Things Are Changing

Check out these links to some of the places menitioned in this blog:
http://parks.co.la.ca.us/vasquez_narea.html
http://www.enlightphoto.com/webpages/casrae/srae1_02.htm
Good morning from Agua Dulce, CA. I am about 450 miles in to the Pacific Crest Trail so far and things are really starting to make sense. I have known from the beginning what a great adventure this would be, but it is only now that a true understanding of its importance is becoming clear. The last section I hiked was from Cajon Junction 112 miles to the Sauffley's at Hiker Heaven in Agua Dulce. I managed to see five beautiful big horned sheep, climbed the 9400 ft Mt Baden Powell with beautiful views all over Southern CA, got to see breathtaking scenery along the deserted Angeles Crest Highway, and then hiked back to back 37 mile and 30 mile days in to Agua Dulce after passing the historic Vasquez Rocks. Enough about that and let me explain Hiker Heaven. It is yet again a perfect example of trail angels and their decdication to helping make the hiking experience as enjoyable as possible. Donna and Jeff Sauffley have a beautiful ranch style home in the valley complete with grape vines, horses, dogs, cats, a perfectly landscaped yard with river rock and many varieties of plants, and spectacular vistas of Vasquez Rocks. They have opened their home every year for the last 12 years and have now served almost 3,000 hikers. They have let up to 65 hikers stay here in one night. They do our laundry, give us a bed or a cot to sleep in, provide refrigerater and kitchen, loan us bicycles, and even have a Chevy Suburban that they loan out every day for hikers to run errands with! Some of their friends say they are crazy, but they point to one man as an example for why they choose to serve others so selflessly: Jesus. When I asked the Sauffley's why they do so much they gave me several verses from the bible that talked about hospitality and how we are to open our homes to those in need. They also think it isn't just hospitality that is important, but to truly make all guests feel at home. They have got it mastered!!! It is only after reflecting on the imensity of their contribution to my experience that I was able to have another philisophical realization. God has also been my host on this journey. God made this amazing creation and I am a guest in it every day. God is the ultimate host and has made me feel right at home on every mile I walk through his creation. God is there every moment to help me have the best experience possible while I am here and it is only up to me to put one foot in front of the other and have a loving attitude that gives glory back to God for his creation. Wow....all of that because of a realization made possible only by the kind act of two strangers named Donna and Jeff......Looks like their mission to serve others for the glory of God is working!
Next up I am now only about ten days out of the Sierra Nevada mountain range that has been called the best hiking in the world by some, the range of light by others, and also quickly became one of Ansel Adams favorite canvasses. The hike will be epitimized by my climb to the 14,400 ft peak of Mt Whitney which is the highest point in the contiguous United States.

"Surely the brightest and best of all the Lord has built...It has the brightest weather, brightest glacier-polished rocks, the greatest abundance of irised spray from its glorious waterfalls, the brightest forests of silver firs and silver pines, more starshine, moonshine and perhaps more crystalshine than any ther mountain chain, and its countless mirror lakes, having more light poured into them, glow and spangle the most." --Ansel Adams writing of the Sierra Nevada

Have a peaceful day!
Love,
Forager