Older, Not Old

If you are real quiet as you read these words, you might actually hear a slight groan.

Yes, even typing hurts!

So today was an indication that I might, maybe, be getting older. (Notice I said older, not old.)

Several years ago, Carl, myself, and a group of friends went on an amazing hike.

Today, we decided to do it again with some of our youngsters.

This was Abbi's first big trip driving her little scooter. That being one of the reasons our 1.5 hour road trip became 3 hours! Her 50cc was just having trouble making it up those big mountain inclines. I was almost sure I could hear that little engine repeating over and over again, "I think I can. I think I can."

In a little town we stopped to see if the local scooter garage could check it out. He blew the dust out of the cooling fan and sent us on our merry way. While that did help a little, we still had to stop several times for the older engine to recover from its hot flashes.

We also ran into a different sort of road trouble- an hour long road closure due to the surface being blacktopped. And since this was the only road to where we were going, we waited. Luckily, we found a shady spot to park the scooters and enjoy the scenery.

We finally arrived around lunchtime. Lunchtime? Oops, we thought we would be almost done and ready to head back down the mountain for lunch. 

Despite the hunger pains, and achy joints and muscles, this hike was worth the time, effort, and pain.

And by hike, I am not referring to a neatly paved, cemented, mowed leisure path through the forest. Just to get near the top required a gazillion steps. And once again I use the word steps loosely, very loosely. Tree roots, large boulders, fallen trees contributed to our upward trek.

I endured it. 

The real fun and spectacular vistas began here....

and continued here....

I think I will just be quiet now and allow the pictures to speak of Taiwan's ruggedness and beauty.

I am so thankful for ropes and for a strong, patient husband!

So as I write, I will confess my body aches: the bottom for the long ride up and equally long ride down the mountain, the arms for holding ropes to steady myself along sheer drop offs, the hips and knees for bending endlessly up and down from rock to ground and vice verse, and the neck from looking down every time a foot set down.

I simply don't remember all these aches and pains from the last time I did this hike. Or it is quite possible, I simply have forgotten them.

But, that may be a can of worms that I don't want to open! That's another indicator of getting older. (Notice I typed older, not old.)

I don't want to get old yet. Taiwan still has so many spectacular places to see God's handiwork. So until that day where I can no longer climb, hop, slide, pull, and stretch, I will push on!