Over three years ago, my friend, Joel Malm of Summit Leaders pitched the idea of taking a small group of people somewhere in the world to hike.
I knew three things:
- I didn’t want to sleep outside.
- I didn’t want to carry a large backpack.
- The journey needed to include wine, chocolate, and lots of laughter.
In 2011, we embarked on an unforgettable adventure hiking 50 miles of the Scottish Highlands and staying in bed and breakfasts along the way. The pixie-dust journey is described in-depth in Wonderstruck.
When Joel approached me about another trip, I considered where in the United States I most wanted to visit. The Grand Canyon. Mount Rushmore. Running through the fields like Anne of Green Gables on Prince Edwards Isle. (Technically, that’s not America, but it’s close.)
Then I remembered one of my life-long dreams of traveling to Maine and eating lobster. Joel agreed to host the grand journey. The retreat sold out almost four months early and we could have filled the trip three times over. It turns out I’m not the only one who dreams about hiking the rugged coast of Maine and Acadia National Park.
Eighteen of us gathered in a hundred-plus year old home decorated by someone who spent way too much time on Etsy and Pinterest (that means it was super cute!) plus a quaint bed and breakfast nearby.
We laughed and shared and reflected on how as we grow older in our faith the biggest changes often come from the smallest subtleties. Tiny words like “in,” “takes,” “blesses,” “breaks,” “gives,” and “today” can reshape the landscape of our lives forever. We prayed together and encountered Christ. Leif cooked all the scrumptious meals.
Oh, how I wish you could have been there!
I fulfilled my life-long dream of eating lobster in Maine.
On the day before the retreat, Leif and I stopped at a small shack that sold lobster and I asked for their biggest one. When the man measured the 4 pounds, he said, “I didn’t know we got one this big.”
“How long do you cook it for?” I asked.
“I don’t know,” he said.
“This is your day job. You have to know this!” I pressed.
“Aim for 15 minutes and check it.”
The four-pound lobster took 18 minutes to cook, and I ate the ENTIRE lobster for lunch. I didn’t need dinner that night. Under other circumstances, the word gluttony might be appropriate, but under the current circumstances, I prefer to call it a party—and an unforgettable dream come true!
The amazing people I met in Maine, the beautiful vistas, and the wild adventure are new treasures I carry with me—and I’m so grateful. Joy abounds!
So what is the place you most want to visit? And what’s holding you back from saving up, becoming creative, and making that joy-filled dream come true?
Much love,
Margaret, Leif, & Hershey
I love this post! I love the adventure in traveling…especially when you arrive and just explore! I would love to go whale watching in Alaska, or sit in the Redwood National Forest or walk through the Pike Place Market in Seattle or …..I am gonna do it! 🙂 <3
MOST amazing trip of my life!! xoxoxo to all of my new friends!
Yay! So thrilled to finally meet you in person sweet Tara. Hug to you new friend!
Love this, Renee. Those are must-visit places!
So awesome that you did this! And since you had Nancy with you, I know there was wine, chocolate and laughter in abundance. As for the lobster, you go, girl!
So glad to see some pictures from your trip! It looks wonderful. Well, except for the lobster part. For some reason, I’m a little squeamish about lobster. Anyway…
My dream trip has always been New York. I went three years ago for a weekend trip with my bestie and it was fabulous. Not enough time to do everything I want to do so clearly I need to go back…and soon!!
It was so wonderful and the lobster was yummo! New York is a great place to visit. What things do you still need to see while you’re there?
Oh how my redheaded Anna, lover of all books Anne of Green Gables daughter longs for a trip to Prince Edward Isle. Next trip! 😉 grace & peace sister. Looking forward to the next time already.
What a wonderful trip it must have been, so nice to read about it! I have visited the place I wanted to see for most of my life, Paris, and it was a dream realized. My life changed in how my love for the culture and history of Paris (and the country of France) has deepened to great depths. Paris is a place that for me has such an essence of beauty I cannot describe it to even come close to giving it a full perspective to anyone else.
I loved it so much the first visit, I have gone back 3 more times and want to take my granddaughter there when she is older to share this lovely city with her.
Is my hair really that gray? Oh well. At least I know they’re all numbered!
I continue to smile, thinking of your sheer delight in eating lobster. I continue to chew on so much from this weekend. Sat on the beach with a friend today and shared your/His verbs: Took. Blessed. Broke. Gave.
And we rejoiced in TODAY! So grateful for the chance to share this with you all. God is good!
So glad you enjoyed your time in Acadia. I live (and have grown up) only a short distance from Acadia but have only recently really started taking advantage of this incredible resource in my backyard. I hope it was a restorative time for all who attended. God bless you Margaret in the fight ahead of you. My prayers are with you.
Love it! Can’t wait to go with you next time my friend and sister! Acadia is gorgeous and it looked like a trip FULL of Joy! As it should be! I want to walk part of the Appalachian trail … I read a book about it and decided that me doing all 2100 miles … not happening :). Plus, my Dr. said “nope, not yet!” BUT I do believe I can walk some of it and I am planning on it! 🙂
My husband & I want to go to Maine sometime. It’s on our list. Our last dream trip was to Key West! We loved it! Next we plan to go to Washington DC. We love history!
Ooh! DC would be an awesome trip. How fun!
I didn’t realize how many miles the Appalachian Trail is– holy cow! You go girl! And yes– next time you must come with!
What a fun place to have so close by. It was amazing, Kelli.
It was awesome! Such fun memories!
Yes. Definitely the next trip, she must join us!
Ooh– Paris sounds lovely!
Hug to you sweet Nancy.