Exploring is refreshing...

We just got back from our little road trip along the Oregon and Washington Coast. We were able to see my grandparents and cousins, and explore. It was a great week, filled with lots of driving and site-seeing. It rained a lot, but that was expected. We checked out some landmarks along the coast like Devil's Punchbowl, Lewis and Clark's Fort Clatsop, the Goonie's House, vampire-friendly Forks, and Seattle. I got a 8 mile run in along some roads and dirt trails by the Dungeness River. We saw some of the most beautiful forests of the country. It was pretty sweet.

Exploring new areas is great. You tend to lose track of time as you take in the new sights and sounds. No obstacle seems to bother you because it is part of the adventure, another story to tell later.

However, I am learning that this exploratory mindset is something to not only have when I am on my bike, when my shoes are getting dirty, when I am in a new town, etc. It is healthy to have this mindset everyday, anticipating the next adventure while at the same time enjoying the opportunity to live. I am not trying to get philosophical or anything, but I do want to know more about the abundant life that Jesus promises.

What brings this to mind involves a little story. So we are driving home from Seattle (4.5 hour drive) and it is about midnight. Dayvee is having trouble sleeping, and Alli says to take the next exit so we can make her a bottle. I thought, take the next "promising" exit to find a gas station. Well, the exit that I did take wasn't so fortuitous, and neither was the next one. We got some good exploring in Vancouver, but it wasn't needed. We got frustrated with each other over the words "next exit", and then after getting back on the freeway and crossed the bridge into Portland, I took the next exit that had "gas" on the sign. Well, the exit is a funky roundabout, and I was a bit tired, we accidentally got back on the freeway, which headed for none other than Vancouver. I was so frustrated. And then, to add fuel to the fire, I look over at Alli and she is holding herself back from laughing. Still frustrated, I found a gas station, we took care of Dayvee, and headed back to cross the Columbia River for the third time. As we were approaching the bridge, I looked at Alli, who is now laughing at the matter, and started laughing too. Yeah, I was a grump, could have done OK without all the bridge crossings and Vancounver explorings, but it is what it is, and now Alli and I have a funny story.

So, whether it's a big adventure or an annoying obstacle, take it for what it is and learn from it. There you have it.