When I think back to our first project at pinnacle mountain, so much comes to mind. The beauty of it . . . ahhh . . . there would be times when I'd put down my tools and just look around - the eye candy was everywhere. You can't help but give thanks for having eyes to take in all the colors, the freshness of spring. It had been so long since I'd seen lush, green trees and wildflowers - Texas is basically all tropical (at least where I live) and we don't see big leafy trees, more palms and vegetation that will survive the heat, so this was a treat for me. Man, what a beautiful place this world is and standing at the top of Pinnacle Mountain with the wind whispering in your ears, sun shining down - you realize how small we are and how vast everything else is. The project was nice, but at times monotoneous (spelling?) - some days I'd feel like just sitting there listening to Bob, getting drunk on sunshine then remember how much I loved the view at the top. Us working there made it a lot safer and easier for folks to reach that summit, so I'd better got my ass moving. People were really nice in Arkansas, some of the hikers do the trail daily (some crazy cats do it 2 - 3 times per day!!) and it was good hearing their input - you could tell they appreciated what we were doing and that kind of gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling. I don't think we could have asked for better sponsors, Chris and Jim were both wonderful people. Even though Chris was kind of burned out with trail work since he had been doing it so long - he kept his cool and seemed to really enjoy working with us. I hadn't talked to him much, but then on one of our last days there we talked about traveling. He was saying there was so much he wanted to see and do but kind of felt stuck, I seriously hope he gets to do all that's crossed his mind and the road is paved with much happiness. Life is too short to keep saying " . . . someday . . ." Jim on the other hand, had been doing rock work longer than Chris and still looked at every rock like it was the first he had ever put it. To him, each rock was beautiful and had a place where it should live - sometimes sandwiched between two, other times on the side alone. No matter where they were placed, each one seemed special to him. Jim was such a simple man, loved coffee, his dog, his wife's backed beans - he was definitely one of those people who makes you smile when you see them smiling. They were both such beautiful people and always seemed to be so bright-eyed and bushy tailed, ready to get the day started and work.
On our last work day I remember I was digging up some rocks that were pointing out of the ground and I noticed a tree with a big cocoon in it. The worms were so cute, building their little homes. Looking up the trail, seeing all my teammates working I kind of got this euphoric feeling for a couple of minutes. There in front of me were 10 beautiful people, all so very unique. Nobody in this world is like me or you, for we are all snowflakes just trying to catch the wind. Together we're like a small tribe traveling over the land and helping out folks along the way. I feel so incredibly blessed to be a part of this whole thing - Life I love you, all is groovy.
Vicky Coleman.