Easter Solace

Millions of people the world over spend Easter Sunday celebrating God's promise of hope and new beginnings by dressing in their finest attire and attending a church of their choice. My husband and I, much in need of reassurance of a better future, decided to spend this special Sunday renewing our souls in the greatest and most awe-inspiring cathedral of all: God's great outdoors. It was time to make a spring pilgrimage to the backcountry.

We wakened in time to see a glorious sunrise brighten powder puff clouds to a delicate pink. Light morning breezes promised a fine flying day, so we packed a picnic lunch and headed to the airport. The airplane was waiting quietly in the hangar, ready to transport us to another world just over the mountains to the west. We checked her over carefully and pulled her out into the sunshine to warm up a bit. Her bright red, black and white coat sparkled. We loaded our lunch, survival gear (just in case), and dog, started the engine and enjoyed the throaty chuckle of pistons warming up to go.

As we accelerated down the runway in the cool morning air, we could feel our craft dancing in anticipation, eager to leap into the sky. Our hearts lifted with her, leaving cares and burdens behind us on the ground. Even the earth's atmosphere cooperated with our need for rest and relaxation, providing a smooth ride with nary a ripple even above the jagged peaks we skimmed over into the wilderness.

The snow below us was still deep and creamy, sculpted into cornices along the granite ridgetops. There was no sign yet of the annual pink spring rivulets of blooming algae. We saw a few animal tracks, perhaps of wolves searching for a meal. Long-legged elk and moose were still inhabiting the lower canyons, staying out of snow that would hinder their escape. Soon we were circling the emerald green rectangle of landing strip at our favorite wilderness hideaway, checking for animals and the wind direction. After the rush and blur of final approach over the treetops, the wheels of the plane kissed the sun-warmed grass. We shut down the engine, just listening for a moment to the peace and quiet around us, letting it permeate our souls.

We spent the day walking, listening to the rush of the rising creek, watching birds flirt in courtship, soaking up sunshine, drinking coffee, talking quietly, and recharging our inner batteries. As the sun disappeared over the mountains looming to the west, we reluctantly packed up and climbed into the airplane for the return trip to civilization and its problems. This was a day to treasure, a special jewel to pull from memory in the future when life's gloomiest hours needed a ray of sunshine promising hope and solace.

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