At 47, I still get an adrenaline rush when I try something new or out of my comfort zone.  It can be the smallest, most insignificant thing.  But if I’ve never tried it or done it or experienced it before, then when I do try it or do it or experience it I feel like “a big girl”!  Silly, I know, but it helps me conquer fears, jump over hurdles and put another  notch on my “now I feel like an adult” belt.

Yesterday was once such day. As pathetic as it sounds, before yesterday, I had never before driven up in the mountains. Any mountains. Ever.  Sad, I know. It was high time that I did.  So Blake and I headed out on an adventure in the mountains.  Okay, well that might be a bit dramatic.  We went up into the Rockies to visit his friends from Arizona who were at the Young Life camp in Fraser.  I was more than happy to take him for that reason alone.  But my real motivation for wanting to go was to see my daughter Brittany and my son-in-law Brendan who are counselors with the camp this week.  Yippee!!!

So we set out about 8:00 yesterday morning.  It was a beautiful Colorado day.  Not a cloud in the sky.  I knew that it would be a pretty drive, but I had no idea the sights that I was about to come upon.

I felt like my eyes were singing and dancing for the entire two hours up there.  We were surrounded by the magnificence of everything God had painted and molded into shape in nature.  Blake drew my attention to the color of the sky.  It was the deepest blue I have ever seen.  Almost a purplish hue to it.  And not a cloud in it to mask the glory of that rich color.   Enormous evergreens.  White capped mountains.  Flowing rivers and breathtaking waterfalls.  With every switchback up the mountain, there was a new view to feast my eyes on.  It made a two hour drive feel like 20 minutes.  Oh, and every so often an adorable log cabin would pop up and send me a nonverbal invitation to join it in the bliss of the forest and mountains….sigh….one day…..

And  the winding road that traced its way up the mountain only added to the fun.  With all the dips and sharp turns, I felt the thrill of a kid who has his first go at driving a go cart.  A little scared, but a little bit of “happy tummy” – you know, that little jump in your belly that is half fear and half childish joy?  Yeah.  Just like that.  And there were only a handful of times when Blake let out a gasp of sheer panic in the process…

After a wonderful drive with my boy and after getting lost only three times, we arrived at the camp.  And can I just say, this was like no camp I ever went to as a kid!  A beautiful campus of amazing lodges, rolling hills, enormous pines.  Spectacular!

Blake got to surprise his friends and was mobbed as a result.  We got to spend time with Brittany and Brendan which was absolutely precious.  It was so great to see each of them in their role as not only husband and wife, but as counselors to these kids.  They were amazing.  Their love for them was obvious and their interactions showed that they have poured their hearts into this ministry.  My mommy heart was full and way beyond content.  It was heart warming day of hugs, laughter,, seeing old friends and making new ones.

Both Blake and I left exhausted but incredibly refreshed by what we had just experienced.  After he made sure that I wouldn’t get lost on the way home, he fell asleep.  I, on the other hand, let my eyes dance all the way home over the wonder of God’s glorious creation.  And drove my “go-cart” back down the mountain….

(Here’s just a few pics from the day….)