My third Friday in September in a sleeping bag was on Lone Peak. Our
sixth annual trip! It's fun to compare pictures from other years and see how much the boys have grown. I can't believe they were just seven and nine the first time we went. I also can't believe I carried the boys' packs half-way up on one of my arms because they got too tired. Well, they carry their own weight now! I am so proud of those two boys. (I am so proud of ALL my kids, but this post is about a camping trip with the two of them;) I am constantly grateful for the opportunity to associate with them. They are great men. They will do great things. They will (and do) have a lasting and important impact on the world and the people around them.
This year Taylor, Parker and I were joined by my brother, Tyler. He's been up before, but it's been years. We had a great time with no major mishaps, which is the exception to the rule.:) The waterfall was as beautiful as ever. I got as little sleep as I always do up there. (As we were getting into our sleeping bags I told Tyler: "Well, this will be the best worst-night's-sleep I have all year!") But in spite of the lack of sleep and the achy muscles when I get back, I look forward to our trip every time. There are so many facets to why I love it. It's a spiritual experience up there. Multiple prophets in the Bible experienced marvelous visions and revelations on mountain tops. I haven't had any visions, but I have had some promptings up there over the years. The views are as beautiful as any I've ever seen. The hike itself, while exhausting, is very fulfilling. Probably something like a runner feels when he crosses the finish line of a long race.
It's a great tradition. The boys hope to go up there someday with their own kids. Hopefully I'll be up to a trip or two even then. My goal is to keep doing it until I'm 70. Better lay off those doughnuts!
-Jeremy
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| Tyler got rid of a large tree branch that was hanging dangerously over our campfire area. |
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| View from the top |
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| Oh, no! Taylor's barely hanging on! |
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| This is me. Still brave enough at 41 to jump in that cold mountain water! |
