Wander Often, Wonder Always

 "Wander Often, Wonder Always" is a mantra for Team Tully.  We place value on both travel and curiosity and believe strongly that the two go hand in hand.  New experiences open us up to both increased wonder and questions answered.  We get to meet new and interesting people, see new and interesting places, and try new and interesting things.  All of these things fill us with appreciation, awe, and admiration.  Powerful indeed.  Recently I got to partake in an adventure of my own and I do believe I have been changed for the better.  

There exists an amazing program full of amazing people called First Descents.  I had the honor and privilege of joining a First Descents trip to Estes Park, Colorado to rock climb in the Rocky Mountains!  I have never rock climbed before.  Never.  They said "no experience necessary".  I believed them.  Off I went (me and 13 other participants) for a week to try something new, meet new people, and travel in a new place.  Three of my favorite things.  After I got home I told a friend that I was having a hard time describing the experience...that is an understatement.  It was fantastic and incredible and overwhelming in the most amazing way.  I met fascinating and beautiful people, I challenged my body in a sport I had never attempted, I reflected on a part of my life that I knowingly push to the sidelines, and I spent time in a place that is gorgeous in every possible way.  It was fun, and healing, and challenging, and absolutely wonderful!  How lucky am I?!

First Descents - Estes Park, CO - 2022

The Place

My daily morning walk.  Elk sightings daily.  Quiet.  Sometimes alone.  Sometimes with a new friend.  Always necessary and always nourishing.

There was a professional photographer with us.  Very few of these photos were taken by me.  So thankful for generous and talented volunteers that make this program special.

The Colorado Rockies are absolutely breathtaking at sunrise and sunset and anytime in between.

Magical

A pair of male elk stopped by our cabin every morning and every evening. 

The view from our front porch at breakfast.

Another photo from a hike of mine

Rocky Mountain National Park

There is something about being out west, where so much of the landscape is untouched, so much of the landscape is treasured, and so much of the landscape is awe inspiring.

The People

That's me! So, the way of First Descents is to drop your given name and pick up a nickname.  Something that you have full autonomy over but still something that others will know you fully as.  In fact, these people who I spent a week with, people who I still chat with almost daily, people who have become a part of my life, I STILL don't know some of their real names but I do know them and their spirits.  It is a club, a fraternity of sorts, that embraces each other completely.  So, that's me, and in the FD world I go by 'Wonder'

Our forever fearless and completely soulful leader....'Wild Bill'

Our other forever fearless and ridiculously fun leader...'Mogul'

My fantastic roommate stealing my phone for perhaps my very favorite selfie!  'Merlin' and I shared stories of the past and hopes for the future and she too has a 13 year old son...needless to say...SO thankful for her!

'Shutter' - our professional photographer rarely on this side of the camera but here he is in all his wheelchair stealing glory!

My dear 'Scurves' questioning the positioning of my harness...I did some epic hip moves to convince her that this was indeed what it was supposed to look like.

Proving that adults can still play dress up! 'Wicked', 'Merlin', Me, 'Edamame', and 'Chicheme' (please note 'Mogul' in the tight red dress searching for even more to add to his ensemble).

Family Dinner

'Shutter' convinced us that school picture day was to be recreated but with a rock climbing theme.

This is what First Descents is all about...LOVE.

Gosh, these guys, 'Brownie' and 'Spicy Pretzel' (plus 'Lil Bit' and 'Cruiser' not pictured) were the absolute best climbing teachers, guides, and just all around wonderful humans! We all would have fallen off some pretty steep crags without their lessons and encouragement.

All of us listening, watching, and wondering....can we summit that?!  YES, yes we can!!

Daily morning dancing!  You know I was all about that!

Two professional chefs fed us all week...they made delicious and healthy food and were the most positive people ever!  'Smooth' and 'KickAss'

Amazing people in an amazing place

Many of us embraced the western poncho look

The award winners...we were very honored and proud to be award recipients but it came with these ridiculous accessories that we wore proudly and were also told we had to climb in them. Ha! Ridiculous!

  A final campfire group shot.  Every single person in this picture had an impact on me.  Every single one of them.  I learned from them, I listened to them, I shared with them, I marveled at them, I fell in love with them.  Grateful. 

The Climbs

If I wasn't climbing I was on belay duty.  We did top rope climbing which means, as a climber, you put your trust in your teammate who is in charge of belaying you and keeping the tension on the rope so that the climber can make progress and if they slip you can stop them from falling.  A big job that is equal parts strength and concentration.

I absolutely loved the teamwork aspect of climbing!

Please excuse the ridiculous hat. As mentioned above I was very honored to win the award but the caveat was that I had to climb with it on.  It only nearly caused my death once so that's good.

On my very first climb I regretted not hanging out at the top a bit longer just to catch my breath and take in the view.  I didn't make that mistake again.  Perspective. 

Talk about perspective, kudos to 'Shutter' and his drone.  Me in the green shirt.

Almost there!

I love this one!  'Shutter' was nearly parallel on the crag next to me (yes, he could climb and photograph at the same time! #NotAClimbingRookie)

Always planning the next move!

That final reach to tag the bolt felt SO good!  I'll be honest...before heading out west I didn't think I would suck at rock climbing,  I knew I wouldn't be great, but I didn't think I would be awful.  I wasn't awful but gosh, it was MUCH harder than I thought it would be.  I thought we would be on the bunniest of slopes so to speak.  But we were challenged from the get go and I am SO thankful for that!  I am so proud of what I accomplished, of what my body can still do, and of my endless curiosity and wonder. 

Each climb was different.  I learned and tried new techniques with each one.  I got the chance to encourage and support others and to be supported and encouraged...they are equally as important.  I am so honored to have shared this experience with these people; who are now my friends. And together we can do hard things.

And the descent.  A sweet and freeing reward for hard work, perseverance, and grit. 

I am well aware that my incredible First Descents journey and adventure could not have happened without support from my family.  Both L and Luke cheered me on from the application process to welcoming me home from Colorado with hugs and kisses and pride.  They encouraged me to say 'yes' and I love them for that!  L took on both parent roles with ease but still sent me a sweet note letting me know how much he appreciates all the little things I do to keep life for our family moving smoothly.  And I hope that Luke sees that you are never too old to take a leap of faith, to try something new, to climb. Because the view and perspective when you do is life changing!