Chapter Two

A NATIONAL PARK JUNKIE...

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.

John Muir

I have always loved nature but usually I've enjoyed it from my seat in the car or from my picture window.  If anyone had suggested, 20 years ago, that I should go camping or, for heaven sakes, take a "hike" I would have rolled my eyes and gone shopping.  

All that has changed. I am a self proclaimed National Park  "junkie" (this year it was Yosemite) I just can't get enough. 

Last week I took a local hike up a STEEP and rocky mountain trail that took me above the tree line. At the top was a lake completely secluded... and so the name "Cecret Lake" I had no idea that at 66 I could do that.  Don't get me wrong... it was hard and I ache from top to toe, but I walked slowly, took breaks, drank lots of water and applied the old adage... "one foot in front of the other" 

The thing that truly amazes me about nature is the transformation it creates in us as people. We get friendly. One would never think, in an urban setting, to speak to so many strangers, but nature somehow brings out the best in us. 

There were people all over my mountain, doing the same thing I was doing and almost without fail every person I crossed paths with at least said "hello." Those coming down the trail would shout out words of encouragement... "You're almost there" or "The view is worth the climb"  We laughed, we joked, we even exchanged one liners like... "don't look up, just live in the moment." John Muir was right, nature is healing to body and soul. 

"The mountains are calling and I must go"

John Muir