“If one dream should fall and break into a thousand pieces, never be afraid to pick one of those pieces up and begin again.” – Flavia Weedn
Here’s the traditional photo of me at the start of the hike to the top of Angel’s Landing in the background. But this year I chose the less-traveled trail. — Photo by Karen Bean
And I Have No Regrets
For an old broad, I’m in pretty good shape. But not good enough, I accepted this past weekend, to climb to the top of Angel’s Landing.
Instead I chose a path less traveled, and was well rewarded for it.
I said good-bye to my son, Lewis, his wife, and my two grandsons, at the Angel’s Landing trail head. The four of them had met me here in Zion National Park for Mother’s Day, a real treat as I am usually far away from any family members on this day.
I’ve been to the top of Angel’s Landing in Zion about 30 times. It was an April birthday tradition for me. Lewis, when he was younger, accompanied me on several of those occasions. It was an experience he wanted to share this past weekend with his family.
As the four of them turned right, just past the bridge over the Virgin River onto the Angel’s Landing trail, I turned left. My path would take me on a two-mile hike, via the Emerald Pools, back to where I could catch the shuttle and return to my RV to await their return.
My reward for being sensible this day was that I had the first mile of the trail completely to myself. This is a rare treat in Zion these days, as the park has an extremely high visitation rate.
While the view of the river and valley below wasn’t quite as spectacular as the one from atop Angel’s Landing, the peace I felt observing it made up for the difference.
I also, perhaps for the first time in my life, felt at peace with myself in accepting that I no longer could do everything I could once do.
Bean:s Pat: Everyday Wisdom #43 http://tinyurl.com/6nc3lky A great way to slow yourself down and live in the moment.
Pat Bean's blog 
Bravo.
Thanks Kathy
Good for you, Pat! I’ve never been there, but from the photos it looks like.the view from the valley is still spectacular.
I kind of regret that my husband and I never made it to the Grand Canyon. I’m afraid if we tried to hike down from the rim now, it would kill our knees.
The less travelled trail is very beautiful: peace & tranquility is hard to beat 🙂
my son said the hike to Angel’s Landing was really crowded this year. So I’m doubly thankful I chose the less traveled trail. Thanks for commenting EllaDee.
Good for you Pat – and you were well rewarded it seems!
Thanks Barb. Yes I was.
Good for you for being sensible, Pat. I’ve begun saying that I can still do anything I did 20 years ago, but it will take me two weeks to recover!
Thanks Nancy. I think this is the first time I’ve truly had no regrets for not being able to do what I could when I was younger. I’m finding new ways to satisfy my need for adventure.
What wonderful photos and what a great post.
Thanks Wazeau
we all hit that point where we say “ok, not doing that one.” This year, for me, was the ms-150 (still need to write that column). Stupid aging thing, but Pat keeps showing the way, she is a great lady.
Thanks, Pat. You are an inspiration as always. And thanks for never falling off that thing, either.
Thanks for the kind words Charlie. It was a great decision. And for once it didn’t hurt. There have been many aging walls that I have cried over. Perhaps that is all behind me. The trick, I think, is to just keep finding new things to do. And so far that’s an easy challenge.
Well done, Pat. Acceptance is sometimes hard to come by, but I’ve learned that it brings its own rewards (including some of those less traveled paths).