table rock | year eight.

We made our eighth-annual trip up to the summit of Table Rock last week, and we did so the way we first began -- just the two of us. After spending ten days with our kiddos on a dreamy-but-exhausting vacation the week prior, we decided that some time together was just what Teesh and I needed. And it certainly was! Grandma entertained Braxton and Bethany for the day while we went on our adventure, and we soaked in those hours. They loooove Grandma, so they were probably having more fun than we were. Haha!

It took us two hours to climb up, about an hour and a half to climb back down, and spent about forty-five minutes just soaking in the beauty from the top. This is my favorite spot in the whole world, so I always lobby for more time on the rock. You'd think that after eight straight years of tackling this beast, the awe and wonder would be worn off by now but nope! Not with this girl, anyway. Especially when the sky is bright blue, the temperature isn't too hot, and the sun lights the way for us the ability to see for miles and miles and miles. Swoon!

Honestly, we loved this trek so much that we're already considering making it a day date next year, too. We love our children and taking them on outdoor adventures, but there was so much sweetness to just be together with my man. It was a good reminder for us of how important it is for us to continually prioritize time alone. Especially when creation is involved.

Hiking will always be my favorite way to unplug. I'm healthiest physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually when I am out on the trails; I always have been. I think I always will be.

Have you ever hiked to the top of Table Rock? If not, you should! If so, isn't it lovely? Not easy by any stretch of the imagination, but worth every huff and puff. We joked on the way up that we should have tackled this beast the week before vacation instead of the week after. We totally blamed the endless ice cream bar on the cruise for our huffin' and puffin'!