Two Friends, a mountain and some trout

There was no marked trail to get to this lake.

The internet was void of information. After looking at some maps we set off and crossed the thick vail only to be transported to what seemed like another world. 

The climb up was tough but beautiful. Forging our own way as the early pioneers once did. Our clothes and palms were sticky with tree sap from grabbing every tree we could for help. 

Breathing heavy and soaked in sweat I stop, bring my hands to my face and inhale deeply. Fresh pine. 

As we crested the last hill we could see the lake and proceeded to celebrate our grand victory! Then we heard a dog bark. So I guess other people know about this lake too. And how did they get up here with kids!?

We talked with them and they gave us some “insider” info to a scarcely marked trail and a good camp spot. I assume that they knew that if we made the effort to get up here then their secrets were safe with us. We were now part of the “elite” club. 

We set up camp in a spot that Wil perfectly described as not man made but made for man. This is the kindness of God. 

We rigged up our fishing rods and settled in. 

Standing and casting in the thinness, not sure where earth ended and heaven started. Captured by the beauty and silence.  That evening we sat among the stars. In awe at God's creation. The Big Dipper was perfectly placed and looking as if it was pouring stars into the lake beneath us. Galaxies in glorious display above and below us. 

We had a kid-like wonder again. Exploring paths between boulders and chucking rooster tail lures with a $30 trout spinning rod. 

We followed the “insider” trail back down. We felt spoiled. 2+ hours to get up the mountain and 50 minutes to get down. I guess we earned it.  We crossed back through the veil on to the dirt road. I felt like the baseball players in Field of Dreams emerging from the corn field from another dimension. 

We hitched a ride back to our car from some guys in a truck that had a similar trip as us. We exchanged tip info as they seemed to have earned it as well. 

Jesus often went into the wild, quiet places to pray and seek God. Not a closet and rarely a building. Interesting how when we remove everything from our lives and go into these spaces of solitude we actually gain more than we can ask for. That’s the paradox of the Kingdom. Let go and gain everything. 

I’m thankful for the wilderness like where Jesus went to seek God and pray. I always find a deeper connection with the people I’m with, creation and The Creator Himself. Every time. 

We may not have discovered new land, which seems hard to do these days, however parts of us were made new by the land. Our spirits renewed with creative beauty, all fashioned together by our creator that finds great joy in our wonder of all that He has made for us. Beholding us as we behold him. Simply and quietly. 

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