(Continued from January 15th)
If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.
At this point in the rocky valley outwash, the trail began to split up in different directions as it weaved a varied path toward the summit. There were large boulders gathered that created an individual obstacle course for those hikers that continued. They did.
In our own minds and thoughts now we carved out our own routes. One no better than another, but it succeeded at eliminating the waiting for each other, as we each had different strengths and tendencies. At times there was loose rock, and errant steps would send a small boulder tumbling. Each to his own, see you at the top.
The way down was no less of a testament to individual fortitude. The sun was a factor, and it was of no help that they had been overly indulgent in the remaining water supply while celebrating the summit. None the less, they were focused and persistent in their descent, knowing that the cooler in the RV held iced beers upon arrival.
It was their first time driving an RV on a trip like this, a requirement handed down by the matriarch. But when he flopped his sweaty body down in the comfortable seat and cracked the cold beer handed to him by his older brother, he was appreciative of the shelter and their overall good fortune. No one spoke for a while as the recovery of breath and quenching of thirst was underway for the three brothers. But they were smiling between the gasps and heavy beating of their hearts.
Suddenly he wondered about the old man. He thought he was right there behind him as they reached the campground. Jumping out the RV door he stopped in his tracks. The old man was just standing there staring up at the mountain just climbed. “Everything all right Dad,” he queried. The old man responded positively and smiled calmly. It was then he noticed it for the first time. His father stood there with no sweat on his brow, no pant to his breathing, and no apparent thirst. He was by all our observations, completely relaxed.
At the time this could not be explained. He has studied mind over matter, for some attempted, for others, it occurs involuntarily.
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