A New Path

Approaching the summit of Mount Katahdin, the highest point in Maine, I couldn’t believe my good fortune. Day One of my thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail and God was al-ready blessing my hike with his powerful presence!

The hair on my arms stood up. I felt an electric charge in the air. I could see the sign marking the summit. I was starting at the northern terminus of the storied trail, and this was my first day’s goal. Was this what folks mean when they talk about “trail magic”?

Then I looked up and saw a massive thunderhead directly above the summit. The wind picked up, and the electricity in the air intensified.

I wasn’t having a direct encounter with God! This wasn’t trail magic! I was blundering into a thunderstorm atop an exposed peak. A mistake only a rookie hiker would make.

A rookie hiker like me.

Next minute, I was engulfed. Hail pounded down. Stupidly, I ran to the summit, got a picture of myself