Sentimental Journey

With the sun shining on Christmas Eve day, and more mountain snow predicted for Christmas day, we decided to do a little hiking in Yosemite National Park.

Our choice that day was to go to Chilnualna Falls. For me there were four reasons to pick this trail: 1) It is close to Fresno so we would spend less time driving. 2) even though we would likely have snow, it would probably be shallow enough on this steep, south facing slope to allow us to reach the top, 3) with the rain and warm storms we have had the many waterfalls would be running quite hard, and, 4) it is one of my favorite hikes.

Well, there was a lot of snow--more than we have ever seen on a hike there, but not too deep. Obviously there had been a lot more snow that had melted at the lower elevations and the smaller creeks were running heavier than we had ever seen them. These small creeks had been much higher, judging by the evidence left behind. Still, the waterfalls did not disappoint. More photos can be found here.

One of the reasons I like the Chilnualna Falls trail is that it follows--sometimes close, sometimes from a distance--the course of Chilnualna Creek. It begins with a large set of cascades, one of which is pictured at left. But impressive as those are, they are not THE falls--that is still several miles away.

The trail wanders up the mountain, offering up close views of many cascades along the way both in Chilnualna Creek and also in some of the minor side drainages going into the creek. At one point the trail leaves the Creek for a series of switchbacks to make it up the hill. We can hear the falls at the top, but you cannot see them as they are hiding in a giant fracture in the mountainside.

Eventually you come to what I call the weeping wall. On this trip it was more like a sobbing wall as there was so much water. In the fall this is typically dry. Here we get the best view of the falls from a distance as you can look into the miniature canyon that the creek dumps into to create the waterfall. From the weeping wall there are a couple smaller switchbacks before the trail becomes a narrow ledge on the upper side of a cliff. The snow makes this part a bit treacherous. At the end of this section, we are rewarded for our effort. The trail comes out on the top of the lower fall and below the middle fall. Another large switchback would bring us to the base of the upper fall, but though we opt out of this because of the snow (though we have been there in the snow several times in the past).

This was a sentimental journey for me. I have been on this trail in just about every month of the year except for summer, when I avoid the park. And this would likely be my last time on that trail before we head to Thailand. So while it was great to be back on the trail, it was also like saying goodbye to an old friend.

While we don't know what our future will look like as we go forward, there is an excitement about what new places we will discover as we move to Thailand. What new places will we discover? What will be our new favorite hike? What new friends will we make?

And just like hiking to the top of Chilnualna Falls requires some effort, we know that living in Thailand will require some work as well. Learning the language. Learning how to get around. Learning how not to offend people in a different culture. Hopefully, like hiking the Chilnualna Falls trail, there will be a reward for persevering to the end.

Sounds of Christmas-the Shepherd

One of the sounds both Ingrid and I associate with Christmas is that of the bells ringing as the angels twirl around powered by the heat of the candle flames.

This Christmas decor is one of the few things we kept as Christmas memories when we got rid of most of our belongings last year in preparation for moving overseas.  And because we hope to make that move soon, this may be the last time we enjoy the melodic sounds this side of the Pacific Ocean for a while.

As Christmas draws near, we think of the sounds the angels made on that first Christmas as they announced the birth of Jesus to a bunch of rugged shepherds.

At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:

Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

Luke 2:13, 14 (MSG)


And so this bunch of shepherds leave their sheep to go check out this newborn child lying in a feed trough somewhere in the town of Bethlehem.

Would I have done that?  Would I jettison my tough shepherd image to go see a cute little baby boy?

These shepherds did.  And in so doing they met the ultimate shepherd.  The one who would one day gently lead millions of sheep.

¹⁴ "I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own sheep and my own sheep know me.
¹⁵ In the same way, the Father knows me and I know the Father. I put the sheep before myself, sacrificing myself if necessary.
¹⁶ You need to know that I have other sheep in addition to those in this pen. I need to gather and bring them, too. They'll also recognize my voice. Then it will be one flock, one Shepherd.
¹⁷ This is why the Father loves me: because I freely lay down my life. And so I am free to take it up again.
¹⁸ No one takes it from me. I lay it down of my own free will. I have the right to lay it down; I also have the right to take it up again. I received this authority personally from my Father."   John 10:14-18 (MSG)


So as I listen to my Christmas chimes this year, I will remember the good shepherd who was born that day and who leads me today.