Eat More Plants, Do More Yoga, and Hike to More Waterfalls

The trifecta that worked for a lifestyle change

Healthy living is a way of life for me now. I don’t subscribe to fad diets, Ozempic, or fasting. Many years ago, I changed my way of eating because of health concerns but that was the catalyst for change.

Eating healthy also sparked an interest in changing my activities. Yoga came into the picture and I knew that moving my body had to be a part of a healthy lifestyle change. But, there is only so much to be learned inside a yoga studio’s four walls.

Getting out in nature changes your mindset and is key to any healthy lifestyle change. Hiking and walking outdoors lifts my moods and I gain so much perspective by being out in nature. I feel like my best self when I am doing the magic trio of healthy things: eating plant-based, yoga, and hiking.

So, ever since I became a healthier version of myself, I have noticed that I want to get out and hike more while on vacations. And, hiking to a destination always makes for a better experience.

The best destination hikes are to waterfalls and views, for me. These also tend to be the longest hikes because they are in and out, so whether they are longer might not always be the case, they seem longer because, on the way back, you have already traveled that path.

The way back can also be used as a time of reflection about life, and while it may seem longer, I think it just makes it more meaningful.

Regardless, the destination of seeing a majestic waterfall is always worth it. Water that is falling off of a vertical drop is a stunning sight for anyone who can see. I believe that waterfalls are one of those rare, universal things that all humans love. The sight, the sound, and even the spray of water that might hit your face, all make for a human sensory explosion.

Sitting near or by moving water is so soothing. The calm that you feel if you sit next to a waterfall while watching its descent is like a moving meditation. It’s no wonder that there are songs about waterfalls, millions of articles about them, and so many hikes all over the world that have the waterfall as the destination.

The journey to a waterfall is part of the excitement, as well. You can anticipate all you want by looking at photos of the waterfall before a hike but nothing beats seeing one for yourself. When you reach a majestic waterfall, everything but the water stops while you stare. Whether it be big or small, the soothing sound is magic to your ears.

I’ve chased waterfalls for years on my healthy living journey. Funny enough, anytime I would be chasing waterfalls, I was sober and eating clean. When I feel good on the inside, I want to explore what the world has to offer on the outside. That is why eating plant-based and doing yoga coincides with my hiking out in nature which often ends in waterfall viewing.

If am feeling squirrelly, I know it’s time to plan another trip, get out and see the world, and find some more waterfalls to hike to. Thinking about waterfalls brings back so many good, clear memories because when I am on my way to see a waterfall, my heart and mind are in the right place. I am on that clear path of healthy living.

As I am planning a trip to Oregon for this summer which seems to be a mecca of waterfalls, I am reminded of all my past trips that included the viewing of nature’s beautiful water falling off cliffs.

Healthy living also puts me into a grateful state of mind and I feel fortunate that I have been able to see many waterfalls in my journey. As I plan for a new trip, I reminisce about the old, where I have been, and how far I have come.

Waterfalls cause you to pause and be in the present, to be one with nature. Moving water has a calming effect on our souls, which is why I think I am always in search of a new one. Even though it is the same concept, they are all different and beautiful in their own way.

They are so important in my journey of recovery that I went searching for nearby local waterfalls when I hit a year of sobriety. Living in Southern California, and not knowing many waterfalls around, I did a quick search to find that I didn’t have to travel far at all to see one. Although, it wasn’t a large waterfall, the journey in and out on a solo hike was worth seeing this little mini slice of nature’s beauty.

Seeing waterfalls always possesses a meaning behind what I am feeling at the time. When I reached that waterfall at exactly one year sober, I sat and reflected, while completely alone and no one around out in nature. I can still feel the feeling now if I close my eyes. It’s pure magic.

It was a small waterfall that, to me, represented small goals that I was attaining in my life. This one was gentle, just as I had to be with myself.

Of course, big standout waterfalls come to mind when I think of Mother Nature’s roar. Those waterfalls simply took my breath away, which became silent due to the loud crashing of thunderous waves that were created.

Canada is impressive in itself but also possesses some awe-inspiring, huge masterpieces. When on vacation, as usual, I Googled to find the best waterfall nearby. It’s also a plus if the waterfall viewing involves a beautiful hike along a river.

As we hiked along the Johnson Canyon Trail outside of Banff, Canada, we listened to the sound of running water, not talking much. There is no need to fill the quiet when you are listening to the sounds of nature. You can just “be” and it is so healing.

When you finally reach the destination, the striking waterfall, it’s a time to rest and pause. Taking it all in is part of the journey and I wouldn’t have been able to witness this without changing my way of living. Without sobriety, healthy eating, and yoga, I wouldn’t want to hike to waterfalls.

When you stop to pause, watch, and listen, you might even catch a faint rainbow.

Canada has so many waterfalls to offer and I’ve only been able to witness a few but the memories of them will last forever. Someday I will get back to one of my favorite countries to hike to more of them.

In the past three years that I have remained sober, hiking to waterfalls has remained a constant while traveling. I’ve been able to witness some insanely gorgeous and epic waterfalls. These are just a few of the highlights because there are too many to name.

While on a trip to Yellowstone National Park, I knew it was a must to visit the granddaddy of all waterfalls in the United States. The Upper and Lower Yellowstone Falls are famous for a reason. Photographers and travelers from all over flock to these falls because their sheer size creates a sense of awe and wonder like no other.

It was crowded here in June, as I figured it would be, but much less crowded than later in the summer. When we walked to the waterfall, you could hear it in the distance. How could you not? The falls are massive and impressive but when you get to the viewing destination, no picture captures the essence of being there. People try but a picture of this place does not do it justice, even though pictures of it are insanely beautiful. Being there multiplies this stunning beauty.

Just because the granddaddy was so impressive though does not mean that Yellowstone doesn’t possess other stunning and capturing waterfalls.

Like I said, anytime I travel I search for waterfall hikes before I arrive. Just like I search for where to see wild animals, it becomes a very important obsession and my trip is not complete until I see what I am looking for. I knew I had to find at least one to visit while in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica is home to many waterfalls and our trip there ended with a gorgeous tropical waterfall after a long, somewhat grueling day of driving and hiking. I love the hiking part of travel but not the driving, especially on the roads in Costa Rica. But, it is all part of the journey.

We spent a day driving to, hiking, and swimming in waterfalls and hot springs in Rincon de la Vieja National Park in the Guanacaste province of Costa Rica. Thankfully, the waterfall and the hot springs were the grand finale of the day, making them even more spectacular because we were tired and hot.

It was the last day of our trip and we went out with a bang. This was one of the most beautiful settings I have ever been to. We spent a few hours in this area, climbing rocks, gliding across bridges, and soaking in the cold waterfall, followed by the steamy hot springs.

As you can see, I love waterfalls. My healthy lifestyle change has led me to some amazing places. I am one grateful traveler because of it.

My motto will stay the same, just as long as I keep on the straight path. Eat more plants, do more yoga, and hike to more waterfalls. Now that I am getting into photography, my goal is to take some photos at a slower shutter speed to get that dreamy look that you can see in Anne’s prompt story.

This story is in response to the prompt by Anne Bonfert at Globetrotters.

There have been so many great stories in response to the prompt, it was hard to pick only two!

Joe Guay — Dispatches From the Guay Life! visits the most majestic waterfalls in Northern California, Oregon, and Hawaii but it wasn’t until he was feeling more like himself again that he saw the best one of all.

Simon Whaley — Author | Writer | Photographer finds and photographs the most beautiful waterfall in Wales.