Think on these things ...

Ever heard the expression “quit while you’re ahead?” Sometimes that point happens to be before you even begin!

With the warmer weather the last few weeks, we’ve managed to get out and hike with some regularity. Our first hike this year was Little Devil’s Staircase. By the time we were done, Valerie probably was thinking it should be our last.

Everything was great as we pulled into the parking lot. The dogs were excited and Valerie and I were itching to get going; all the way up to trail head.

The first thing you come to, at the beginning of the trail, is a nice little, trickling stream – normally. This day, the water level was up considerably which caused us to look for an easy way across. Yeah, right!

We found a nice, wide, downed log that crossed about 4 feet above water level; just the right size for a couple to balance beam across. Except for the dogs. Valerie went first. She decided to sit and shimmy across on her backside with one of the dogs’ attached by leash to her wrist as it waded through the stream. About half way across, the dog yanked the leash. Valerie managed to stay avoid taking a swim, but she paid with a skinned forearm and a huge knot to go with it. Strike one.

Ordinarily, the awesome views (cascading waterfalls are the norm) more than make up for the steep climb. The trail crosses the stream, over and back, several times as you climb higher and higher. Again, normally, this is not a problem. And, if it weren’t for the dogs being along, it would have actually made for a little more excitement, adding some rock climbing and log walking to the regular hike. Ah, but those dogs. They don’t do rock climbing or log walking.

About halfway up, we were again faced with a difficult crossing. There were stepping stones, but they were a little slick and a bit too far apart for a 5’1” woman, especially with a dog attached to one arm. You guessed it – as she tenuously crossed the stream, the dog gave a tug and Valerie went for a swim. Not only did she come up soaked (except for the quick dry hiking pants I thoughtfully gave her for Christmas), she had landed awkwardly on her wrist. Sprained, but not broken – upward and onward we would go! Strike two (but not out yet)!

Upward we trudged (well, I trudged, Valerie kind of sloshed), until we had to cross the stream one final time. This time, I crossed first with the thought that I would then help Valerie to the other side. I picked up a downed branch to use as a staff for balance as I crossed. And crossed I did – no problem! Valerie’s turn. This time the leash came off of her wrist before she made her way. If the dog was going to tug, Valerie was not going swimming again. I stood our staff upright and pushed it back to Valerie to aid in her crossing. What I hadn’t noticed was a sharp piece of broken twig where she would be catching the staff. Yup – it punctured her hand right in the palm as she caught the staff. Strike three! The good news - we were just about done the ascent; the bad - all we had to do was to come back down.

At the top of the trail, you have the option of returning the way you came (and on this day, that really was not an option), or descend via the fire road (a little longer and not as scenic, but a nice leisurely walk back to the parking lot). We chose the fire road.

We learned two final lessons that afternoon. I’ll spare you the details (for two reasons: 1. they’d embarrass me, and 2. they’d gross you out.).

The first? Let’s just say, that you should always go hiking well prepared for every “body” function and need, regardless of how long the hike is. These things include food, water, and toilet paper (especially t.p.).

The second? We had read that dryer sheets make a great insect repellent. And they do! Dryer sheets also feel like baby wipes that have dried out. If you run out of t.p., there may be a temptation to use baby wipes, which can be confused with dryer sheets. Neither one of them is a suitable replacement for t.p. Nuff’ said?

All in all, a beautiful hike on a beautiful trail on a beautiful day! Sometimes things happen though, just like in the rest of life, and you either let it detract from the good and get you down and angry, or you accept it as a part of the trip and push on. Just as in life, it’s all up to you on what you will focus on; you have an active choice to make. It’s always better to focus on the good! God has these two things to say about our thoughts:

Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life. Proverbs 4:23 (NCV)

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

It’s not so much “you are what you eat;” as it is “you are what you think.” I choose to think about the things of God. What will you choose to think on?