I woke early on my birthday and decided to undertake the short but steep and rough local hike up C-Mountain in Carson City. We had completed two tough hikes the previous days and were heading to a new destination so it was officially, a rest/travel day. However, the 'hill' looked interesting and it proved even more so. I passed the initial destination, the position of the flag, and headed to the top.
On my return, I noticed a forest road heading down. I decided to take it because I read the trail was supposedly a loop. After a short period, I did not like where it was headed and decided to move off trail and go directly to the trailhead which was always in view. As an aside, it's not a good idea to hike with me; ideally, make sure Jenni is with us. Suffice to say, the route I chose was extremely steep but by always having at least one foot on the ground and ensuring traction, it worked out well.
It was seeing the flag built into the mountain, a symbol of so much, that struck a chord. It was not a feeling of patriotism but more a call for unity and sensibility, a symbol of a meaningful history and perhaps, too many self-important individuals don't realize how insignificant they really are in the scheme of life and the universe. The meaning behind the flag epitomized the importance of humility and the need for us to humble ourselves.
When coming across the flag, still some distance from the peak of C-Mountain, the level of inspiration increased. At that moment, it felt appropriate to gather one's thoughts that have been so negatively impacted by a section of the populace wishing to tear the country apart or at least, too many of us allowing it to occur.
An Ode to an Age.
Wouldn't it be lovely,
To unite many, if not all, under one flag.
Wouldn't it be lovely,
To realize we are all unique and yet, of the same species.
Wouldn’t it be lovely,
To acknowledge that effort, sacrifice, attitude and diligence create reward.
Wouldn't it be lovely,
Rather than some renouncing privilege, instead, refuse their inheritance and parent generosity.
Wouldn't it be lovely,
If we can't like each other, at least not hate.
Wouldn't it be lovely,
Should each person strive to fix oneself, rather than attempt to improve others.
Wouldn't it be lovely,
To realize the millions clamoring to get into the country, understand something those threatening to depart, don't.
Wouldn't it be lovely,
Just as we believe in the scientific truth of gravity, we accept the harsh reality of human truth and ground ourselves in it.
Wouldn't it be lovely,
Should nobody believe in their monopoly on the path of life.
Wouldn't it be lovely,
That I think you are wrong but that does not make me right.
Wouldn't it be lovely,
That we can disagree but do not disparage each other because of differences.
Wouldn't it be lovely,
That we understand we are the progress of our accumulated history, so we ought not destroy it.
Wouldn't it be lovely,
That we reject evil no matter from what quarter.
Wouldn't it be lovely,
To understand that earning respect begins by undertaking just one good deed or refraining from a negative one.
Wouldn't it be lovely,
That we can try to understand our neighbor rather than reject her because of a different outlook and perspective.
Wouldn't it be lovely,
That we focus on the message rather than question the source.
Wouldn't it be lovely,
That we recognize there are absolutes such as God-given values, constitutions, customs and precedents.
Wouldn't it be lovely,
That we understand the extreme disdain for a person reveals much of the true nature of those bearing such hatred.
Wouldn't it be lovely,
That the wealthy, self-isolated in mansions, not dictate to those in the tenements how to live and relate to their neighbors.
Wouldn't it be lovely,
To understand that embarrassing and seeking to destroy others with a pen or tongue, while taking refuge hidden behind a computer screen, is akin to murder of the soul...and cowardly, too.
Wouldn't it be lovely,
To realize to seek the death of freedom, for which millions have sacrificed their lives over centuries, will bring about our own demise.
Wouldn't it be lovely,
Should many not be convinced of their moral superiority based upon subjective criteria.
Wouldn't it be lovely,
That we do not trivialize the crimes and evil committed over the ages by equating it with those whom we disagree.
Wouldn't it be lovely,
That we take to heart a paraphrase of Viktor Frankel: "Humans differ from each other in only one aspect: 'Decent or indecent'".
Above all, we should by now realize the human is at best, imperfect; truthfully, not a good species. That does not mean we should not aim higher. Let's forget about fixing the world, it's not broken. Let's not fix our fellow humans, they are not broken, either. Instead, let's fix ourselves, we are in dire need of repair.
Much of Carson City from above the flag position.
We love freedom and realize how precious it is. Often, one only realizes the value of something when it's removed. In keeping with the theme of the blog, we selected pictures from our Hike-about period that align with liberty or at least, a feeling of the concept. Whilst absolute freedom does not exist and understandably so, we should strive to at least maintain relative liberty. (For example, we'd love to fly but as our pictures illustrate, gravity allows only a second or two in the air). Nevertheless, we're experiencing an erosion of liberty (not only covid-related) even as some maintain, it's for the greater good. Whatever the case, these photographs, especially those in other countries, bring a feeling of nostalgia while we all deal with the current crisis.
Argentina: Laguna de Los Tres, returning after a long trek.
Liberty Mountain (how appropriate), New Hampshire.
New Mexico: Wheeler Peak, the state's highest. Arriving at the peak after a tough climb and absorbing the surroundings was an out-of-world experience.
Mount Diablo, near San Francisco. 'Hats off' to the photographer.
New Zealand: Tongariro Crossing.
Should have looked before leaping at Capitol Reefs, Utah.
South Africa: The Sentinel. The second of two vertical chain climbs.
Literally, flying (for a second) above the clouds at Mount Woodson, San Diego.
Double trouble in Bulgaria.
Cumatura, Romania. (I prefer to close my eyes when I see her in that position. It helps.)
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
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