Hiking Life’s Path

We all have  lists of things we have to do, we all have those lists of things we want to do.

This summer, a friend and I decided to cross some of those  want to things off our list.

First thing on our list? Hike to Mason Lake.

Anabelle, Alexander, Grace, and Rebekah. Can you tell which kids are mine?

Beautiful view of Mount Rainier, click on pic to enlarge, in case you wanna’.

Since the summer was overcast, cloudy and rainy, we love any clear view of M’Lady of the PNW, my personal nickname for this majestic mountain.

I know that’s cliché, but I think this is the mountain where the cliché began.

A flower I can’t identify and was too lazy to look up.

Another flower, but you knew that. I felt obligated to put text here.

These two had more energy than should be legally allowed.

The moms hiked too slow for them, the teenagers hiked the right speed, but didn’t like to have dirt scuffed on them. So, the ‘tweeners hiked back and forth between the two groups, alternatively concerning the moms ~

~ and slightly annoying the  older sisters, because younger kids feel obligated to do that.

A cool sign keeping us on the right path.

The fearless, in-shape teenagers forged the way ahead. They hiked and hiked and hiked.

They estimated the lake should be very close, so asked the next group that hiked by,  “Where’s the lake?”

See the black and white jacket hanging on the bush? Look what was just beyond the jacket.

DUH.

The lake. A dumb blond moment. No, we didn’t tease the girls too much.

The victorious mothers, Christine and Momma Mindy. She’s the skinny, not-out-of-breathe one.

Hiking with Christine was like having my own personal cheerleader. She knew my health limitations and patiently waited while I caught my breath or waited for my heart rate to slow down. She cared for me much the way the Lord watches for us on life’s path.

The hike was amazing. We figured if we hadn’t been talking non-stop, we might have hiked faster. But, there’s nothing better than a girlfriend  chat, is there? There’s nothing better than a girlfriend who’s also a sister in the Lord.

We stopped to eat lunch on the rocks next to the lake. It was my Amazing Grace’s 18th birthday. Not sure what she was thinkin’, but I was wondering how this amazing woman could be my daughter and how she could be 18 already.

 Other than worrying about the rock-throwing kids falling into the deep lake, it was peaceful. Oh, and other than the two barking, unleashed pit bulls lunging at our kids, it was peaceful. When we saw the dogs, knew exactly what to tell the kids.

Isn’t it always easier downhill?

Once the mountain is scaled, the uncertainty is gone and the descent is just retracing what’s been revealed. We don’t like walking by faith, but the Lord requires it of us.

Rebekah rejoices on the rock at the end of the trail.