For most of my life I have been drawn to the mountains - and these are some of my personal favorites. Located just south of Leadville, CO on the northern end of the collegiate peaks wilderness, this mountains frame the twin lakes region.

 

Mountains are a metaphor for so much of what I experience in life - though it is exactly the opposite of what most people think.

 

Usually when we refer to good times in life we call them mountain top experiences. While standing at the summit of a mountain may qualify for this sentiment, the climb to the top usually does not. If the mountain is high enough the climb is arduous and long. There is pain on the trail to the summit - sometimes debilitating pain.

 

When you arrive at the summit - after catching your breath - you notice something rather profound: All of the houses are in the valleys. Though we usually associate valleys with hard times - in fact life is lived in the valley.

 

But maybe, that is why we are drawn to the mountains and why the journey up is worth the pain... and why I am continually drawn back to this place - a curious climber.