seek adventure // mt. zirkel wilderness

After trekking up to Gilpin Lake we relieved our sweaty shoulders of the heavy packs they carried to the crystal clear alpine lake which laid beneath jagged, rocky peaks. Tiny bits of snow still clung to their survival between the shadows of the rock crevices. With little thought, we both changed into our swimsuits and dove into the perfectly chilled water. Gratitude filled my entire being as I swam and thought back to yesterday, the day where rain and a wildfire threatened our venture into the wild. Yet, the Zirkel Circle was naturally protected from the wildfire and the rain decided to stay away for our hike up.

We filled the rest of the day with laughter, yoga, hammock time, and reading. Not one single care in the world. Droplets of water fell from the sky for a quick visit as we cooked dinner on our backcountry stove. That night I fell asleep to the sound of Tobias putting out a small fire.

Here are some raw pieces from my journal that weekend:

-Rain drops on our tent, tap dancing above our heads.

-Daddy long legs waltz into our home to join the party.

-Head becoming light due to loss of oxygen, eyeballs feel like floating feathers after filling up the pad to put our bums on.

-When you wake up in the wilderness and the only sound you hear is the sweet whisper of silence in your ear.

-Watching him in his meditation: the breeze brushes against his golden locks as he balances life on a single boulder.

Nature is healing. Healing is nature.

P.S. Chia seeds, on avocado, on whole grain bread = YUMMIE!

seek adventure // flat tops wilderness

Summer is short here, but sweet indeed. The wildflowers are in full bloom and I have never experienced anything like them. This year happens to be the 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act. "The 1964 Wilderness Act defines "Wilderness" as areas where the earth and its communities of life are left unchanged by people, where the primary forces of nature are in control, and where people themselves are visitors who do not remain." Instead of giving you a history lesson or trying to convince you of the preciousness of wilderness I will allow these photographs to explain themselves.

These photos are from the Flat Tops Wilderness. One of the oldest wilderness areas in the U.S., we are lucky to live about 45 minutes from this sacred space. While our skin turned into wet patches of red and white due to the mosquitos and a thunderstorm, the flowers and full moon made the backpacking trip completely worth it. Not to mention, the incredible company.

You can use THIS website to see if there are any wilderness areas near you. Even if there is not, get outside and go to a park. Honor the space around you and the fact that it is separated. If you can, take a few moments to practice an easy meditation:
Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and listen. Become an observer with your ears. Listen for a few more moments then narrow in on a sound. With your heart, offer up gratitude to that sensation.

With love,
Chelsea