THE TRIP THAT PLANTED THE SEED
RETROSPECT
In 2016 we took a trip that planted a seed in our souls. A seed that, 3 years later, would become the fruit of life-changing decisions. This trip was significant in many ways, on many levels. Hindsight is 20/20, so it’s easy now to look back and see how this trip changed our trajectory, but we didn’t realize it at the time. The key was being open to the change that was to come. And that’s what I want to share with you today.
You may be in a state of wondering where your life is going, or possibly you don’t feel good about the direction you think you’re headed in. Heck, even if you are feeling great about what life has in store for you, keep reading. Because I’m going to share the story of an incredible trip that planted a seed in my mind that grew into a renewed sense of love for life and all its possibilities.
But let me make one thing very clear. We do not have life all figured out. We haven’t found the secret formula to blissful living that it seems everyone is looking for. And when you can recognize and acknowledge that the perfect formula for life does not exist, the door to so many possibilities is unlocked!
THE SET UP
First, some context on why this vacation was significant. Before our son Kade (now 3) came along, a typical vacation for Kristi and me consisted of finding a nice all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean and parking ourselves on the beach for a week. We are both Marylanders and growing up, my family pretty much stayed to the east coast for vacations. Kristi grew up camping with her family, and they took quite a few trips out west in the Family Truckster, camper in tow. But I had never been out to explore any of the immense natural beauty contained within the western part of the US. So in 2016 we decided to change things up…well, I did. It took a little convincing to get my better half on board. I wanted to go out west and explore some of the wide-open areas of the country that I had never seen before. At first, Kristi wasn’t too keen on swapping out a swimsuit for hiking boots as our primary vacation attire, but as she began to understand how much I wanted to go, she came around. And so the planning for our Western Road Trip Vacation began!
Lookback Lesson: Change things up! Do something different, try something new. I always resisted different options because I was scared I would miss something in the things I was comfortable with. If I only knew what I was missing by resisting!
OUR ROUTE
As we began to figure out where we were going to go and what we were going to see, we had to decide which part of the country we were going to focus on. With so much to see and do in our beautiful country and only 10 days to work with, we would have to narrow it down a bit. I definitely wanted to see Mt Rushmore, and Kristi was all about a beautiful waterfall. So we started with Rapid City, South Dakota in the Black Hills where Mt. Rushmore is. Then we Googled “top 10 waterfalls in the US” and came across Shoshone Falls in Twin Falls, ID. Neither of us had ever heard of it before, but it’s also known as the “Niagara of the West” so it was bound to be pretty incredible, right? After we looked it up on the map, we decided to bookend the trip with our 2 must-see locations and fill in the middle with a road trip. The first thing we realized was that driving out there and back from Maryland would eat up way too much adventure time. So we decided to fly into Denver and start our road trip there. From Denver we would drive north to Rapid City, then head west through Wyoming to Jackson Hole, then a little further west to Twin Falls, and finally south to Salt Lake City to fly home. Whoo! Sounds like a lot in one sentence. Even sounds like a lot in 10 days. But we were pumped to have our route and began booking flights and hotels.
As I mentioned before, this trip was significant on so many levels. And if I were to recount the whole adventure in my typical super-detailed story telling style, it may be more of a book than a blog! So I’ve decided to break it down into the most significant moments and why they meant so much to us then and now.
Significant Moment #1: The Hike
Kristi and I love to hike. We hike fairly often where we live, and its always on our to-do list when we travel. When we decided to go out west, we were pumped to go on some amazing hikes! The vacation started with flying into Denver and hopping in the car to head straight to Rapid City, South Dakota and the Black Hills. Once we got to our hotel, we immediately began searching for where we would be going hiking the next day. After poring over several trail maps and reading some online reviews, we decided to take the Harney Peak trail (today known as Black Elk Peak trail). We wanted a challenging hike and Harney Peak was the highest point in the Black Hills…challenging indeed! It was 5 miles return with a difficult rating and lots of elevation change, so we were excited.
The next day we got up and went to check out Mt. Rushmore. More on this unbelievable monument later, but it is important to mention that we visited this site first. We spent a few hours there and got some lunch before changing and heading to the trail head for our hike. We parked just before 2 PM and got our boots on, threw some snacks, water, and camera in our packs and we set off! We started on a trail that’s about a mile to meet up with the Harney Peak trail so we were planning on about a 6-mile hike for our afternoon. It was a beautiful sunny day and we were feeling good! Fresh mountain air filled our lungs, beautiful views abound, and we were together doing something we love! As we took it all in, stopping for pictures at almost every scenic part of the trail we realized it doesn’t get much better than this… or does it?
A few miles in and we passed a guy coming the other way who said it was a little crowded at the peak, but the views were worth the trek. We asked how much further it was and he kinda chuckled and told us we still had a way to go. We thought that was strange because we were already a couple miles into a 6-mile round trip hike. But we shrugged it off and kept on going. As we climbed higher, the views got more and more incredible! It had been a couple hours now and we still hadn’t seen the halfway point. The trail had been a little challenging, but not crazy and we were beginning to wonder if we were on the right one. The terrain changes on the trail were wide-ranging and amazing. We transitioned from open field, to rocky paths, to what looked like a rain forest, and back to rocks. At one point as we came through a wooded part of the trail on the side of a hill, I looked up and saw a structure built on top of one of the peaks…way, way off in the distance. We were about 4 miles in by this point and I looked at Kristi and said, “That can’t be where we’re going…can it?” She looked back and said, “I think it is…but that’s way far away!”
It was at this point that we realized our mistake. This was a not a 6-mile roundtrip trail. It was 6 miles each way. This realization presented us with a few additional challenges. The first was that we really only packed enough water for a 6-mile hike…and we hadn’t exactly been sipping it to that point. Secondly, because we saw Mt. Rushmore in the morning, we didn’t start the hike until mid-afternoon. So now it was after 5PM and we were still a couple miles (the steepest, hardest miles), from the halfway point. Luckily it was summer so we had about 4 hours of daylight left, but we would be cutting it close. And we didn’t bring lights. And lastly, we had only brought a few energy bars to snack on. So we were definitely getting hungry. But we hadn’t gone that far to not finish, so we pressed on.
As expected, the terrain got tougher and the elevation got steeper. The last quarter mile was almost straight up the side of the mountain with a switchback trail winding its way toward the peak. And then we could finally see it clearly…only about a hundred more yards to the stone fire tower at the peak. The structure was built in the 30s as a lookout to monitor brush fires in the Black Hills region. Once we got there and walked out onto the observation deck, the trip was immediately worth the effort. Before us lay a 360-degree view of the Black Hills that was truly breathtaking. Craggy mountains pushed through blankets of green trees that stretched off into the horizon which felt like it was forever away. The wind cooled us off as we drank in the view and pulled out our camera to try and capture the jaw-dropping views. Just as we were setting up the camera for a triumphant “we did it” pic, I looked over to the adjacent peak and saw a mountain goat and her 2 kids walk out onto the rocks and lay down in the sun! As if the views weren’t amazing enough, we got some wildlife thrown in for good measure!
Then the realization that we still had to walk the 6 miles back to the car hit us like a sledgehammer. The excitement of reaching the peak and the incredible views quickly gave way to the reality of the daunting hike that we still had yet to tackle. While most of it would be down-hill, it was still 6 miles and rough terrain. And we were low on water and out of snacks. But we had no choice, so off we went.
The hike back was rough. You know how traveling to a vacation is full of anticipation and excitement, while the travel home is spent wishing you were still on vacation? The hike back down was kinda like that. We were hungry, thirsty, achy from cooling down while at the peak, and wishing we could have hung out at the lookout tower longer. Finally, after what seemed like forever, we got back to the car! It was about 8PM and while it was still light out, the sun had already dipped below the western peaks. Our legs were rubbery, our feet felt like anvils, and we were ready to eat a whole cow…each! But we did it!
So, after all that (told you my stories are anything but short), here is why that hike was so significant. We did it! It was hard. It was grueling. It was not what we planned for. But it was amazing, and we did it. However, if we had known from the start that it was going to be a nearly 12-mile hike with over 2000 ft of vertical climb and take us almost 6 hours to complete, we probably would not have gone. We would have missed out on the views and, more importantly, the sense of accomplishment that came with conquering that beast of a hike!
Lookback Lesson: Pack more water and snacks than you think you’ll need! Things will happen unexpectedly and not how you planned for. You have to be able to roll with the punches, regroup, and trudge on. The road will get tough. But at the end of that road is the incredible view, the sense of achievement, the realization that you can push yourself further than you thought. And those are the things that will make it all worth it! So embrace the unexpected twists and turns. That is where you will find yourself growing the most!
Significant Moment #2: Mt Rushmore
If you’ve never been to Mt. Rushmore, you have to go. To me, it was always one of those historical things I saw in pictures and heard about. I mean it sounded pretty cool that they carved faces into the side of a mountain, but it is truly something you have to see in person to really appreciate! I mean they carved recognizable faces into the side of a mountain!! Oh and by the way, they did it over 90 years ago! Beyond the memorial itself, there’s an extensive park and visitor center set up that details the history of the surrounding land, the construction of the monument, and many interactive learning activities. The sense of history and pride I felt as we walked around the park and read the stories of the workers and the conditions of what it was like to carve the faces was really humbling and inspiring.
This was a significant moment for me because it gave me the desire to seek out more of the history of our great country. It made me want to go beyond what I learned in history class and go see it first-hand. I had been to Washington DC plenty of times. Growing up outside of Baltimore, DC was just down the road. And all the memorials there have a similar effect on me. But seeing Mt. Rushmore made me realize how much more is out there to see and learn about.
Lookback Lesson: Always continue to learn. It’s easy to get to a point in your life where you think you have everything figured out. I know I was there. I thought I knew exactly what I wanted, how to get it, and that would be all I needed. That is until it wasn’t. I started to read more books about different ways of thinking and understanding. I realized that I loved learning! It’s amazing how different it is to learn about something of your own initiative (rather than having to remember it for a test) and how interesting it can be when you look at it with a fresh perspective. Growth happens through learning!
Significant Moment #3: The Grand Tetons and Yellowstone
I’ve come to realize in recent years that mountains speak to my soul. There’s just something about breathing mountain air, seeing the sheer size and mass of mountains, and the rewarding views when you climb them that just never gets old. And I thought I knew inspiring mountain views…that is until the Grand Tetons came into view on our drive from Rapid City to Jackson Hole. I should also say that the drive across the state of Wyoming was soulfully fulfilling in and of itself. The wide-open roads and changing landscape were just really cool to witness. And enjoying that cruise with Kristi as we jammed out to all our favorite tunes was a part of this trip I’ll always cherish. But I digress.
As the Tetons came into view, I just couldn’t believe how amazing they were…and that we were still an hour away! As we got closer, they just got bigger and more majestic. We stayed just outside Jackson Hole in the Grand Teton Village at the base of the mountains. The view from our room was nothing short of awe-inspiring. We spent a few days there, hanging out in Jackson Hole, hiking around the lakes in the shadow of the Tetons, and just really enjoying nature!
Then we went to Yellowstone for a day. And boy was that a treat! Kristi had been before as a kid and had seen a lot of it before. But for me, it was like nature overload in all the best ways possible! We only spent a day there, but in that day, we saw Old Faithful, the falls, the Sulphur Pools, and of course some wildlife! Seeing elk and buffalo relatively up close, and a moose off in the distance was just freakin’ cool! And I know we just scratched the surface of the beauty of Yellowstone.
Definitely one of the more fun things we did was ride the gondola in the Village to the top of one of the peaks. Up there, at 10,450 ft of elevation, is a little waffle shack that’s a must-visit spot for a unique treat…with insane views, of course! This was a significant moment for me because the view from up there was really where it hit me…just how small I am. I looked at these mountains, thought about the natural features and animals in Yellowstone, and that was the first time I really had a feeling of just how big the world is.
Lookback Lesson: If God had meant for us to stay still, He would have given us roots. Instead He gave us the ability to move and a spirit of adventure to take us to new experiences. This spirit is most evident in young children as they gain the ability to move about, and everything they encounter is new and exciting! All they want to do is see more, do more, and go new places! But somewhere along the way that spirit is squashed and inhibited by the accepted norms of the grind of life. For the most part, adulthood as we’ve shaped it is pretty dull and boring. Standing in the shadow of the Tetons and exploring Yellowstone, even for just a few days, awakened that spirit inside me that had lain dormant for so long. I want to explore, see new things, and feel that child-like love for life again!
Significant Moment #4: Shoshone Falls
The final destination on our road trip was Shoshone Falls located in Twin Falls, Idaho. This was a spot that we had never heard of before. Kristi wanted to experience something she hadn’t seen before as a kid and was all about seeing an awesome waterfall… this one promised to fit the bill. Little did we know that the most significant moment of this trip was still in store for us here.
Twin Falls is located on the Snake River Canyon, which in and of itself, is a spectacular sight to behold. With the beautiful Perrine Bridge spanning the canyon and the jade waters of the Snake River meandering through, you could spend days hiking and kayaking without a problem. But when you see the Shoshone Falls, words leave you. Also known as the “Niagara of the West”, the Shoshone Falls are actually 45 ft higher than Niagara Falls, but not as wide. Either way, they are truly impressive. And one of the coolest things is that you can rent kayaks and paddle up to the base of the falls, as close as you dare! So, we dared! And let me tell you, the sheer power of the falls crashing into the river below is extremely evident when you’re 50 yards away in a kayak! The best part was that we were able to get out on the rocks and have lunch with a beautiful, unimpeded view of the falls. A view that remains the home screen picture on my phone to this day.
But as incredible as that experience was, it still was not the most significant moment of this trip. That came as we were hiking the trail around the falls. As we hiked around, we found an overlook with a nice bench to take a break and watch the falls. We sat and chatted about the trip, how much fun it was and how glad we were that we decided to change things up. And then, without much warning at all, Kristi looked me and said, “I’m pregnant!” And right then, at that very moment, a seed of change was planted in my mind. But I didn’t know it. I was too busy taking in the fact that we were going to be parents! As any of you that have kids know, that moment of discovery when your first born is on the way is a moment that is one of the most unique you will experience in your life! The weight of the world is seemingly feather-light and crushingly heavy all at the same time. I was going to be a father. It just doesn’t get more significant than that!
Lookback Lesson: As amazing as the things around you may seem, the most amazing thing is still family. And for me, that won’t ever change. I could have all the most incredible experiences, but without my family to share them with, they wouldn’t be nearly as incredible. Family is the key. All of a sudden, I wanted to be better for my family. I wanted to be willing to change and try new things for my family. I wanted to conquer the unexpected hard times for my family. I wanted to grow and learn for my family. I wanted to explore and have a child-like spirit of adventure for my family. This was a trip that planted a seed. I learned a lot about myself and about life on this trip.
LOOKING BACK
Keep in mind I did not realize all of this while we were actually ON the trip. The Lookback Lessons are indicative of what I see now that I learned as I look back on the trip. The seed that was planted is now bearing fruit as we work towards putting all these lessons into action and taking control of our life with a goal of growing stronger as a family!
I know this was a super long read. And if you are still here, I’m very grateful. I wanted to share the genesis of our journey with you in a way that may help you on yours. Sometimes the seeds of change are not always obvious when they are planted. But if you allow them to grow, you too could find yourself on a path you never thought possible!
Ready to Read More? Up next we head to New Zealand!