“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive — to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love…Then make that day count!” –Steve Maraboli

There I was on a weekend morning, lying in bed and battling a nasty cold – the throbbing headache, the congestion, the dry throat, the runny nose, the shivers…the works!

It was as if my health was turning gray along with the chilly autumn days. I knew there was only a small window of fall in the Pacific Northwest, not just because our days were becoming shorter, but also because there was always a chance that our unpredictable weather could bring winter sooner than expected.

But the mountains! My heart was thirsty for fresh air, autumn leaves, fog, and everything mountains.

So I closed my eyes, snuggled in the warmth of my blanket, and began thinking of a forest and how amazing it would feel to be outside instead of feeling miserable in bed.

And I imagined that magical forest…The way a tree stands tall without ever asking for attention. Such majestic giants! The sound of persistence when the tiniest of streams cuts a path through the soil. The mist of a flowing river hitting my face and awakening my every sense. The feeling of wet, fluffy moss beneath my finger tips. The way my lungs expand to inhale that fresh mountain air…

Then I thought about that horrid feeling when you realize you just slept through an entire day…Or weekend. Because I’ve done that, too.

And just like that I was up! It was those simple reminders that pushed me to get out of bed, despite my body telling me to do the opposite. My also-sick-boyfriend hopped on board for a weekend adventure, and off we went! 

Oh, and that magical forest I mentioned?

Just remember that you, too, are made out of those magical elements! Life is meant to be lived just the way you envision it. So do whatever it takes to motivate yourself to pursue all that makes you happy, no matter the circumstances.

I still felt sick after my outing, but my heart was filled with fall goodness. And in that moment, it was all that mattered! =)

With love from the PNW,

Denise

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HEATHER LAKE, N. CASCADES, WA

The weekend brought us to the North Cascades. One of the best things about autumn hiking is that hardly any people are out. For a good hour, we had the lake all to ourselves! The hike is a fairly easy 4.6 mi roundtrip. See below for all the foggy and fall goodness! Enjoy <3

Photos are a mix of DSLR and good ol’ phone.

A foggy welcome.

Can you smell the fresh mountain air?

And then the lake. And a random pink(?) canoe on the rock. I wonder what his story is…

Enchanted by the way fog quietly embraced the trees.

…but we were sick.

This place has such a pretty boardwalk all around the lake. Loved!

Well, I was sick, I needed extra warmth :)

Because the only time that ever really matters is Now. Always.

Her name is Dandelion! Haha. Find her adventures on my Instagram, #OfWildestVan.

Yea, I wish she was real…

In sickness and in …Fall <3

As always, thank you for sticking through the end! Please be sure to check out my previous post, Photo Diary: Fall Icy Goodness, which was actually the first part of this autumn weekend =)