Glory of the Earth

I went hiking today in the Spanish Peaks. My dad and I reached Mirror Lake, 14 miles round trip (and we were done by 12 noon =). After the snowfall last night everything up there was white and beautiful. I had never reached a high mountain lake in the winter, and if it wasn't so cold I would think people would always camp in the winter because of the spectacular views. Everyone would have to use snowshoes, though, and pack food for a week in case they got snowed in. Thankfully for me, the two or three inches was just enough to cover the icy lake, the trees, and the ground without making hiking impossible. The vista like the one I enjoyed this morning and the raw physical exertion leave me with a very satisfied feeling. It's wonderful to spend time outside, and I mean in the wilderness outside.
Oh, I nearly forgot. Yesterday I went over a mountain pass in the same region that had a lot more snow. For those of you who haven't run with your horse down a mountain slope through four feet of snow have missed out on one of life's joys. I'm dead serious. I'm not sure we could have stopped the controlled tumble if we wanted to - looking back at the hill I would have classified it as a black diamond ski run. The horses' bellies were in the snow it was so deep; and this was the only way down (except back, but who wants to go back?). The whole experience was a little scary at the time, but looking back it seems like the coolest thing in the world. I hope someone up there sees our tracks.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!