Double Digits

Last Saturday I completed my second training hike. It was at South Mountains State Park in Connelly Springs, NC. It's about an hour and a half drive from Charlotte. The drive was beautiful and the park was even better. Definitely a place to visit if ever in the area. The training hike was 10 miles and I hiked an extra mile to go to the waterfall that is in the park. There are streams that run all throughout the park. Along the hike we had to cross 3 streams. Because of the rain we had earlier that week they were more like rivers. The first one was in the beginning of the hike and I had to take my boots off to cross so I wouldn't have to walk with wet feet the whole way. The water was freezing. There was even a plank we had to walk over to cross one of the ravines. The hike was a long uphill climb following by a steep descent. It was tough but so rewarding the complete. I brought Homer along and he did great. I was shocked he made it the whole way. He loved playing in the water and we shared a peanut butter sandwich at the waterfall. He loved it. Below are pictures of the park.

The experience so far has been great. I love being outside and getting to see things that I otherwise wouldn't have taken the time to see but it's important to remember the reason I'm out there. It's not  for myself but to help Wish Kids. It's saddening to think that something as simple as going for a hike on Saturday is something they most likely won't be able to do. Every kid should have the chance to be outside and explore the world instead of having to spend their days in a hospital bed. Every week I receive an email about a Wish Kid from the area. This week the Wish Kid was Lizzie. Here is her story:

Wish kid Lizzie’s nervous system disorder has dampened her sight but has enhanced her sense of sound, filling her world with beautiful music. A fan of most music genres, Lizzie has a special attachment to Christian music and knew she wanted to spend her wish immersed in that world. The best opportunity for her to hear many of her favorite artists in one place was to go on the K-Love music cruise, a four-night cruise to the Bahamas showcasing some of the best up and coming Christian music artists.

Her dad recounts the trip by saying, "Words cannot express how amazing Lizzie’s wish trip was. She had such an amazing week. We even got to meet a couple other wish families. Dozens of total strangers commented on how happy she was and how great it was to be around her. She had the time of her life and we are so very grateful for Make-A-Wish for providing something for her that we never would have been able to do."

 Kids like Lizzie are the real reason I'm choosing to take the Trailblaze Challenge. Without donations, wishes aren't able to be granted. Please help me in my journey and donate. Donate Here Thank you, without you none of this would be possible!!