Fortunately for us, the sun was bright and the sky blue as we ascended the peak from the Nellie Creek trailhead. I made the summit in good time for my first attempt at a 14er. I was winded and tired but thrilled by the experience. My son Nate hardly broke a sweat, the by-product of endless conditioning through soccer and football, and he showed great patience with me along the way.
Here we are at the summit:
Here is another shot of the panaromic view:
After Nate decided to run down the mountain with another "goat", I made my way back to the trailhead with a steady pace and plenty of time for refection. Here is what I observed through the creation that surrounded me that day:
- Originality is more beautiful than imitation. I saw hues of yellow and purple flowers that will never appear on a color swatch or computer screen. The blue in the sky was not to be copied, only savored.
- Purpose is found in context. The vast valley of meadows has greater impact set against the backdrop of a soaring mountain range. In isolation both are splendid and create nice photographs. In combination they reflect a glory reserved for that moment to create memories in the heart.
- Creation is beyond my understanding but the glimpse at 14,300 feet is simply awesome.
If you get a chance to climb a mountain, don't hesitate. You might just find yourself at a crossroads where you find some answers.
