A few weeks ago I spent some time in South Lake Tahoe. I was judging the first NGA South Lake Tahoe Natural bodybuilding show and my wife, Margaret was the emcee.

After the show, we spent a couple of mornings exploring the waterfalls near Fallen Leaf Lake along Lake Tahoe. I can’t help it. I wake up every morning thinking about what my workout will be, and how can I make the best out of every moment of that workout. I love the mental and physical challenge of a good hike! We climbed carefully along the rocks and hillsides to reach a certain spot along the falls’ edge and it was spectacular – but we had no idea what was ahead of us!

On our last day in town, a waiter told us about Horse Tail Falls just off Highway 50 near Twin Bridges. He said if we had a few hours we should hike to it; a 1,500 foot fall roaring and pouring from the abundant snowpack.

Later that night at our cabin away from home, we talked about the possibility of hiking the trail on our way back into Sacramento because we would pass it on the way there. Our hosts at the cabins told us we would see the massive falls from the freeway, and we did.

It was spectacular from that distance and the challenge of THAT hike had me practically giddy inside!

Momentarily questioning whether we should stop, we actually drove past the entrance to the parking lot at the trail head at first, but I told Margaret to turn around and we didn’t look back.

Deep down we both knew we couldn’t pass up the opportunity. What a life lesson!

The journey there was my favorite part. I thought, how cool, we get to hike in this amazing forest. One conscious step at a time, lifting my body over boulders and breathing in fresh mountain air at the same time. Challenging and overcoming any fears that may have arisen about the lack of a designated path and setting my mind on reaching my goal, then taking off my shoes and socks, hiking up my pants and becoming one with the river’s edge, cooling myself off with its waters.

We saw our goal clearly and took every step necessary to get there, no matter what, one step at a time, one foot in front of the other, and navigating obstacles as they came, careful in our choices along the path, until we reached our destination.