I’m writing to you from my back patio, which overlooks a lush gully filled with families of deer and their fawns.
To my right, the sun is setting and casting a warm glow over the waves of ornamental grasses lining my deck. The wind chime my sister gave me is adding a resonant punctuation to the steady chorus of summer’s birdsong.
My house is as I left it. My bed is freshly-made. My garden is well-watered. My kitchen is pristine, aside from a few dots of litter paws in places that my cat knows he is not allowed to go.
I am tired, but at peace. That’s because I am basking in the knowledge of just how rich my life is.
For the past 4 days, I explored the area in and around Letchworth State Park in Northwestern New York. A crew of my most adventurous friends joined me for a weekend of whitewater kayaking, hiking, and bonfire sitting. My neighbor, who I’ve only known for a year, stewarded my various garden plots while I was gone. My cat greeted me at the door when I got back.
This Letchworth trip was the last hurrah for my 30th birthday, the final candle to blow out at the start of this new decade. I turned 30 on May 30th, but only this past weekend did the celebrations finally end. For two whole months, I’ve been reminded of how much love there is for me to receive.
All I wanted for my birthday this year was time, and my family and friends were willing to give it. I spent quality time with my parents and siblings exploring Arizona back in May. I spent quality time with my fiance over sunsets and candlelit dinners at our home. I spent quality time connecting with friends who live both near and far, including the crew who explored Letchworth with me this weekend.
How I Spent My Final Birthday Trip
For the Letchworth trip, I curated a series of long summer days spent outside. In spite of Canadian wildfire smog and the persistent threat of rain, our weekend was a success.
On Thursday, 3 of us roadtripped the 4 hours from Pittsburgh, PA, to Portageville, NY. Along the way, we stopped for a mid-journey hike in the Allegheny National Forest (Buzzard Swamp Loop Trail ~ 4 miles).
The Allegheny National Forest is my happy place.
The first to arrive, we relaxed in a big farmhouse that I had reserved for the whole crew. Our trio played frisbee on the lawn until another wave of friends arrived.
On Friday morning, the early-bird crew hiked roughly 7 miles of the Letchworth State Park Gorge Trail, which took us past the park’s three biggest waterfalls.
That afternoon, we drove north to hunt for antiques in Mount Morris.
Forever regretting leaving this lil guy behind.
Everyone else filtered in throughout Friday evening. We all ate dinner around the bonfire, spent a few hours at the local beach, and played liar’s dice until the morning. I fell into bed and drifted off to the muffled laughter of a few night owls playing boardgames.
On Saturday, 15 of us kayaked a segment of the Genesee River with Adventure Calls Rafting. After a couple hours on the river, we rushed to an all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet to refuel. On the way home, we got a round (or two) at Three Falls Cider at the Castile Cider Mill.
Smiling, slightly sunburnt, and smelling of river water.
That evening, we relaxed at the farmhouse, rotating between the bonfire, the board games, and long conversations on the couch.
On Sunday morning, my voice was hoarse from laughing (board games got intense) and my eyes were dry from bonfire smoke.
I felt alive and loved and truly fulfilled.
The Richness of Incredible People
I decided long ago to prioritize experiences over items and people over privacy. Weekends like the one I had near Letchworth are proof that this ethos is worth it.
When you meet kind, curious, and compassionate people, keep them close.
My people and their generosity know no bounds.
One of my friends drove the 4 hours to New York even though he is still recovering from a torn ACL and couldn’t kayak. Two others drove an hour in from Buffalo just to spend a handful of hours with me at the farmhouse.
Every single person pulled their weight, whether it was cooking dinner for the whole house, unloading the dishwasher, or keeping a positive and fun energy when it was needed most.
Relationships like mine are true wealth. I’m grateful I got to experience friendships like this for the first 30 years of my life, and I look forward to further cultivating these relationships in the years to come.
Until next time <3
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