Today, was the day that I pulled into the parking lot of the "Cathy Fromme Prairie Natural Area" with my friend, Linda. I looked at Linda and said "We are going exploring today."
The trail is 2.4 miles one way. It is a shortgrass prairie landscape. Drylands and wetlands provide habitat to a variety of plants and animals. The pathway connects to two other parks.
Linda and I and two bicyclists were the only ones on the paved trail.
As we walked along the trail and looked out into the prairie towards the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, all I could think about were the pioneers who crossed this exact trail so many years ago. They were on foot, in a wagon or on a horse exploring the unknown. It definitely wasn't a paved trail!
With the Rocky Mountains ahead, they were trying to cross over the mountains before winter set in. In the early 1800s, these people were discovering the unknown, not knowing what was ahead of them. What danger would they encounter? Would they have enough food and water? Would they make it to California? The unknown?
They got up each day, willing to face the unknown so that they could obtain their dream of living in a new place that might provide them new opportunities.
I thought of my own unknowns and of my own dreams. Do I have that same drive in me to reach my dreams? Am I willing to walk the unpaved road of not knowing what is ahead? We live in a society where the roads are paved. We can get on our phones to find out how the traffic is flowing; what the weather is doing; and how far is our destination.
The pioneers did not have these luxuries.. They went without knowing. They were willing to take the risk.
Be willing to stop and to explore! The unknown and your dreams are waiting for you!
4 comments:
When we returned from a trip to Europe, we rented a car in New York & drove to our son's home in Connecticut. We then drove on to Niagara Falls, enjoying the scenery & the fall foliage along the way. We had no reservations & just wandered. We especially enjoyed Bar Harbor!!
The pioneers were certainly an intrepid lot. Their lives were tough yet they were willing to risk everything for the chance art a better life.
I do that from time to time. I usually come back with a blog idea that often turns into a column in the Sunday paper. Those pictures are lovely.
I had a chance to swing by Starbucks today and use a few bucks on the gift card you sent me. Yum!
Exploring is a trip into the unknown. We all should do it occasionally.
Post a Comment