I love hiking. So much so that this summer we dragged our three-year-old on a ten mile hike through Samaria Gorge in Crete.
Now, I’m a tough (read: obstinate) Alaska girl- the guide books said to wear sunscreen, bring water, wear hiking shoes and a hat, blah, blah, blah. I wore sandals and a skirt. The locals were astounded when we said our daughter was going to hike the trail.
Did she make it to the end? Heck, yes!
(Did my husband carry her the last four miles? Heck, yes!)
But the point was that we did it. Together. The last few miles went on FOREVER. (In ninety-plus degree temperatures to boot.) But it was awesome.
Now whenever my daughter gets whiny we just remind her that she hiked Samaria Gorge without whining once. (Yes, there were ice cream bribes involved, but seriously- I needed bribes too.) And then we all swam in the Libyan Sea- utter heaven.
I feel like I’m hiking the last couple miles with HATSHEPSUT right now. I’ve come so far, but now it’s just one foot in front of the other.
I will survive. And when I get to the end I’m going to eat a lot of ice cream and swim in the ocean. Okay, I’m actually going to drink a bottle of really expensive red wine, but whatever.
Finish the hike! It’s not like we can stay on the trail, right?
Stephanie, you have talent, determination, and a dream — with those three, you can go almost anywhere.
I have confidence in you. Write one sentence at a time. Let the pages take care of themselves, Roland
Roland- Thanks for the vote of confidence! Right now I'm tearing the book apart so it's definitely one sentence at a time!
Absolutely! You can do it I'm rooting for you!
Summer- Thanks! I just hope this is the last revision for a while. I want to research Book #3!
Just think when you reach the end of the hike and receive your reward (wine, ice cream and a swim), then you'll see so many more new trails to try. You can do it. Best of luck.
Mason
Thoughts in Progress
I am very impressed with you. I couldn't have made it that far. Seriously, after two blocks of a walk in my neighborhood, I get bored. No way I could go ten miles.
Boy, Stephanie, you and I are a lot alike. Maybe that is why we both enjoy Ancient Egypt. Of course, we are as far from one another the U.S. will allow, but hey that's no big thing.
Enjoy your Labor Day!
What an adventure, Stephanie! LOVE the pic. I wish I'd been there — that sounds like my kind of hike 😀
I'm enjoying Karen's BBQ blog hop. Hope you're having a great weekend, too!
I feel like you're staring into my brain! I have to finish my hike too and I have been procrastination central! Thanks for the kick in the pants 🙂
Good luck with Hat! Every step is one step closer to the end, and you will make it happen!
A ten-mile hike in sandals? You are tough. (Although I own hiking sandals and wear them on shorter hikes.) I hear you on the analogy to novel writing. In for the long haul, for sure. You are tough, though, so you'll get there, despite the sweat.
Yes! Great post, Stephanie. You and your daughter are amazing – I can't believe you all made it so far in such heat. And you HAVE to keep hiking, because we are all dying to read Hatshepsut! 🙂
I say have the ice cream and the wine! 🙂
Good for your daughter. She'll be a tough one and that's definitely a good thing!
Love this photo, you two are adorable! And boy does it make me want to visit Crete – so amazing!.
As far as Hat goes, just like the hike, one step, then another. You will reach the finish line. Your wine and ice cream await.
I am so impressed! My kids love to hike too, but I don't think they've ever done more than 2 or 3 miles. And yes, every manuscript does feel like a hike–they're always so much harder at the end.
Stephanie, I found your blog through the Labor Day BBQ. After reading your first post, I am excited to follow you! (And also to google Hatshepsut) Congrats on the hike. As a nanny, I'm super-impressed with your daughter.
Great hiking story. Persistence. Good luck with the next leg of your writing journey!
You guys are kick-ass! 😮
I love to hike when I go up to North Carolina, and even in the freezing cold winter I manage to get out there and walk the miles-long trail to get to where the waterfalls are. And in the summer, I sometimes go in flip-flops.
What a great motto, finish the hike! Getting to the end of something can be tiresome and even brutal, but what a felling when it's done!
You'll deserve that ice cream when you finish 🙂
I gave you an award on my blog
Lyn
W.I.P. It: A Writer's Journey