I originally wrote this piece over a year ago as a reflection for my 52 Hike Challenge Adventure Series. For some reason I never published it. I’m publishing it now, having just finished nursing school, but I find its still as relevant as the day I wrote it.
Back in August I made one last foray to the mountains before beginning what would be 4 months of intense coursework for nursing school. This trip was supposed to be a final opportunity to see my friends, climb some mountains, and say goodbye to the place I’d called home for the better part of the last 5 years.
As happens, life threw some curveballs at me and I ended up working the entire time I was there (I really needed the money). My truck also decided to crap out and I couldn’t confidently drive up to any of the trailheads for fear of blowing up my transmission, so it seemed like hiking was out of the question.
One evening after work I went out for a drink at my favorite local spot and ended up chatting with a man sitting next to me. I found out that he had just moved to Franklin (quite literally two days earlier) to attend school to be a park ranger. He asked for some recommendations on local hikes he could check out and do some trail running after class. Well buddy you met the right girl, because I have the local scoop on trails around here! I texted him some trail data, we shared a few beers, and then went our separate ways.
The next morning I awoke early to get to work. I had a really busy day planned out. Keeping busy has always been my way of coping when things aren’t going exactly the way I want. I was hoping I’d be too busy to be sad about not getting to hike, too busy to be anxious about moving away from this place I love so much, and too busy to be stressed about starting nursing school. Early evening rolled around, and as I was getting ready to close the restaurant, I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. I check it to find I have a text from a number that isn’t saved in my phone. Confused, I open the message to discover that it’s from park ranger guy; I’d texted him trail info but hadn’t saved his number in my phone, not expecting to talk to him again. He’s asking which of the trails I sent him would be best for a sunset hike this evening. That’s easy, of course it’s Pickens Nose! I tell him this and get back to work. A few minutes later, another text comes through.
Ranger: Uh, I hope this isn’t weird but do you want to come? Since you know where the trailhead is, it would be much easier to find.
I almost said no. I was busy. I had plans later. I don’t really know this fella. Oh hell, why not.
Me: Yeah, sure. Let’s meet on Georgia Rd at 6pm.
While my truck would never have made it to the trailhead, his Subaru could. This invitation was my opportunity to go on a hike on this trip, and I almost said NO.
This hike turned out to be exactly what I needed. Being back in my favorite forest on one of my favorite mountains instantly wiped away any shred of doubt I had about coming on this adventure. The evening light danced through the rhododendron and reminded me why I call this place home. My heart pounded with the exertion of racing up the trail, a feeling I’ve grown to love. The sunset was one of the best I’ve ever seen or experienced. As an added bonus, I got to watch the wonder in this stranger’s eyes as he experienced the magic of the Blue Ridge for the first time.
Its really easy to get into rhythms and patterns that feel safe and comfortable and forget to say YES when an opportunity for adventure comes along. I’ve realized that the easiest way to fit adventure into my daily life is to just let it happen. When you start saying yes, adventure starts to find you. Do you have a story about a time you almost said no, but said yes and ended up having a wonderful adventure? Please feel free to leave a comment.
Still She Roams 
Beautiful.
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