The rain came down as we walked through the forest in the dark. We reached timberline and kept on going as the sun started to rise and the area became more lit. Through all of this as I saw creation, felt creation words of praise and thanksgiving rang through my being. As we continued up upon the trek the rain penetrated through soaking us, the wind blowing upon us. Joy in my heart as I scrambled over rocks, walked through loose soil of ash, and saw the planets that lived within this climate. By body though would slowly start to say “are you sure?” and while prays of praise still rang out, there was also prayers seeking hope to reassure my slowly cooling body, that it would make the trip up and down. Eventually, with just a bit left to go, decision made to turn around and descend, just 100 feet in elevation shy of the top, and so down we went, slipping slightly here or there, rejoicing, even as the wind and rain did their best to alter mood. Back to the Timberline, and rain calming, pace quickening as now we were once more upon more solid and even terrain, and then there we were finished after a wonderful journey up one of the Eternal’s amazing creations. My heart sang out in praise and thanksgiving, even as my body pondered how it would feel in response to the day’s activities.
Peace,
— Lyle II