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Topic: Mountains (09/20/04)
TITLE: Alta’mans By Annette Agnello 09/21/04 |
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Andy knew of a beautiful hiking trail on a church campground, but they allowed hikers as long as you let them know that there was someone on the trail and where you were going. That way they would know where to look for someone in case of emergency. Once we checked in we were off on the trail. It was December and starting to get cold already, but living in the mountains we knew how to dress for the weather. It was going to be a wonderful hike.
It started gently enough the trail rambled across a field and soon was going through small trees mostly pines. We were heading to the start of a rise, going toward a small mountain. Soon a stream joined us it was coming from somewhere above. Within an hour the trail had gotten steeper and the stream was left several feet below. The stream was getting noisier and was no longer the lazy creek we had found as we entered the woods. As the hill got steeper the trees had gotten bigger and we could anticipate the prize at the end of the trail.
In our wildest imagination we had not expected what we were about to find. Remember I said it was December and cold. When we got to the waterfall the lower half was behind a screen of ice.
The mist from the waterfall had frozen as it fell and over time had completed a sheet of ice from one side of the fall to another. It went from just above the pool at the base of the fall to about 20 feet from the base of the fall. You could see the water moving behind the screen of ice. You could even watch the droplets of water as they froze in place where they fell.
It was as if the waterfall was holding a shield to fend off the cold. It was incredibly beautiful. Seeing it was a beautiful, spiritual experience. Andy, went all the way up to the falls, he wanted to touch the shield of ice. I want down a ways to draw a picture of the waterfall and the ice. I wanted to hold the moment forever. I remember nothing we talked about on the hike but I’ll never forget that miraculous sight. God was doing some of His best work that day.
He was exhibiting the beauty of nature. He was wrapping the beautiful waterfall as a gift to be treasured and one day opened. There was such a hush and peace in the woods themselves and such a tympani of the water as it fell behind the curtain of ice diving into the pool below. God made a beautiful, perfect day and a very treasured memory.