A couple of weeks ago, as part of our new Sunday walk in the woods tradition, we went to the Civil War Fort at Boonesboro on the Kentucky River.
This one was very different than we thought that it would be. This book, Hike the Bluegrass and Beyond by Valerie l Askren, is a wonderful and without it I think we would have have thought that we were in the wrong place.
Anyway, after parking we looked at the trail head and had immediate reservations. We were on the river and the path was straight up. Lee and I are not in the best shape of our lives and we were both mildly concerned. We forged ahead, though, in spite of many people throwing out the idea of just going to Hall's on the River.
As a history nerd wannabe I cannot help but wonder what the people who made this trail were like. I speculate about their dreams, their day to day lives, and if they ever questioned what they were doing.
While I often imagine life from the pioneer perspective, thanks to the Parallel Narrative on Instagram I'm thinking about what life was like before colonization. I didn't take a photo, but one placard stated that in 1776 the population in Kentucky was only 150 and by 1790 it was in the ten thousands (I can't remember the exact numbers). Spencer and I read that and I gave him a minute to soak it in.
The information doesn't take into account the indigenous peoples already residing in the area that became known as Kentucky. I explained that this was white washing, this was the re-writing of history from a colonizer's perspective.
We continued our climb to the top. The boys ran ahead and looped back to check on Lee and I. Meanwhile I had to talk myself out of having heart palpitations. Seriously. I am so out of shape.
These outings are giving us a lot.
For one thing, we're getting used to it being the four of us. It's so strange that we don't have to cram into the minivan.
For another thing I am adjusting to being the only female in this group. It's definitely an interesting dynamic. We're all adjusting to a new Sunday routine, though, and I think it's good to have something to look forward to every week.
I'm still trying to talk my men into church-y things like reading the bible together and sharing communion. We talk about doing house church again but I feel that we need this time to recalibrate ourselves to a Sabbath.
It seemed the more we climbed the more places there were for Liam to jump from. I have a pretty significant and irrational fear of heights. In my defense, Liam says things like, "I've always wanted to jump off of a cliff." So the combo of his adventurism and my fears can lead to some interesting conversations.
By interesting I mean I think I yelled at people and was unfriendly for a major part of our hike. Additionally, my bladder was near bursting and as I am not a man I was having to focus on not relaxing.
The guys were busy finding sticks to hit each other with so I continued up the path. I had spotted some wrens playing with each other and was curious what other birds I might find.
It's miraculous what a few minutes of quiet, alone, can do for a soul. I took a deep breath and felt my fear of high places dissipate. Taking a moment to observe what was going on around me was good.
Why is it so difficult to see what's around? Even in the fall when plants are brown and dry there is beauty.
Pictures don't do it justice.
The warm sun, the crisp air, and the sounds all around me reminded me that I'm alive. I woke up to the fact that there is so much going on around me, all of the time. There were maybe ten minutes of alone and I felt the reset. Jesus wasn't fighting for room in my heart in those moments. My soul woke up.
Also, as I rounded the last corner I was rewarded with a beautiful view of a bathroom. It was a compost toilet equipped with a broom so I could get rid of any creepy crawlers lurking about.
My boys noisily followed me after ten minutes or so, chasing away any birds. I noticed that we each took in the view in very different ways. Lee and Liam, kindred spirits, like to take in the view from the edge. Spencer inspects every aspect walking the perimeter. I sit on the bench in the center of the open field at the top of the bluff.
We all agreed that this place must have been terrible for doing battle. Then we all agreed that doing battle must be terrible. I asked the boys to consider what life may have been like today had colonists chosen to apply for immigration from the Native Americans.
I also found some great information on the myth of Kentucky as a "dark and bloody ground" at 30 Days of Kentucky Archeology. The boys and I will get into that this week.
The way down was much simpler - as it always is. I was really proud of us for doing a hard thing. Spencer hung back with me and chatted about all the things he knows I love. I also think he may have been worried that I was going to tumble down the steep hills.
We did stop by Hall's on the way home. It's a restaurant Lee and I grew up going to with our families and it looks exactly the same. It was a pretty great way to end our little hike.
My big takeaway is that I don't need a weekend to reset. A walk, a drive, a few minutes during chores or cooking can be given to Jesus. We just to leave room.
What's your reset button? I love hearing how others connect with our Creator. Maybe it's worship music, maybe it's during the Sunday sermon every week, maybe it's while you deep clean your bathroom.
Be brave misfits, and leave room for Christ.
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