Stephenson Family Ties

Great little One! whose all-embracing birth

Lifts Earth to Heaven, stoops Heaven to Earth.

~Richard Crashaw

The true charm of pedestrianism does not lie in the walking,

or in the scenery, but in the talking. The walking is good to

time the movement of the tongue by, and to keep the blood

and the brain stirred up and active; the scenery and the

woodsy smells are good to bear in upon a man an unconscious

and unobtrusive charm and solace to eye and soul and sense;

but the supreme pleasure comes from the talk. ~Mark Twain

Since Im not hiking this week...I thought I'd ramble a bit in words instead of on foot.

Last week a guest and I got to talking about our passion for hiking. We decided that it wasnt easy to explain our love for hiking and scrabbling through mountain passes, desert sand, washes and rock.

When asked why we like to hike we fumble for an answer that makes sense. The flippant answer would be, "Who wouldn't!!!?? Just look at my backyard!!! Everyday it calls to me to come out and play!!" But in all honestly it does seems that the more I hike the more elusive the answer is to come by. It is something spiritual, and metaphysical I think.

I dont like to run. blah!!

I'd hate to have to swim.

Team sports never appealed to me. Though in college I sure did enjoy a hearty game of racquetball.

In jr. high I learned a love of horseback riding and ice skating.

In high school though, I checked out completely of all things worthy.

(Thank heavens I checked back in for college and life!!!)

And now, after being a full-time mom and busy, busy all those years; my autumnal years have brought me this gift of hiking. And Im thanking heaven for this special something that keeps me moving, fit and enjoying each day Im out there with guests or a friend!!

Maybe if I answer some other questions about hiking I can reach an intelligible answer to "WHY" I like to hike.

For instance, HOW did hiking come into my life?

Its interesting to note that I didnt hike much until our move to Southern Utah. Or maybe it was a little before then. Whenever we came down to this area to visit with my folks in New Harmony we'd end up hiking around and exploring with my mom and dad. Maybe that was the lure, the bait to have us move here??? New Harmony offered lovely little treasures to hike to.

Plus everyone knows I worship the sun. And since I dont worship being wet and cold and swimming, I found that being outdoors hiking was the best thing of all!! And since Im not one to believe in coincidencel...meeting great people who in turn connected me with more great people who love to hike, lead me to this amazing job and ability to hike!!! Add to that what I have come to learn about walking and good health, hiking to clear ones head, and pushing oneself to the limit...I can not think of any reason why not to LOVE hiking.

Granted, I do have the added benefit of meeting the most wonderful people from all over the world and then get paid to bless their lives by taking them out into our glorious red rock desert!! Really, I ask you, whats not to love? I have made some truly near and dear friends from these experiences. These friend are now scattered all over the country...but I love them and I care for them and we have learned how to encourage a friendship via email and facebook and phone!! How very blessed I am to do what I do.

So I guess the long and short of why it is I love to hike...

I am fit. A fit grandma is pretty darn cool.

I have an unrivaled love of the great outdoors and nature.

The peace and calm I receive from my hours outside each morning enhance the rest of my day. I commune with God every time Im out there and I create dear friendships too.

Most days Im doing something hard, and accomplishing it!!!

Im a cheerleader, without the silly short skirt...instead I wear funky Keen sandals, shorts and a t-shirt!! and gather splendid coral dust between my toes!!

If you are seeking creative ideas, go out walking.

Angels whisper to a man when he goes for a walk.

~Raymond Inmon