The West Family Adoption Journey: Felt like an orphan

Yesterday and today I went on a backpacking trip to the mountains in PA. The name of the trail I went on was Minister Creek. One of the things I like about backpacking is getting away from the world and just forgetting about daily struggles. I have always wanted to go on this type of a trip solo. The idea of going it alone and facing all the challenges a trip like this offers on your own is something that I wanted to accomplish. There is always a sense of completion/victory after a trip is over. To have faced the wilderness and survived, well without too many injuries that is-haha. Well day one was textbook, the weather was gorgeous, the trail was interesting and I made it to my campsite right on time. Day two, well it ended up that way but along the journey I faced the fear of being lost and alone. I guess you could say I felt like an orphan. Have you ever felt that way? See at one point of the trail there is another trail that runs along the same path, the North Country Scenic Trail. Right after the campsite I chose was a Y in the path. Both were blazed with white signs which is what Minister Creek's trail is designated by. The other has a blue blaze. Well to make a long story short, I was pretty sure I made the right choice, but I was not all that confident. Ever felt like that before, you press on but are fearful that your choice was wrong. My cell phone had died so I had no idea of what time it was, I just kept going, and hoping. Along the way God had one of his little friends show up to say hi to me, laugh if you want to but I felt it was him telling me it would be ok. See the picture of the deer below along with some other shots. After a long and tiring uphill climb I come to a larger area of very large boulders/cliffs. At this point I am getting worried big time. There was nothing on the trip information I got off the web about this. So naturally I begin to fear I took the wrong path. There was the overlook though I saw a sign about on day one. I kept telling myself this had to be it. Just when I get to the top, and begin to get excited thinking first I can breathe again, but more importantly I can find out if Im on the right path, the path begins to descend down into a huge cave like area that is part of this area. At that point I became almost convinced I was going the wrong way. I had to negotiate some rather tricky spots that I had never done before with a backpack strapped on to my back. I really began to worry. Would I have to turn back and go back the 3-4 miles just to begin again going the right way which would be another 3-4 miles. What time was it? Would my water get me back to the creek so I could filter some fresh water. Would it get dark before I made it? I knew rain was coming and it was cold. Would my wife Lisa freak out and send the green berets to look for me? I finally made it to the top and began on a flatter trail my heart and lungs very grateful I might add. I hear a sound and I begin to get excited again. It must be those road workers I saw at the parking area the day before working on the bridge. Keep in mind I saw no human life the entire time I was on the trail. I then was struck with fear as the trail began moving farther and farther away from the sound. Once again all I could think was I am on the wrong trail. Ahh, but then it happened, the trail turned and I began heading towards the sound. The more I walked the louder it became. Then suddenly there it was, the sign I saw the day before explaining how to get to the overlook. I was home free. I actually jumped for joy for a brief second before my newly formed manhood took over and I regained my macho hiking look- see bandana wrapped head in picture below.

Anyway, why am I telling you all about this crazy trip. Do you remember how I said I felt like an orphan. Could you relate to my sense of panic that I was dealing with when I felt I was lost on a mountain by myself. Imagine being all alone in the world, ALL THE TIME! Can you imagine the way a child feels without a family, heading who knows where and seemingly no one cares?

Have you ever felt like an orphan before?

What will you do to help one today?

Overlook area