I love capturing my adventures, but on the real, sometimes I just don't feel like it! I know this sounds contradictory, but someone is reading this with a head nod, totally getting it.
You know the struggle, here you are lugging gear and thinking about the next shot when you could just be walking and enjoying the sights and sounds. Sometimes even a Go Pro is too much!
However, when I do bring my camera, I get to capture the magic and take it home with me. Memories can be relived and I like that. PLUS, I can share my experience with others who get an idea of what it's like without having to leave their reality. And I push myself to put the camera down more than I have it in my hand and I find just that approach helps me to reap the benefits of being in nature and interacting with the other humans I am hiking with.
Here's a video of my hike to Crabtree Falls near Asheville, NC with an amazing group of women I am lucky to call friends!
There's always a story underneath the hike itself, which is one of my favorite aspects of documenting them. I've already shared in my last post how I struggled to find a group of friends and for many years decided I didn't need that. I didn't want to conform or be something I wasn't just to "belong." As an adult, after many years of working through my unconscious beliefs, I am starting to re-define friendship in a way that doesn't involve me comprising my values or independence.
I found friendship by stepping out of my comfort zone and taking a fitness class I had heard nothing about. I saw "Buti Yoga" on the schedule at an Asheville dance studio and was intrigued. Buti Yoga is a tribal dance infused vinyasa yoga flow workout that encourages body and self acceptance, and is a sisterhood. Not only is this truly my soulmate yoga practice, I am also grateful that I am finally open to this kind of genuine and free friendship.
Fellow adventurers & nature lovers, let me know what you thought of Crabtree Falls as a waterfall hike. Do you prefer solo hikes or hikes with a group? Do you like to hike alongside waterfalls, mountain views, a lake, or other scenery? How do you capture the moments with photo or video without forgetting to enjoy the experience? What's your favorite hike and where? And finally, would you like to go to Crabtree Falls? If so, check out all of the trail info via this link: https://ashevilletrails.com/blue-ridge-parkway/crabtree-falls-nc/
Video filmed with the sony a7sII and Go Pro Hero 4