A few weeks ago, I asked a question in a FB group about the feasibility of hiking a path we want to hike. My favorite response was so simple, "You can do this. Make a plan and work the plan." So that's what we we're doing.

We've planned out increasingly hard hikes and I started doing exercises to increase my fitness for hiking. I quit counting cumulative (up and down) elevation for hikes, I am only interested in how much I can climb from bottom to top and increasing the total distance hiked. We started with hiking 500 feet, all at once, did a couple between 700-800 feet, moved to 1,100 ft and yesterday conquered 2,000 ft in 3.7 miles! The total miles hiked yesterday was 8, but it was all down hill after the top.

It was hard but so much fun! Zack and Kayla went with us and they were the best, most patient cheerleaders. Thankfully, I had no idea what I was getting into . There were rocks, roots, boulders, rock scrambles, incredibly steep sections (one with cables to pull yourself up if needed) and even 3 sets of ladders (cross another 'I could never do that' off my list!)

As we were making our way back down the mountain, something occurred to me. Not one single time did I feel fear, even at the ladders. As we approached them, I thought about my goal of 2,000 feet (it became more important than the view yesterday), looked at what had to be done and thought, 'Just do the work.' I was not turning back.

I was so encouraged because I could see that the plan is working. My fitness to do what I thought I could only dream about, is improving. And I know that one day, we are going to conquer the hike that finally went on my bucket list because I finally realized it could be more than a dream, that it's not just something only other people can do.

I watch so many people go after their dreams, I’m not usually that person. I tend to fly by the seat of my pants and spend a lot of time wishing I could be more than just a dreamer.

I am beyond thankful for that stranger on FB who gave me such good advice. Now, the next step is to stop wishing I could do better at following my food plan and just do the work!

If you happen to be a little like me and wish you could be the dreamer who actually does their dream, I'll give you the words I got, "You can do this. Make a plan and do the work." And if you want to message me your dream, we can cheer each other on!