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.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Relaxing with the Fam....
I don't typically blog, but I think that this is going to be a good way for me to start reflecting on the day and it's experiences, adventures, etc., and what I am learning about life, myself, and others along the way....so here it goes.
Well, this weekend has been a great, refreshing weekend (plus it was a bit longer than normal, thanks Dr. King). It started off Friday night rock climbing some buds, getting over the stressful week that we each had. Then when I got home, my wife knew that I was a bit frazzled this week, and she did everything she could to make it relaxing for me. She made dinner (yea tacos!) and a bath (I know it sounds sissy-lala--ish, but it was so good...like Chandler in Friends). It was great.
Saturday we woke up and went for a hike in Chip Ross Park up to Dimple Hill (about 7 miles). It was a bit chilly for Dayvanee as she rode in the backpack, but it was a beautiful sunny day. My wife and I did some great talking and laughing during the hike, spending some good, quality time together. Afterwards, we got some pizza and relaxed at home.
Sunday, we went to Grace City church, and just continued to get excited about who God is and what He wants to do in our lives. He has really been shaping lately my ideology/beliefs/attitude towards the church, and I think that it is a good thing. We hung out for the rest of the day, played some Boggle, watched a movie.
Monday, I jumped on my mt. bike and rode where we hiked on Saturday, as well as the whole McDonald-Dunn Forest. It was awesome...cold, actually freezing in some areas, but awesome. Climbed up to McColluch Peak, which overlooks Corvallis and the Willamette Valley. There is a bench up there, perfect for reflecting and enjoying. Then I headed down some logging roads that passed through some old growth forest. At one point, I looked down at my speedometer and it read "41 mph". You don't do that to often on a mtb but it was a blast. My first ride of the year and since September.
Tuesday (today), we had the opportunity to watch the inaugeration for President Obama. It was great to see, and reminded me how much the world was different in years past. During Taft's inaugeration (100 years prior), he said that "negroes are Americans," and now we have a black president. That is awesome! Not for that reason, but for the many reasons associated with it (more on that later). I think that the best quote was from John Adams (if I am wrong, blame the newscaster), who said "two men walk through the door today. One to return, one to leave for good. Which one is happier?"
Well, that is a lot, but all I wanted to say about this weekend is that how important it is to relax, spend time with family, and enjoy what God has made. Our nature calls us to be productive, but that doesn't always mean we are efficient. I am currently reading Floyd Landis' (2006 Tour de Frace WINNER) book, Positively False, and in it he talks about his training and comes up with a relevation: "You can never train too much. You can, however, not rest enough." I think this is important, especially for me. There is so much I want to do, see, say, know, etc., which is good. But it is also good to be content and rest...maybe I will be more efficient.
So this is my start at a blog...why is it called "muddy shoes?" I intend to use this blog for thoughts, ideas, lessons, stories, etc about life, marriage, adventure (yes, the three may be synomonous). And I don't know about you, but I do some of my best "thinking" when I am outside, getting my feet dirty.
Well, this weekend has been a great, refreshing weekend (plus it was a bit longer than normal, thanks Dr. King). It started off Friday night rock climbing some buds, getting over the stressful week that we each had. Then when I got home, my wife knew that I was a bit frazzled this week, and she did everything she could to make it relaxing for me. She made dinner (yea tacos!) and a bath (I know it sounds sissy-lala--ish, but it was so good...like Chandler in Friends). It was great.
Saturday we woke up and went for a hike in Chip Ross Park up to Dimple Hill (about 7 miles). It was a bit chilly for Dayvanee as she rode in the backpack, but it was a beautiful sunny day. My wife and I did some great talking and laughing during the hike, spending some good, quality time together. Afterwards, we got some pizza and relaxed at home.
Sunday, we went to Grace City church, and just continued to get excited about who God is and what He wants to do in our lives. He has really been shaping lately my ideology/beliefs/attitude towards the church, and I think that it is a good thing. We hung out for the rest of the day, played some Boggle, watched a movie.
Monday, I jumped on my mt. bike and rode where we hiked on Saturday, as well as the whole McDonald-Dunn Forest. It was awesome...cold, actually freezing in some areas, but awesome. Climbed up to McColluch Peak, which overlooks Corvallis and the Willamette Valley. There is a bench up there, perfect for reflecting and enjoying. Then I headed down some logging roads that passed through some old growth forest. At one point, I looked down at my speedometer and it read "41 mph". You don't do that to often on a mtb but it was a blast. My first ride of the year and since September.
Tuesday (today), we had the opportunity to watch the inaugeration for President Obama. It was great to see, and reminded me how much the world was different in years past. During Taft's inaugeration (100 years prior), he said that "negroes are Americans," and now we have a black president. That is awesome! Not for that reason, but for the many reasons associated with it (more on that later). I think that the best quote was from John Adams (if I am wrong, blame the newscaster), who said "two men walk through the door today. One to return, one to leave for good. Which one is happier?"
Well, that is a lot, but all I wanted to say about this weekend is that how important it is to relax, spend time with family, and enjoy what God has made. Our nature calls us to be productive, but that doesn't always mean we are efficient. I am currently reading Floyd Landis' (2006 Tour de Frace WINNER) book, Positively False, and in it he talks about his training and comes up with a relevation: "You can never train too much. You can, however, not rest enough." I think this is important, especially for me. There is so much I want to do, see, say, know, etc., which is good. But it is also good to be content and rest...maybe I will be more efficient.
So this is my start at a blog...why is it called "muddy shoes?" I intend to use this blog for thoughts, ideas, lessons, stories, etc about life, marriage, adventure (yes, the three may be synomonous). And I don't know about you, but I do some of my best "thinking" when I am outside, getting my feet dirty.
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