Hi everyone!
A quick blog note first. I've been having technical trouble with my e-mail lists. Sorry to anyone who got an e-mail for a post that hasn't published yet Sunday. That post will be coming out soon. I'm also working to figure out why the e-mails are no longer going out consistently. I'm hoping to resolve the issue this week! Thank you for your patience.
Last Thursday the Hubs ended work a little earlier than normal and we took a quick trip up the Blue Ridge Parkway to see some of the pretty fall leaves. He works long days, so we were rushing to the top of the mountain hoping to catch sunset at a nearby hike location, Craggy Pinnacle. It's such a pretty region that people travel from all over the world to drive along the Parkway in October.
As we were climbing up the parkway and taking in the gorgeous views, we realized we weren't going to make it in time for sunset. (btw... sunset was at 6:37 last week! Can you believe how early it is?) We almost decided to just stop, take a few pictures of the leaves and head back down. But then we had a change of heart and decided to rush up the mountain, and still do the short hike before we lost all the light of the day.
The Craggy Pinnacle hike is about a mile one way, so we scrambled up the familiar path taking in the crisp fall mountain air. It was in the 80's last week, so it felt amazing at nearly 6,000 feet.
There is something so comforting about an old hiking trial. This one is well-loved by our little mountain town.
The leaves were most vivid around 4,000 feet, but there were still some signs of fall hanging on for dear life. I'm certain these leaves didn't survive the rain/wind storm we had the next day.
The crazy weather even had some rhododendron confused on which month it was. They produce the most beautiful archway of pink blooms in June. (Want to see them in full bloom? Check out this post.)
After a brisk and quick climb, we popped up on top and fell in love with the views.
I've done this hike many times, but every time it looks so different. This time there was a carpet of stunning red berries at the top of the tree line.
We didn't have much light to work with, but the cascading mountains views were spectacular.
I just stood at the top breathing the clear, refreshing air. I swear it just feels different way up there.
So... no I didn't catch my spectacular sunset shots, but I still got to take in a small amount of beauty in this little corner of the world. And that was just what I needed.
The Hubs and I had a pretty nice adventure for a Thursday evening. We live in these breathtaking mountains and don't do this enough.
We scrambled back down the mountain to make sure we were back in the car before it turned pitch black and loved every minute of our unplanned, impromptu adventure.
The reason I'm telling you this story is to hopefully inspire you to live more than just for the weekend. When I worked at the TV station my weekday schedule was so intense that I never did anything but work and workout during the week. I was in bed by 7 and hardly even saw the Hubs during the week. During that phase in my life I was literally living for the weekend. It was sad.
When I left WLOS, one thing I wanted to do was to live EVERY DAY, not just weekends. I did pretty good for awhile making sure I did things I loved during the week too, but I've slacked off recently. I've gotten wrapped up in my computer and I'm the first to admit that the Hubs and I have weekday TV nights way too much. We rarely leave the house after work on a weekday and we can be real homebodies. Beyond that he works hard, long hours and it's hard to do anything else most of the time.
But last Thursday, we had a small opportunity and we made it happen. It didn't go perfectly and we were rushed BUT we had an adventure on a Thursday night and it was awesome. I'm not saying each and every day should or can be spectacular, but I am suggesting to push your comfort zone and find something to do during the weekdays on occasion. It feels refreshing to shake things up a bit and live for more than the weekend.
It doesn't have to be anything fancy... you could find a new place to run, go to a new yoga studio, try a cooking class, go on a hike or even invite friends over in the middle of the week. I know first hand that work can make this very hard sometimes, but try to make the most our of your current situation.
Life is too short to constantly be wishing away those five days in the middle. If we weren't living for the weekend, Mondays wouldn't seem so gloomy... would they? Starting this week, I'm going to make a new effort to live for more than the weekends. This is your friendly reminder to try to do the same.
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Have a blessed Monday every one.
Also check out Craggy Pinnacle in Summer, Early June (when the rhododendron are in bloom) and August.
See you tomorrow for a Halloween themed candy smoothie!
I'm linking up with Marvelous Monday.
Your turn!
Do you live for the weekend?
When's the last time you've done something fun during the week?[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
Andrea on Vacation says
Totally agree! Our date night is Thursday and I'm constantly making plans with friends for Tuesday. I think an every other day thing keeps me rested enough for work but I still can check out new things and have fun.
JulieWunder says
Yay! Sounds like a great plan.
Teresa says
Great advice, beautiful sentiment and gorgeous pictures! I love a good hike, there's nothing more peaceful than being that close to nature. Thanks for sharing!
JulieWunder says
I could not agree more! Thanks Teresa!
kimmythevegan says
"I’ve gotten wrapped up in my computer and I’m the first to admit that the Hubs and I have weekday TV nights way too much."
I feel like I'm falling into this routine a bit too much as well. My husband also works long days and I find it hard to try and plan things around that. But getting out one evening a week is very doable. Your hike is gorgeous. My husband keeps saying he wants to get more into hiking and things always get in the way. We'll just have to prioritize doing things we want to do more =)
ps. Love that picture of you and your hubby - you both look so happy =)
JulieWunder says
Too bad we don't live closer, we could hike while they work their long hours!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus says
I love this post! First of all, that hike looks beautiful! Second, I've just started experiencing the joy of making more of the weekdays. Since I'm moving, I've been making plans to see friends as much as possible. I've been WAY more social than usual on weeknights and it has been a blast!
JulieWunder says
I'm so glad!! I'm sure you are so busy right now!
Jen @ Pretty Little Grub says
This is great advice. I totally shut myself in during the week. It's work/workout/sleep/eat and repeat. Last night my husband convinced me to go to a friends house for a visit. I really didn't want to because it was outside of my routine but I was SO glad I did.
JulieWunder says
Yay! I so agree! Sometimes it's good to shake it up.
Kristy from Southern In Law says
What a gorgeous place to explore!
I love the weekends as it's when we get spend lots of time with those I love but little midweek escapes always feel so much more fun! Whenever Jesse has a day or a half day off work, I try to take the time off so we can do something fun!
JulieWunder says
Yay! That's making the most out of the situation!
Blane Sherer says
Beautiful shots Julie especially the views from the
top with the red berries.
JulieWunder says
Thanks so much!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says
You are preaching to the choir. I was thinking about this on my way home from work tonight. Life is just speeding by and I'd love to take the time to slow down and enjoy. We're talking about moving to Wisconsin...at least there's that...
Your pictures are beautiful!
JulieWunder says
Ohhh how exciting! Lot's to think about lately. Great mind think alike!
Adam Lemerise says
I've been to Indianapolis Indiana and Reno Nevada to see the PBA Tour in person and enjoyed very much. Going back to Reno in December to see the PBA Tour World Series of Bowling. I know a lot of people that are associated with the PBA Tour and always treat me with respect.
Farrah says
I still want to come back to Asheville again someday! There's so much I haven't explored yet! :O It looks gorgeous up there! I like your philosophy on pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and not wishing away the 5 days in the middle! <3 So true! I unfortunately can't do much on weekdays these days because of reallyyy unpredictable work hours (oh these babies, haha), but I do what I can! :]
JulieWunder says
I imagine it's so hard with all you have going on! Just have to make the best out of your current situation! Hope you can come back to Asheville someday too.
Becky says
Beautiful photos! Thank you for sharing!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Becky! So glad you enjoyed them.
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
I so agree--if you are only living for the weekend, you are missing out on so much of your life. Even if you just try to find one thing each day that is special... do it!
JulieWunder says
So true! Thanks Susie!
Patricia @Sweet and Strong says
I am so guilty of living for the weekend, but I always try to find little things to get excited for. But most of them don't involve leaving the house, which I should do. All your hikes make me want to move south, they views are gorgeous!
JulieWunder says
Haha! I feel ya... I have total homebody tendencies which has been amplified by working from home!!! 🙂
Lacey@fairytalesandfitness says
Beautiful views. The unplanned quick trips end up being some of the best adventures.
JulieWunder says
So true! Thanks so much Lacey!
Emily says
I LOVE this Julie; it's so true that if I'm just waiting to have adventures on the weekend, then I'm not content and enjoying every single day that God has given me on this earth, and I'm missing out on an abundant life of joy in the Lord and His World!
That hike is just STUNNINGLY gorgeous; I love that you went for it on a Thursday night and that you shared it with us.
JulieWunder says
Thanks so much Emily! Hope you are enjoying your weekend.
Annmarie says
Oh my gosh- that is such an amazing picture of you! What gorgeous views!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Annmarie!!
Beth Ann Chiles says
I definitely need to make that hike! My friend shared some very similar pictures with me last week when they hiked and the reds were amazing ! She said I would have loved it since red is my favorite color. Thanks for sharing some beautiful pics from your weekend. Great to make time for a little outdoor time!
JulieWunder says
Oh yes! You need to go!! Hope you are having a good weekend.
Dan Steadman says
we did a couple of years ago,went to Craggy Gardens, and it was right before the snow storm of 2014 on November 1...it was so quiet and peaceful and you could hear the storm coming from the quiet of the animals....we do try and take a midweek trip somewhere once a year, less expensive than weekends and no line for anything, or have the trail to yourself
JulieWunder says
What a cool time to be there!
Shelley Marcy says
One of the reason we Baptists love church on Wednesday nights! Gets you out, amongst friends and another chance to give thanks to our creator, just like you did on the Parkway?
JulieWunder says
Such a good thing to do with your time!!