Today was the nicest zero I think we’ve had on trail. Outside of Yellowstone, of course. All of our chores were done yesterday so we truly had a day of rest and relaxation. So we rode bicycles around town!

As we left, I asked for bike locks? No need because no one in town would steal anything! So truth be told, things have been lost on this trail. I’ll start with all my stuff that has been dropped, left or misplaced. I lost my hat on day one! How that happened was when I went to grab my umbrella, my hat was attached to it and evidently fell to the ground. So I picked up a second hat in Glacier which I lost and by Helena, I purchased my third and final hat.

Sabine, aka Hogged Up lost her water purifier on the trail. That is much worse than a hat, but fortunately for her, another hiker gave her water purification tablets and she continued onward. Once in town, Hogged Up bought another filter and now she’s hiking with us!

But the most devastating loss on the trail was Fearless’ specialized hiking poles. When we were picked up, in the rain, we had gear. Somehow someway, Fearless’ poles were left at the trailhead. The ride to town was a long journey on a dirt road. Once at Jackalope Motor Lodge, we unloaded all things but Jen’s poles were nowhere to be found. Rerun was so compassionate and knew that he needed to make a return trip to the trailhead.

Jen and Rerun drove back up the long and dusty road, and much to Jen’s dismay, they were gone. These are not your typical hiking poles with straps. They are made in England, and takes weeks to order. Downtrodden, Jen returns without her poles.

Immediately we pray for these poles to be returned. Rerun’s wife Irish posts on every forum she has access to, pleasing for the poles to be returned. This is when God takes over. After a day of mourning, we all head over to Wind River Brewing Company. The place is packed. There is seating inside, outside, at the bar and we are on a long waitlist.

We belly up to the bar and wait. There is no less than 100 people at the Brewery. Ends up that Andrew was at the same trailhead we were at two days prior. I had talked to him and his friend while they were waiting for the storm to pass. When we left in Reruns truck, Andrew saw that Jen’s poles were left, leaning up against the horse trailer, where we had taken refuge. So he picked them up, stashed him in his vehicle with plans of finding us.

We find ourselves being seated and here comes Andrew. He recognized us as we were sitting at the bar, went to his car and returned her poles. Oh my goodness, how did this happen? What are the chances that we would go to the Brewery, at the same time, and sit near each other?

At times, I ask the Lord how do you know what I need, when I need it and answer my prayers for the return of my dear friend’s hiking poles? Then He answers and reminds me that’s because I love you, I love Jen and Sabine. Faith my child, all you need is a small amount of faith and He will, indeed, answer.

“Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭17‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬