Mt. Rainier

Mt. Rainier National Park was my final stop on this 10-week journey. To have this spectacular mountain welcome me home with all her strength and beauty was the perfect ending to my journey. I feel complete. Seeing Mt. Rainier up close is a study in change and acceptance. The view of the mountain changes minute by minute, as clouds move across the sky and weather systems form around her. In the midst of all the change and uncertainty swirling around her, she stands strong, beautiful, and real. Getting to see her on any given day is special, because you don't know when the weather will shift and she'll disappear from view. During my 6 days at the Park I found myself pausing for long periods of time to gaze at her beauty and appreciate what she was offering me. Peace. Inspiration. Clarity. Ambition. Perspective. Patience. Forgiveness. This is what being in nature does. It heals us. It healed me.

On my last full day at Mt. Rainier, my dear friend Erin and I hiked along a 7-mile stretch of the Wonderland Trail, through the forest and out to gorgeous views of the mountain. As we hiked together, I had a strong sense that I was supposed to leave messages for others along the path. I can't explain it, but I started writing messages in the soil to those who would come after me. For each mile we hiked, I left a new message. I've received so many messages of encouragement on my path, and I think I was moved to write these words for myself, to acknowledge how far I'd come, and to plant the seeds of inspiration for others. I notice everything now. All the messages. All the blessings along the path. They are everywhere.