
I got to the park late as the sun was almost setting and wasn't sure about stopping or not. The Visitor/Info center was closed but I was able to find a ranger and ask him about hiking whether it was safe to go alone or not. He assured me the 1.3 mile hike around the base of the Tower was.

The small parking lot was nearly empty, only two cars. Starting out, I passed only one other couple completing the hike and returning to their car - and then it was silent! I walked the rocky path and experienced that awesome feeling of complete quiet . . . I let my thoughts just flow . . .


. . . then I turned a corner and found this sign along the path and that's when I thought I heard voices . . . I looked up and could barely see two climbers high up on the tower, nearly at the top!
I finished my hike in the twilight, the eastern side was shady and nearly dark. The mile+ solitary hike wasn't lonely, I felt invigorated and renewed. I was so happy I decided to make the hike after all. I wanted to drive back to the Tower park in the morning and buy a hiking stick medallion as my souvenir. I was looking forward to seeing more of the park and maybe experiencing a little of that relaxing soundlessness again.
Purchasing my medallion in the quiet gift shop early the next morning, I suddenly heard a loud commotion outside - dozens of voices. The sales clerk said, "Oh, it must be Tuesday - the tourist busses are arriving".


No comments:
Post a Comment