🏞️ Hey friends, it’s me—Toby. I want to share a journey that taught me a deep lesson about perseverance, grit, and trusting that even the tough trails lead somewhere meaningful.
🚶♂️ First Attempt: Lost but Not Defeated
My first attempt to hike to the 100-foot suspension bridge in the Soddy Gorge segment of the Cumberland Trail didn’t go as planned. I got completely turned around.
- ❌ Didn’t reach the bridge
- 🌲 Discovered beauty off trail
- 😊 Still had a good time
Even when the route disappears, the experience can still be rich.
🌉 Second Attempt: New Bridge, New Hope
Two weeks later, I tried again. The creek looked impassable, but then I spotted a brand-new bridge, tucked away just upstream.
- 🛠️ Proof that the trail evolves
- 👀 You just have to keep looking
- ✨ Unexpected blessings come when you press on
🌊 Third Challenge: The Creek That Said “No”
To reach the other side of the trail, I had to make a call: either turn back again, or get creative.
- 🥾 Boots around my neck
- 📦 Valuables wrapped in plastic
- 🧍♂️ Waded through the water
It wasn’t graceful. It wasn’t dry. But I moved forward.
💥 Quotes That Carried Me
These moments reminded me why I keep showing up:
💬 “It’s not about how hard you can hit… it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.” — Rocky Balboa
🔥 “If you’re going through hell, keep on going.” — Winston Churchill
🙏 Why It Matters
The past few years have tested me. I’ve hit emotional and spiritual valleys. But every flooded trail, every invisible bridge, and every steep climb is a metaphor for what many of us face.
- ✝️ God is faithful
- 💪 Strength shows up in adversity
- 🚀 Adventure doesn’t wait for perfect conditions
🌟 Final Thoughts
If you’ve hit a wall, a creek, or a mountain that seems too steep—don’t quit.
- 🧭 Seek your own bridge
- 🥶 Cross that creek
- 🚶♀️ Keep going
I believe in pressing forward. In believing there’s more ahead than behind. And most of all—I believe in the adventure of perseverance.