Sweating and panting in the midday sun, my spirits quickly lift upon seeing the marvelous structure before me. The massive tree has been uprooted by some awesome force and fallen across the trail. I'm delighted by the rangers' creative solution and cannot begin to express the joy I feel as I step on each slab and make my way across them. Putting my hand on the fallen sentinel, I feel a tinge of melancholy. We all fall, old boy. Sooner or later. Your watch is over.
Invigorated by the surprising discovery, I take a sip of cool water, adjust the straps on my backpack, then carry on my journey.
Part 1