From the Caverns to the Mounains

Testing My Insights About Acceptance

Photo by Y S on Unsplash

A couple of weeks ago, my article was about new insights I’d gained regarding acceptance.

If I challenge the excuses, acknowledge that I can do more than I think, and accept the help of others as needed, I can better move forward and age well.

A Memorial Day weekend trip tested those insights. My daughter and her husband wanted me to go with them to visit the Lake Shasta Caverns in northern California. They also wanted to spend a few days in the city of Mt. Shasta.

Well, my immediate response was, “No way.” The excuses roared in: my knees would hurt, it would be dark and slippery in the caverns, the cats would be alone, there would be lots of traffic over a holiday weekend, it would be a tough climb, and I was too old.

But I remembered two things:

1. The insight about being able to do more than I thought and the willingness to accept help from others.

2. My goals for aging well include exercising, traveling, and doing things with my family. So, with trepidation, I said yes, and off we went.

It took a boat ride on Lake Shasta, a bus trip to the top of the caverns, and then 650 steps down to view formations which are at least 200 million years old and are formed by flowing water.

I used a walking stick, and they helped me get over a few rough spots. Then back we came - the steps, the bus, and the boat ride - all safe and sound - I survived - and it was awesome. Yes, my knees hurt afterwards, but definitely manageable.

Of course, the next day they wanted to see the snow on Mt. Shasta. So, we made our way up the Spring Hill trail - about halfway which was doable. They helped along the way, and the view was magnificent.

On the final day, we took a self-guided walking tour across the top of the Shasta Dam.

The weather was perfect; we drank crystal clear creek water, saw deer, and had lovely dinners. I’m home - safe and sound. However, I’d have missed all of that had I listened to my doubts. Something to keep in mind for the future.

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