Doing Better
My hiking pal and good friend Kathleen and I have enjoyed many years of camping in the wilderness of the Sierra Mountains with other like-minded women. We pitched our tents, cooked over a camp stove, hiked during the day, and relaxed around a campfire at night.
courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net
Previous trip: Karen second left, Kathleen next to Karen
That is…until we hit bottom. A couple of years we ago we ‘resigned’ or planned to. We are getting old-er and realized we don’t want to sleep in a tent any longer, we enjoy a hot shower at day’s end, and clean clothes each morning. But on the other hand we’re not quite ready to give up hiking–though maybe just the challenging trails.
So this coming July, as naturalist John Muir once said, “The mountains are calling and I (we) must go.” We have booked a motel near the campsite for all the things we need and want to be warm and comfortable. So a-camping we will go–but in a new way for us.
That brings me to a beautiful quotation from President Teddy Roosevelt: “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”
And from beloved author Maya Angelou: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
Kathleen and I are going to do what we can, with what we have, where we are and now that we know better about what works for us, we will do better–in the Red Roof Inn in Bishop, California.
What about you? Please don’t give up what you love–just modify–based on who you are now in 2020.
“But as for you, be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded.”
(2 Chronicles 15:7 NIV Bible)
I love this. My way of living my “old-er” years too. A very long time friend and I are going on a cruise to Alaska next summer . We will both be 90 this Feb and both still drive our cars where we want to go and are able to still know where and who we are. 🙂 We have known each other since we were 14 and have a long life of memories together. The Lord has been very good to us and we thank Him for all of it. All the up and downs of life He has been our strength and guide. Happy trails to you and your friends!.
Etta Mae, thanks for this very encouraging comment. You are my role model for when I reach age 90. Have a wonderful cruise. I am going on a cruise of the Mississippi in March with my friend Glenda.
Good for you!! I was never a hiker but my husband attended conferences at a beautiful place – Lake Junaluska in North Carolina and we made it a family affair by going with him. (me and our two children). We liked it so well we started going to the area and staying in a motel near by and going to the mountains for walks. It was great and I cherish those days. I love the mountains!!
I will be thinking of you and just know you will have a wonderful time and I will say some prayers for your safety and happy times!
GO as long as you are able! I am glad I have some good memories since I can no longer do the walking.
Love to you, margaret
Thanks for encouraging us, Margaret. We will keep on keeping on as long as we are able. God will guide us, I know, and thanks for your prayers for safety.
Love your memories of our mountain experiences Karen. I’ve shared so many with you and happy to know that you and Kathleen will be with us this coming summer. Rah for “old”er” girl power!
Right on, Terri. We are excited to be with you all again.
It’s great to read that you haven’t given up hiking altogether! I love how you and Kathleen have found a way to make it more comfortable by staying at a nearby hotel. Me….I’m looking forward to our Mississippi Riverboat trip in March. It’ll be here before we know it. Whether by land or sea, girl-power keeps us going!!
Yes, you’re right. Go, girls. Keep going while one can.
Thank you for your encouragement — it’s okay to make changes as we find some things are challenging. To be safe — we do need to be wise in our decision making. I like to thank the Lord daily for motivating me for the priorities of the day and hopefully make wise choices.
I agree Virla, good judgment and discernment are vital.
Sounds like a great way to continue doing what you love, Karen, while adding in some of the creature comforts that make for a more satisfying memory right now. Good for you and Kathleen. Have a wonderful time!
Thanks, Carol.
Thanks for the inspirational & teachable transparency Karen.
Q. Is this when the “why” becomes more important than the “how?”
(And…question mark inside the quotation marks or outside?)
Luv your post again.
Smiles, BRC
Quotes inside in this case, I’m pretty sure, but you can check online for certainty. Thanks for appreciating my post.
Oops…I tried to correct the “there” to “this” but it reverted back. Now it’s glaring at me. Lol.
It’s okay, Beth. I’ll see if I can make the correction from my end, but if not, no worries. This too shall pass! 😊
I was able to make the correction you wanted from the word ‘there’ to the word ‘this.’
Sounds like a wonderful trip. You are so inspirational! The hiking sounds delightful and challenging. I’ve always been in awe of women campers since indoor bathrooms and beds have ever been personal necessities. Hope you have a fabulous fun time. You are definitely inspirational!
Thanks, Jane, for your kind comment.