If you read my article earlier this month, you know I was privileged to travel to Colorado to hunt elk. Thankfully, I returned safely but without any antlers to show for it. Of the eight in our group, however, two did get bull elk, one got a beautiful bear, and one got a nice mule deer.
What did I get? I got sick. In what may have been COVID (I didn’t test), I had to sit out the first couple days of the season in the living room of our rental scouring the ridges for elk that never showed up. Although we did have permission to hunt on the property and although it was in elk country, last winter’s deep snows wiped out up to 60% of the elk in the area.
Thanks to God, I did recover enough to get into the woods at least some before the season ended. Thanks also to Tyler. Tyler is a young man about half my age who helped me get to the mountaintop to search for elk, which he had already bagged.
Tyler and I left with the others early that morning but climbed the 1500 foot mountain by a different route. He took me up “the easy way,” which still wasn’t but perhaps easier. He knew the way so well, he was able to find it in the dark and patiently led me step by step.
Although I had trained before I left Virginia by climbing hills with my loaded backpack, I was still recovering and it was 7,000 feet above sea level. Needless to say, this old boy was sucking wind. Nevertheless, Tyler stopped every time I needed to until I caught my breath before climbing higher.
By the time the sun came up, we were at the 7895 foot summit in spite of the 14 degree temperature. The views from the top were stunning and it was the perfect spot for success. Sadly, no one informed the elk and they failed to show.
If it had not been for Tyler, however, I never would have found it, nor would I have endured to the top. He had also helped me the night before to strip from my pack everything that wouldn’t be needed to make it lighter.
I’m very thankful for all the guys on the trip. We had a great time and shared a lot of laughs. But I’m especially thankful for Tyler for his encouragement, patience, and guidance. Although I didn’t bag any game, I had a great time and enjoyed some great sights. This item on the bucket list will have to wait or go unchecked.
This experience reminded me in so many ways of how Jesus leads us in life. He knows the best route for us to take and can even guide us on it in the darkest nights. Although He’s patient and graciously waits on us, at the same time He continually encourages us to go ever onward and higher. He knows what blessings are at the top and He can’t wait for us to experience them.
Jesus also advises us on how to pack our gear. Many of the things we think we really need in life, He tells us we don’t. In fact, many of those “necessities” only weigh us down, slow us down, and exhaust us more quickly. We are wise to shed all worldly weight that we might climb higher and better.
Jesus also helps us train with various situations we encounter in life. What we fail to handle successfully we often end up facing again until we learn to navigate those problems successfully.
I’m very thankful for the Colorado trip and for the guys I went with as well as the sights and experiences we had. I especially appreciate Tyler for his help for he reminded me of my Savior. May we honor and climb with Jesus today! Blessings, George