It’s surprising how much your other senses are enhanced when one sense is deprived. It’s 9pm and I’m out trying to find my way down the mountain. The only thing I have besides the clothes on me is half a bottle of water. No flashlight, nothing. It’s completely dark out except for the light from the moon and the stars in the sky. There’s a full moon tonight. The only thing keeping me from completely freaking out is hearing the voices of fellow hikers. I can’t see them but I can hear them, two of them about 3 or 4 switchbacks down the mountain, and 3 of them about 6 or 7 switchbacks up the mountain behind me. Watching the moon rise was amazing. Hiking beneath the moonlight was difficult, but it did look amazing when I stopped to look up at the moon and the shadows cast from the mountains. It would have been much more enjoyable had I been lying on an open field staring up at the stars. But it was a good time for reflection, thoughts, and prayer. Just being.

I have never been much of a hiker. In fact, I don’t really consider myself to be one of those outdoorsy types that enjoy the mountains, lakes, camping, or anything like that. I do like playing sports outside or just going to the park but those are different. But in the past few months I have taken on our weekly hiking trips. I can’t say if I actually like it or don’t like it. I just kind of do it. It’s a good workout. It’s good to get out and do something different. I have yet been at the top of the mountain on a clear day where I can see the ocean but I’m sure the view is absolutely amazing when you can. I guess thats what I want to see. I love the beauty of the sky, the beauty of the ocean, and the combination of the two is nearly breathtaking. I’m waiting to see that.