Accepting Advice!

   Last weekend Al and I decided to go for a hike in the mountains starting from Camp Nelson on a trail along the Tule River. I really wanted to take our two dogs along; however only one of them is trained to walk by my side. The younger dog still pulls on his leash and would be difficult to control on a narrow rocky path, Al thought we should leave them both home.

   It was disappointing because all of our former dogs were very obedient and easy to take on hikes. I finally realized that there was no going back to the past, but felt some regret when a pickup truck with a dog sitting in the back pulled up behind our parked car at the trail head. When the dog’s owner donned her day pack and beckoned to him, he happily pranced off by her side. Oh well!

    The correctness of our decision to leave the dogs behind was confirmed from the very start, when we had to wade through a small creek to reach the main trail. Al walked through the ankle deep water, while I carefully made my way across two different logs, holding on to the trunks of willows for support in order to keep my feet dry. 

   I took in the strong scent of the evergreens as we started making our way uphill through the forest and was glad to have brought along a jacket. The mid-morning weather was cool and breezy at that elevation of about 4,900 feet. When we came to a place where the trail crossed the Tule River, both of us breathed a sigh of relief to discover that a makeshift bridge had been built across the swift stream.

   It wasn’t a great engineering feat, consisting of wooden slats nailed sideways to a fallen log and a rope strung across the water above the ‘bridge’ to hang onto for better balance.  Walking on it was exciting as it wobbled and swayed with the current. Even with bribes of doggie treats, Teddy and TJ wouldn’t have put a paw on that bridge!  

   Soon, we began encountering the giant Redwoods in the Nelson grove, whose small cones were scattered on the forest floor. Without the distraction of the dogs I was able to put all of my attention on the beautiful scenery. There were many tiny wonders along the trail—patches of reddish orange flowers, delicate purple shooting stars, tiny yellow daisies and round white mushrooms patterned with raised brown pentagons.

   Shortly after turning around and heading back to the car, a sound from behind startled us. As we stepped aside, a fellow on a mountain bike stopped to talk, alerting us to the fact that several other bikers would soon be passing us. What a challenging bike ride, even for experts!

   “I would sure like to have a picture of you crossing that wooden bridge ahead of us on your bike,” I said laughing. He assured me that he was going to walk it across the bridge.

 Not long after that, the whole group passed us with three friendly dogs stopping to sniff and say “hello.”

   It was a special day of close companionship, wonderful scenery and good exercise. Despite sore muscles, I felt recharged in soul and spirit! When we got home our pets were happy to see us, not upset at all about having to stay in their dog run.

   This was just another example of the importance of listening to the advice of others.  We humans often need help in making good decisions. Not only is it important to ask people for their advice,  it is also wise to seek help from our good Shepherd who knows the way we should take and who is always ready and willing to guide us if we would just go to Him and ask. 

“He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” Psalm 23:3b NIV