Overlooking the Grand Canyon from the South Rim is such a tremendous vision, it can bring tears to your eyes.  The colors, enormity, and billion year history of its formation is mind boggling.  It’s way grander than grand!  I was lucky to be able to spend 9 days and 8 nights in the depths of this canyon, rafting on the Colorado River.  Hiking down 7.5 miles of Bright Angel Trail with a 30 pound pack was more challenging than expected.  Think of it as going down stairs for 5 hours. I was so sore for two days I needed the aid of my hands to help move my activity shocked legs barely attached to my blistered up feet. But dichotomy is Mother Nature the Great.  In exchange, I took in the rare gift of descending into the kaleidoscope of ever changing scenery of the Grand Canyon.  Sublime!

There is nothing like being deeply immersed in nature.  It is unbelievable in its majestic posture, unencumbered by buildings and cars, and as far as the eye can see its wildness.  Having nine days of exposure can also create discomfort.  In perfect timing, I finished an amazing book, The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter.  It helped me put a welcome mat out for discomfort.  I got bites, bruises and blisters. The bathroom situation would cause the faint at heart to evacuate immediately. To strip away my unconsciously wrapped security blanket was a necessity.  Phone, internet, home, shelter, showers, toilets, proper bathing, television, computer, electricity, and a nice cozy bed - gone. Bye! Why on earth would I do this? For one, this creates a healthy stress for my body to be more resilient and adaptable on every level. 

Here are other reasons - I got to sleep under millions of stars every night, and witness the milky way shift as the night progressed. I slept really well cycling with the setting and rising sun.  Enjoyed awakening at dawn to the erratic dance of bats searching for their bug breakfast. I had to let go of routine, and find a new one, limited in essential possessions in order to thrive outdoors all day and night.  I lived by, on, and in the moody and cool Colorado. I rafted in it’s calm and wild rapids waters during the day, and at night, listened to it as I flowed into sleep. Daily swims to cool off and wash away the day. Hiked into the twists and turns of the Canyon, awed in its sacred places, and touched it’s oldest layer of rock  - 1.8 billion years old.  

Being outside tests and pushes my physical skills that Pilates, weight training or any exercise can never prepare me for.  That physical challenge excites me.  When I fell on my behind during a tough hike, I was aware of that inner voice speaking unkindly in the moment of my clumsiness, and a big bruise of evidence.  A gorgeous and powerful waterfall was waiting at the finish, inviting a refreshing swim.  Not too shabby of a day.

After those 9 days, we got back to the hotel looking like a bunch of vagrants, but we were unanimously excited to shower.  My first night back sleeping in a bed, Bryon made a sound, and I instinctively shooed a fly away from my ear, thinking I was still out there.

I highly recommend The Comfort Crisis for your next read. It doesn’t say go and sit naked in the snow and breathe to lower your blood pressure.  His tag line is embracing discomfort to reclaim your wild, happy, healthy self and it’s true.  It’s an important book of our time looking closely at how our creature comforts and modern conveniences have become traps.   We become stagnant, and this book is a gentle wake up call.  I am always drawn to trips that challenge me and put me into a healthy environment of discomfort.  It’s life affirming! And talk about life affirming, watch my video below of me “Riding the Bull” (sitting at the top of the raft) during a rapid!