It was beautiful until we realized it was more than we thought it would be. It stopped being fun and became a trial we walked through beautiful woods, saw wild life, I nearly sat on a rattle snakes, rested where scorpions lived .and walked uphill wondering if we'd make it.
It was nearly 100 degrees and we did not have water or food!
We passed people going the opposite direction saying "Man this is so fun" "This is so great", meanwhile we wondered "did they fall on their head?" We ran into one guy who was about 180 years old, not sweating, and walking very rapidly. He stopped to tell me how much fun this was and that we only had a short walk ahead of us it was wonderful great and easy.
I was sorely tempted, but I did not push him off the mountain!
Doing this the wrong way, without breakfast, without water, with out any preparation, was a bad idea and there were times that we wondered if we'd finish before the kids grew to adulthood.
I hurt my knee and my asthma started acting up and I wondered if I'd even make it to the end of the day. I just knew I was dying. I remember telling my wife and kids to "go on with out me, I - I love you very much". I told them that I 'd met them in heaven!" To my wife I said " just get the kids to safety".
My oldest son (then a cub scout) was going to run ahead and call for the rangers and have us evacuated by helicopters, he had visions of being a hero. I told him to sit still and see his salvation.
As we lay there in the grass (where scorpions and spiders and snakes lived), I saw an eagle flying about 10 feet above us. I'd love to tell you that I was inspired to rise up with wings as eagles, to walk and not faint, I thought about it, but still said "woe is me" and frankly if I had a rock, I would have thrown it at that bird.
Finally we got up and started walking and walking. Finally we saw people pass us (giving us a strange look) someone told us that we were less than a mile from the end of our journey!
We made it!
As we neared the entrance, our exit; our steps picked up and as we finished our walk, we saw the sign that told us that we went out the Entrance.
You see, it finally dawned on us that we went the wrong way, we went uphill the entire hike and it was our fault, and no one elses.
You see, had we paid attention, it would have been a breeze, all down hill and enjoyable.
However, even though we goofed, we survived with the help of God.
You see, no matter the problem, God loves you!
No matter what you are going though, he cares!
