Finally you arrive, ahhhhh!!! And it's incredible! You shed your gear, gaze at the glorious beauty of sky, mountains, snow and rocks, and jump into the refreshingly inviting clear mountain lake, only to realize...yikes!!!!!!... how numbing a lake formed from melting ice can be. At that point, I desperately needed my husband to throw me a lifeline. (He, being much more cautious than I, was testing the waters).

That's how it can feel to start managing your own money, too. As I gaze in dismay at my portfolio, there seem to be many common threads. I started my Foolish path with high hopes, great plans, good maps and careful scrutinizing of companies. A short two years ago, I left the comfort of mutual funds, passed through the world of full-service brokers, and embarked on the narrow path of on-line accounts. I studied, crunched numbers and chose carefully for the long haul. Some views were lovely (47% gain!!). Others were quite discouraging (61% loss? Why did I ever pick that one anyway?).

I've often felt like that frozen young wife again, shivering while I look at my total returns while my companions are enjoying the view. But I'm in this for the long term. I may be a Fool, but I hiked up here where many much stronger and Wiser would fear to tread. And I plan on staying! I've got everything I need for the trip. I've got companions to help me on this exhilarating, yet sometimes scary, journey.

After years of camping, when we took our two boys backpacking and got caught in a mild snowstorm, we knew we had the tools, experience and survival gear needed to brave the weather and enjoy the marvelous feeling of accomplishment and joy of living in such beauty. That's my goal for my portfolio, as well.

So though I'm wrapping myself in a space blanket now, I'm setting up camp and plan to enjoy it. I know the sunrise on the mountains in the morning will make it all worthwhile. Thanks, Motley Fool for the encouragement, tools, companionship and lifelines for us newbies.