From the top and looking north
My son and daughter motivated me
to climb Giant’s Head mountain a few weeks ago. I am glad I did and I have climbed it four more times since then. (To learn more about Giant’s Head Mountain – click HERE)
The climb to the top has three routes, the grind, the friendly giant, and the road. I take the road as it is the easiest. Now it is the easiest of the three routes, but it is not easy. I normally walk a relaxing kilometre every 15 minutes or so, but the 2.8 kilometres to the top of Giant’s Head mountain takes me nearly an hour.
The walk down is so steep that I must take baby steps also, to avoid hurting my knees.
Now there are a few reasons
that I don’t mind my non-record making pace (also known as glacially slow) , and my frequent stops on the way to the top:
- the view all the way up the winding road is amazing. It is like being in a plane and looking down on the valley below. The valley looks green, the only sounds are birds, and the air is fresh and delicious with every intake.
- The exertion I am making is considerable as I am overweight. I am actually proud of myself for climbing to the top despite all of my deep breathing, and fast heart rate that results in the stops enroute.
- I know it will take a long time but that means it will be especially satisfying. I know that the difficulty level and long time requirement will result in my greater excitement in achievement.
- All my climbs are done with my family, there are no distractions, other than weather, and enjoying the outdoors with them is a 5-Star bonus.
So I walk slowly up the mountain, on the steeper parts of the road, I make only small steps over and over, the heel of my footstep just slightly ahead of the back foot.
But moving ahead, even if it only seems like barely moving, I am still going up. ♥
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So that’s my health challenge to myself this summer and the months (years ?) ahead and I have my family’s support, to keep me creeping steadily toward a better healthier me as I climb the mountain.
I know others that regularly climb the mountain and they say when they started a few years ago, they struggled also and yet they persisted and now they can and do walk nearly daily year-round to the viewpoint at the very peak.
That is encouraging for me, a coach in sports would say “you can’t skip practice” and so that is how I see it.
If I want to win at this game, I mustn’t skip practice.
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IT DOES NOT MATTER HOW SLOWLY YOU GO, AS LONG AS YOU DO NOT STOP. – CONFUCIUS
Thank you for visiting “Life and Random Thinking”
I hope whatever mountains that you are climbing that you can continue to make progress, no matter how slowly. – David
Life and Random Thinking 
Well done ! Fantastic view ! 🤗🌷
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Thank you Sally, you would love the breeze at the top. – David
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Congratulations! I know that climb!
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Thanks Lynette, you know how nice it is to get to the top!
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Congratulations, you did it. And the view, fabulous!!
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So true, and you would enjoy it! We see chipmunks, hummingbirds, and other birds as well.
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Congratulations, David! I’m glad that you kept trying. And the view from the top is amazing 😍
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Just what I need, more encouragement so I don’t stop. Thank you
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Oh please don’t stop!
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Good for you Dave! What a great goal that is. And the view! What a beautiful valley that is.
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Thanks so much Ilona. Right now it is a goal, but I am excited to make one and publish it. I am still working on the Cup Challenge I have for myself, I can sing the song, and I can do the clapping routine but not at the same time. LOL
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David, despite health issues you achieved the success, congratulations! Climbing mountain needs lots of will power and stemina, and I believe being with family you achieve both.
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That’s very insightful. I think that is what parents do, we go on trying even when we are tired. I have the will, and am working on the stamina. Thank you Deeksha. Recently I tried making naan at home, I am going to try again soon, I think my second attempt will be better than my first, which wasn’t terrible. ha ha – thank you for your kind words.
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There is one thing which I have experienced with cooking is that we give respect to food. This attitude should be inherent in each generation.
With the refrence of naan, I believe you have tasted Indian food very well!!
I am sure you will get perfect naan next time. Just curious, what did you paired with naan?
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We love having vegetarian dishes, like palak paneer.
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I know what it’s like to have to take breaks along any trail that leads to your goal! I also know that the sense of accomplishment, when you DO reach it, erases all of the struggles it took to get there! You are a great inspiration!
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Wow, very kind words. Today my family are going to Giants Head today, it rained overnight and the air will be fresh. I will remember your encouragement as I climb. – David
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Keep on walking! Are there many steep climbs like this in your area?
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I live in a valley, there are mountains on both sides for hundreds of miles. There are five mountain ranges from the pacific coast to the foothills of Alberta. I am located kind of 1/3 from the coast, about a 5 hour drive from Vancouver BC, and it’s about a 6 hour drive to Seattle southwest. – David
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I love the picture. The blue skies are beautiful!
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The views are marvellous. Thank you for your comment.
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It would take me hours to get the top because you said there is so much wild life as you climb up. I would have to stop and take pictures of them all. That is why we hike, the husband is at the top way before I get there. I like to enjoy the view as I go. 🙂
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So many hummingbirds yesterday and two days ago we were on a drive and yearling black bear ran across the road. I was going slow and he was 40 feet ahead. Beautiful lustrous black fur.
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How cool to see that, I am back at my cabin in the north woods where we have black bears and wolves, but have not seen any yet. Only one deer so far.
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Congratulations on this accomplishment. I know I couldn’t do that! Hills and stairs wear me out really fast!
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Baby steps! How do you eat an elephant? small bites!
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Good for you! What a beautiful view! That sounds like quite a challenge, but a fun and healthy one, especially if you have your family with you. You are blessed!
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Every time is a challenge but also rewarding. Today was my 9th time👍
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