During a visit to New Mexico our son suggested that we enjoy a hike at place not far from their home while he and his wife were at work. Carlito Springs Nature Center is just 21 miles southeast of Albuquerque. On a sunny day, blue sky with a few puffy white clouds, my husband and I drove to the site. We turned off the highway onto a side road and followed it to a parking lot at the trailhead.
Our plan for the day was simple. We had heard that it was a gentle hike to scenic pools of water, fed by a mountain spring. The hike to and from the spring should take about an hour. We planned to find a nice restaurant for lunch afterwards.
We wore light cotton clothing—I had a thin corduroy jacket—for the mild 65° temperature. Dan did not have a jacket. At the trailhead we briefly scanned a sign with a map that showed a trail making a large loop. The map indicated that trail to the right of us and to the left of us were both a part of a loop. The pretty pools of water were along this trail.
We took the trail to the right and enthusiastically began to walk. The trail was a bit rough with loose stones. We could see what appeared to be creek beds but they were dry. After a while I wondered if the pools of water had dried up. Many of the deciduous trees were dead. The pines trees, wild bushes and little budding plants provided some green.
I was beginning to be puzzled by the trail. We were gradually climbing upward. We kept going, and then we seemed to lose the trail. Instead of turning around and retracing our steps we began to follow a creek bed. We saw the trail just off to the side and clambered up a bank to get back on the trail.
The trail steadily climbed higher and I was awed by the view that we had overlooking valleys and mountains in the distance. We didn’t find the pools of water but the mountain views were great.
Two hours later the trail came out to a parking lot. We were relieved to get back to our car. Only our car wasn’t there. We were at a different trailhead.
We tried retracing our steps, but when it began to snow, we were alarmed. After two more hours traipsing up and down inclines, we found ourselves back at the wrong trailhead, exhausted and shivering. Fortunately, we were able to call our daughter-in-law. She was able to pin point our location on a map and came to pick us up. We had wandered into the Cibola National Forest.
In any pursuit in life, we need good directions. We need help when we are lost. The Bible provides us with guidance for living in relationship with God. I love the examples in the Psalms. We can call out to God when we are thankful and when we are in need. The church community provides help. I value the relationships that I have in my church, because I can share concerns with them and receive counsel.
Kate’s prompt for the Five Minute Friday writing community is: PURSUE
Gosh, Carol, you were within sight, across the Rio Grande valley, of our house!
Sometimes the friends you’ve never met
will pass by close at hand,
but the will of God won’t let
meeting occur unplanned.
I’ve wondered why this must be so,
for it does not seem fair,
but I think perhaps I know
God disposes in full care,
for people are not what they seem
from that which they may write,
and I think that this must mean
that passing in the night
is a sort of kind anointment
that saves the soul from disappointment.
Certainly many who have met me, after reading, have expected that. “You’re NOT what I expected!”, in tones of dismay. Must be the biker-beard.
Wow, that sounds scary. I was holding my breath as I read.
Glad your DIL was able to pinpoint your location and come to your rescue.
That sounds quite a scary experience. I’m glad your daughter was able to rescue you. I am in a phase of life at the moment when I seem to need constant rescuing from following, with the best intentions, the wrong spiritual trail. Thankfully God is there to pick me up!
We learned afterward that others had lost their way in the Cibola National Forest and that weather changes happen unexpectedly. Later that week our son took us to Carlito Springs and we walked the trail without mishap–without veering into the National Forest. We saw the pools of water and lovely wild flowers. Amen, God hears our prayers and guides us to help!