A New Chapter
I know it seems like I’ve written about new things, seasons, chapters, etc. a lot lately, but this is the season I’m in, I think. I’ve been experiencing new things and feelings and it’s something different in my life I’m actually enjoying.
At the end of May, Sam and I went and saw his biological dad and his fiancée in Boise. We had a whole weekend of adventure planned. Sam and I are usually ‘get to the destination as quickly as possible so we can enjoy our time at our intended vacation’ people. But this time we were able to drive up to Twin Falls and stay the night Thursday before continuing on on Friday. One of the cool things about Twin Falls is the bridge you go over in and out of town. There are almost always base jumpers jumping off this bridge. One thing we found out while we were watching them was that this particular bridge is the only one in the United States that you can base jump from 24/7/365 without a special permit. And we just happened to be there during their Spring Fling event so we were able to watch people jump from the bridge for an hour. I have a thing about heights, so I don’t jump off things and I don’t really understand the mechanism in the human brain that allows other people to be able to do that. So I did something I would normally never do: I asked some people walking up the stairs to the bridge why they jump. It differed for each of them, but it came down to it being fun and your life is in your hands because you have to choose to pull your parachute. Definitely not something I’m willing to take on myself, but I commend the people who do it.
Sam and I made our way from Twin Falls and went to Shoshone Falls from there. I have never been to Shoshone Falls, and I didn’t realize they were man made, but they were beautiful. I, again, have a thing with heights, so going out on the walkway directly over the canyon and river was a no go for me, but I got out some of the way and was able to really enjoy the falls. We even hiked up higher in the park so we could see them from a different angle. It was really cool and something I would consider doing again.
From Shoshone Falls, Sam and I made our way to Boise via the slow roads. We were able to stop at a research fish facility and fish hatchery and see some big sturgeon. We were able to stop at 1000 Springs and see the hot springs and Lemon Falls across the river. We stopped at a rest stop in Hagerman and walked the river a little bit and saw an osprey eating its prey from the top of a telephone pole. We didn’t make it to Sam’s dad’s house until dinner time, something we don’t normally do.
Saturday we made our way to the camas lilies marsh, which wasn’t initially on our list of places to go. But it was really neat to see the lilies and all the ducks that hung around the place.
From there, we made our way to Mammoth Cave, but not before we stopped at a scenic rest stop and had lunch. We didn’t make it to Mammoth Cave until almost 4. It was one of the coolest places I’ve ever been. Walking into a cave that was discovered in the early 1900s and open to the public in the 60s was one of the coolest things I’ve ever done. And I’m incredibly proud of myself because normally I’m a worse case scenario person, so I don’t do anything without thinking about all the things that could go wrong. I also don’t do anything that could potentially get me into trouble. But as I was walking through the cave, and even the brief moment we took to stand in complete darkness, I didn’t think about all the bad things that could happen. I was uncomfortable in the complete darkness because I couldn’t see anything, but I did it. Normally I wouldn’t do either the moment of darkness or walking through a cave because it would give me anxiety to do either of them. I just enjoyed them this time.
We made our way back to Twin Falls for dinner and walked behind a waterfall afterwards. This was my favorite part of the whole trip. Normally any kind of walking on rocks or slight rock climbing on a trail makes me nervous, but I was so excited to walk behind a waterfall I didn’t care. I didn’t think about it, I just did it. I don’t normally just do things, but to be able to just do them and not think about whether or not I was going to get into trouble or what’s the worst that can happen was amazing. I felt fully present in the time I had with my people. We didn’t make it back to Boise until 10 or so. Also not something I normally do because I’m a homebody and I like to be in bed by 10, sometimes earlier. But this whole trip was amazing and I loved every minute of it.
Standing under the waterfall with Sam, it felt like a new chapter of adventure was opening before us. You know those times in your life when you know that you know that you know this is the beginning of something new and different? That’s what was happening to me as I stood under the waterfall and just enjoyed myself and being with my husband and his dad and his fiancée. The troubles of my life back home were still in the back of my mind, but they weren’t at the forefront anymore and I was able to relax and really enjoy my time.
We have yet to be on another adventure, but we have one coming up in a couple of weeks and we have at least one we’re planning for next month. We also have our anniversary trip to Vegas in December and we’re planning on a few stopping points along the way for that trip as well. Adventure is a part of life and I no longer feel as afraid as I used to as a child. Even up until a few years ago. I don’t know what changed exactly, but I do enjoy this new chapter. I’m ready to literally stop and smell the roses on the side streets. I’m ready to get up at a terrible hour of the morning so I can make sure we’re able to make as many stops as we want without getting to our destination too late. I still like being in bed before 11. But this new chapter feels exciting and I’m ready for wherever it’s going to take me.
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