On Sunday this past weekend, Nelson and I went kayaking. It had been quite awhile since we’d sat in our boats. Life sort of got in the way with the move to the mountains and the wedding.
Happily, Sunday was a gorgeous day. Cascade Lake in Pisgah Forest is a little gem. A friend of ours came along and we headed out. Destination: Hooker Falls.
The cool thing about Cascade Lake is you can paddle right up to the base of one of the prettiest waterfalls in the area. Most people hike in and don’t even realize it’s a paddle destination, too!
Hooker Falls is located in Transylvania County, Land of Waterfalls. Seriously, we have some 250 waterfalls here and all of them are gorgeous. Hooker Falls, Triple Falls, and High Falls are all located close together and are big tourist attractions. There were lots of folks swimming and picnicking, riding horses, hiking, and even a few crazy souls who jumped off the top of the falls (not recommended).
On the paddle back, we took our time. Jeremy and Nelson did a bit of fly fishing. I meandered along near the bank and into the shallows. In one particular place, I noticed a lot of movement. I set my paddle on my knees and got very still.
To my surprise, this shallow arm of the lake was full of tadpoles! Now, I have a bit of an obsession with wanting to touch things under the water (as long as I can see them, mind you). So, for the next few minutes it became my goal to touch a tadpole.
I’d push my boat forward gently and immerse my hand without making waves. And then, I’d wait.
It probably took ten minutes for me to touch a tadpole, but I did it! And as soon as we made contact, he skittered off into the cover of the sand and aquatic weeds.
Still, it was a victory! I pumped my fist in the air and let out a primal scream.
No, I’m kidding. I didn’t do that. I just sat quietly and enjoyed the nature.
Our day ended with a final paddle across the lake, a turtle sighting (a really BIG one) and no fish were harmed during our expedition.
Why does all this matter?
It doesn’t really, except that I felt very at peace and relaxed during and after our outing.
My phone was off except to take pictures. I didn’t think about work, didn’t feel any stress, and pretty much lost track of time.
I was in the flow.
Gentle reader, when was the last time you were “in the flow.” Totally absorbed in what you were doing, happy as a clam (what does that expression mean, anyway?), without a care in the world?
If you haven’t been in the flow in awhile, your homework is to go find it.
Read a book. Do some crafts. Restart a long forgotten art project. Go outdoors and hike, paddle, or raft. Fly a kite. Ride your motorcycle somewhere curvy and beautiful. Enjoy the splendor that is LIFE.
And once you do it, write to me and tell me how you felt.
I bet it’ll feel gooooooood.
Make some room,
Angie
P.S. Haven’t gotten your copy of my Make Some Room Manifesto yet? Order one for some inspiration. Then make some room for fun today!