Thinking it'd take about 40 mins to get to the top, I made frequent pit stops to admire the view behind me and whipped up a really quick sketch when I could. The path was narrow, so I had to be mindful of other travellers. I bumped into Patrick on the way up and he said it'd probably be another hour plus. So I kept going minus the sketching. An hour passed, and I was still walking, wondering how long more I'd take. I had no GPS, no map, I was alone, no watch to keep track of time, and furthermore... it was a school day! :D
As I inched upwards, I could almost see more dirt track ahead of me. That kept me going. I was reflecting on this and it kind of became a metaphor for my current journey towards Imagineering. I had no idea what was up there, but I enjoyed the journey with so much to see especially from a higher elevation. I met fellow trekkers on the way that reminded me that there are others on the journey.
90 minutes and still no sign of the top. I wondered to myself a lot... How much longer? And like life, there were so many distractions: Will I be back in time to do some work before class later? Will I have enough water left? Will I have enough time to go buy groceries for the Thanksgiving dinners (yes... two) I'm preparing tomorrow? What if a deer jumped out of no where and starts charging at me? Or if a snake slid up and nit me? All these thoughts on top of the fact that it was getting hotter.
I decided to ask the next trekker how much farther. I got my answer 10 minutes later, "You're pretty close... 10 maybe 15 minutes," she says. With that sudden burst of energy, I realised I was climbing faster. Also the width of the route became tighter and steeper. This always happens when I'm just around the bend of something awesome.
20 minutes passed. 25.... still no sign of the summit. The air was getting thinner, my pulse heavier, my water bottle - two gulps lefts. This was when I told myself. Forget school, forget the work, I'm right around something really awesome!
Just then, I saw something industrial in the midst of the organic shapes ahead of me. It was a sign!! And just further up more, the peak of Echo Point. I saw a trail of rusted metal chunks from the former Mount Lowe Railway leading up to Echo Point House. Only the foundation is left, due to the 1938 floods! This is where I believe many would have gone, "That's it?"
But for me, I pictured a revitalised turn of the century amusement park with the old tram and cable car system running. I hear an echoey audio of the old style amusement park soundtrack and rides with children screaming cheerfully. Also there are eateries and games stalls for the happy families that come up here to take a break.
Just then, two trekkers that had just arrived the top asked me if I knew the directions to another higher altitude. Of of them pointed to the higher plains and said, "Over there, you get better bird's eye views." Not surprising that it's named Inspiration Point.
On my way down, my mind was occupied trying to build this fun getaway. It was then I got my answer - keep moving forward especially when things seem to be going against your flow, you'll never know what's around the bend and it's a good way to check what you really want and have passion for. :D
