photo by Rob Lee (Flickr)

A 500-mile hike. Sound like a dream? Or a nightmare?

Or maybe you think you would love to do it, but can’t? Think again.

If I’ve learned anything from riding a bike from Alaska to Argentina, it’s that I can do most things. The impossible might take a bit longer, but I can do it. It’s all about deciding I want to.

And now I’ve decided I want to tackle another challenge – a 500-hike through the Colorado Rockies from Denver to Durango along the Colorado Trail. In fact, as you read this I am in Denver working on last-minute preparations for our departure in a few days.

Crazy? Perhaps. Scary? Oh yeah, baby. Challenging? Yes with a capital Y.

Rewarding? You bet! Wonderful in its own right? Absolutely.

But see here’s the thing: if I – a normal ordinary wife, mother, and schoolteacher – can live my dream, then you can live your dream too. It’s all about deciding you want it more than you are scared of it. Then you do it. That’s it really, that’s my million-dollar advice.

What’s your crazy/scary/challenging dream? Yes, you can live it. Decide you want to, then do it. It really is that simple.

*****

Seeing as how I’ll be out in the middle of the Rockies all summer, I will not be able to post here on Vagabonding. I’ll be back in August, but in the meantime you can follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and my blog. I make no promises that I’ll get any of those places updated with any frequency, but I’ll do my best. I’m off – to live my adventure!

PS: If you happen to be from the Denver area, we’ll be presenting a slide show and talk about our experiences cycling the Pan American Highway as a family Tuesday evening at 7 at Jefferson Unitarian Church in Golden. Hope to see you there!