Thursday, February 23, 2012

One Week Away

One week from now, Anna and I will be asleep in our tents having completed our first day on the AT.

It is a surreal feeling of anticipation and excitement and nervousness.  The feeling sometimes causes me to catch my breath.

Six months on a trail is a long time.  Think about what you have done in the last six months.  Probably lots of various things revolving around busy schedules and meetings with different people.  Maybe you've taken a trip or two.  Started a new job.  Met new friends.

Think back six months and remember what you were doing.  Now imagine that instead of doing that, you had just started to walk.  You walked and walked day after day after day up until this point right now.

What a different six months that would have been.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Hiking Baristas

My fellow Starbucks partners and I hiked Kennesaw Mountain today.
It was a blustery and cold morning with dark clouds on the horizon.
As we were leaving the car, snow flakes began to flutter across our path.
We quickly warmed up as our bodies pushed uphill and onto the mountain.
The higher we climbed, the stronger the wind blew.

After an arduous ascent, we reached the summit of the mountain and looked out over the surrounding land.
The sun peeked through the dark grey clouds and illuminated patches of grass and trees far below.
It really was a beautiful sight, and I was glad to be spending my Shabbat morning on a mountain top.

It may have been physically strenuous to reach the top, but I find such great rest in that.

photo by Mitch (Sprinting Moose) Pinion
I may not be with my Starbucks family too much longer, but I hope they continue to make time for these types of outings with each other.

And speaking of my Starbucks family, this is a little project I've been working on over the past several weeks.  Again, thanks to my lovely Anna for presenting me with the awesome camera that took these shots and allowed me to put this video together.  And thanks to my fellow partners for allowing me to get in their face and photograph them.

Hope you guys enjoy.