Visiting Canaan

The mist rose from the valley to make the whole mountain into a magical forest. The virgin pines and hemlocks stood tall and straight, reaching their branches into the heavens. They appeared to have been on the land since the beginning of time- certainly since pioneers first roamed the woodlands. On the way up the mountain, small streams and waterfalls were seen along the roadside, some of them flowing from beneath an outcrop of rock. One of the waterfalls was hiding in a cave, the opening completely exposed to the road. I guess you could call the little paths “roads”. They seemed more like tiny trails cut into the side of the enormous hillside, so narrow that remaining on them required a miracle from God. One dare not meet another vehicle coming in the opposite direction. Something had to give, because there was no passing! Everyone came to a standstill until the bravest one could reverse his direction until he came to a wide place in the road, making passing possible. The drivers must be skilled and capable of maneuvering his vehicle with precision.


Upon reaching the pinnacle of the mountain, one was presented with a breathtaking sight. A lodge constructed of huge chestnut logs stood atop the apex, surrounded by those same ancient trees, dwarfing the lodge in their majesty. The smell of the pines and firs permeated the surrounding atmosphere, stimulating the senses. A veranda with a porch floor made of wide boards encompassed the front of the lodge. Two dozen rocking chairs appeared to have been there for years, and across the top of the porch hung 20 or 30 hummingbird feeders. Every one of them was covered in visiting birds, their humming clearly audible to all who cared to pass time away just rocking. The tiny visitors were so accustomed to people that they sometimes would buzz their heads or light on their shoulders for a few seconds. The interaction between man and the jewel-like birds was fun to watch.

Also lolling on the porch were two giant great Danes. Their size was intimidating, but they were gentle as lambs. All they required was a lot of food and a tousle of their heads occasionally.

It seemed that time stood still on that porch. Cares of the world were banished. Before one realized it, the day was over, and it was time to attempt that treacherous trail to the bottom of the mountain and back to the reality of living.

Dark seemed to come early on the mountain, and so did the end to our visit.