Roads and Pathways



The Road up to Yankee Boy Basin

 I find myself fascinated with roads and paths. I take many pictures of them.  Sometimes the view is of the road or path ahead; sometimes the one already traveled.  I'm wondering today, "What is this fascination?  Is it the adventure of the unknown ahead - sort of like the anticipation of the unopened packages under the Christmas tree?  Is it the accomplishment of arriving at a certain point in a journey and wanting to reflect and remember the way I have come?  Is it just the beauty of the path snaking through the scenery: the artistry of it, the aesthetic mood created, that I want to hold on to?  Or is it the metaphor of life's journey that captures me?" 

This picture looks back down the road up which we had just come, a four-wheel drive road from Ouray, Colorado, to a magical place in the high mountains called Yankee Boy Basin.  We journeyed with friends in their vehicle.  The way was spectacular, winding with many switch backs and precipitous drop offs into the canyon and creek below; very rough and bumpy at points.  When it opened up into the high meadows of the Basin and we saw the amazing views and beautiful wildflowers, we delighted in our choice to take this journey.  We certainly felt a sense of accomplishment and received a wonderful gift for our effort.   Out of travail comes inexplicable joy!

At the moment that I take these pictures, I'm captured by the aesthetic of the place and want to capture it, hold on to it.  When I review the photos, the remembering of journey and place is called forth.  But also, I think of the anticipation of what lies ahead.  In the remembering, I know that both joys and struggles, adventure and sorrow, effort and gift were part of the path and, despite and because of them, I made it here.  Adventure lies ahead along with joy, sorrow, loss, beautiful places and wonderful experiences.  Because I have made it here, I know I can make it along the paths ahead.  In all this, I have learned that nothing can separate me from the love of God and that she has always been, is currently and will be always be with me through the ups and downs, twists and turns of the road.  I've also learned that there is no wrong path - God is along all of them and there is something to learn, someone to meet, an interesting or amazing place to see even when it seems to be a wrong turn.  And just maybe the turn that seemed wrong, was really made at the Spirit's nudge.  Wouldn't that be amazing to keep in mind when I'm totally annoyed with my husband for missing the exit or making the incorrect turn?

So did I answer my question?  I guess I just like the look of the winding road amidst the scenery of the surrounding area.  But there seems, indeed, to be, in my fascination, something deeper which offers invaluable lessons.

Enjoy the beauty of your particular pathways this day.

And let me know how roads and paths resonate with you!