socked in
Last week I was in the Pacific Northwest. While there my husband and I drove up to our intended destination. It was 42* at the trail head, raining, completely clouded over, also known as “Socked In”. This was the hike I was most looking forward to, and we could not see 25 feet in front of us.
Plan B. We moved down the mountain, hoping that being a little lower we would get out of the clouds and maybe see a little more. The Yellow Aster trail also started wet, cloudy and cool. But- it was 54*and it's not raining. We’ll take it.
As we hiked to the summit, we frequently commented about wishing we could see what we were looking at, “what is behind those clouds.” Instead we were forced to focus on the bountiful alpine wildflowers blooming all around us. The mountain sides were bursting with color and life. It was the little things that were catching our attention, because that was all we could see.
On the way to the summit, the clouds were slowly lifting and we were optimistic of seeing the mountains. We were slowly earning glimpses as we moved forward. At the summit, we had climbed too high, and were deeper into the clouds. We could not see anything beyond our feet. I knew it was a staggering 2,500 feet straight down, but again nothing. Oh the disappointment.
As we were walking down, the clouds were lifting and the views were emerging. Soon we were able to see these magnificent mountains, and the phrase became- “I can’t believe we were walking right by this!”
Guess what I no longer noticed? The little things, the gorgeous flowers, the gentle mountain stream, the changes in rocks beneath my feet.
This week’s A Door Within,
When you are socked in, what are you allowed to notice?
What are the little things that make a big difference?
How can you honor the cloudy moments, to revel in the extremes?
♥ Ashley
