I’m nearing the final days of my hike and there are always lessons learned. Grace is something that our Heavenly Father gives us daily. I need a lot of it! It seems I can be a handful when it especially comes to not minding my words. My thoughts get out of control and Jesus reigns me in moment by moment. I couldn’t imagine where I would be if I didn’t receive grace from family and friends, and from God almighty. This morning as we left the ridge that we had camped out, I was in tears. This will most likely be the last time that I’ll walk through these majestic mountains! As Triple-Z and I turned the corner, it was all together different. The fir trees took over the landscape and the San Juan’s and all the other 14er’s were behind us. Some people are beach lovers while others like valleys and deserts, I am a mountain girl at heart. It is my commune with the Lord. It is where I hear His voice the loudest. I believe He designed it that way, just to get my undivided attention.

I had a few more ridges to cover, miles to hike and hills to climb. The day was perfect with a nice breeze that kept me cool. There was quite a bit of rolling terrain which always helps me catch my breath. That too is grace!

Taylor Lake is our destination as everyone talks about its beauty. Today was a bit hard as I still am not eating much and having a tough time keeping my food in my belly. But as I was heading up this shaky rocky path, I felt a burden lifted from me. It was as if someone had come behind me and lifted my pack off my back. I turned around to see if Triple-Z was behind me but she was nowhere in sight. I truly believe that Jesus knee at that moment that I needed a little extra help and He intervened! That’s grace!

I had some arduous paths to negotiate today. I’m not a big fan of heights and this was just something I need to overcome. Cliffs on both sides of me and I chose not to look. My eyes are fixed on the trail ahead of me and nothing else. As I finally got off the precipice of death, as I call it, there was this badger looking critter munching away at the manzanita. I thought at first it was a marmot but it had a long tail. Of course no photo was taken but I’ll look it up when I get home and report back in my recap as to what it was. It had a black muzzle, long nails and stood up on two legs like us. The jury’s still out but he didn’t attack us and we continued on.

Taylor Lake is a in a cirque with lovely mountains surrounding it. It is a hangout for CT thru-hikers and bike-packers too. There is sense of excitement as everyone knows we are only a day or two from Durango. The termination of this trail. I have a mixture of emotions as this has been a trail that I have had much growth on. I have been reminded of how grace comes in many forms on the trail from a friend waiting for you countless times because she just a much faster hiker than I. Complete strangers who share water and take your trash because they too understand the waterless stretches, and no need to carry that trash when they’re driving out. It is the times when you don’t have something to calm your belly ache and Triple-Z digs through her pack again to find something that will help. Grace is love and love conquers all.

He said to me, ” My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

2 Corinthians 12:9