T-6 Days for those counting. I spent some time yesterday afternoon packing what I thought I might need for the trip. We will see a wide range of temperatures. In the Tetons, we will surely see below-freezing for our alpine starts, and in the desert of Utah, we will see 110 degrees or more as we attempt to climb a few desert towers. Squeezing all of the needed supplies into Chris’ Jeep will be an adventure in itself.
I had big plans for the treadmill this morning. I planned to hike at a 15% grade for 2 hours with the heavy backpack on. Less than a minute into the hike, my right knee said, “Nope!” I have been aching more and more over the last two weeks. I think I have over-trained on both the climbing wall and the treadmill. I was planning to use the second part of the week to rest muscles and tendons, but I may need to use this entire week for recovery.
The picture above is of Maddie on a trip out west when she was learning to walk. We were climbing near the town of Lander, Wy. On this particular night, we were camping near the town in a park. The gravel in the parking lot was huge. It looked like the gravel that is used on the railroad tracks. Maddie was taking a few steps, and Chris and I were backing away from each other to challenge Maddie to walk further.
We were about 10 to 12 feet apart, and Maddie was doing well. I have always thought it was near impossible for kids that age to walk. Their head seems too large for their bodies. When they get moving, in any direction, it takes speed for the feet to catch up with the head.
Maddie had just made the 10 to 12-foot walk to Chris, and now, she was going to walk back to me. After a few steps, she tripped over a piece of gravel. Her head came forward, and she was doing her best to correct her misstep. I could see that she was going to faceplant, so I dove to try to get my hand between her face and the gravel. As you can see, I didn’t make it. My least favorite thing about this incident was hearing her teeth scrape on the gravel.
I scooped her up and looked for chipped teeth and gashes. Other than the rash on her face, all was good. After a few tears, she was back at it. By the end of the trip, she had almost graduated from walking to running.
Falling face-first into fist-sized gravel didn’t set Maddie back at all. It allowed her to learn what was needed to move forward. I hope that my aches and pains won’t be a setback for me on this trip.
Psalm 40:2 NIV84
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
Praise the Lord for His mercy and grace! May we recognize Him today for the salvation that He provides through His only Son Jesus. Praise Him along with me as we seek to make Him known to those around us today.
Because He Calls, Old Climbing Dad
oldclimbingdad.com 
One response to “Setback or a Step Forward?”
We have been praying for you and your sweet family. This I know about you Pastor is that you do not allow your body to rest. Please listen – pause and rest-!
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