Lens Artists Photo Challenge # 218 – Over the Hill

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Donna of Wind Kisses is our guest host for this weeks photo challenge. She invites us to show what over the hill means to us.

I can say that at my age I am definitely over the hill in years, but not in attitude. I’ve reached the age that I know my limitations and know that I can’t do everything I used to do. I also know I will never stop enjoying life to the fullest or stop having fun. Every day is a gift.

In my younger days I enjoyed hiking in new places. Back in 2006, the Delicate Arch hike in Arches National, Utah was probably the most difficult hike I’ve ever attempted. Yes, we hiked up that slick rock and along a very narrow ledge to get to the top.

It was quite a challenge but when we reached the top this view made it all worthwhile.

Many other times we drove up mountain for a scenic view instead of hiking.

This stunning view from an overlook made the drive up steep scenic Glacier Point Road in Yosemite National Park, California one to remember.

We were rewarded with this Alpine Visitor’s Center in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado at the top of Trail Ridge Road.

Sometimes life throws us a challenge we don’t want to face. My biggest hill to climb in my personal life was my Ovarian Cancer journey. There have been many bumps in the road along the way but today I am grateful that my cancer has been gone for over 11 years.

Did you know September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month? I was one of the lucky women to be diagnosed at an early stage.

Many thanks to Donna’s Lens-Artists Challenge #218 – Over the Hill

21 thoughts on “Lens Artists Photo Challenge # 218 – Over the Hill”

  1. Thank goodness you were blessed with successful treatment of ovarian cancer, and thank you for reminding people of the symptoms. I really love this post and pictures! I never even knew you could hike that arch. And your husband really rocks the cowboy hat!

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  2. Love your post today. Your life loving attitude shines through! So glad you beat that nasty cancer! I hiked to Delicate Arch in my twenties. I remember how it looked close, but it wasn’t! Where we are in life, it’s important to focus on what we can do, and there usually is a lot. Enjoy your day!

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  3. Wow Beth – your biggest hill was huge – congratulations to you for working through it to have so many years to enjoy. I loved your attitude in your opening paragraph. I feel as you do, every day is indeed a gift and it’s so important to make the most of them all. Your images are gorgeous! Stay safe out there this week, it’s looking like we may both be in for a bit of trouble 😩

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  4. Everyday, is indeed, a gift. There is no greater gift than time. Different stages in life are different chapters, all worthy. Many fun…and many character building.

    Great photos of Delicate Arch. It’s a bit daunting on that ledge. Good on you guys going on. Lots of people turn back.

    I loved that you drove up Glacier Point Road at Yosemite. It was closed during our trip. We attempted to climb the other side. (We knew we wouldn’t go the whole way-that wasn’t our goal) Beautiful views up there for sure.

    I am happy you addressed a life challenge. Those are the true hills in this road called life, and the ones that define our character. We have to fight when we don’t want to, step up when we would rather sit and climb. Climb until the views look a little better.

    I love this! Thank you. I am glad you are well, and also shared that it is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. I didn’t know.

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    1. Donna, thank you so much for your comments. I almost didn’t do the Delicate Arch hike because of that ledge but Henry kept encouraging me and I’m so glad we did it. We went to Yosemite in May and were there the day Glacier Point Road opened so of course we went on it. Thee were still mounds of snow in the parking lots at the top. It was spectacular.
      I don’t usually talk about my cancer journey except in September during Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Like you, most people don’t know about it. Teal is the color for ovarian cancer.
      I’m so glad you liked the post. Thanks for a great challenge.

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  5. I’ve been to all those places and hiked up to Delicate Arch a couple of times. Isn’t it stunningly beautiful! One morning in the wee dark hours a few friends and I went up for a sunrise shoot and they had me be point trusting that I would get there and keep us on the trail. Well remember the part where you’re on the top of the granite slab and it’s sandy and there are trees? I was hiking through the trees sans a light because there was enough for me to see with the Moon and daylight creeping up but, what I didn’t see was a HUGE spider web going across the trees which I stepped right through! EWWWW! I was itchy all. day. long, and my friends thanked me profusely for taking one for the team!! 😂 Thanks for waking up that memory! 😄

    I’m so happy to hear that you beat that cancer! Thanks for sharing the symptoms it’s been sometime since I’ve read what they are.

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    1. Thank you for your comments! I’m so glad we didn’t encounter any spiders on our Delicate Arch hike! Yikes!
      I’m glad I reminded you of the ovarian cancer symptoms. Many women have no idea what they are.

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  8. You did have the biggest hill to climb in your personal life and YOU are here to tell us about it! I am thrilled for you and your 11 years!
    I hiked that Delicate Arch hike with my boys…9 and 13 years of age! (Many years ago.) Good grief… I was not only nervous for myself but them as well! They had no fear!
    Wonderful post! And Congratulations on your 11 years!
    🥰🥰🥰

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  9. Yes, every day is a gift, and you prove it so well. What a remarkable hike of that arch! And I am glad you were one of the lucky ones with cancer treatment. Wonderful images, and post!

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