Shepherd

Koolau summit

At 3000 feet in the air high on Koolau ridgeline questions arose. After hiking up from the western side foothills our band of 5 had reached the end of the trail. The goal however and the designated pick up laid on the eastern side. The hike designated leader pointed at me and said: "Dave you take the point, make a diagonal 10 degree cut from here and find a possible path downwards."

I proceeded slowly cutting brush with the machete searching for an outlet that would not lead to getting stuck on an unnavigable cliff. At spots the drop was sheer and a misplaced step could have disastrous results. Eventually, I came upon a section that figured if sat down on my okole looking outward could inch my way carefully amidst uluhe fern and uki grass to the side of a large fluted flank which appeared to have handholds which if used properly would allow a 100-foot descent to what looked like the remnants of goat trail.

Upon reaching the flank's side I faced inward cautiously working my way down placing foot after foot digging in holds until reached till reaching a ledge that afforded the ability to monitor the others as they followed. Once all were down safely spotted a use trail that went up at an angle several feet to avoid a big drop and looked like it would soon level off afterward Luckily that was the case and we were able to bushwhack our way along the use trail until reaching our back of Kahana valley destination.

Upon doing so, the group applauded as they shouted. "Hero Dave, you the man."

Bottom of the Koolau range

I woke up with a broad smile. It was just about the best dang dream have ever had. Most dreams I don't recall and if do soon forget or if do recall just chuck such as nonsense. This one though was so vivid I pondered what if any meaning it held and where its basis come from. Possibly from hikes did long ago high in the Koolaus. or cross-country travel elsewhere. Maybe from the spending of several days time on a recent car trip in the Canadian Rockies,

Moraine Lake, Canadian Rockies

or anticipation of next summers planned Sierra wilderness trek with brother Paul and Deborah.

2019 destination - High Sierra Trail

Lots of potential sources.

Lots of possible meanings as well but for brevity sake sticking to two plausible ones.

I do not do "letting go" much if at all. After close to 9 years of retirement I still miss working and the opportunity such afforded to "make a difference." Also missed are the occasional platitudes. After all, if Betty were to go around saying stuff like "you are one of the finest to ever walk the planet" more n likely the kids would try to get their Mom into a brain cell reclamation center stat.

Deb and Josh bridge near Vancouver

Am grateful though that the awake world's hyperbolic praise (some would say bs) days of the past still remain elsewhere.

Another is that am soon to embark on what is shaping up to be the most challenging, grandest adventure of my life, One with a start but no expiration date. Am talking about becoming a friend, mentor, companion to the August and October arrival of granddaughters Rhea and Luna. I like to think that they were among the five people on the ridge that guided down to safety and the others represent their future cousins.

May the dream live on.

two beautiful Moms and a bum