Praying for Charlie and our Family at Eagle Rock!

View from Eagle Rock

For the past few weeks, I've been taking two of my young grandsons hiking. We've had three adventures so far. Our first hike was the Fishers Hill Battlefield in Strasburg. We stopped and read every historical marker to follow the progression of the battle. It always makes me sad to think of all the men killed in that useless war. 

But it was a good starter hike -- less than two miles and much of it in a grassy meadow with only a little up and down. And it was an opportunity for a history lesson for two homeschoolers.

Our second hike was a lot longer. I drove up to the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center on Skyline Drive and we hiked the Snead Farm Trail and a bit of the Dickey Ridge Trail -- a little over five miles. We stopped three or four times for a rest break, snacks and water. I was proud of my two hiking partners -- not one complaint, not one question about how much farther we had to go or when we'd be done. We stopped and checked the All Trails Ap a few times to measure our progress, but that wasn't because they were in a hurry to get back to the car. They were both enthusiastic and their mom told me when they got home they never asked for their screens. Now that is an accomplishment.

Snead Farm Trail

Yesterday, we took the Tuscarora Trail to Eagle Rock. It's only about two miles round trip from the trailhead, but very rocky and rooty and a continuous uphill climb. The walk back down was a little treacherous for an old lady. I nearly slipped and fell a few times because of the loose pebbles and trippy, dangerous roots. But we made it back safely to the car. I'm taking that one off my bucket list though. Beautiful views from the rock, but just too risky for an old lady.

We always start our hikes with a decade of the rosary for a safe outing. When we got to Eagle Rock we prayed another decade of the rosary for Charlie Kirk and for all of our family. Looking out at God's creation inspires prayer. And, in fact, hiking is the perfect metaphor for life. 

When we were conceived the adventure began. When we were born we were at the trailhead of life. We needed helpers to carry us on the trail and begin our training. Baptism equipped us to start the journey. Later on the Sacraments filled our backpacks with the tools we need on the trail. Sometimes we meet obstacles that challenge us like this tree trunk I came across at St. Clairsville Memorial Park in Ohio. I couldn't get under it and couldn't climb over it. So I blazed a little trail in the woods to go around it instead of turning back.

 Sometimes we can see the right path through the trees of sin and discouragement, but we're not sure how to get back. The journey takes us through tangled places filled with roots and rocks and weeds. That's when we need a good guide to show us the route we know is there but seems to have disappeared in the forest. I sometimes think of my guardian angel when I see the blazes on the trees letting me know I'm still on the path and not really lost after all. An easy way to get back on the right path is to go to Confession.

The journey is often bright and beautiful, but there will be dark clouds and storms as well. When those times come we need to keep putting one foot in front of the other and move forward until we eventually reach the goal.

What a blessing it is to travel with others who encourage us not to quit, to help us when we need a hand, to just be there with us as we journey. 

I love my hiking buddies. They often lead the way as I lag behind and remind me that we can look at the rocks of life as moments of challenge and adventure. 

Feeling overwhelmed by life? Take a hike! Pray your rosary as you walk the trail. Invite Mary and Joseph who walked the road to Egypt to be your guides and helpers. And remember that Jesus is always there with you pouring out the Holy Spirit if you only ask. There is no journey too difficult when God is with us. He is not trying to hide His will for me or for you. Ask and you will receive in full measure poured out in great abundance giving us everything we need to succeed at the journey and adventure of life and reach our heavenly goal.

May Jesus Christ be praised.