Kesugi Ridge

Labor Day weekend we met some friends to hike Kesugi Ridge, one of our favorite places to backpack in Alaska. A gorgeous ridgeline in the Denali State Park, just off the Parks Hwy, south of Denali, Kesugi Ridge offers spectacular views of "The Great One", Denali. The tallest mountain in North America gives you reason to pause, reflect and appreciate the natural beauty of the world we live in.

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As I pieced together photos from our trip I kept reflecting upon the metaphor of having a "mountain top" experience. We go to the mountains to get away and find peace. “We are standing in a place of peace, this is how the world should be.” (Bebo Norman, Walk Down this Mountain) Time spent on the mountain is time to reflect, renew and rejoice in what the world should be. Hiking in the mountains isn't easy; our feet were wet, we post-holded through snow fields up to our thighs and we baked in the sun until our skin was glowing. Yet, we did this with smiles on our faces because of the beauty that surrounded us and the company we were keeping. We didn't come to the mountains alone, we did it with friends, and that is how we walk down the mountain and face the world once again.

God is everywhere and you can meet Him anywhere, but sometimes it takes going to the mountains to remember how to listen. Thank goodness I live in Alaska surrounded by mountains, because I often need to remember how to listen!