Signs You're About to Have an Experience You Never Thought

“We are doing this one, right?” I wishfully pointed to the map of a hike labeled three hours duration. “Oh, no. We are doing this longer one. We can tackle it in half the time, then cook hotdogs for dinner.” I read the estimated hike time he mentioned. SIX to EIGHT hours! It was already 7:30 p.m. No dinner. I reluctantly turned to follow the group. This was the first sign.

I guess I'll follow

We journeyed up the inclined steps of the path. Save for the mosquitos buzzing around my head, I enjoyed gazing at the vibrant green plants with bursts of colorful flowers. I noticed the amount of descending hikers, several forced to sit and rest due to exhaustion. What did I get myself into? The second sign.

We hiked at a steady, quick pace. A cleared area of brush indicated a vantage point. I walked toward the edge to see the immensity of Exit Glacier. The wavering lines of the crevasses beheld beautiful colors of cerulean, grey, and white. Was this real life? Another sign.

Exit Glacier

“Just get to the top,” I kept murmuring and chanting to myself as a mantra to keep my hangry (angry hunger) symptoms at bay. Now above the treeline, the vibrant green flora turned to heather (think Scottish Highlands), which turned to rocks and dirt, which turned into SNOW! This South Texas girl experienced snow four times in twenty-seven years! Curse words sprinkled my mantra. A sign for what was to come.

We literally climbed a mountain!

I trudged and mumbled along the slippery, snowy path. Loud thuds immediately put me on alert for bears until I looked up to see a giant rock barreling down the mountainside towards the path! Frozen in my place, the rock bounced right over the path fifteen feet from me. Did something not want us there? A sign.

It was midnight, the sun did not set, but was at the correct position to paint the snow all shades of pink, orange, and purple. And there it was. We walked up to the magnificence of the Harding Ice Field expanding for hundreds of miles across the horizon. The massive breadth of it all overwhelmed, consumed, and dizzied me with emotion. I was speechless and humbled by the painted colors of the sun, the majesty of the mountain peaks, and the quiet stillness of mother nature showcasing her best attributes.

Harding Ice Field

I never expected to experience nature in that way, nor to journey up a mountain to then declare that it marked one of my favorite adventures to date. Though there may be signs that beckon you to quit, the journey of persistence will surely reward.

Photos courtesy of Darren Drake.

Top 10 Photos of 2014

After a rather slow 2013 year, we got back to traveling last year. Some of travels were for festivals like Madri Gras in New Orleans or Wurstfest in New Braunfels. Thanks to cheap airfare we could make weekend visits to Chicago and Boston. After an amazing camping trip to Big Bend National Park, the camping bug bit us and we visited Alaska with the help of some camping experts. We of course finished off the year (and started 2015) with a trip to the tropical Jamaica. Here are what we think are the best photos and why:

View from South Rim in Big Bend National Park

Sometimes you need a view to remind you how much more there is to see in the world. Sometimes it is good to feel tiny. Guest Blogger Ryan is seen in this photo. He went on numerous adventures this past year like Puerto Rico, Seattle, and Cabo.

Skyscrapers reflecting off the bean in Chicago

The "bean" in Chicago gives a different perspective of downtown. In life, it is good to get different perspectives. There is no one right way to go through life, everyone has their story to tell, just listen.

Looking down on Resurrection Bay

Some views are worth the difficult path. We kayaked and hiked all day to capture this beautiful view of Thumb Cove. The calm bay made for a tranquil moment that makes the journey worth it,

Chicago Skyline from Hancock Signature Lounge

It's hard to beat the Chicago skyline. Captured just after sunset, it was the perfect ending to a wonderful visit to Chicago. There are cheap ways to visit Chicago too!

Getting left behind in Denali National Park

Friends can make traveling great... or disastrous. We had a great time exploring Denali National Park with two other friends. The can also help make traveling cheap!

Mount McKinley at 2am 

Visiting Alaska in early July meant 24 hours of sunlight. Remarkably, this photo was taken at 2am with the sun shown on the face of the mountain and the moon above.

Bunker Hill Monument

Weekend get aways are not just great, they are fantastic for the soul. Although Boston deserves more than just a weekend, the historic attractions did wonders for the mind and soul.

Day 2 of hiking Big Bend

Hiking is a great way to get in touch with nature.

Going

Dia de los Muertos is a big celebration in Mexico (and other parts of the world) on November 1 & 2 to remember family members who have died. Corpus Christi has a large Mexican culture and the festival has grown to 40,000+.

Doctor Cave's Beach in Montego Bay Jamaica

Technically this still counts since this picture was taken on New Year's Eve. There will be other pictures from Jamaica to make the 2015 list!

Alaska Kayaking Video

This video shows the 2 day kayaking trip out of Seward. He wore a GoPro for majority of of adventures.

"But I Don't Wanna!"

When I was in sixth grade, I overheard my mom tell my teacher I was very hard-headed (What on Earth did I do, Mom?!). Today, my husband comments that I am "so hard-headed." Okay fine. I'll admit it. I'm hardheaded ok? (See Trevor, I admitted it!)

During the whole process of planning the Alaska trip, I have come up with some AWESOME, rational excuses (eye rolls from Trevor) for me NOT to go.

"I've never been backcountry backpacking or camping. I've never been camping, for that matter, only "glamping" (glamorous camping). I'll hold you back. I can't go to high elevations because I'll get altitude sickness from my asthma. I travel to meet new people, not stay with the same people. I would rather be in Brazil for the FIFA World Cup Final (so much partying by so many cultures!) I'll be on my period (ok I was getting desperate people!)." And my mouth kept runnin' runnin' and runnin' runnin' (sing to tune of Black Eyed Peas song).

The whole past week I have woken up, gasping with beads of sweat on my forehead from the same "bear attack" dreams. I have very little background knowledge of the great outdoors (unless it has to do with the beach, but I mean mountainous landscaping). It is a foreign world, unbeknownst to me. I'm scared, nervous, anxious, and apprehensive about this camping trip in Alaska. 

I've been pretty stubborn about not getting excited about the trip. I've avoided the long Facebook message chain. I've refused to research the places we are going. I DO NOT WANT TO GO!!

But now that I'm sitting on the plane, looking out over majestic snow-capped mountains, my wall of stubbornness is starting to crack! The corners of my mouth are starting to curl upwards, my eyes are widening in awe, and my brow is beginning to unfurl. Shall I admit I'm starting to get excited?

At our parting, my father-in-law reflected, "Make this trip unforgettable because in the future your children may never see or experience such a vast wilderness." GULP. Ok fine. I AM EXCITED!