2:15 a.m.: Wake-up, bathroom, tell girls we’re really going this time. Grab packed bags, food, water, blankets. Let’s go.
Around 5 a.m. wake-up (again) by the harsh jostling of the Pilot maneuvering over the trail road, if you want to call that a road. Girly giggles jump around the backseat, replacing their quiet snoring and open-mouth sleep.
5:30 a.m. Arrive at trailhead, pee, grab gear, begin.
Morning sun opens eyes, stretches and slides over the peaks. Step, step, step. Breathing labored, keep going, this is hard already, why is this hard already?
Oh, the Beauty!
Freeze – for a second – take it in….let it out. Keep going, step, step, step.
Come on, girl, you can do it, keep going. Step, step, step. Breathe, sip, breath, sip. Go.
Snifffff in beauty, peace…life!
Fresh, moist, clean.
Quiet. Silent…smile.
He’s here.
With me. Beside me. Always right here with me.
A meadow! A luscious, green, flat meadow!
Relief. Frolic! Sing to the mountains!
How great thou art! How GREAT thou art!
A simple Columbine; a promise, a token.
Hope, encouragement, you’ve made it thus far and still there is beauty.
Goals reflected in a dream waits tall and patiently, beckoning.
Keep going, you’re doing great! Let the pretty propel you.
Look! Look how far you’ve come! When you thought you couldn’t make it beyond the first part, now look where you were.
Here, now you are here. You were there, and here now. Be here, knowing where you were, hoping where you’ll go; be here. Now.
Step, up, step, up, higher; He takes me higher.
There you go, keep going, can’t stop now.
Thin air – breathe, breathe, step…step… sip, sip, suck up all the sweet beauty.
Steeper, we can do this, we can…we are! There! The top stands above us, pulling away from us with each step.
We’re almost, almost, almost there!
Why is the last part of everything the hardest? The end in sight, I’m already there. Huff….pufff…hufff….pufff….
We made it! Astounding, marvelous.
Oh to hike a mountain for to stand upon its highest peak
and look upon the world down yonder and think
All is GOOD.
God…is Good. Oh, so Good.
Majestic…conquered.
Down, down….down…
one…foot here….careful…watch your step. Caution: Rocks move.
Whew, safe in the peaceful meadow again.
Smell the flowers, see their smiling eyes shine on you and partake in your delight!
Cross the meadow, over the stream….
Paint these memories in your heart of treasures.
Remember the joy, remember the peace, remember the trust.
Remember the Columbine.
My husband, our daughter and our goddaughter summited Mt. Huron Peak, CO July 7, 2018, 4 hours and 10 minutes to the top!
That makes two 14er’s in my book!! Can’t wait for the next one!
