Narrows of the Heart...eth

Today has been a very remarkable day indeed. 

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.”♫

These days it is a popular spot for canoeing and hiking (also presumably for some steamy, middle-of-the-woods-makin’-out-before-the-crazy-axe-murderer-finds-you), so we figured a nice walk somewhere new would be a great way to complete the day. First, we hiked down to the historic tunnel itself.

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.