On June 25, 2017 Chris and I hiked for the first time together from the base of the mountain to Benton Falls, about an 8 mile round trip.

About a year later on May 27, 2018 we did the hike again, but went further to the lake at the top, about a 12 mile round trip. On this trip we noticed a trail that went off to the side and on it was a pile of stones. We approached it and it became clear that this was built of by someone perhaps not too long before. It seemed clear it is modeled after the Ebenezer from 1st Samuel 7:12. What made it obvious was that two sticks were tied together with a band to form a cross and placed on the top of the stones.

As we were on the return path of our May 23, 2021 hike, we saw the same trail and found the stones. It was clear that someone had pushed them over. It seems reasonable that the party that did this might have been less than enamored seeing a public display of the cross and probably had no idea about why the stones were built up.

I did look around and a few feet from the pile was the same cross from years ago as the band was still on the sticks. So while the rocks were not built back up, the cross is again on the top of the rocks.

Yes, this is just symbolism, but the person who was on the cross being symbolized still reigns. The creator who stepped into His creation still sustains it this day (Colossians 1:17). It is a joy to be reminded of this by a pile of rocks and some sticks.

It is also a joy that others years ago share the joy of the Creator.