It’s been a while since I have sat down with my fingers upon these keys to try and reflect and express the thoughts that float through my mind as I travel through life’s journey. So much has changed since I last wrote: I have moved, I have met new people, been reconnected with others, said sad goodbyes to people who have touched my life in many ways. I have had the opportunity to spend time in nature, and more. Yet something’s remain the same, I am still Like… seeking what is next. I am Lyle looking and desiring to seek his calling, but still perhaps unsure, perhaps afraid… I am still seeking meaningful work where I can be more fully me and embrace my calling, to be there for others, for creation, for healing and more. I am still Lyle, alone, and yet in community, seeking, and often not finding… Now how do I go from that to the desire of this post upon the start of writing it?
I guess there’s no easy way. This post was inspired in part by thoughts that came into my mind on the afternoon of 10 Aug 2010 for a title and content of a post, and when I was probably around here…
The title and post upon my mind at that time, is not what will be found here…The title was something along the lines of “getting dressed and stripping on a volcano…” but I still feel that the thoughts and reflections of those moments in time as I descended South Sister are influencing my desire to write at this moment.
The day started of well, I had awoken, gotten ready and was in the van about 20 minutes after I had hoped to be on the road, but still not to bad. The early morning drive was wonderful, however after being on the road for about 30 minutes I realized that I had left my NW Forest pass, so I had to turn around and go pick it up, putting me about an hour and a half behind where I wanted to be… I also had to stop and pick up a few small things at a store in Bend that I had forgotten to pack or pick up, but still got on the trail I felt at a decent time.
Upon my arrival at Devil’s Lake trailhead, I re arranged my pack a bit, made some changes to what I would be taking with me, and then headed out toward the trail and the summit. 
The hike through the forest and up South Sister was wonderful, and unlike the last time I traveled these paths, I could see them, stayed upon them, and ascended faster.. as they were not covered by many feet of melting snow. When I reached 7575 feet in elevation I stopped and took a small break and ate lunch, having passed the point where I had stopped in June of 2004 a few minutes prior.
Then it was back to hiking until taking another small break near Teardrop Pool, highest lake in Oregon, this time pulling out a long sleeve shirt, and then a bit further up the trail putting on some pants…
From there I kept going, but as I went up I kept looking at the clouds moving in, and the once clear summit, covered in quick moving clouds… Looking at the distant specs of people heading up or down, and wondering “Should I keep going” and made the decision “I’ll keep going till I meet that group there… and see what the top is like.” So I kept on ascending the volcano. I was told of the wind and the cold above me by a few, but several others upon encountering me said things like “Keep up the good work, your almost there” and “Enjoy the hike” and also telling me about it being windy, and foggy, but that perhaps as fast as the wind was moving it would blow over soon… So I kept going, and when I reached the rim, it was covered in clouds… I had a few glimpses down through breaks in the clouds, but, the whole time up there visibility was limited as I traveled around the rim to the Summit. But it was still amazing to stand there on top of the world, and know that I had made it to the top, and to witness the beauty of the clouds, and rock around me. There un the summit, however I had to take off two layers, even though a bit cold, to place another layer on, and then those back on… I also placed hat and gloves on while I stood and waited a bit hoping, for a break in the clouds before I headed back down, however I eventually started back before such a break occurred.
A bit before the end of the rim, the hat and gloves came off, back at Teardrop, one layer came off, a bit further down that layer went back on after a different one came off, further down the pants came off, and eventually that layer came off once more, and I was back to what I started in as I headed down the remained of the Volcano, and back toward the end…
Now this is a brief account of the adventure, without entailing all my encounters, the bug spray debacle near the end of the hike leading to the lost camera and hiking back up to find it and so much more… Let along the drive home that took 2 hours longer than it should have do to a very long unplanned stop… What I can say, it was amazing. I am also glad that on the way down, I kept stopping myself from going fast down the trails, to pause and take time to enjoy the nature around me. I can’t wait till my next hike… and before I get into the thoughts upon my head, here is a small sampling of pictures of the journey if you wish to browse them…
Hmmm, I just realized the time… the thoughts upon my mind will have to wait till later… stay tuned
— Lyle II