by Cowboy Bob Sorensen
My wife and I were beginning to walk some rail trails and others, but she had back problems and had to stop. She died after back surgery. I continued partly in her honor and to have some new adventures. Several I investigated would not have appealed to her had she survived.
Experienced hikers find these trails to be fairly easy. I am still learning as well as being careful because I am over sixty and have a few health issues. Shaupeneak Ridge is a place I did not know existed but decided to explore.
 |
| Red trail on Shaupeneak Ridge, Town of Esopus, NY, Unsplash / Cowboy Bob Sorensen |
The trails are marked rather well and some overlap. The picture shows the red trail marker on a tree, these were displayed frequently enough. Good thing, as the paths were covered with leaves, making me wonder if I had strayed. I also had to contend with rocks, roots, hills, and all that good stuff. I kept going and had my eyes out for trail markers — didn't want to end up on a different trail altogether. Eventually, I made it to the Hudson River Overlook.
It occurred to me that there are some parallels to the Christian life, and my own widower journey in particular. God wants me to walk the trail and he is changing parts of my life. I have no idea what is happening, but I have to keep my gaze fixed on what is true — the Word of God. When we stay in the Bible and solid teachings, we can see the trail markers on our journeys. Also, we can discern which trails are wrong. Then we must get back to what is true, and then continue.