I have always loved adventure. Pre-Lyme I loved to hike, kayak and explore new places.
I still seek adventure – but it looks different these days – hiking & kayaking are just out.
During our travels to various medical appointments over the years, we’ve found ways to still explore.
Sometimes it’s from the front seat of the rv as I google some random monument we happen to be driving by. And sometimes I’m able to get out and trek short distances to look at some cool waterfall or lava field.
In the interest of full disclosure, I cried the other night mourning the life I can no longer live. It’s funny that after 18 years of being sick, I still miss my old life.
Maybe that’s how it should be. We should be longing for more. Maybe that longing is what keeps us going, keeps motivating us to try to get better.
I believe in positive thinking – but I also believe negative emotions can help us find those positive feelings.
I also believe when we try to avoid negative emotions and focus strictly on positivity, we are denying our bodies the ability to work through whatever it is affecting us. (That’s a post for another day.)
It’s ok to have a pity party, just don’t unpack and live there.
We can’t wallow either – we have to find ways to enjoy life AS IT IS. We have to find happiness and laughter. It’s not an option if I ever want to get wells. The person who has no joy has no hope.
So even though I long for the days of old when I could do so much more, I still seek out ways to enjoy life in my current state (whatever that may be on any given day).
And let me say this – so much of my adventures would not be possible without my husband and kids. I could not travel like this on my own. I could not do many of the things we do without help. And most importantly, they encourage and empower me – and they make sure to remind me when I’m over-doing or need to rest.
Caretakers do more than just bring pills and make food. They care for your whole wellbeing – body, mind and spirit.
This Adventure
I love to photograph our journey so I can look back and remember what we’ve seen and hold onto the adventure. Below are some of those photos. (I recognize these are mostly for me, but I hope they inspire you to find ways to nurture the desires of your own heart.)
Seattle
One of my daughters joined us for a few days of the beginning of our trip. We went to Mount Vernon, Washington to visit family and friends – and stopped by Pikes Place Market in Seattle. Although it was a short stop, it was fun to see the hustle & bustle of the fish market, the original Starbucks, and the view of the bay with ferries and cruise ships coming and going.
Coeur d’Alene
We stayed in a busy RV park in Coeur d’Alene on the Spokane River. Time was limited as I was in treatment the first two days and then was detoxing heavily which kept me in bed. Still, we made the most of it and enjoyed the city park on the lake and took a short ferry tour.
Montana
Leaving CdA, we stopped in Dillon, Montana for the night. It’s a cute, rural town. I especially loved that it has a kids fishing pond. We were lucky enough to see a group of kids making their own memories on the dock.
The big adventure day happened between Dillon and Twin Falls. Caught a glimpse of a buffalo statue and learned about “Number Hill” in Arco, Idaho where every year, the graduating class treks up to paint their graduation year. They’ve been doing this since 1920!
Craters of the Moon
We stopped at Craters of the Moon national park where my parents took my brother and I as kids. It’s a fascinating place as the lava fields were not formed from an erupting volcano, but seeped up through the surface of the earth creating cones and tunnels and a fascinating landscaping. If you’re ever anywhere near southeast Idaho, it’s worth the time to go check it out.
You might need to zoom in to see some of the detail – pictures just don’t do it justice.
It’s a short walk up to the top of the splatter cones where you can peek down inside to see snow and a few lost hats from windy days (almost lost mine too!)
Inferno cone looks like a rolling sand hill. The hike up is steep, hot, and way too long for me to even think I could make it. I’m sure the views at the top are amazing (someday I’ll come back and see for myself).
There’s a long hike (3.5 miles round trip) that takes you out into the lava fields where you can view 3 large craters. We obviously didn’t do that – but a short (steep) trek allowed us to peer into the largest of the craters. I probably should not have done that – it was hard, I moved very slow, and am in a lot of pain today – but it was beautiful to see.
Hailey
My father was in the army until I was 8 years old. My family then moved to Hailey, Idaho, where Dad opened a business giving glider rides to tourists over the mountains and beautiful terrain of Sun Valley.
We only lived there for 3 years – but it’s the place I remember being happiest in my youth.
Twin Falls
We made a wrong turn on our way to the rv park near Twin Falls. We don’t usually mind a detour – this one took us down a somewhat sketchy, windy, steep road that gave us an amazing view of the Snake River but really isn’t meant for rigs like ours.
Snake River Canyon
Shoshone Falls
45’ taller than Niagara – these falls are just stunning. Someday I’ll come back and kayak below the falls.
Evil Knievel
In 1974, Evil Knievel attempted to jump the snake river canyon on a rocket powered bike. The bike parachute designed to slow him down on landing deployed early, plunging the bike & knievel into the canyon below. He survived.
Many years later, he accepted Jesus as his savior. After his baptism, he shared his testimony and 700 people came to Christ and were baptized that day.
PhilippiJoy 