By: Marc McMahon

At 417 days sober I embarked on my first sober vacation ever. I took a trip up to a hot springs resort up on my favorite mountain biking trail and I had the time of my life you all. I really had no idea what I was in store for other than I knew I was pushing the bounds of my social anxiety by going to a resort campground per say where there will inevitably be people and anxious, uncomfortable situations. Or at least for those of us who suffer from social anxiety. But I went never the less. I had prayed before I left that God would help me have a blessed experience and I must say you all he did that for me and then some. He said ok son not only will I bless your trip but I’ll sprinkle it with sugar as well, and sweet it was.

I probably had the best overall experience this past three days of my entire adult life. At least this new sober life for sure but probably the best three days I have ever spent alone with myself and my God. We hiked, we biked, I prayed, and he listened. The trees sent supplications up with my prayers, sealed with a kiss of their ancient goodness and carried to my King on the wings of the Angels sent to watch over me.

You know there is a power in the forest many don’t know of and that I cannot prove. But you cannot sit amongst ancient forests, with ancient cedars, and old growth Firs and not be in awe of their majesty. Then within that majesty just think of the wisdom they must have. All they have seen and endured. Trees, true soldiers, they not only survive man but fire as well. That takes enormous power. I think we can learn a lot from the trees they kind of have seen it all, been there done that and I can just see them shaking their branches at us saying look at those silly humans in such a hurry to screw this place up. It must make them sad I think but they shall endure long after we are gone. Again powerful.

There was a place on these grounds where I camped called “The Secret Garden” and it was a greek garden set with fountains, waterfalls, rock walls and gardens. Some of the coolest multi-colored Ivy I have ever seen. Let me see if I can find a picture of it for you here now. This picture does not even do it justice but you can get an idea and the whole resort was gardens and meadows, meandering creeks with gazebos and park benches spread generously throughout the grounds it was heaven on earth literally and I’m going back asap. I actually already made reservations for next months trip :). I figure I will live my life for 28 days and then spend three days every month hiking and riding there. You know I must say that that makes me very, very happy!

All Because I Am Sober

None of this would have been possible 418 days ago, not even a year ago because it takes time to get things back in order. So if you are reading this and new in recovery and wishing your life was this good just hold on and it will be. Just give it time and your dreams can come true too. Hard work and determination will get you a long way here just don’t quit fighting and if you need help please ask because we were never meant to do recovery alone, no way it is just too hard for that. My words no one else’s just a thought.

If you would have asked me last year if I thought a trip was possible in my lifetime I would have probably said no. But my recovery has allowed me to begin to grow into a man that I actually am starting to like. Do you know I told myself I loved me this weekend? It was in prayer and was a special moment but I had never done that and I wondered does anybody. I mean how often do you look in the mirror and say you know what despite all you do sometimes, I sure love you? I don’t think that happens often ya know? But I think it needs to. I mean how can we really love anything if we don’t first love ourselves? Again, just a thought.

This much I do know my friends, sobriety kicks butt and I am never going back to the dark side no way. There is way too much goodness here in the light for me to ever want to go back. If you are ever in Oregon and need a good camping vacation email me my emails on my page here and we will go and I’ll show ya first hand no lie. I’m a man of my word today. If you have never had a sober vacation I suggest you put it on your bucket list. And if you have never conversed with your H.P. in an ancient forest I suggest you add that to the list as well because when I did it brought tears to my eyes it was such a special moment.

Well, enough out of me until next time. I sure love you all and thank you for your continued support, comments, and likes. It all means so much to me and is so greatly appreciated, more than you will ever know. Thank you and stay blessed my friends!

About The Author: Marc is a 49-year-old Author, Speaker, and Soldier in a war to loosen the grasp that Substance Abuse has on our society. He is a Father, Son, and friend to all those seeking refuge from this incorrigible disease. Marc resides in the beautiful Pacific Northwest where he enjoys, writing, hiking, and kicking the disease of addiction in the teeth, every chance he gets. As Marc always likes to say, “be blessed, my friends!”