Packing for Adventure

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Back in 2018, me and Chris were enjoying a lovely roadtrip through Crater Lake National Park, the Redwood National and State Parks, a drive up the Oregon Coast, and we were finishing off our trip with a visit to Chris’s aunt Mare in Portland before heading home to Utah.

She and her family escorted us through the perfectly weird city of Portland, traveling what they call the 4T Trail. You get to explore the city using a hiking Trail, a Tram, a Trolley, and a Train. It was a lovely way to spend time with family!

Now before I give you the next part of this story, let me backtrack a little. One of our shared interests when me and Chris first started dating was hiking, but we didn’t actually go on a hike together until our third date. He was secretly testing me. He gave me two options: an easy hike with no real destination, or a harder hike with a beautiful view. Naturally, I chose the harder hike. We hiked together the whole way to the top of a beautiful overlook of Huntsville, Eden, and Liberty in Utah. We enjoyed each other’s company the whole way up and down. I had passed his secret test (which he didn’t tell me about until several months later). If I would be able to make it to the top after having only taken three breaks, then I was a good enough hiker for him to continue seeing me.

I’d like to point out that if I hadn’t been working so hard to not be gasping for air the whole way by matching his pace, maybe I wouldn’t have needed the three breaks! But anywho, I passed his test, and now here we are 13 years later.

It didn’t take long for Chris to stop hiking at my pace – and mind you, I am NOT slow. I just have much shorter and stubbier legs than my big, strong husband! He’s about a foot taller than me, and clearly a mule. This led to dozens of fights. Why bother hiking together if we don’t hike together? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been furious with Chris on a hike because he won’t stay with me.

Now fast forward to our day spent with Mare in Portland. We had already done a LOT of hiking on our roadtrip, so Mare made it a point to not do too much hiking. I mentioned to her that it was so refreshing to be walking at a reasonable pace, and I went on a little rant about how I can’t get Chris to slow down for nuthin!

Mare’s response? She snickered a little and gently said with a wink, “pick your battles, Rosie.”

It had never occurred to me before this moment that maybe I was the one who needed to chill out about the issue. At the end of the day, Chris is a wonderful husband, and he takes care of me and the family and we are blessed to have him.

Do I still get annoyed with him for being a mile ahead of me when we’re hiking “together?” YES.

Do I still think he SHOULD stay within earshot for when I trip and fall? YES.

Am I passive aggressive about it? Guilty!

He claims he HAS slowed down over the years, especially now that we have the tots in tow, though apparently not enough for me to notice, ha. My attitude about it, however, has shifted far more than his pace ever has.

I started wearing headphones – I make sure to use a type that do not block out the noises around me so I can stay safe on the trail. This allows me to enjoy the quiet beauty of the trails, at my own pace, while listening to music or podcasts. No more silently stewing (mostly).

In the end, Mare was right. The hike is easier, and the marriage stronger, when you learn to pick your battles.

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