C A U T I O N

CODGERS

on the Trail

Wikipedia defines Codgers as "the plural of Codger".

I WISH I HAD THOUGHT OF THAT!!

But Wiki also defines the Codge as "An amusingly eccentric or grumpy and usually elderly man".

Then it delves deeper into the word itself and concludes that it's, "Possible abbreviation of coffin dodger, though likely to be a folk etymology."


I neither consider myself as eccentric or elderly. I do sometimes fall into the "grumpy" catagory when I don't get my way or someone steps on my selfish side! But "coffin dodger"??? I don't think I'm there yet! Sometimes I FEEL like one, but I don't make it a habit to dodge coffins just to avoid the inevitable!

I do believe that some of us are beginning to step into the role of "codger". We're the old guys huffing and puffing up the trail with our tongues hanging out like an old dog tired of running! I try to keep mine in my mouth as I have been known to step on it while "sailing" up some of the high mountain switchbacks!

Some of us codgers love the mountains. We try to impress ourselves by taking backpacking trips and getting our heart rate up into dangerous levels. The younger bucks on the trail aren't sure what to think about us.

When they see us gasping for air (not because we're TIRED, mind you, but because the air is much thinner in higher elevations), they appear confused and uncertain (not because we're showing them how REAL MEN hike, but because they're wondering where they can get phone service to dial 911).

So when you see us on the trail,

MOVE OVER AND LET US PASS!

Don't hold us up!

We don't have that much time left!!

The Call of the Wild

The soft forest trail, carpeted with years of falling needles and leaves was behind us, giving way to fewer trees and open vistas. The dusty, rock strewn trail wound its way higher and higher. Patches of late summer snow hugged the bare mountain slopes in nooks and gullies as if trying to hide from the hot August sun.

As the trail zigzagged up the mountainside, drawing us ever closer to the top, each switchback offered increasingly awesome vistas of higher peaks and endless mountain ranges. Words like breathtaking, awesome, beautiful, amazing and spectacular never seemed to really capture the essence of such an experience! Photographs paled beside the movie held captive in my mind, captured by the brain and human eye.

The lure of the mountains is a strong force. It is energy, relentlessly drawing my very soul to bask in the solitude found only in the high country. Every mountain offers a unique portrait of its Creator. Geologically, only in my imagination, in my mind’s eye, can I get a picture of the tremendous forces that gave birth to the mountains. What unimaginable power it must have taken to begin in the bowels of the earth and push once layered rock to create peaks of great heights. Such is the trail upon which I walk in the high country.

Spectacular vistas are nothing, however, without color and light. From the quiet of an early morning sunrise watching the illumination of high peaks and valley fog to the evening sunset dancing ever changing color upon evening clouds, each day never repeating itself.

What satisfaction there must be in the Creator Who made all things and said, “It was very good”. Indeed it was!
I was not always enthusiastic about strapping on a heavy backpack and hiking into the mountains. It was not until the Fall of my life did I really begin to appreciate the high vistas.

Now, as I struggle to find the physical stamina needed for high country adventures, I am filled with an insatiable desire for more. Is there no end?

Gnarly Old Men of the Mountains

Ancient Sages of the Forest

Guardians of the High Country

Sentinels of time

Pose with Gnarly

Old Men of the city.

Stalwart; Tenacious; Vigilant; A testimony of determination.

Glacier fed streams, Liquid Crystal

create clear lakes

with names like

MIRROR

.........Moccasin,

and Glacier,

coexisting with flower-filled meadows.

A time

to rest a

weary frame.

Good friends to share Nature’s abundance and God’s glory.

Beside warm fires and high mountains

Filling mind and soul in meditation;

Giving honor and homage to God,
our creator.

Only in the Mountains can one find peace like no other.

MIRROR LAKE

EAGLE CAP WILDERNESS

OREGON

August 2008

An early morning hush falls over this small lake below the 9,527 foot Eagle Cap, allowing the first rays of sunshine to reflect a sight to behold.

It isn't always easy to come here.

Time constraints...

A long drive....

A long hike....

A heavy load.....

But well worth the effort!

This is only a small piece of the beauty to be found in the solitude of the Eagle Cap Wilderness.

There are only two ways to come to this place......on horseback.....or walk.

Whichever you chose, it's well worth the effort!!

It’s about time…..

I introduced my Great-Granddaughter.

She was born on March 12.

Not a lot of time has passed by since then, but she has changed a lot in such a short time.

She smiles a lot….
She’s a ham in front of a camera…..unless her diaper is soiled, or she’s hungry, or tired or otherwise cranky.

Her name is Melody Rose.

These are her Uncles, Evan and Aaron.

Being a Great-Grandfather has been great!