FRIENDS ON THE TRAIL

Cliffs of Ralph Stover State Park

            We went hiking after church yesterday at one of our favorite places—Ralph Stover State Park, just off of Route 32 in Pleasantville, PA. We’ve been doing walks throughout the winter, but this is our first actual hike for this spring. There will be many more to come hopefully.

          Ralph Stover has some wonderful overlooks and cliffs. In fact, the cliffs are very appealing to people who love repelling. There were some there yesterday. Just for the record, we weren’t part of them. We did, however, spend some time sitting on a few rocks taking in the view, meditating on the beauty and magnificence of the river and the valley and the distant hillsides. We hiked far enough to tire out our dog, Faye, who slept in the backseat all the way home.

          But here’s the thing that is true about being in the outdoors, especially when hiking—no matter what trail you’re on and wherever that trail is, you are suddenly a member of a very unique, warm and friendly community. Yesterday was no exception. There were families, young couples and older folks, some with dogs, some hiking alone, and a few on mountain bikes. The trail was busy with friendly people who were all celebrating the joy that goes beyond possessions and politics and nationalities and age and religion.

          As we passed people, there were brief, pleasant exchanges of words and smiles along the way, all in agreement that that was the place to be on such a day as that. The truth is that that has always been our experience when we’ve been in the great outdoors. People are drawn out of their hideaways of cars and houses and self-absorption, to a sanctuary in which there is no distinction between or among others on the trail.

          One little girl was afraid of Faye, and said that Faye was

going to eat her up. Her parents assured her that that wasn’t going to happen, and to prove it, Chris took a treat out of her pocket and asked the little girl if she would like to give it to Faye. With slight hesitation, she did and she got a huge smile on her face. All was well and a connection was made with a family who just a moment before were complete strangers. Then we each went on our way, probably to never meet again. But we were friends for the moment.

          It’s actually too bad that in the human family in general, indoors or outdoors, more of that spirit isn’t a reality. There are divisions and distinctions that are made among people that are unfortunately superficially created by egos and fear. I don’t think that that will ever change, but I just think that what’s missing is the realization that we are all on the same trail called “life,” and we are all in this thing together in a way that suggests the need for even just “brief, pleasant exchanges of words and smiles.”

          Just a thought.