PCT Angels

Hanging out with friends.  Such a great way to spend a summer day.  Throw in a few horses and the view from the PCT and it becomes pretty special.  We headed over to Bill and Suzie's with anticipation.  The day started with Bill saying "everyone catches their own horse".  So, lead rope in hand, we all headed to the field where the horses were head down, not a care in the world--enjoying the fresh morning dew on the pasture.  Captured, the horses must have been excited because they love to do what they do best, make it easy for us to see beautiful country.

Atop a horse a person can gaze around at the scenic-ness of our world without making sure your feet are always landing in the right spot.  However, from the back of a horse, there are times when you want to take a picture but realize you are in a precarious spot of shale or rock while your horse is walking on the outer ledge of a cliff that dives straight off. 

When the trees become few and the rock is predominant, it may be time to get off and walk your horse.  When the dusty trail becomes rock stairs on that ledge overlooking Smith Lake, it is definitely time to get off and walk your horse. 

We made it to Paynes Lake and enjoyed watching Miles, the dog, swim.  He would swim around until he found a rock or a log, catch his footing quickly and dive off into the mountain water.  Pretty sure he would spend an entire day in the water if he could. 

On the way we had encountered a couple who were hiking parts of the PCT.  They were friendly and intrigued by the horses.  They hailed from San Diego.  On the way back to the pickup, we came upon a young man who had been walking the PCT since the middle of April.  He had started in Mexico, headed to Canada.  We ended up giving this young man a ride off the summit to the Hiker's Hut in Etna.  Coming off the hill, he told us some of his trail stories and how he had met a few PCT Angels along the way.  He told us that we were officially PCT Angels, welcoming him with assistance and as a gateway to our community. 

I thought about how this young man will probably never forget the two couples, riding horses on the PCT that he had encountered.  He won't forget the hospitality and the friendliness shown to him.  What he doesn't know is that the angels of our community go so much deeper than a ride from the summit.  Having experienced the amazingness of our community first hand in such a deep way, I can say that we live in a place of authenticness and love.  When we lost our son the outpouring was amazing and the support system we have encountered is part of the underpinning of our healing and ability to get through each day.  The cornerstone of this healing is Jesus.

So a simple day riding horses with dear friends, overlooking our beautiful valley on the top of the mountains turns into angel status.  What can be better?

As a side note:  Hubby has resorted to listening to the Giants game in Spanish.  I think he's pretty upset with them.  It's pretty funny when he started emulating the announcer, only picking up "Sandoval".  I guess it makes the game much more enjoyable at this point.