sister hike | pinnacle mountain.

It had been two years since we went on a sister hike, so we fixed that problem last week. Last time, we went on an eight-mile moderate hike to the suspension bridge at Raven Cliff Falls. This time, we went on another eight-mile hike, but it was a lot tougher than the last. You should have heard her response when she called to say that looked up my recommendation: Pinnacle Mountain. This was a first for both of us, and here is the gist of it: we got our booties kicked in the best way!

Most of the trail was pretty manageable...until the final descent to the peak. LAWD! The sun was hot and bright above us as we climbed the rock face, and we laughed out loud to keep from thinking about how we thought we might pass out. We couldn't laugh too hard, though, because we were huffin' and puffin' something fierce. This back end of the trail was sneaky after a moderate trek up to that point, and we were so proud to reach our destination. Proud and relieved.

My favorite part of this hike, besides just being with my baby sister, was simple: taking it all in. Hiking with kids doesn't leave much allowance to pause for the things I used to pause for before they joined in. So, on this day, I just soaked in as much as I could. Every flower, every early-morning ray of sunshine peeking through the leaves, every creek and waterfall. Everything. It was pretty magical, honestly, to be out in my happy place and be able to take my time as we ventured. There was no hurrying this day. And it was just what we both needed.

More than that, we were just what we both needed.

To have a sister is to have a friend forever. That's too good of a gift to waste on not being grateful for it. Days like this give us an opportunity to reflect on all we've overcome -- both personally and together, to confess things, to share secrets, to laugh at stupid things we do, and to speak into each other's gifts, talents, and souls.

Yep, I'll always be grateful for my sister.

And for days like this.

"There were once two sisters who were not afraid of the dark because the dark was full of the other's voice across the room..."

-Jandy Nelson