Yesterday I told you to say yes while traveling as often as you can. I’m going to go ahead and go against that right now and tell you that sometimes you have to say no. Even when you don’t want to.

A couple weeks ago I was at the Grand Canyon and about to embark on a hike down to the bottom of the canyon that I had been looking forward to all summer. A couple days before, my throat was getting a little scratchy, but I thought/hopped I was just a bit dehydrated (it is so dry in Arizona in the summer!) so I made sure to drink a bunch of water. My friend Dan and I left Phoenix for the four ish hour drive to the Canyon, and as soon as we got there I knew I was coming down with something. I was majorly bummed, and really wanted to attempt the hike anyway, but knew that there was a strong possibility that I was going to feel worse the following day, especially if I had spent the day physically exerting myself in the heat of the canyon. (I did end up feeling worse the next day, so good call on my part here.) I managed to have enough energy to go and take a few sunset photos from the rim of the canyon, but there was no hiking going on. I’m still pretty bummed about it. It was my first trip to the Grand Canyon, I love hiking, and I don’t know when I’ll be back, but I know I have to go back.

When you’re traveling you have to pay attention to your instincts, and as my mother would say, listen to your body. If something doesn’t seem or feel right, you don’t have to justify it to anyone, including yourself. And no matter how badly you want to do something, just remember that if it doesn’t seem right, that’s ok. You can always go back. There is no sense in putting your life, or anyone else’s, in danger. There are too many other experiences to be had to take the risk. But don’t forget to say yes while traveling 🙂