Due to the condition I have called UnableToSleepInItis, I have been taking full advantage of my Saturdays by going hiking or biking long before my family starts stirring.
Yesterday, I drove to a new trailhead to tackle a network of bike paths. Several miles into my ride, I turned back, only to encounter an intersecting trail that leads back near my house. Without hesitation, I took it. And the ride was all too perfect.
Well, except for the fact that my car was still at the original trailhead and I had to do a huuuuuge loop to retrieve it–a minor detail. I finally arrived back home a couple hours later exultant yet exhausted over my new discoveries.
Last summer was the first time I realized that maybe this is not normal. I was at BlogHer and decided to skip Day 2, rent a bike and explore the city by myself. One of my new friends Shannon admiringly said she would never do anything of the sort and her reaction baffled me.
As I rode yesterday, I was taken back to when I was about 13 years old. My Dad led me on my bike to a hillside about 10 minutes from our house in Calgary and there, shrouded by weeds and trees, was a secret break in the fence that lead to an endless network of bike paths.
I spent the next several years clocking thousands of miles on those trails that are touted as some of the most extensive in North America. Sometimes I was with Dad, mostly I was alone. And during those countless hours of pushing myself to my limit amidst sparkling rivers and gleaming hills, I found myself.
And my dad gave me the key.
So here is to a wonderful man who instilled a love of adventure and exploration that I am passing down to my own little family. To a man who, in his quiet and meek way, always supported me and gave me the self-confidence to believe I could accomplish anything I wanted in my life.
And to a man who always kept me grounded and yet gave me wings to soar.
Happy Father’s Day!
What is one of your favorite memories of your dad?
I'm a Canadian-born mom of two, former Denver Post columnist, family travel writer, editor of MileHighMamas.com and 9News contributor. Expert on all things Utah, Denver, family and travel. Lover of laughter and life. Happily married to a man obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin. 