All about the Hike

So last Friday afternoon I found an online group called "photographers/hikers" and immediately I thought PERRRFECT! That's two of my favorite things in the world! Only thing I was hesitant about was the fact that it was an 8.5 mile hike. I quickly bypassed that red flag because I hadn't been hiking in forever. I've been so busy lately that I told myself you cant pass this up; Besides in the description it read "mostly shady" & "relaxed pace."  

My brother agreed to go with me because Eddy had to work. We got to Malibu found a spot to park & greeted the group. I dont have a problem meeting new people & felt comfortable right away.  It was a good 30 people (see group picture below - can you find me?) Oh & don't hate on the pictures, they were all take with my point & shoot camera :) & it was very hot.  For us Souther California peeps, 90 degrees is HOT okay. 

At first we started off at a good pace (for me) until we started going up hill for what felt like an eternity. It was probably five plus minutes non-stop at a time. Group picture above was our first rest 30 minutes in, and if you find my face - I'm already tired!! lol Kept telling myself what did you get yourself into?!

Needless to say it took us 3.5 hours to get to the top where we found seashell fossils & a wonderful view. Well worth all my huffing & puffing I can now say.

I'm still smiling in the picture below so I'm going to take a guess 

& say this was taken at the start of the hike! ha ha

I didn't take many pictures going up, because I was too busy trying to breathe, 

in case you were wondering.

The awesome fossils

The view: Self-explanitory

My brother David & I

Thank you for carrying my backpack bro, couldn't have done it without you!

Overall, I'm glad I went ahead and spontaneously did the hike. Could I have been better prepared? Physically, no doubt! I had never been soo happy to see & sit in my car! lol Still soo very proud of myself, that I finished the hike. There were people who turned around three hours in & headed back. We made it to the top & let me tell you - that is one of the greatest feelings in the world! Because I know I pushed myself past those negative thoughts of wanting to turn around, of giving up, but I didn't. Total time in the hike was approximately five, yes FIVE hours! Easy? Not even close. Beyond difficult is more like it, but I can proudly say I DID IT :) 


On the way down I had about an hour and a half (it was much easier since it was downhill) to think about the overall experience & life in general. Sometimes life throws you lemons, but like they say; Make lemonade! Never give up on your dreams. And don't let them just stay dreams. Do something about it, work hard, and become the person you've always dreamed of. It's not going to become of reality just waiting around for it... In the future I want to become a destination wedding photographer where I will be able to travel & do what I love most, document L-O-V-E. Does it sound far-fetched. To some I'm sure. But not to me. I'm working hard to improve on my skills, learning the inside & outs of my camera, and working with the equipment I have & MAKING IT WORK. Yes, I wish I had a better camera or every lens out there, but for now, I'm working with what I got & making the best of it. And you should to. 


What is your dream? I told you mine, I'd love to hear from you. Does your dream sound crazy to others? Don't let that stop you from getting where you want to be and accomplishing your goals. 


HAPPY FRIDAY <3