Frozen

I spent the weekend in Shenandoah National Park. It ended up being a trip that was very different from what I was expecting, but quite a great experience nonetheless. Being in Vegas for the last month I felt like I had missed most of the beautiful fall changing of the leaves so I felt compelled to get out and see them. Old Rag Mountain is one of the most hiked trails in Virginia and I have kept hearing great things about the scenery so I felt it would be perfect.
I planned out a route that was different from the most popular trail so that while much longer, it would not be very crowded. My first clue that the trip would be different was the inch of snow on the ground as I started out. The next was seeing that most of the trees at altitude had already lost their leaves. Yet, despite my toes dropping in and out of consciousness in the 20 degree weather it was really quite glorious. There were a few trees who still kept their brilliant foliage, so looking out over the scene they stood out like embedded jewels in the winter tapestry of the mountains.
I ended up cutting the hike about a mile short of the summit because the daylight was fading and I still had 6 miles to return. So I took a cue from the 11 climbers who recently died on K2 during a day of bad decisions and did the rational thing (surprise) by turning around. I’ll have to conquer that peak another day. Camping out that night was pretty interesting as well. The temperatures were well below freezing and I spent most of it huddled up in my sleeping bag trying to think warm thoughts. There was a great moment though as I was setting up the tent (in the dark) and looked up to see the crystal clear night sky. Standing under the trees with their bare winter branches it appeared as if they created a unique frame for each individual star and I was yet again overwhelmed by the Creator.

Red Rock

This has been a trip of great contrasts. Going from the extremes of man-made decadence to the beauties of nature all in one day is quite a thing. I took a break from the rest of the guys and the bustle of everything by exploring Red Rock Canyon which is just outside the city. It is a place of jagged stone which glows red in the sun as if the very arteries of the mountains have been uncovered that holds a beauty unlike most things I have seen. Some things are beautiful in their form and symmetry, they are pleasing to the eye; others in the sheer wonder they inspire. This place is beautiful in its rugged stark contrast to anything else. In that, it points to a new facet of the creator and in the reflection of that creativity I see the One from whom all beauty flows.