So...About That Road...

Everyone knows the poem by Robert Frost. You know the one. It's the poem about traveling on the road less traveled.

I thought about this poem last night. I woke up re-thinking the poem. It's weighed on my mind enough, that I thought I had better write about it and BE DONE with my obsession.

I guess the story goes: A long time ago, in a land far away...

When Goose was an infant (I TOLD you it was a long time ago) Mark and I went for a few days to hike the Sespe in California. We borrowed packs and lightweight sleeping bags, loaded the packs with what we would need for 4-5 days and off we went. Ohmygosh, I'm not kidding when I say that my pack weighed more than I did. I'm sure I looked a sight. In addition, I HATE shoes and I wear them as little as possible. About a quarter of a mile into the hike, off went my boots, and I did the rest of my journey barefoot.

Mark is a very adventurous soul. He is the first one off the beaten path. I, on the other hand, am perfectly content with following the marked trails and going exactly where I am told to go. Hence, Mark sees wonders and beauty that are not shared by many, and I see what everyone else gets to see. Still beautiful, but I think Mark has it figured out.

Sticking to proper characteristics, we followed that path MY WAY for a bit when Mark saw a small, rocky, barely there trail and OF COURSE that's the way we went. We trekked through dust and rocks, weeds, mud, steep hills and spooky drops. Then, there it was, a BEAUTIFUL camp spot right beside an AMAZING waterfall and pond. I can't describe how perfectly spectacular it was. Peaceful, tranquil, cool...man it smelled WONDERFUL.

My point is, the main trail led away from the falls. I'm sure I would have had some "wow" moments if we had continued in the direction of the signs. After all, why would they put up signs that led to something un-pretty? However, by taking the path that was more difficult, I witnessed astounding.

The choices we make put us on different paths. That is what Robert Frost is talking about. When we are faced with challenges and controversy the "easy out" is to walk away. We quit. That is the road most traveled. It's a quick fix. The more difficult road that has hills and valleys sure doesn't look so appealing. That's when the "now" doesn't matter. That's when we MUST think about what lies ahead. In the end we all want SPECTACULAR.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.