Stairway to Indian Heaven

Recently I joined a page called, " Just go outside". It is simple ans says it all! There are days my heart and soul feel like hibernating inside, especially as the days get shorter and colder. There are days I try to talk myself out of going for a hike. These are the days more than ever I need to kick myself in the tail and " get outside"!

Today was a journey where it was almost more driving than hiking, but probably the last visit to this area until next late Spring. Starting off around 3200 foot elevation, 37 degrees and overcast.......up the trail! The brilliant fall colors have left the trees, and fallen to the floor. The trees are wet empty branches making only creepy shadows in the fog. Even the smells have changed, the Earthy, musty scent of dissolving leaves and signs of life tucked away. The air is still, no wind and not even a slight sound of a chipmunk in the rustling leaves or a bird up high....feeling the dead of Winter has arrived.

Usually heading up a trail a song will come to mind I chant in my own thoughts. Today, "Stairway to Heaven" is my tune. Is it because I am hiking in Indian Heaven? Is it because a section of the trail mimics a stair case as it climbs up the hill with rocks and root forming a staircase? It could be a small section of brilliant gold from the freshly dropped yellow leaves covering the forest floor,

"there's a lady who's sure all that glitters is gold

and she's buying a stairway to Heaven.

And as we wind on down the road

Our shadows taller than our soul

There walks a lady we all know

Who shines white light and wants to show

How everything still turns to gold".

The silence of the forest leaves only hearing my own thoughts. Onward, through frosty sections that turn to snow as I plateau at 5200 feet elevation. Reaching the destination of Lake Wapiki. The lake is socked in, fog or did we reach the clouds? This will be the last journey up here, the lake is half frozen over and storms coming in later this week. The perfect place for a rest and lunch. Hanging out did give a little time to have some of the fog lift off the lake, only leaving a feeling of colder and Winter has reached the higher elevations.

"And it's whispered that soon if we all call the tune

Then the piper will lead us to reason

And a new day will dawn for those who stand long

And the forests will echo with laughter".

No laughter in the forest today, only silence.

The quiet time in the woods with 8 miles round trip. Plenty of time to recharge my soul. Coming back down the trail I thought to myself, " this was a perfect day for a hike". The rain held off, the air cool and crisp but no wind, not another soul out there, not even a sign of wildlife. Then it occured to me, "any day is a good day for a hike. I go out in all seasons, all weather types. It is just the elements of nature that make the experience different with the seasonal changes.

"There's a feeling I get when I look to the west

And my spirit is crying for leaving

And if you listen very hard

The tune will come to you at last

When all are one and one is all, yeah

To be a rock and not to roll

And she's buying a stairway to heaven" - Led Zepplin

Today was an adventure a stairway to a piece of Heaven to lift the soul and refresh the faith.