Finishing What We Started
Last year when we were here in Glacier Natioinal Park, a hiker just in front of us on the Grinnell Glacier trail fell to his death due to hazardous conditions. Stunned and in shock, we turned back.
This year, with the good fortune of much better hiking conditions, we knew we wanted to revisit that trail – for us and for the guy who lost his life.
Look what we would have missed had we decided to never return to that trail. A glacial lake like none we’ve seen greeted us at the end. Turning to head back down, we could see the complete chain of the three milky green lakes that guided us up the trail all nestled in the verdant bowl.
After that, we were suddenly on an “unfinished business” kick, and were very happy that the Siyeh Pass trail was a required hike for one of our challenges. A few years ago, we were here for a family reunion. One day, in order to get at least one hike in, we broke away from the group (no one else was interested in hiking) and headed straight for the Siyeh Pass trail. Feeling guilty for being away and unimpressed with the first few miles of the trail, we turned back.
We now know that was a mistake..
This year – because of the Fantastic Four challenge – we pushed past the point where we last turned around. Our perspective completely changed. The hike we ranked low four years ago is now (having completed it) one of our favorites.
Here are some shots of things we wouldn’t have seen had we not returned.
We firmly believe that you make the best decision you can in any given moment – no regrets, no second guessing. Tonight, however, we’ll celebrate finishing what we started during prior visits to Glacier.
We’ll also celebrate having the health and ability to see all of the beauty around the world.
We are lucky, and life is good. Very good.
What about you? Anything you’ve finished that you’re glad you did (or wish you hadn’t)?
Wow! Look how green it all is! When I was in Glacier last June (2011), there was snow up to the chimney tops. Thanks for showing me what I missed =)
Amazing country and obviously full of meaningful memories for you two.
Wow, those photos are gorgeous! I’m glad the conditions were better for you this time around!
That place is gorgeous – I’m glad you guys got to get back and finish the story. As for me… I recently finished a big trip… that’s something I wish I hadn’t finished just yet, haha.
Breathtaking beauty, I don’t think there’s a better way to experience natural beauty than by hiking – and health and ability is definitely a blessing.
Wow Boys, Gorgeous!
And you are so right about being blessed/lucky…
and it so cool that you guys recognize and take
advantage of the gifts of life..
Take Care, Kevin & Orlando
I think I would have been hesitant about returning to a place where someone died. Good for you for pushing past that!
Stunning landscape!
What a stunningly beautiful vista! I’m glad you decided to finish the unfinished business.
Stunning! Aren’t you so glad you live where you do?!
“We firmly believe that you make the best decision you can in any given moment – no regrets, no second guessing.”
I think you really got it with this line. We all make decisions when we’re traveling to visit places or not visit places and it’s easy to kick yourself later thinking, “darn, I really wish I’d done xyz while I was in South America” but you have to remember that you made your decision based on the information available to you at the time, as well as how you were feeling (jet lagged and exhausted, jaded, emotionally drained etc). There’s no point regretting things you can’t change, but you can always seize opportunities if/when they come along again.
We tend to think that so much time is wasted on regretting the past and worrying about the future. It’s hard to let those thoughts go in order to put more energy into doing the best you can now.