5-14-2017: Mother's Day and 138th Hike on House Mountain (published 6-14-2017; updated 7-21-2022)

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.

 

 The above is a view from the upper middle bluff, looking northeast.

 

  

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!