"Life is lived forward, but understood backward. It is not until we are down the road and we stand on the mountain looking back through the valley that we can appreciate the terrain God has allowed us to scale.” Jill Savage

Monday, August 10, 2009

Grand Denali Lodge

The burrell wood - naturally forming 'knots' in the wood - they leave it there for the unusual beauty.

The Grand Denali Lodge - my resting place for two days. It was at the top of the mountain looking down into the city of Denali.

I arrived around 4pm in Denali, got off the train, the Grand Denali Lodge came and picked up my luggage and brought it to my room (it was wonderful), the bus came and picked me up - and off I went up the curved road to the Grand Denali Lodge. Now I was lucky and stayed in a two room cabin instead of the lodge itself. That night the bus came and got me and off I went to a dinner play about the Gold Rush in Alaska.

The man below on the left was out table leader and every time we needed anything he had to raise and twirl his red and white napkin around in the air to call our girl over.

They sang and had us sing. They told the story of the Gold Rush. The bar tender - a cute young gal - would come and kiss the guys for $1 and leave a great big red lipstick kiss on them.

It was family style - tea, salad, ribs, salmon, corn, rolls, and blueberry cobbler. Now I walked out around 10:30pm to catch the bus back up the mountain to the cabin.

When I walked outside it was broad daylight. Talking about being confused and not tired. It's hard to be tired with daylight abounding.

Ever hear this by Goethe? Here's a little "Secret" for you . . .

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back-- Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now."

I heard this about 20 years ago. I've read it and read it and read it and read it again. It always sounded so good and so powerful. It's hard to explain, but I think I'm 'just' beginning to understand it.

May this give us something to think about . . . something to dream about. . .something to commit too. . . . then Providence will move too.

Chatty

4 comments:

^..^Corgidogmama said...

Looks like an awesome place to spend a few days. Denali was always mentioned in the Sue Henry books that I've read. YOu've got some powerful quotes in here today. Very thought provoking!

ClassyChassy said...

Very nice pictures - would love to see it in person some day! This week we are incapacitated - huge storms wiping out 250 yr old trees - power lines down due to straight line winds taking down groves of trees! No power for us until Thurs, they say, IF we are LUCKY! Probably will not post till next week. We have no running water, no generator, and cooking on the grill!!! Hope our freezer food does not spoil. Prayers welcome. Will write when we get power back!!! Miss you!

Buttercup said...

Denali definitely has to go on my list of places to visit!

Chatty Crone said...

ClassyChassy - I am so sorry to hear about your storms, power lines, trees down, no power, running water, generator, or stove! I wondered where you were. We take electricity for granted don't we? Hate to hear 250year old tress going down. Miss you and prayers are going to sent tonight.

CDM - I got a coupon from Barnes and Noble and I'm going to get one of her books this weekend. I'm a bookaholic.

Buttercup - you'd love Denali.