Winter Solitude

Winter Solitude

Leaving the valley bottom behind
Jan and I begin the long climb,
to Blakeburn.
As we are hiking along,
Jan peers into the heavens, and spots
an eagle soaring on the thermal currents,
not beating a wing. Truly majestic.
Two kilometres below Blakeburn,
the snow begins to deepen.
As Jan and I continue climbing,
the inspiring, glorious beauty,
of the winter wonderland unfolds.
Just below Blakeburn,
Jan and I halt in our tracks,
and stare in awe.
There below us is the Granite Creek
valley, sleeping in winter solitude.
The trees as far as the eye
can see, are dressed in shawls
of white. Splendid.
The sun begins to shine.
Trees in the foreground, dressed in
glistening pearl white.
In a sky blue background.
The spectacular beauty,
and silence, found in this winter wonderland,
is magnificent, truly spiritually uplifting.
The invigorating beauty in this
winter solitude, that God has so graciously
displayed before our eyes, satisfies our souls.
Truly uplifting.
Upon reaching Blakeburn,
Jan and I select a winter solitude
luncheon site, beneath the jeweled trees.
Unshouldering our packs,
Jan and the walking instructor,
dig in, and indulge in a well
deserved backpackers' lunch.
As we are eating,
a snowstorm whistles to us.
Adding to our nature enjoyment.
Yes! the call of the wild.
After Jan and I each empty
a thermos of hot soup into our
rumbling stomachs and enjoy a
cup of tea,
we reload our mountaineering packs,
and climb into the shoulder straps.
Leaving Blakeburn beneath a blanket
of snow, Jan and I are homeward bound.
From our walkahaulic's winter wonderland
paradise.

© Jim Smart

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