Toward heaven

But wait, for it seems an eerie spell is being cast none-the-less! I am descending now to Stecoah Gap, and suddenly do I realize that I am on a long, narrow peninsula, a peninsula that ends not at Stecoah Gap, but at Stecoah Channel. For here the cloud-sea has cut the Gap, to pass beyond, thence to form an enormous gulf. And beyond the gulf, yet another brilliant, pure-white sea, dotted with countless islands, the most beautiful islands of all.

As I continue descending, reaching the very tip of the peninsula, does the spell begin. . .for it is now that I realize I am about to submerge myself in Stecoah Channel! But how can this be? I can't just walk into the sea! But there is no other way, the trail does not veer off. It plunges directly in, and as I submerge, holding my breath, does the chilling-cold gloom engulf me. . .until I must finally breathe.

With the spell fully upon me, so very strange is it to breathe, to be taking in huge gulps of the moist, cold sea. . .so very strange! An amphibian now, I follow the path to the very depths of the channel through a monochrome frost-covered grayness of barren trees and plants.

On the far side and climbing now I finally emerge from the channel's cold, dark depths and am again above the sea. The spellbound magic of it is broken as I hear the hammer-thump of an eighteen-wheeler jake-braking the gap below, and I am once again on the grand old AT, heading ever south. Would you believe all of this beauty and awe-inspiring mystery and I'm out of film! Yes, there's no film in my camera. My sponsor, GORP.com, was to supply me with film for this journey, but there never seems to be enough time to get the film to my next maildrop.

If, as we are told, a picture is worth a thousand words, for this one the thousand words will just have to do! The day has turned blue-perfect with the hazy blue of these timeless Blue Ridge Mountains showing forth in perfect light. From Cheoah Bald do I witness the most beautiful presence of these peaceful places. To the glory of God do these temples stand, to the glory of God do they proclaim his omnipotence. The Appalachian Trail winds a magic, spirit-filled path, a path through time and space where man may find peace, true peace in life.

I arrive at Wesser by early afternoon, pick up my bounce box at NOC Outfitters, then head straight to River's End Restaurant for their hiker-stokin' platter of Sherpa rice heaped with ladles of chili and cheese. The kind lady at registration provides me a private room in one of the bunkhouses where I settle in for the evening. Hey, the heater works! What a special day, a day filled with magic (not intended to be photographed) and an inspirational, spirit-filled moment on the mountain.

Thank you Lord, for keeping me. . .and for teaching me!