live it - Easter escapade

As Easter approached this year, I wanted to do something different. I have attended church on Easter (and nearly every single Sunday) since I was born. I talked to my dad and he recommended I go hiking to celebrate this year. Just God, creation and Millie Mae Vanilli Lapham (my scruffy rescue dog).

At first, the idea of hiking on my own in America me a little nervous. I know this seems completely ridiculous, as I traveled on my own in Europe many times, but something about how spread out we are here in good old 'Merica, makes me a little nervous...all the more reason to overcome this fear and take the trip! After a couple recommendations of safer/more-traveled trails, I landed on the Fiery Gizzard trail in southern Tennessee. (Side note: Not advocating hiking on your own as girl, use your own judgement ladies!)

On a perfect, sunny Easter morning, I packed up my dog and drove an hour or two (<-may have been slightly lost) to the trail. My GPS told me to turn down roads that I was certain were not actual roads. I passed houses that seemed abandoned and a baseball stadium that looked to be out-of-use since 1970, but then I turned into a parking lot full of Jeep Wranglers, and I knew I was in the right place!

(may be a picture from a previous, non-solo, hiking adventure...but I was wearing nearly the same thing...it counts.)

The trail was the most beautiful trail I have ever been on. A cascading stream followed along the trail as I climbed over boulders, hopped along rocks and crossed bridges. The deep blue swimming holes and waterfalls were stunning and looked like they belonged in a Disney World boat tour.

Years ago, I read this book, Sacred Pathways: Discover Your Soul's Path to God, by Gary Thomas, and (turns out I have been misquoting it all these years thinking there were only 5) about the 9 'Sacred Pathways' to God (clearly time for me to read it again). Anyway, one of the strongest ways that I connect to God is through nature. With all of the craziness and uncertainty in my life right now, there was something so simple and powerful about not hearing anything around me, but creation.

Towards the end of my hike, I stepped out onto a huge rock in the center of a stream, water rushing on either side of me, cascading down the waterfall behind me and I just sat on this huge boulder. It was the perfect moment to be still and be thankful for everything Easter represents, forgiveness, redemption, new life, peace and hope.

Happy belated Easter!

the best part of it all...Millie slept the rest of the day!