We are currently taking a little family break on the Sunshine Coast.
On the way there we decided to stop off to enjoy the Glass House Mountains.
We decided to stop at Mount Beerburrum and to walk up to the lookout at the top. It was a lovely day and we were looking forward to a nice leisurely stroll. How wrong we were! We had no idea what we were in for and honestly if I had known, I would not have done it. A couple coming down the mountain actually stopped me and asked if it was something we really wanted to do as a family. They suggested that we might not want to climb this mountain and had a scared look in their eyes. I should have listened better to what they were telling me and not have laughed when they suggested we not go any further!
The walk started out with beautiful scenery and a small incline. I was happily walking along snapping pictures of the greenery and the lush forest. Sadly, it then turned into a steep incline and the whining and complaining started to begin. Some of it from me and some of it from the kids. Most of my complaints consisted of loud statements like, 'No way! The path is still going! I still can't see the end. This climb is never going to end!!'.
The younger kids ran off and we quickly lost sight of them. It started to become very hot and I had to stop for breaks as it was so steep. About this time a fit, sporty, looking guy walked down the hill past me, dripping with sweat. It was at this moment I knew I was in serious trouble!
My happy snapping of pictures came to a stop as climbing the incline took all of my energy. Around this time I started to get left behind and the voices started to fade away. My thoughts and dreams of running 10K in a marathon started to slip away as I struggled to climb and took stock of my fitness level.
The mountain started to loom in front of me. This was going to be harder than I thought. I started to feel hot, I started to want to give up and I could not hear my kids anymore. I had no idea if they were safe and it was at this moment that I came to a small flat part of the climb and I saw this view:
That was all the motivation I needed. I started to push myself more and to walk faster. I started to worry that I could not see my younger kids. I pushed myself so hard that I even passed several other children. Just when I thought I could not go any further I saw this view:
The end was so still so far away but at least I could see the end. The best part was I could hear some of my children cheering, encouraging me to get to the top. I really did not think I could make the last part to the end as I had already used up all of energy levels half way down the mountain.
As I climbed closer I started to see my children more clearly. I saw them happy, raving about the view and yelling out to me to join them. Matt was further down the hill, helping the other children make it to the top. I could hear him behind me repeating over and over again, 'No-one gets left behind'. 'We are all going to do this as a family and there will be no empty seats at the table'. With my children ahead of me cheering me on and my husband and other children behind me encouraging me I knew I would make it to the top. At the top was a gorgeous view. I felt exhausted and sore but uplifted by what I saw.
This is an experience we are always going to remember as a family.
It was exhausting, trying and uplifting at the same time.
The best part was we did it together.
We all made it to the end and to the top.
No-one was left behind.
Lovely sentiments, and lovely pictures Naomi. That view is just gorgeous! Definitely an amazing experience you you will all remember.
ReplyDeleteThanks lovely. It was an amazing experience and something we will always remember. Some of us will remember the pain for a long time! N x
DeleteBeautiful view. Glad you all made it. It's a lovely part of the world.
ReplyDeleteI saw your snaps of this yesterday and thought it was a wonderful thing to do as a family. We do lots of walking with our little one, and teach her that even when you're tired and think you can't do any more - you're stronger than you think you are. Telling her that makes me believe it in myself too. There's no better way to spend a day together than achieving something you thought you couldn't.
ReplyDeleteWell done!
Good on you Naomi! I climbed Mt Beerwah years ago - without kids, and I take my hat off to you for such an awesome achievement with your family! The feeling of overcoming those voices that say 'we can't' is truly amazing and shows us that we can do so much when we keep going. Your kids will have such wonderful memories :)
ReplyDeleteGreat effort Naomi AND family! What an amazing way to enjoy Easter. May you share many more inspiring family times together. HAPPY DAYS
ReplyDeleteOh my! What an experience. A hard hike is just like a mini-version of life, don't you think? I love making connections as I go, probably to keep my mind off the fact that I want to lay down and DIE on the trail! And somehow, the view is ALWAYS worth the exhausting effort. That's the perspective I want so badly to maintain ALWAYS, but it's easier said than done...especially when it feels like there's no end in sight:).
ReplyDeleteI loved how it all worked out for you guys, with some kids up ahead, you in the middle, kids and Dad bringing up the rear, all on the trail, all in different stages, yet all in it TOGETHER. So neat. Thanks for sharing and inspiring.
Your pictures were breathtaking. How I wish I could experience your part of the world.
Well done Naomi! Isn't it amazing what you can achieve, things you never thought possible! And those photos say it all! We did that walk a few years back with a our son (who was 3 at the time!!) so I literally felt your pain as I was reading your post. It is an amazing view from the top, but that is an extremely exhausting steep walk, what a feeling to make it to the top and with your loved ones :)
ReplyDeleteThe photos are fabulous and well worth the effort you put into getting up there. Thanks for sharing them, and how you made it to the top.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are gorgeous .... good example of how rewards come at a cost and even when you feel the effort is not worth it, you keep going and in the end you get the reward ... in your case the reward was the awesome awesome view.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos and very inspirational. It makes me want to climb it with my family :)
ReplyDeleteI should plan similar vacation for my family. I am sure kids would enjoy climbing and mountain scenery a lot and we will all have a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteWow, Gorgeous!!! So glad you made it;) I love the feeling of success after something really hard, and it's even better when you do it together as a family:)
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