This was a great week for me – four outings in the Gats and two of them with my dog! Today Callum and I hiked back to the Carmen Lake lookout where we’d been on Wednesday afternoon, but this time we went in at dusk and came out by the light of the full moon. And, how special is that experience. It is just so peaceful and quiet with the snow and at that time of day I fully expected to have it all to myself, so I was surprised to encounter a trail runner out training as the darkness was settling in. It was especially peaceful for me at the lookout – I could have sat there forever taking in the changing colours of the sky.
This poem by Parker Palmer was included in his February newsletter and seems to describe my experience so well.
Welcome Home
Alone in the alien, snow-blown woods,
moving hard to stay warm in zero weather,
I stop on a rise to catch my breath as the
setting sun—streaming through bare-boned
trees—falls upon my face, fierce and full of life.
Breathing easier now, in and out with the earth,
I suddenly feel accepted—feel myself stand
easy, strong, deep-rooted as the trees,
while time and all these troubles disappear.
And when (who knows how long?) I trudge
on down the trail and find my ancient burdens
returning, I stop once more to say No to them—
not here, not now, not ever again—reclaiming
the welcome home the woods have given me.
by Parker J. Palmer
