Yes Man

I have made it through the first year of my grief journey. My trips to the Porkies, Pictured Rocks, and Grand Staircase-Escalante are in my rear-view mirror and I feel very good about all I have accomplished. Many have asked me if I plan to continue hiking. The answer is yes. I feel positive about the structured schedule and the benefits of physical exercise in my life. In addition to hiking, I curl in the cold weather months and have also picked up pickleball. You can find me on the court three or four times a week when the weather cooperates.

But I am still broken.

Morgan and I had a conversation the other night that struck me. He shared that he feels like a totally different person since his mother passed. I understood perfectly what he meant. There is an underlying sadness that permeates us. A gigantic void in our lives where Amy used to be. Life will never be the same for any of us. Her loss has no end. But we have to keep moving forward in the hope that by choosing joy every day, we will honor her by living life to its fullest.

So, yes, I plan to continue to hike. This seems like a good time to announce that I will be taking two additional adventures in 2024.

Amy and I met in Colorado Springs at a work training. On our weekend off, a group of us decided to go whitewater rafting down the Arkansas (pronounced Arrr-Kansas by the locals) River and the Royal Gorge. It was a fantastic memory for both of us. Most of the immediate family (Youngquists, Pratts, and Gawrons) will be joining me on a three-day, two night whitewater rafting adventure down the Arkansas River and the Royal Gorge in memory of Amy. There are tentatively 14 of us who will be able to make the trip. I know Amy would be delighted that we are going on this adventure and that so many of the family will be able to participate.

The trip is planned for early June 2024. While I am in Colorado, I also plan on taking a 30 to 35 mile thru-hike of the Lost Creek Wilderness Area. I am not sure who (if any) of the family will join me for this portion of the trip, but I need to fold in some elevation into my training program.

I will need this training because I have planned something even bigger than my trip to Grand Staircase-Escalante. How big? Grand Canyon big! In late August, I will be joining a group from REI Adventures on a rim-to-rim hike of the Grand Canyon. After hiking the north Rim, we will descend nearly 6,000 feet down the North Kaibab Trail to Phantom Ranch. At the bottom of the Grand Canyon, we will be afforded a free day to hike or simply relax around the ranch and cheer on the whitewater rafters down the Colorado River. The ascent out of the Grand Canyon will traverse the infamous Bright Angel Trail with an elevation gain of almost 5,000 feet.

Because permits for Phantom Ranch are limited, REI Adventures put me through a screening process, and I have been accepted for this journey. It will require even more training than this past year and my goal will be to shed another 20 pounds before the trip. I am sure you will find me at a fitness center on an ascent trainer many days this winter and spring to mimic the elevation gains.

I would welcome anyone who wants to join me and share in this adventure. Some in my family have asked me why the Grand Canyon and especially, why in late August? I took the latest trip available and know that it will be extremely hot down in the canyon (average temp at the end of August is still over 100 degrees). REI Adventures has very experienced guides who go to great lengths to safeguard their hikers. This includes sometimes beginning the ascent in the middle of the night (1 AM). I will be turning 60 on the Grand Canyon excursion and feel that I am not getting any younger. If I am going to do something big (at least for me), I should do it while I am still in relatively good physical shape.

Seeing the Grand Canyon has always been on my bucket list. I always thought it would be something Amy and I would do together in our retirement. Now seems like the perfect time to tackle this challenge. The trip and the training will test me both physically and mentally.

Another goal of mine for 2024 does not involve crazy hikes in the heat of the summer. It involves being a better friend. Last year, I tried very hard to be a Yes Man. I said “yes” to just about any invitation if I did not have scheduling conflicts. Even when I did not feel up to it or when I knew that it would be a trigger for my grief. I think Amy and the kids are proud of me for that accomplishment.

Thank you to everyone that included me in your game nights, cooking endeavors, sporting events, vacations, lunches and dinners, golfing, weekend excursions, garden parties, campfires, pontoon rides, etc. etc.

This year, I want to be a better friend and reach out to you all more. I will continue to be a Yes Man, but don’t be surprised to get invitations from me to do something out of the blue.

Choose & Spread Joy every day!