Bucket List Check: Rafting the Grand Canyon
I am beyond excited to experience 10 days in this beautiful place.
Saying yes to the here and now!
Shannon’s June update
When you read this, I will be one or two days into a 10-day trip rafting down the Grand Canyon with a group of 17 people, some of whom I’ve never met. This has always been a bucket list trip for me, and when my friend emailed me three years ago to ask if Matt and I wanted to reserve a spot on the trip for the ultimate birthday celebration, I replied HELL YES in about 3.5 seconds.
And now, those three years have flown by, and we’re about to launch! So many emotions and thoughts are running through my body. I'm so excited to unplug for 10 days with absolutely no connection to the outside world. No devices, no phones, no smartwatches, no TVs, no computers, NO NOTHING! The thought of that makes me feel serene already. However, with no devices, it means we can’t talk to our kiddos for the entire trip. This will be our longest time without them, but we know they are in amazing hands. How will we handle that long without snuggles and love and simply being there? I’m not sure, and it makes me sad thinking about it, but in the end, I believe we’ll all be better off with a little separation. I’ll miss them immensely, but they are also starting to fight constantly, so it will be a nice break from that. LOL.
The other big thought running through my mind is my fear of big water. I don’t mind lakes, but the crashing ocean waves and big river rapids make my heart rate increase like crazy, and my thoughts of dying are ever-present. BUT thoughts of making lifelong friends, seeing sights my eyes can’t even fathom, and the solitude of being in such a magical place are strong enough that I push all of the other emotions and fears away. And I find that this is a place I always try to be. My fear and anxiety show me that something is important and I need to think twice, but the thrill of the unknown and the adventure just on the other side of fear fuel my passion for life.
We are never promised tomorrow or even the end of today, but what we are promised is this very moment, and what we do with that moment is ultimately up to us. Do we go all in, or do we sit on the sidelines? Do we pass up opportunities, or do we say yes to the unknown? Do we take the easy path, or do we go down a path that we know will bring out our fears and uncertainties? Do we double down on living life to its fullest and making sure we actually check off our bucket list items? I say yes! Yes to the here and the now and living life for the next 10 days on the Grand Canyon!
3 More Big Adventures on my Bucket List
Hike Machu Picchu
See the great pyramids in Egypt
Experience the northern lights with my mom
Last Chance for Summer Events!
Summer is here and I’m looking to so many upcoming events on the horizon. If you’ve been waiting to book, now is your chance! Click HERE for the remaining available dates.
Here’s one final quote to carry with you this month: “Don’t be the person who is too busy when you’re young and too tired when you’re old.”