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In desperation I tried my cell phone, but of course
there was no service on “wilderness mountain.”
By this time, I was terrified; but I just had to keep it
together and do the impossible.

Gently maneuvering myself out of the car, I
breathed a long slow sigh of relief. At least my feet
were on firm ground, but what next.
Trying to go back down the hill on foot did not
seem a good option, it was a long way and I had not
seen a building. I had to keep going upward.

There had been a sign for the hostel; there must be
something ahead on the road.
Then I noticed, a path leading toward the top of the
hill; it had to be faster than the twisting road.

I felt sure, at least I hoped, that I would find help at
the top of the hill. Slipping and crawling, I made my
way with my heart pounding and my body wet and
weary.

As I reached the top of the mountain, the rain
continued to pour from the darkening sky and made it
impossible to survey the area for the hostel in the dark.

The top of this mountain appeared to be covered
only in low brush except for one majestic old tree that
had seemed to beckon me and assisted my climb with
its large exposed roots.
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