It began with Amanda and I having a small debate about grabbing something to eat. Funds are tight, so something as simple as "actually going somewhere" for food sometimes requires a bit of foresight and planning. We decided it is okay to occasionally live a little (in responsible moderation of course), so off to the local pizza joint we went.
The food was fantastic. The Wi-Fi? Fast and reliable. We caught up on some Star Wars YouTube videos as we ate our greasy little slices of Heaven. As we were getting ready to grab our to-go box for later consumption (the pizza not the box), the waitress informed us that the sheriff's department had already paid for everyone's meal. Both of us immediately started to tear up, because not only would it help ease the worry over spending money, but also because of how awesome that generous act of holiday kindness actually was. (We're both softies. Shut up.)
Our hearts and spirits suddenly full, we spontaneously decided to go somewhere we hadn't been before, but just so happens to be only a few miles down the road from the house. There is a historic state park called Narrows of the Harpeth (probably worth a Google), where in the early 1800’s one of America’s very first full-scale tunnels was dug out from beneath a limestone cliff, thus diverting the river in order to power an iron foundry.
♫“There’s
a hole, there’s a hole, there’s a hole in the bottom of this
cliff.”♫
And took the obligatory selfie. My glasses, however, didn’t get the memo.
Golly, that
sure is a lot of water gushing out of that hole. I bet every living
creature that comes near this spot has a sudden urge to pee. (*Not pictured.)
Oh, hey, you
know what would be even more exciting? Climbing all the way to
the top of that precarious-looking cliff which has had tons of water
rushing beneath it for the last two centuries!
We’ve only
gone like ten steps and already this is the view. We’re definitely
going to feel this later.
So up we went.
And up. And up. We looked around for the escalator, but there were none to be found.
This is what
happens when you buy the cheap tickets.
Yeesh how much
higher does this thing go? We probably should have read all of those
posted warnings at the start of the trail. Still, I have to tell you,
the view up here was phenomenal.
No, really,
phen-om-en-al.
Just for the
record, we’re not even at the top yet.
Quitting is
for losers, but it can also sometimes lead to better health. Dude, I’m
just a caption, not a life coach. You do you, boo.
Whew, at this
point we’re definitely feeling the burn, but wow was it ever worth the
effort! Also, exercise n' stuff! Whoo!
Sadly, she
couldn’t see her house from here.
Eventually,
what climbs up, must climb all the way back down. But first, a snack!
Yes, both of
the sides you see are sheer drops. It's called Narrows for a reason, people. Perfect
for high-altitude apple tossing, though.
Eventually,
Amanda caught on that I was sneakily taking her picture every few
seconds, so I promised to put the camera away as we descended back to
base camp- er, I mean the parking lot. But obviously we made it back
down safely, because otherwise, who’s writing this? I mean, I’m
good, but I'm not that good.
The
point is, we probably wouldn’t have been inspired to have an
adventure at all had it not been for the seemingly random kindness
from some strangers. A small gesture, perhaps- yet one that
completely changed the course of the day. There is always something
worth seeing, if you simply choose to see it. You don’t even
have to go hiking to find it.
Although
hiking couldn't hurt, except maybe physically.
Oh, p.s.
Amanda says hi, everyone.
