After the main group had already achieved the summit of A Bluff, I worked my way back to join them, and to find my special spot.

It’s a different day. The snowy peaks of the Sangre de Cristo’s are clearly visible to the West. To the East I only see the tops of two tall spruce trees, just visible over a boulder.

I take off my coat to radiate away the heat that I generated during the climb up. Now I have to put it back on to defend against the wind.

I didn’t have to come back here. My legs hurt on the way up. “One step, then another,” I told myself. I could have turned around. No one would have known. How often would I get to do this again? With reasonable luck, maybe 5, 10, 20, 30 more times? With bad luck, never. “Better keep going,” I told myself.

SUDDENLY, the sun has had its affect. Snow and ice fall from the nearby branches with crackles and tinkles. Voices burble up from the trail below. A few sniffles emanate from hidden spots among the rocks. Other than that, it’s just a few hardy birds. The wind. Me.

Well it’s all down hill from here (unless you are hiking uphill to your special spot later this morning). It is always a joy to sit on Sunday Rock to hear the quotes from the kids written at their first trip to their special spots. That will be happening in about half an hour.

Cabin cleaning is all done and that is always an experience. (Note to self: If I volunteer anther student for toilet cleaning duty, I get picked for toilet cleaning duty. Oh man!)

I’ll try to do a final post before we depart this afternoon. I am really looking forward to getting back to my special spot, but I might not make it because I have to escort a kid back to camp to be picked up by his parents for a special event. No worries.