail is about 18 inches wide)  Keeping my eyes on my mom's feet in front of me I marveled at how relaxed she was.  After a couple comments she just breezily states, 'Oh, I just don't have a fear of heights'.

What???

 I came back saying 'THAT'S LIKE BEING CONFRONTED BY A BEAR, SHRUGGING YOUR SHOULDERS, AND SAYING- WELL, I JUST DON'T HAVE A FEAR OF BEARS'.

WHAT????

 I believe I have a perfectly rational reaction to heights but compared to the fine folks I was hiking with I am a baby.  (Nobody called me that.  They're way too nice)  But as I pep-talk myself along the steep spots, knowing I HAVE TO continue on or just die on the mountain, I'm thinking LOOK AT THIS DEATH-DROP OFF AND JOIN ME IN MY "IRRATIONAL" FEAR WHY DON'T YOU PEOPLE????  

Obviously, as I sit here at my computer, I MADE IT.

 I did something REALLY HARD.

9+ miles per day.  35 lbs on my back.  No bears.  Thousands of feet of elevation ups and downs each day.   28+ miles total for me.  (I just had 3 days while the group was going to complete the trail in 5, so I had left my car at an access point.)

My legs and feet and back ached.  Sleeping on the ground was a sad reward each night...  But GOSH DARN IT I LOVED IT.

 There's something indescribable about the reward that comes from hard work.  ...a reward that has no shortcuts.  (maybe a helicopter?)

It was deliciously difficult and I'd only do it again if my mommy and daddy come again to help me.

The end.



p.s.  For an overall better account of the 3 days visit my mom's blog HERE.