How Finding Time to Play Outside Rejuvenates the Soul

Having just moved to Seattle, my schedule was very tight. Between working two jobs, adjusting to a new time zone, unpacking, and burning the energy out of a spunky 8 month old puppy, my free time was basically zero. But the Pacific Northwest is such an amazingly beautiful place and I was so excited to get out and explore everything. The problem was time. The solution? Something I was still working on. 

Fast forward a few weeks and a friend from out of town was coming to visit. A curious traveler and adventure enthusiast, my boyfriend and I wanted to show him the beauty of our new home. Unfortunately, our timeframe was very limited between my work schedule and my boyfriend's school schedule. After some deliberation, I would be lying if I said it was a long conversation as we all wanted to get out and play, we decided on an early morning crush before work at noon. 

Our destination was Lake Serene, just off Highway 2 in the Cascade mountain range. The drive was slightly under two hours to the trailhead. Having lived most of my life less than a half hour's drive to mountains, ocean, or forest, two hours seemed like such a daunting task.  We left just before four in the morning.. We made one pit stop at a gas station to get breakfast (Reece's) and fuel. We arrived just as the grey light of the morning was starting to become more prominent, and the ascent began. We were the only ones on the trail, our excited puppy at the lead. The woods were still and quiet, the air misty and crisp. I took a deep breath and forgot how tired I was. The forest and mountains have a way of energizing and rejuvenating the spirit, of putting life into perspective. 

I couldn't believe it had taken me this long to get outside.

I'd read that the hike was "challenging", but being an active individual with hiking experience, I didn't take those reviews too seriously. My boyfriend, a former wildland firefighter, was also unconcerned. A tree planter in BC, our friend too was not worried. It took about half-way in, just past Bridal Veil Falls (a very stunning cascade, but waterfalls are my my favorite so I'm biased) the hike started to get steep. I can blame it on the lame breakfast of candy, but mostly I underestimated my fitness level. I quickly became beat-red in the face, sweaty, gasping for air, and embarrassed. My hiking buddies weren't nearly in as much pain as I was. It was a comically humbling experience (at my expense), as I am very used to being the most active in the group.

Arrival at the summit was both a relief and very rewarding. We were the only ones there and it was incredible! The early start was an amazing pay off. We ate some typical trail snacks while enjoying the misty solitude. The peaks were shrouded in clouds with an occasional glimpse of the striking rock features. I wanted to spend all day there but unfortunately we were on a tight schedule and needed to make it back down the mountain so I could get to work on time. 

The hike down was the exact opposite of the hike up. The fog had lifted and we were definitely not the only ones on the trail. The group in front of us (who obviously hadn't enjoyed as many snacks at the lake as we had) was bumping some cheap rap, and we passed countless up-hikers. The parking lot was jam packed, and cars lined the road. Thankful that we came early, we drove the two hours back to the city. 

Finding time to get out and explore is daunting and seemingly impossible. But if this trip taught me anything it was that living in Seattle, surrounded by so many people, early starts are the best way to go. The solitude, the quiet, the crispness; everything made this trip so worth it. I even got the hours in for work that I needed! It's easy in a big city for me to get down - to feel trapped. All I need to break that feeling, is a morning in nature.