My Weekend in the Adirondack Mountains

I find irony in the things I write at times, similar to how I find irony in "words" in general. So often we try to sound wise, knowledgeable, or clever through our words. When I label words as "ironic", I do so because in truth, usually our most righteous perspectives or practices aren't expressed through words ...but through the humble-silence of action. So how does this tie-in to my trip the Adirondacks I took this weekend with four of my best friends? Well I was thinking of how writing this article, or these "words", is almost an insult to the memory...How is this so? It is so because I could never describe the beauty and the emotion that occurred in my mind and heart with every step I took through the cold, crystal-y snow....
The only way you could truly experience such a feeling is by coming to this location yourself with companions of your own...With that being said, how do I justify the "words" I write... Well I'm not sure if I can but I will try...I believe it is when words encourage actions of goodness is when they are in there purest form...And through this entry I encourage you to experience this place yourself with friends or family and create a memory of your own... So without further ado... This was our trip to the Adirondack Mountains....

Our trip began like how most do - stuffing an automobiles trunk with heavy-bags while attempting to leave enough room between the luggage and the car ceiling so the driver has a clear view through his back window. Once we were packed up, we had a reasonable departure right around 9:30 am, originally planned for 9 o'clock. I was gleeful, ready to enjoy the beautiful scenery with some of the greatest people I've ever known, my friends, by name, Mac, Pete, and Tristan. All inwhich I have known since a very young age. Tristan's family has a camp in the Adirondacks and he invited us there for a weekend of hiking, eating, and of coarse, drinking. His place is a nice lodge with multiple bedrooms, a kitchen, a living room, an upstairs, and a cabin separate from the lodge with extra bunking. It is a very home-y place and served as the perfect headquarters for our adventure into the great New York woods.

I would say the scenery was "breath-taking" but for the sake of original thought, I'd rather say it was "breath-giving" because it is locations like this one that truly show the wonders of the natural world... So "breath-giving" rather then "breath-taking", in that it gives me a reason to live and gives me a reason to take another breath of fresh air. And that's exactly what it was, a breath of some of the freshest air I've ever had. There is more meaning in that saying then you might think...

We spent our first full day hiking the marvelous terrain with a sense of great appreciation and thanks. It was truly humbling. As I was walking, I had many moments of clarity, and waves of happiness. I could feel the rhythm in my footsteps and the planting of my hiking poles into the crisp snow. It was indescribable, so I won't attempt to do so in to much detail. I will only encourage you to try it for yourself, and once you have, or if you already have, then you will know what I am talking about... You know, you will have walked in my footsteps...and maybe even my snowshoes...Literally, you might, I rented those snowshoes.. You might get the same ones (zinger alert!!!)..

Once the day turned into night, I cooked us up some chicken cutlets while Tristan made rice and beans, and together we enjoyed our meal until we were filled. During this time, and continuing after, we found ourselves drinking beer & Jameson, playing Euchre, and discussing politics, along with the state of our society. My friends are very insightful when it comes to current events and ethical beliefs. I have learned a great deal from each of them, and I'm not just saying that because they are my friends. I feel as though they are extremely knowledgeable people and I give them much credit for my own thirst for knowledge and quest for wisdom. I have not made many friends since I have come
to know them. When we are together we can exercise our brains in a way I've never experienced in any classroom... There is something different from a group of friends, and your brethren, as if they where God sent...

Although we don't always agree with each-others political standpoints, our beliefs, or faith. We do all share one thing in common, and it is extremely obvious we all do... And that is our love for humanity and the concern for the future of our world... Our collective consciousness is very strong because of that... You have to admit, no one person has the answers to life, but as a group of minds we are able to conversant and rebuttal each-other in-order to carefully craft words and ideas backed by sense and reason, rather then impulsiveness or self-gain...

So what did I take from this trip? As corny as it sounds, and although my friends might not agree with me, which I respect and understand... I take the fact that this weekend brought me much, much, closer to God and his word. Not because I uncovered more mysteries of the Holy Text, but because this experience gave me the insight and wisdom needed to take the teachings of what I knew and exploit those ideas to the fullest... All for the love of humanity... All for the love of God...