Greg and I just got back from Iceland. It was an incredible trip – restorative and filled with incomprehensible natural beauty. Much of my time outdoors was spent in utter awe of my surroundings.
Every time I travel, I try to bring something back with me. Not a souvenir. A practice.
When we visited Paris, I internalized what our Tattinger guide told us on our tour of their champagne caves – champagne does not require a special occasion, it creates one. I also took away the joy of biking as a form of sight-seeing, and how nice it is to just sit outdoors and linger over an espresso or an aperatif as its own activity, not just a break from doing something else.
England reminded me that it can be worth taking the time in the afternoon to put together a little snack plate and pour yourself a cup of tea.
I love the memories of travel, and I love the reminders to slow down or incorporate some of each vacation into regular life. You don’t have to be in Bath to have earl grey and a scone and not feel guilty for sitting down.
Visiting Iceland in April when it was 45 degrees out and there were strong winds reminded me to put on my best gear and get outside. It’s worth it.
We spent two and a half hours hiking up a mountain where it was so windy at the top that I sat down at one point for fear I’d blow over. But I was bundled up and comfortable the whole time, and it was gorgeous.
The time I spent in Iceland outside was epic, even when it was raining and the wind was blowing. When the elements were strongest, I felt the most alive, even though I normally would not have ventured out in that weather. It was invigorating and beautiful and epic to be walking through the rain in between moss covered canyons of lava stone, or leaning into the wind and getting pelted with frozen snow.
I know I sound insane. But I mean it.
Get bundled up.
Go outside.
Gulfoss waterfall might not be in your backyard… but outside is beautiful, and as spring makes good on its promises of occasional warmth and sunshine, I’d like to remember that those aren’t the only days I can go outside. I can always go outside. And I’ll probably feel better for it. Layer up. Head out.
There are other parts of the trip I’ll hold close to my heart, too. That the natural wonders of a country are glorious; while Reykavik was lovely, our time in its museums and restaurants and cafes paled in comparison to our time outdoors. I liked the famous landscape paintings in the Reykavik art museum mostly because they reminded me of the real thing.
Grab your jacket and boots and find some outdoors to explore near home.
Beautiful!