Moving On

The early morning air was cool and crisp. The lingering night still had its hold on the coming day as twilight was still sometime away. A mist shadowed the dark world around me as I slowly crawled out of my synthetic sleeping bag. Off in the the distance, a lonely call of a Great Horned Owl broke the calm silence of the darkness. It was a  quiet morning in deed. With twilight still forthcoming I put on a cup of water on the still heated fire from the night before. Some hot English breakfast tea always went down well on mornings such as this. As I waited for the water to boil, I gazed at the world around me. The darkness of the forests surrounding me, almost as if the dark itself was alive. Only the faint shapes of shadows could I make out the trees. Down below the camp I could hear the gurgling of the brook as it cascaded through the gorge it carved out many years ago.

Finally my tea begins to boil. I pour a cup and calmly sit, taking in the darkness around me. As I sat there contemplating on the upcoming day, I make my decision to make my way to Black Rock Mountain, still some 15 miles away. That settled, I pull out my journal to update my previous days entry, then sit back and relax a bit longer. I slowly pull out my Native American Flute and begin playing my lonely morning lullaby, "Cherokee Morning Song".

After sometime, I stop and listen to the night songs around me. The birds have begun to wake up from their night time slumber, filling the forest with a song of their own. I look up at the small patch of sky through  the trees and notice a deep purple haze. Twilight has arrived. My cue that it is now time to pack up. A little while longer do I sit. Enchanted by the sounds and wonder around me. Mornings such as this should never be hurried, but revered. Taken in as it is a spiritual moment as much as a physical one.

Alas, I gather up my things and pack  up. Douse what is left from last nights fire. Stroll down to the little brook to fill my water bag. Once gain, I take in the scenes around me as I let the cool water run into the bag. The purple haze in the sky has turned into a brilliant orange color with a hint of midnight blue. A sign this is going to be a beautiful day.

Slowly I make my way to the Trail that is my path and turn north. Leaving behind this peaceful and enchanted place. I know many more mornings such as this lay in wait for me. So for now I must push on one step at at time as I make my way to that grand mountain at the end. I must get up, and move on.