"I'm too old for this !$%#%!" Complaining loudly to no one in particular, a hiker came into view 50 or 60 feet below me.
"How old are you?" I called. George (79) and I (55) were coming down from the summit of Picacho Peak, the site of the western-most battle of the Civil War. We were walking. The only mountain climbing gear we had were walking sticks made from the stalks of an agave.
The photo to the left is deceiving. You'll get a sense of the height and size of the mountain when I tell you that those tiny vertical green lines are saguaro cactus the size of telephone poles.
From the perspective of this photo, not one person in a hundred would think of trying to get to the summit with two legs and a walking stick. George has stood on the very top of that rock outcropping at least 17 times. (His legs are better than his memory, so it may be more than 17 times. He can't remember.)
The swearing hiker looked up, startled, when he heard my question. "47," he yelled. He stopped swearing. "Well, I'm 55, and my friend is 79. We're coming down from the summit." By this time, we were all close enough to stop yelling. "I should have worn better shoes, I think," said the hiker, looking at our boots. "No, you're fine" said George, "there's a six year old on the summit, and he's wearing sneakers."
The first picture is taken from the south, looking north. From that perspective, a hike to the top is impossible. That's how a lot of my colleagues are looking at their businesses right now.
The photo on the left doesn't tell the whole story either. And that's the point of my post. No single perspective gives us all we need to know in life in order to succeed. We have to look at things from all angles.
This perspective--the one on the left--beckons the hiker to switch back across the more gentle easterly slope to reach the saddle on the right of the photo. It looks possible, and so it is.
Only from the perspective of the saddle, once it's reached, can you see that the westerly slope provides a relatively easy stairway to the top, which is flat and broad, narrowing to a point at the southerly-most tip.
Now look at the first picture again. It's not so intimidating any more, is it? Not when someone who's been there tells you how it's done. I appreciate all the bloggers who take the time to "tell me how it's done!" What great people you are!
Now I have to go read your Real Estate blogs. If you're reading this on Localism, shoot me an email!
I'm Mike in Tucson, your preferred Tucson, AZ mortgage lender.
I show up ON TIME. I do WHAT I SAY I'm going to do. I FINISH what I start. If I mess up, I 'FESS UP & I fix it. In the mortgage business, these 4 things are why you'll want to do business with me.
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More Photos from the Memorial Day Hike in the Santa Catalina Mountains, Tucson, Arizona
Memorial Day Hike: Mt. Lemmon Summit to Catalina State Park (Part 4)
Memorial Day Hike: Mt. Lemmon Summit to Catalina State Park (Part 3)
Memorial Day Hike: Mt. Lemmon Summit to Catalina State Park (Part 2)
Memorial Day Hike Down Mt. Lemmon to Catalina State Park, Tucson, Arizona (Part 1)
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Great posting and a wonderful way to say thanks.
Your welcome Mike............Glad you are sharing information with all of us too.
Duane Hosek in the Black Hills of South Dakota
Good photos. Glad you enjoyed the climb. Thanks for sharing.
How Beautiful..How is it possible that I am an AZ native and have yet to hike that peak?!?
Jason, thanks for visiting and commenting.
Duane, igualmente!
Bob & Carolin, I visited your blog and subscribed. Thanks for visiting.
Dawn, it's only an hour south of you! I think it's under the National Park system. Very friendly, like the folks in Tucson. C'mon down and get your feet dry!
Mike, it is 5:55 in the morning for me, I have my first cup of java, and was drawn in by the beautiful photos to your post. I'm SO glad I read it. What an inspiration and a great way to start my day. Loved this quote btw: ""No, you're fine" said George, "there's a six year old on the summit, and he's wearing sneakers."
Thank you :-)
Mike: Another great adventure and I always feel like I've actually experienced these hikes myself when I read your blogs. What a good segway into acknowledging the truly good people of Active Rain. I, too, appreciate more than they will ever know, those who have been so kind and so helpful. Thank you Mike and thanks to all the good rainers!
Love it, love it, love it!!! Funny, inspiring, and very relevant. Your friend sounds like a great time...it's always nice to hear a story with a twist to our business. Thanks for sharing.
Excellent post. I gave it a 5. Well written and point well made. Thanks for posting it.
Kris, thanks for commenting on George's remark. He's 84 now, and can't hike any longer, but his dry sense of humor hasn't diminished one bit!
Donna, people like you are what make the Rain community so warm, special, and USEFUL! Thank you!
Irene, I'm glad you loved it! How encouraging. Thank you.
Judi, Thanks for the 5! You're welcome.
Mike...Every post I read shows an amazing perception...I enjoy them thoroughly! Thanks for a wonderful perspective!
PS ...to answer your previous post...I've decided my brand phrase will be "this smile's for you"...what do you think?
Joan, it's a wonderful, heart-warming brand! Thanks for visiting and commenting.
Hello, Mike! What a wonderful and inspiring way to express your thanks. I think the feeling is mutual. Thank you for your contribution to AR.
Mike, you stated "No single perspective gives us all we need to know in life in order to succeed. We have to look at things from all angles" Wise words......thank you..
Yolanda, thank you! I appreciate your contribution too.
Kathy, you're welcome. Thanks for visiting and commenting.
Mike, Great post -- love the pictures and love the story. What a great way to say thank you. I enjoy reading your posts.
Judi, thank you!
Mike - the word "impossible" isn't even in my vocabulary!!!
Wow I guess the only way I ever see what you saw on the top of those mountains is in cyberspace . Thanks for sharing.
Great post and great perspective, I love the views...how stunning! :-) Well done for achieving it!
Fantastic post! Loved the photos and the idea behind their feature in your post even more! You're absolutely right and thanks for sharing! I can see Picacho Peak from my home but I've never tried to climb it. Bravo!
Jack, you're my kind of guy! When I run into someone as positive as you, it makes me wonder: "What did his dad do for a living? How did his folks raise him, to make him so positive." I've actually asked this question dozens of times. The most surprising answer was from a young man who responded: "My Dad's doing 20 years to life for murder. I made up my mind that I was going to be different." Thanks for visiting and commenting.
Dionne, thanks for visiting and commenting. Cyberspace is great, isn't it?
British Homes Group, thank you. Interesting profile name; I'll visit you.
Sarah, Thanks for your comment. I have a property (vacant land) listed in Eloy. Maybe you and I should speak after Labor Day.
Mike in Tucson
Jack, thanks for the great post. I needed to read something like this. Timing could not have been better!
Thanks Mike ... never say quit, just find another angle of approach.
Nick, you're welcome! I'm glad the timing was good.
Larry, thanks for visiting and commenting!
Very inspirational, Thanks!
Thanks, Jeff! Inspiration comes in may forms. I get a lot of mine from reading the blogs of wonderful people like you. I'm off to see what's happening on your blog!
Mike in Tucson
Instead of thinking it's impossible I prefer to think of it as I'll be the first to achieve it! I absolutely agree with you with... it's all about your perspective. Great post by the way.
Vince, thanks for the compliment. I visited your profile and blog, and I've added you as an associate. It's good to hear from you.