a long trail wandered
sometimes well marked and heavily trod
often times overgrown
passing over vast granite slabs
with little evidence of human interaction
occasionally treacherous
ledges along steep ridges
furious roaring rivers to cross
heavy rain
freezing cold nights
hunger pangs
all this and
tall redwoods swaying hundred year old hellos
creatures scurrying through the undergrowth
meadows with winding streams decorated in the colors of wildflowers
rockfaces and ridges grander and more ornate that the most decorated temples and cathedrals
night skies brimming with starlight
swirling the galaxy like the last bits of cereal in your bowl of milk
freezing lake plunges that bring life back into aching backs
and smiles across crusty faces caked in dust and sweat trails
and then after all that we get moments
bursts of magic
as we stand firmly at the top of the mountain or pass
looking back at all the we’ve done
a pause to see
it was more than just bug bites and semi palletable food
it was life…
before we depart once more
our next journey spreading out before us into the unknown