A couple times a year my wife and
I take a short trip together; no kids, no dog, just the two of us. We pick a
destination within a few hours of home, leave Saturday morning and return the
following afternoon. We came up with the idea a while back. We figured there
are so many things to see and places to visit within a few hours of home and it’s
also a good opportunity to spend some quality time alone.
A couple weeks ago, the
destination was to see waterfalls and enjoy the autumn colors. We planned to
see two different waterfalls in two different towns, with plenty of scenery
along the way. It was shaping up to be a beautiful day, so off we went. When we
arrived at the first location, it was apparent everyone else within a few hours
had the same idea. There were high school seniors having their graduation
pictures taken, family photos being taken; even cute babies rolling around in
the leaves. People were in awe of the waterfall; some took photos, some took
videos, and others just stared. The waterfall was mesmerizing - the roar of the
rushing water, the water mist cooling your face from the afternoon sun, and the
continually changing pattern of the water. The second waterfall was less busy,
probably because it was a little further off the beaten trail…which I like. The
waterfall had the same effect on people, myself included. After breaking out of
the trance from the waterfall, we took a short hike through the woods and
finished the day sitting on the shore of a lake.
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| Ramsey Falls Redwood Falls, MN |
We stayed at a hotel near the
second waterfall. In the lobby, there were old pictures of the falls, but they
were shorter and narrower. Over time, the constant flow of water carved the
banks wider and deeper.
Some of the allure of rivers and
waterfalls is that they’re constantly moving and changing; the key word being constant.
If the water isn’t constantly moving forward, it would be a lake and lakes don’t
go anywhere but stay put.
Philippians 3:14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
That's a really great idea you and your wife do, great for cultivating your marriage. I'm amazed how closer together my wife and I are throughout the years as we grow/change together in our walk with God and in our lives. Very fulfilling!
ReplyDeleteThank you Ed! I think more people could take advantage of God's creation of the great outdoors to cultivate their relationships. I know you and your wife do.
ReplyDelete