I just returned from Red Lake, Canada in Northern Ontario. It was quite a journey, but well worth the effort. To get there we drove to Cleveland Airport, flew to Minneapolis, changed planes and flew to Winnipeg, rented a truck, drove six hours north, boarded a chartered amphibious plane and flew another hour into the wilderness. The best fishing was when we left the big lake where our cabin (very rustic) was located, portaged another half hour and then cast our lines into Hidden Lake. One day, in the span of four hours, the two of us in our boat caught 53 fish! Big fish! (For those of us who are environmental enthusiasts, yes, we returned all but our dinner back to the lake.)
This trip was especially meaningful to me because I took my dad to celebrate his 70th birthday. I’d been talking about making a trip with him to Canada for a number of years and finally thought, “He’s not getting any younger.” Not that I am either. Why do we keep putting the really important stuff off?
A couple of trip highlights . . . We were able to see American Eagles in the wild. I mean huge Bald Eagles soaring out of the sky with claws extended to carry away fish for their families. And there were loons. When I listened to their despondent cry I wondered if God was lonely when He created them? I don’t think I’ve ever heard a more beautiful yet singular sound. The surprise came one evening at sunset when I heard two loons, side by side on the lake, begin to laugh together. It was an amazing song.
Oh, and did I mention that we were unplugged? (Which is why I haven’t written in awhile.) No cell phones. No Internet access. No newspapers. No touch with the outside world. Quiet is a wonderful restorative.
Each morning I would get up at six and walk down to our dock. Mist would be rising off the water. Pastels would be sprayed across the lake from the pallette of the rising sun. And virtual silence. I would sit alone with my Father–the One in Heaven. Song lyrics kept repeating themselves through my head and heart: Everywhere I go I see You. Everywhere I go I see You.
And now I’m home. Of course it’s good to be back with Julie and Tabs. The challenge will be to keep the lyrics repeating: Everywhere I go I see You. Everywhere I go I see You.
Beautiful!! I can just picture the mist hovering over the lake with the sunrise trying to peek through. It’s so easy to see God in those moments. The real task is to see Him in our everyday moments, everywhere we go!
I don’t know if you’re consciously working on it , or if it’s just a result of all the reading you do, but your writing has become steadily more engaging and picturesque. Might we soon be reading a Greg Nettle book? That would be exciting, but if not, I’ll continue to enjoy the blog.
Keep it up!
That sounds cool! I love how the Lord created all of these things. He certainly is creative!
The Lord sent 2 Barred Owls to live at my place…in the trees, of course. They’re both Barred Owls. They moved in this summer. All night long they call to each other. I like to sit out on my front stoop and listen to them going back and forth. One fella says, “Hooo-aaaaaah”; the other guys answers, “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for y’all?” One night I laughed and said, “Lord, thanks for the owls! That’s just so NEAT!” I’ve never heard or seen an owl before except at the zoo. Now I’ve seen 1 and heard 2!
Doesn’t it just make your day when He shows you such cool stuff He’s made??!
WoW Guy!
You sure do travel a lot. How do you do life squeezed in between trips?
I agree with anonymous. You should write a book and donate all of the proceeds to Compassion.
My personal opinion, the book should have something to do with travel.
You got the skills,use them.
2nanomous