Stealing Time to Breathe Again: A Rainy Day on the Rocks

 

It’s been a minute since I last showed up here. Life has been moving in full gear  stress, silence, and those invisible weights we all carry but don’t talk about. On Thursday, I did something simple but powerful: I stole time. Not to run away  but to breathe, to reset, and to catch up with my ever-refreshing mountain family.

Before I stepped out, I fed Moori (my four-legged furry alarm clock) and pecked her goodbye, even though she looked at me like, “Take me with you, woman!” I laughed and promised her stories when I returned.

My plant? Didn’t need feeding. Nature took care of it. What a blessing 🙌  to have living reminders that sometimes, we don't need to carry everything ourselves.

The Rainy Excuse Some Used  But Not Us

Thursday morning brought that kind of rain. The drizzly kind that makes government workers go, "Abeg, no work today." But for us? It was perfect weather. The kind that pairs well with muddy shoes, deep thoughts, belly laughter, and a birthday bash in the wild.

Happy birthday once again to our beloved President of the Cheesed-Up Nation Mr Banger. A kind and adventurous soul, loyal like jollof at a wedding, but please  don’t take his niceness for granted. You just might be surprised. 😂

The Hike Begins (After A Few Missed Calls)

I woke up with thoughts loud enough to host a concert. So I made the executive decision: go hike before your brain hijacks your day.

We were meant to meet at 6:30 AM. Rain said “delay small,” so we left by 08:30.

Tried calling Sir JEM no pick. Called Sir OVO jackpot! We met at Berger with Debbi (waiting for Miss Otes, who sadly didn’t make it). Picked up Mally of Abuja at Airport Junction (see transport coordination o!), then zoomed to Sokale, our muster point.

By the time we arrived, the gang was almost complete. Warm greetings from bright, smiling faces some smiles could make your BP normalize. Hugs from Wakawaka, Asa, Valery, Vivian, and Titi. Welcomes from Epa, Sir Emmirine, Bala, Mr. Solomon, Sadiq, Duni, and her lovely friend. Even our long-absent Founder showed up! (Fresh from obodo oyibo but no chocolates. Hmm. We forgive you.)

Through Villages, Laughter, and Conversations

Shoes tied, cooking materials packed, trail spirits high. Then Founder excused himself for “urgent matters” 

As we walked, we passed village homes, and met Fulani herders with their cows, rams, and sheep  raw Nigeria, beautiful and true.

I had a heartfelt conversation with Wakawaka about recognizing and appreciating the people who work with us. We agreed  humans are wired for appreciation. Let people know you see them. It changes everything.

Rest, Rocky Summits, and Real Talks

We stopped briefly to let others catch up. Some folks were already acting like they came for a picnic  lounging early! Sir Emmirine teased them, of course. Backpacks were swapped, pots shared. Epa suggested a “shortcut”  which looked easy but wasn’t. We wisely followed the safer path.

After an hour and a little extra, we made it to the summit.

Peace.

Silence.

Stone.

Sky.

And something unexplainably sacred.

Most of us took off our shoes to ground ourselves. Trailsetters love adventure  but we love stillness too.

Mountain Kitchen Chronicles

Our trail kitchen came alive. Miss Tini (a whole chef in the wild!) led the crew: Hercule, Oladele, Peruzzi, and others. They prepared yellow rice, peppered kpanla fish, and meat with fire in its soul.

While they cooked, I found a quiet spot, laid back, and looked up  waiting to see Angel Gabriel. I had a few questions I needed him to answer. 😅 He didn’t show, but the sky calmed me still.

The camera team? Top-notch. Cool Francis, Duni, Mr. Solomon, and Mally of Abuja captured the magic like pros. I mean Mr Solomon is there boss in the game.

Oh, and we had masa, miyan tauche, and kunu gyada! These my guys didn’t wait for me, they wiped it out. Thank you endlessly, Sir Emmirine. That spread was divine.

Energy for Energy, Aura for Aura

Later, I had a deep chat with Mr. OVO and Wakawaka about friendships. “Give energy, receive energy. Aura for aura,” OVO said. And I couldn’t agree more. When you match energy intentionally, relationships thrive and feel less like work, more like warmth.

We shifted under a rocky shade for more gist, jokes, and drink-sharing  these are moments you can’t bottle, only live.

Bush Plates and Belly Fullness

Food was ready. Time to eat! This is where bush doings begin:

Some came with plates, some made do with cartons, leather wraps, pot covers even the pot itself. One guy collected extra for his absent friend  and Blazzer why the bombastic side-eye that deserves an Oscar. 😂

Back to Adulthood, With a Full Heart

We packed up. It was time to return to the real world  responsibilities, alarms, bills. But we returned lighter. Some people stayed back, soaking in the last rays of mountain magic.

Reflections from the Top

Before heading home, I whispered to the wind:

“Thank you for letting me step out to meet a friend with no judgment the mountain top.”

I came tired. I left lighter.

I came blank. I left inspired.

And most importantly, I remembered  I’m not alone.

A Heart Full of Gratitude

💚 I’m deeply grateful for my trail family  your laughter, presence, and warmth refuels me.

💚 I’m grateful for the gift of mountains. Without them, where would I go to think, dance, or simply be?

💚 I’m grateful for the strength and health to move, climb, and breathe deeply.

💚 I’m grateful for recognizing my stress and choosing to meet it with movement, not suppression.

💚 I’m grateful for Moori and my plants  living things that teach me love and rest daily.

Your Turn  Find Your Own Mountain

Are you tired, overwhelmed, or simply craving space?

✨ Step outside.

✨ Take a walk.

✨ Let nature hug you where words can’t.

✨ Or come with us next time  no judgment, just joy.

Captured Moments, Frozen in Time

A special shoutout to Mr. Solomon who not only captured these beautiful memories but edited them so well that they brought the mountain magic back to life. Your lens told our story better than words ever could.

Big thank you also to Cool Francis and Duni  your eyes caught the joy, the laughter, the quiet reflections. Thank you for doing this. We don’t take it for granted, not one bit. 🙏🏽

Because of you, we get to relive the joy long after the trail ends.

Let’s keep moving  with love, with laughter, and with gratitude. 🌿

With heart & hugs.