29 in 11

Maybe it was slightly impulsive.

Okay. Definitely impulsive. I'm not sure what possessed us to want to hike almost 30 miles in one day. I believe it was the challenge, the thrill, and the pure curiosity of what that would feel like.

On Monday, friends from my ministry team Chris and Kara and I embarked on a wonderful journey around Shoshone Lake which would include a great 29 miles of hiking. Beginning our trip by 8:15am, we were able to complete the trip by 7:20 pm, putting us at about 11 hours including breaks.

I remember the beginning somewhat. We were astounded by the glory of the lake which is so pristine and calm mainly for the fact that no motorized boats can be used in it and the length of the trails calls for only the most serious of hikers and backpackers to enter into its presence.

From mile 5  to mile 12 to mile 23 the terrain changed so often. From grueling hills which we thought would never end to geyser basins where we could easily have touched the hot springs, I am confident these changes in the trail made it more enjoyable. Of course, having flat ground for the last 7 miles made it much easier than it could have been.

I cannot lie. I am sure I almost reached dehydration. Yes, we had iodine pills to clean our water, but I feel like I almost drank the lake's amount of water in the past two days trying to make up for my lack of it before. As far as making it....we did. And within the last 10 miles I recall not even being phased by the ridges we had to climb. We kept a steady pace...and laughed at Chris when twenty five mosquitoes swarmed him constantly.

Finally, I remember hearing Kara say.."It's less than five minutes guys! I promise. No more." Then, around the corner, we saw the trail head. Then the car. I think we were all in shock during the drive home. We wondered why we had done it. If anything, we were glad it was over.

Metaphor after metaphor, we couldn't stop being reminded of the ways the physical correlates so much with the spiritual. I won't take the time to name every one of them which we came up with (you run out of things to talk about after a while), but I can tell you one that was stuck in my head for at least fifteen miles..At this point we were halfway and there was no turning back on the loop...especially after I knew what kind of ridges I would have to climb if I did.

"Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. do not swerve to the right or the left, keep your foot from evil." Proverbs 4:26-27.

Sometimes walking forward is absolutely all you can do.