Stephenson Family Ties

"The country lay bare and entirely leafless around him,

and he thought that he had never seen so far and so

intimately into the insides of things as on that winter

day when Nature was deep in her annual slumber and

seemed to have kicked the clothes off. Copses, dells,

quarries and all hidden places, which had been mysterious

mines for exploration in leafy summer, now exposed

themselves and their secrets pathetically, and seemed to

ask him to overlook their shabby poverty for a while,

till they could riot in rich masquerade as before, and

trick and entice him with the old deceptions. It was pitiful

in a way, and yet cheering—even exhilarating. He was glad

that he liked the country undecorated, hard and stripped

of its finery. He had got down to the bare bones of it,

and they were fine and strong and simple."

from: The Wind in the Willows

by: Kenneth Grahame

This week I have been training a few new hiking guides for Desert Cliffs. And its be a LOT of fun!! They are young little whipper-snappers, so this old lady hasnt had a chance of lollygagging along the way. These kids have been on my heels! But I love it!! And better yet, they are loving it too. Its reminding me of the good ol days when I was first learning/training on the trails.
Around every bend in the trail is a new wonder to behold. Every climb brings a vista that takes the breath away. Every time out you learn something new about the flora and fauna. I love the awe and wonder in their eyes.
Of course we have the same reactions from most every guest we take out as well, but its fun to know that Im 'molding' sweet young fledglings to feel it too. And to know that inevitably they too will pass the enthusiasm on to our guests and their families!!
Hiking is relatively new to these young kids; they didnt hike much before coming to us....and now, in just a few short weeks I can already see the passion and excitement in their eyes for what we are doing.
And truly...it never grows old!!
When people ask me how long I've been doing this, and I reply that its going on 7 years, they immediately ask, "dont you get tired of it?"
NO, NEVER, NADA, NOWAY JOSE, NETT!!!
Every morning spent on the trails is a gift.
This morning brought frozen waterfalls and the greenest resurrection moss I've ever seen. We enjoyed shirt-sleeve temps in the sun and frozen sand to glide over instead of having to wade ankle high through. We had hidden pigeons cooing from lofty cracks in the rocks overhead and we even enjoyed the rare friendly park ranger too. (wonders never cease!!)
Every morning there are gifts waiting to be discovered. And there is nothing better than to share them with like minded souls.
It feels great to be 'grooming' future hiking enthusiasts. Im doing my part as I show others the joy of gathering coral dust between our toes!
Every day I thank God for my life and my job...(and for the hot shower I come home to each day!!