Along the Way

On Top of the World
Rocky Mountain National Park

Along the way on our most recent road trip, I met perfect strangers, sojourners like me. One of my new acquaintances was a young tall handsome man with a lean physique like a runner named Adam who was on his honeymoon with his beautiful wife Stefanie. Although I didn't know Adam, he approached me while I was shooting at the top of the summit of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Adam seemed to be curious and interested by what I was doing. He didn't hesitate to come up to me a stranger. We struck up a conversation about cameras and photography. He also had a similar camera to mine and I told him about all of its wonderful features. On top of the mountain, Adam got a personal tutorial from me.

Actually there was more that happened on top of that mountain. My wife and his wife waited patiently in our respective cars as we lost track of time. We couldn't help it. Something happened to me on that mountain that day. Adam drew it out of me. I love photography. It's not only an obsession, but also a passion of mine. I also enjoy teaching others what I know and I enjoy learning from them too. This is not only what interests me but it's who I really am.

After what appeared to be minutes but I am sure was forever for our spouses, I returned to our vehicle. I was a new person. All my worries and cares about what was ahead of me vanished. My fears and phobias subsided as I thought about what just transpired. It was part of my satori experience.

The journey is filled with many similar encounters. We must be receptive and listen to our discoveries along the way. Two strangers met on a mountain top and became friends, sojourners on parallel paths. I gave him my card and since then he "friended" me on Facebook. I hope to meet him again; this time we will pick up where we left off and continue our friendship, no longer strangers.

On Top of the World

On Top of the World
Rocky Mountain National Park

Yesterday Kim and I spent most of the day traversing through the winding roads of Rocky Mountain National Park.  As we climbed the roads in our vehicle we noticed the lack of guard rails. Our self preservation instincts kicked in as we navigated the winding roads. When we approached the summit, we knew the trip was worthwhile.

As we got out of the car, and looked over the expanse panorama, we felt as if we were on top of the world. There's no other experience like this. Its here that clouds form and rain succumbs to gravity. Lightning strikes here scare even the bravest. Nature reminds that it is greater than us.

The experience was a bit different this time than our previous trips to the park. Many of the beautiful pine trees throughout the park had been killed by the combined effects of global warming, a ten year drought, and the mountain pine beetle.  One whole side of the park has nothing but dried pine trees.  For those that remain skeptical about global warming like Gov. Rick Perry, I suggest they see first hand the damage to our forests. Fortunately, mother nature will try to replace the pines, first with aspens and then eventually in time new pine seedlings will tower over the aspens once again.  In the mean time, take a hard look at the pines because we are losing them quickly at our national park.

This past year both metaphorically and physically, I've been both on top of the world and the lowest point Death Valley. It seems that I learned from both. Both are a part of life and both have have wonderful views along the way. It's important to keep both your heart and your eyes wide open along the journey.