I have been adding a few more photos to my Enchanted Rock album. These great photos were taken by Ron Meadows with his older 35 MM camera. I forgot to grab my good digital camera as we left, so am very grateful he is allowing me to download them from his Facebook page. From now on, my good digital camera stays tucked in a pocket of my groovy new backpack so that next time I go hiking, I will be able to take great photos too. Though not as great as Ron takes with that 35 MM. One of my favorite photos that Ron took is this one of me standing there leaning on my walking stick surveying the magnificent scenery around me. Ron was hiding in a gully below me, and I had no idea the camera was on me. As you can see from the look on my face in that photo, I am totally enthralled with that scenery. And I will have to admit, more than a little amazed at myself for already having come that far up the rock. The feelings of accomplishment and inner peace I had at that moment in time cannot be described, only experienced.
The rock solid truth here is I really don't usually deal well with heights. Add to that the fact I was a couple of days short of my 54th birthday, and have no depth perception due to having sight in only one eye, and perhaps you can see why hiking up Enchanted Rock was not as easy a task for me to undertake as it would be for some. However, as the expression on my face shows in that photo, I overcame all that as I stood there leaning on the stick that made that climb a lot easier for me.
Sometimes, life takes its toll on all of us in some form or another. We reach a place in time where we wonder if we have the strength and courage to do what we need, or want to do? You can pray to whatever God or Goddess you believe in for strength and courage, and receive to a certain degree what you are praying for via faith in that God or Goddess. But, sometimes, a person needs more than that. Sometimes, a person needs to know on a very personal level that he or she has the strength and courage to physically and mentally do something. The hike to the summit of Enchanted Rock renewed not only my faith in the things I believe in, but also in myself.
The stunning views from Enchanted Rock are inspiring from any level you are on. The feelings of accomplishment and exhilaration when you reach the summit make the views from it even more breathtaking. No matter what your reasons for climbing Enchanted Rock, reaching that summit does open a new world to anyone viewing it. I stood there, 425 feet above the earth below me, feeling both like a 400ft Amazon woman, and a tiny little ant at the same time. But what an absolutely astounding feeling that was! Because I had enough sense to stay well back from the edge, at no time was I in fear of falling. Climbing that wonderfully Enchanted Rock taught me I'm not really that afraid of heights, so much as being close to the edge of a ledge.
I learned so many things about myself on that climb to the summit of Enchanted Rock. Things I will never forget. Things I will remember in my mind, as well as heart and soul, every time I look at that photo of me standing there completely entranced by Enchanted Rock. I intend to make very sure I stay completely enthralled by what I experienced hiking Enchanted Rock. One way I intend to do that is by undertaking even more hikes. With backpack on, Freddy along for the ride, and walking stick in hand, I intend to allow life to enchant me every damn chance it gets!
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