Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge

I'm not sure how I never knew about this place... but I didn't. 

40 minutes from home and just 10 miles NE of downtown Denver, lies Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. A wetland and prairie area that is home to bison, birds of all kinds, coyote, deer and more. It features an 11 mile wildlife drive that has a better than average chance of getting you up close and personal with all of these creatures. And in places (not inside the bison fence) you can get out and do some short hikes through wooded areas and to ponds - with your camera at the ready, if you are like me!

An imperfect book review!

I'm not even sure where to start. 

It would be true to say I'm not an avid reader.  More often than not, I start something but don't finish it. Finding connection with an author seems as important to my brain as the discovery of a compelling story. So book reviews are unlikely to be a regular thing in this blog. 

With that said, when I do have a meaningful experience inside the pages of a book, it's a bit mind blowing and like a newly minted religious convert, I'm eager to share - in case you too are hungry for a new perspective.

Brene Browns book "The Gifts of Imperfection" stuffed my head with brilliant insights yet somehow freed up brain space. It took me 6 months to work through. Each chapter was meaty and deserving of cogitation. This is not surprising if you look at who she is and her research into human connection, shame as a barrier to connection, and her theory on wholehearted living - engaging in our lives from a place of worthiness. 

By page 36, when she wrote that all humans have a deep need for love and belonging and without meeting those needs we numb, we ache, we hurt others, we get sick, I was hooked. I know in order to live my life to its fullest potential, there is no room for these things! 

But connection to others and to self takes courage. The courage to put your own vulnerability out there.

Loving and accepting ourselves honestly is an act of bravery.  And while some don't agree,  I fall into the camp that believes you can't love others fully until you love yourself fully. 

It's definitely a journey - and not an easy one but "My story matters because I matter" is a healthy place to arrive at. Owning my messy and imperfect, wild and wonderful, grace-filled (not graceful!) and joyful life is important.  Not pretending everything is ok when it isn't, is important. 

Choosing worthiness and authenticity has felt like an act of resistance to me.  

Waking up in the morning and thinking "I am enough" feels pretty magical though. "I am imperfect and yet brave and worthy of love" is powerful stuff!

I'm probably keep this book close by for a while... within easy reach on my nightstand.  And on those days when some 25 year old tenant who knows everything about everything, tells me I'm not doing my job well in a rude email, I'll open to page 134 and remind myself to "cultivate calm"... as I sip my wine! 

I have embraced my imperfections. ;)

Hiking on Trail Ridge Road

 The other day, while up in Rocky Mountain National Park, I noticed some folks unloading cross-country skis and preparing to bypass the "Road Closed" sign on Many Parks Curve to explore Trail Ridge Rd on foot.

I knew that had to be me next time. 

The following week, Sue and I were there, bright and early. We had snow shoes and spikes, snacks and smiles. Trail Ridge was icy, snowy and in places, completely bald down to the asphalt. We hiked in spikes...

And had a picnic in spikes.

We passed a few skiers, snowboarders and other walkers - the kind that wore jeans and glamor sneakers and might have called this outing their first foray into RMNP. Someone of equal or greater enthusiasm was responsible for this snowman.... this feeble and not-long-for-this-world snowman. A hug can fix anything?!

Sue later opted for an 'emotional support pinecone' instead of a cold wet hug!

A month or so from now, they will start plowing the deep bits from this road. Smoothing it out and making it car-ready for the summer season. I will travel it to new adventures again soon.

Today though, these 6.5 miles on uneven and sometimes unstable ground took its toll. Our hips and ankles were complaining loudly before we made it back to the car. Our faces were pinkish-red, singed by the glare off the white ground and the direction sunshine from a blazing blue sky. It was time for Nepalese food and lots of it.

Oh yeah... and today marks the day that my moose-like 4runner had its first passenger-toting adventure in Colorado. Christened!