The shortness of this message may be the best indicator of the day.  Driving to Sylvan Lake State Park to the trail head to the top.  We had  two choices, trail #4 and #9.  Since both arrived at the top and both covered similar territory.  You’d think that wouldn’t you?!  Wrong!

We picked one of the hardest trails to the top and we all showed it by the time we arrived.  Total time from the time we left the parking lot until we  returned was 6.5 hours to cover 6.25 miles mostly up!  But we were rewarded with a spectacular view at the top, but that fact fell mostly on deaf ears for those who were struggling.  The good news!  We all made it.  We supported, encouraged, even back tracked the trail with water and poweraid to help everyone make it to the top.  Black Elk found this to be his spiritual center much as Sweet Medicine found his spiritual medicine at Bear Butte.

After finding our way to the bottom we spent an hour or so swimming at the lake (the guys got to jump off the rocks).  We left for home, some shopping, and our closing ceremony.

Our evening has been filled with laughter and tears as we’ve reflected on the week.  We walked the labyrinth one last time and said the prayer of four directions in the center.  The kids designed the service and wrote the sermon.  We’re all asking for pictures.  The adults fixed a steak dinner and we all ate together.

We’re on the road to Marietta and St. Catherine’s in the morning.

This has been an intense week. Much of what we’ve learned about each other and our Native American brothers and sisters remains to be explored and realized.  The journey has been profound and an eye opening experience.  There are two memories of the week that seem most profound as I write this note.  First, the kids have engaged the week head on.  They have taken it seriously and have on more than one occasions had a profound view of what they were seeing and experiencing.  As one of our pilgrims said tonight at the Eucharist – the week has been about climbing mountains both real and emotional.

Second, your support as a congregation has meant so much to these pilgrims.  Each morning we read your e-mails either during morning devotions or during our ride to our place of journey for the day.  Your words, thoughts, and prayers have bolstered each and every one of us.  We can’t thank you enough!

We leave in the morning for home.  We are both sad and ready.  Sad that we will leave this sacred land and sacred place behind.  The glare of Atlanta will be a shock for us to re-enter.  Ready because we are ready to see our moms, dads, and spouses.  We are ready to be home and embraced by those who love us.

                       We will see you on Sunday.
 

Here we are ready to climb.  We look very confident for a group that is about to pick the wrong trail – it will lead to the top but a much harder way.	Some pilgrims relaxing on the way to the top.  We all relaxed quite a bit!	Believe it or not these guys are working on the sermon for tonight.  The spectacular view provided some great thoughts and words.
The girls are working on other parts of the sermon as well as enjoying lunch and the view.  We all shared noonday prayers on the mountain before beginning the climb (yes, climb) back down.	Our official pilgrimage shot after we celebrated the Eucharist and walked the labyrinth for the last time.	Our candlelit last dinner at Borderlands Ranch and Educational Center.  It is an early rise in the morning with a 6 am departure for Denver