Keith and Mary take on the Porcupine Mountains: Lake of the Clouds

 Thankfully, after the fun off-roading adventure to Rock Cut, the actual visitor's center and check-in process was a breeze at the Porcupine State Park.  

After checking into our backcountry camping reservations, we grabbed some maps and drove up to the Lake of the Clouds overlook where the truck would stay parked for two nights.  I would love to see this place in the full color of fall and the pristine quietness of winter snow.  The first is doable, but the latter may be a challenge as the park closes the road to drive up there for the winter.

Keith and I rearranged our backpacks and off we went down the trail to our first campsite for the night right on Lake of the Clouds. 

The walk down to the site was peaceful and perfect.  The sun shined through the trees like a beacon.

As we entered the trail to the campsites, Keith noticed a little mouse sitting on a small boardwalk.  The sweet thing was so confused about life that I just HAD to lift it up and give it some encouragement. I wanted to bring it with me as a pet, but Keith was nice enough to talk me out of that because I was already carrying Sasquatch on my back. 

That first night in the Porkies was perfect. It wasn't too hot nor too cold.  We got to start a fire, wade in the Lake of the Clouds and watch the sun dance off the trees.

For some reason, Keith and I woke up before the sun.  We sipped coffee - which is the one thing I forgot, how do I forget coffee???? (thanks for sharing, Keith) and took our time to get packed up.  This was perfect because we were blessed by a bald eagle flying the length of the lake as the sun started to crest the trees.  I wish I could have gotten a picture of it soaring, but honestly, I was in awe of God's blessing upon us that morning, that I didn't even think about getting my phone until after it was too far away.

Somewhere around 8 am, we were packed up and ready to climb back up the overlook to drop off some trash, grab more food, and begin the next leg of the hike down Big Carp Trail.

While at the truck, we met a couple from Indiana who started asking us some questions.  They were really nice and gave us instant coffee.  We talked with them a big longer than what was planned, but it was nice to have a friendly conversation.  It also didn't hurt that they were probably a few years older than us and thought I was in my early twenties.  That truly made my day. 

Once they left, Keith and I continued our adventure that will be continued in another post in a few days.

Dusting Off

One of the many things I love about people is that we are so very different in dynamics.  How absolutely boring would our world (and lives) be if we were all the same?  There would be no point in asking questions as we would already know the answers.  

We would all love the same things.

Hate the same things.

Fall the same way.

What is terrible about this scenario is that we would not know any better.

God didn't create us to be all the same.  He made us different.  Unique.  Complicated.

For a reason.

Maybe it is to love more people?  Help more people?  Cherish more people?

Maybe it is to love our circle more.  Help our circle more?  Cherish our circle more?

Some are called to go out and do.  Others are called to stay and do.  That is OKAY.

Want to know what else is OKAY?

Having highs and lows.

Asking God why?

Yelling at God.

Screaming at God.

Questioning God.

He created us with minds that are so inquisitive.  Always wanting to know more.  Always searching for more.  Always demanding more.

When we don't get answers, guess what, it is OKAY.

It's OKAY to feel down.  Defeated.  In the slumps.

If we never felt like that in our lives, then how can God lift us up?

If we never face trials, how can God get us through them?

If we never know what it is to need, how can God fill it?

If we are never weak and weary, how can God renew our strength?

I truly believe in my heart that we have to feel it all to appreciate it all to help others go through it all.  

Isaiah 40: 28-31 says:

Do you now know?  Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

God doesn't expect us to be strong and agile all the time.  That is his job.  

He doesn't want us to fall, but when we do, he is there to pick us up, help dust us off, and gives us strength to continue on the journey ahead.

It is my hope that we can celebrate and learn from the highs and lows in our lives.  That we may feel thankful and blessed for having the opportunity to experience them, learn from them, and help God lift others up through them.