In week five Danette had proposed that some of us do some early morning devotions at Palmer Park in Colorado Springs where there is an overlook of Pikes Peak. This week Tim suggested we do so. But as you can see, Tim was a little slow getting into the spirit of his own idea, first laying on the bench next to his sister, then huddled under the blanket trying to get warm. But at 5:30 a.m. the sky was clear, the mountain air crisp, and the sun coming up on Pikes Peak beautiful. We had a wonderful time with funny moments, serious moments, and very quiet moments of contemplation and Scripture. It was a powerful way to start the day!
From earlier weeks it became clear that hiking alone isn't wise. This week Linda's sisters again served as my mountain guides for a couple of days away from Colorado Springs. To say that God got my attention is certainly an understatement. We started by hiking a little over 2 miles up and down the trail to Hanging Lake, just outside of Glenwood Springs, Colorado. For nearly the entire, steep hike the trail paralleled an amazing mountain stream that was full of power and fury from the spring snow melt.
I still found time, though, to compete with "The Thinker" at a small shelter up the trail.
The top of the trail was worth the effort of the 1,000 foot elevation gain. The lake is small, but crystal clear and fed by these amazing waterfalls.
If it looks we could get close enough to "reach out and touch" them, we could. I even went down to the edge of the big falls and could have literally taken one more step to get behind them. I figured I was getting wet enough as it was, but I did not want my sign language boot camp director to think I had forgotten him. I wanted Tim to see the sign that said the "shower is on."
The next morning we traveled to Aspen and the Maroon Bells, two fourteen thousand foot peaks. It is one of the most photographed spots in Colorado and you can see why. I quit saying, "awesome," "incredible," "unbelievable," and just went to "oh boy!" The words just didn't seem to match up to what God has created.
My experienced mountain guides didn't even know if we could get to these mountains yet because of the snow, and then they didn't know if we could make the hike inland to "Crater Lake" [not the one in Oregon], but we launched out anyway. It was another incredible snow hike. You can see us pictured on the way to the lake. And when we got there, the camera just couldn't take it all in. But in the quiet of the mountain wilderness, the raw power and majesty of God just surrounds you.
On the way back down the trail, the girls wanted to reinforce the lesson that there are places you don't need a sled. Donna went first, then me. We got it smoothed out for Danette and since she was last, she had the privilege of being caught on camera :).
With Maroon Bells to our back, we made our way back to the trailhead. I was grateful for the savvy of my mountain guides. And with one last pic of the Maroon Bells, I found myself not wanting to leave. It was a beautiful, sunny, warming day and you just felt like you could stay there forever.
From the Maroon Bells we drove on in to Aspen, my first trip to this world famous city. It is a small, quaint town that during winter is one of the ski capitols of the world. Aspen also contains the John Denver memorial preserve. How could I have a "Rocky Mountain High" without also standing next to this huge stone with the words to his famous song. We then walked into town to get some ice cream and enjoy the beauty of spring busting out all over in town.
It was simply an overwhelming couple of days. The creation does in fact declare the glory of the Lord!! But I never forget that as beautiful and commanding as God's creation is, he did not put his own image in the mountains, the raging streams, or the color of spring. He put his own image in human beings. So, in the mountains I see the power of God. But in the face of a deaf Christian, I see the image of God in Christ! That is the most awesome part of all! Until next week, with love and prayers, Gary.
