Forever Inspired

I climbed a mountain once.
Mount Belford in Buena Vista, Colorado.
My nephew and I trekked up that beauty in August, 1999.

I had been on a mountain before that day.
A few of the family and I had ventured up Pikes Peak a couple of times.
We'd walk four miles up, breathe in the stunning view, walk four miles down.

Pikes Peak is so beautiful.
It's the granddaddy of them all, if you ask me
& Pikes Peak is where my ashes will some day be.
Breathtaking,
Absolutely breathtaking.

Mount Belford though, is the one and only mountain I had ever spent a day climbing.
Talk about slow and steady.
One little step after another.
Look up to enjoy the sights but, don't focus on how far you need to go.
Nope.
Just keep walking.
Keep walking.

I remember a man passing us as Nephew and I were making our way up that fantastic trail.
I'd say he was in his early sixties on the day our paths crossed.
Very friendly fella who was enjoying every step he was taking.
We talked a bit then he went on his way.
Nephew and I saw that energetic man an hour later as we were still snail pacing up that mountain.
He was happily making his way down.
I wondered if that jolly guy trotted all the way to the top that day and my nephew and I ( aka I ) were incredibly slow
or did he just turn around at some point and start back down...?...

He made it to the top.
I asked.
Whoa.

Mount Belford was also the one and only time I experienced vertigo
& now I know all about vertigo.
Balance disorder is the perfect way to describe the sensation.
Yep. Yep.
It is a VERY weird feeling.

Mount Belford's elevation is 14,203' of pure gorgeousness.
I'd estimate I made it a good 12,000 feet before I was forced to stop because of that darn vertigo.

boo.

I told Nephew to continue his climb though, and take a picture of me when he reached the top
& he enthusiastically accomplished that mission.

Sitting on that lovely mountain waiting for my nephew was one of my very best days.
Quiet, introspective, awe inspiring.
Beautiful silence.

It didn't take Nephew all that long to reached the top of Mount Belford.
He took that picture and many others
& after an oh so peaceful while, he made his was back to me and we made our way down the mountain.

I often think of Mount Belford
& the wonderful lesson I was given that day.

Stay on the path.
Keep walking those teeny, tiny baby steps.
Keep walking.
Keep walking.
&
Even if you don't make it to the top, enjoy the experience, treasure that day.
Remain humbly awed.
Stay forever inspired.

:)

I Am My Feelings