25/09/2024
Rule #1: Go!
Once upon a time, we were great adventurers. Adam and I (Elizabeth) were already solo explorers when we found one another late in life. We were so thankful to finally find one another, but due to a couple of illnesses we knew it would be difficult to impossible for us to have children. We struggled with sadness, because we always wanted to be parents, but we also wanted to grieve well while not letting that sorrow define our entire lives. We decided to live a worthwhile life even if we didn't have any kids. We decided to be the cool Aunt and Uncle. We explored the USA, and were blessed to see many places and enjoy so many unexpected and exciting events.
Through trial and error, stupidity and ignorance, need and abundance, we developed a set of "Travel Rules." The rules are not fixed, they are more a set of guidelines on living a more adventurous and joyful life. We believe the joy is out there, sometimes you just have to go chase it down. That's why our first travel rule is to go. It's so easy to be trapped by depression, by sadness, by grief, by sorrow. The stuff of life can be overwhelming. Dishes and clothes and dust on the floor can be a type of paralysis. Sometimes the air tastes stale and the world seems stagnant, there's a reason for that feeling. Sometimes it's an itch, a discomfort. Sometimes it's a smothering feeling. Sometimes you awake with the blessed golden explosions of adventure upon your soul- but it's okay if it's not like that. You can find the joy while you're "In your magic," and you can also find it when you're scared and hot and hangry and argumentative. That's the thing about joy. It's out there.
We finally had our miracle baby last year. We experienced a rapid transition from wild explorers to new parents. For various reasons we'll talk about later, we had to move states, change homes, and one of us had to change jobs. We also went through a difficult pregnancy and complicated labor with C-section and NICU stay. The stuff of life overwhelmed us, the list of really big, life changing events engulfed us. Then we remembered the blessed, sacred gift we believe God gave us a long time ago. Travel. Adventure. Exploration. The active seeking of joy and a worthwhile life. We decided to start living by our travel rules again. We moved as a family to live in our magic, to seek the joy, and to live the worthwhile life God wants for us. God effervescences for us in the nomadic style of the adventurer, but also need home and community and family and friends close by right now.
We've decided to explore locally for a few years. Alabama State Parks seemed to be a perfect place to begin These are often small adventures that we can make in a day or two. We've found that state parks can hide really magical sites, and they can tell you a lot about the area where you find yourself. This specific trip was just a few days ago. We only had the afternoon, but we were stressed and tired and fretful. We needed to go. We took Zeke to the Cave Trail at Lake Guntersville State Park-Alabama. The cave is just a quarter mile up, through a beautiful rock garden and sloped woodland forest. The baby smiled so big, and was enthralled with this very small adventure. It is a perfect place for a couple with an adventurous baby. We explored the woods. We went into the cave a little ways. The forest was cool, the rock ledges full of American Beautyberry and stonecrops. At the end we felt refreshed and not over tired. We were more joyful, more at peace. We are so glad we went. If you need a small adventure, we would suggest you go too!
