In this together, truth

The first time we attempted to hike Koosah and Sahalie falls, we were forced to turn back just beyond Sahalie falls because the trail was iced over and we were not adequately prepared.

This time we arrived with hiking boots, and shoe grippers, and snowshoes. It turned out that we needed the snowshoes.

The lot was unkept, so we parked alongside the road to begin our adventure. As we were strapping up and starting out, we met a young woman who took a quick peek at Sahalie falls and another young couple snapping a few photos. From there, we were on our own.

It was a beautiful uncut trail. As long as the snow wasn't deep, it was a pleasant jaunt. With an app as our guide, we tramped through the quiet winter forest.

When the trail brought us back around to the first fall, well into the loop, we stopped for our trailside lunch.

Shortly after we stopped, a group of hikers came up from behind us. While we had no idea that there were folks following us, they were absolutley aware of our presence. In fact, they said they had only been able to carry on ~ in hiking boots ~ because of our snowshoe tracks.

Offering many thanks for our assistance, they continued up the trail.

When you are dining in a chilly winter wonderland, lunch doesn't take long. We soon gathered our gear and headed back up the trail only to find that our fellow hikers had only ventured around a bend or two and then stopped for their lunch to allow us to regain the lead and resume laying down a path for them.

Snowshoes, hiking boots and a forest trail reminded me that we are community. We may not know the other folks in our community. Perhaps we will never even see them but they are still our neighbors and our actions have impact. What we do matters ~ what you do matters!

Pastor Leah