Lent Photo-a-Day 3/17: Endure

"Sentinel Sycamore"
A distinctive sycamore tree stands guard at the bridge over Fighting Creek.
Fighting Creek Nature Trail. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
© 2015 Kristina Plaas, All Rights Reserved
John Ownby Cabin
Fighting Creek Nature Trail.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
© 2015 Kristina Plaas, All Rights Reserved
I returned to the "scene of the crime," the place where my healing journey began in 2011. This time I did not turn right after crossing the bridge, taking the "flattest, easiest trail in the park" to Cataract Falls. No, today I went left on the nature trail to the John Ownby cabin, a 1.2 mile loop that involves a little uphill climb heading towards the cabin and again upon leaving the cabin. It's an easy trail, no doubt, but that first climb quickly reminded me of my miserable conditioning. Although my legs were fine, my cardio endurance is sorely lacking.

My body, mind, and spirit took a huge beating over the winter and today it showed big-time. Being cooped up at home caring for Daddy has done no favors for my health and fitness. But I'm still on my healing journey, still growing, still overcoming, still taking big baby steps, still enduring. Things will get better, I'm sure of it. I'm hiking on!

"Fighting Daffodils"
Naturalized daffodils bloom along the Fighting Creek Nature Trail.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
© 2015 Kristina Plaas, All Rights Reserved

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