7/21/2022 addendum: Please first enjoy the following four photographs and the brief comments below each. The meat and potatoes of my remarks follow the photographs. This was the only article that I published in 2017.
The above view was from the west bluff, looking southeast. I was standing on the rock outcropping.
The above image was also at the west bluff. Facing northeast, the bluff was behind me. The rock that I touch to mark my time is to the left of my trusty ball cap and canteen.
My faithful 2006 Nissan Frontier was awaiting my return after the hike.
The hike was a month ago on Sunday afternoon, Mother’s Day, 5/14/2017. That day also marked Uncle Bobby’s birthday in 1939. I haven’t met him yet. Uncle Bobby, my mother's younger brother, Robert Allen Wood (5/14/1939–1/18/1941), died in infancy.
Alone, I hiked up the west trail to the west bluff in 37 minutes. Getting over and through a few downed trees in one low area slowed me down by a few minutes. Still yet, I hiked up faster than I thought, with my still damaged right foot and knee. My usual time on a hot day is 25 or 26 minutes.
By coincidence or providence, I started the hike up at 12:27 PM. On Wednesday, 12/27/2000, my mother died. I also thought about my mother-in-law, who passed away recently on Sunday, 4/30/2017. Finally, my first cousin, Retha, was on my mind. She passed away on Thursday, 4/27/2017, three days before my mother-in-law.
This 138th hike was my first hike all the way up to the ridge (of course, and across and back down) since my 136th hike on Saturday, 3/26/2016. Three days later, on Tuesday, 3/29/2016, I almost got to be with my mother, my father, my Savior, and so many others, when the uninsured chicklet failed to yield to my right of way. I hiked only the loop trails at the base on Thursday, 12/22/2016, my 137th hike, which was my first hike since 3/26/2016.
Every step I take hurts; I take steps. This 138th hike was in memory and honor of my mother, Uncle Bobby, my mother-in-law, and my first cousin Retha. Of course, it was also for me. Now that I know that I can hike up “my mountain,” even if I am a “lame mountain goat,” by God’s grace and my own strong will, I will keep hiking!
