Yesterday, I drove an hour to Natural Bridge State Park with the intention of putting in 5-7 miles of hiking. I have discovered that spending time in nature and getting some exercise is a great combination that can help quiet my mind, foster communion with God, and release any pent-up stress.

However, as I arrived, I quickly noticed that the park had much more snow and ice than we had back in Richmond. I knew it would be a bit dangerous, but I had driven an hour, so I wanted to make the most of it. I made my way up the treacherous (icy) half-mile trail to the Bridge, spent some time at the top, and then slid back down (slipping a lot and falling onto my back twice).

The pictures I took and the video are worth sharing. I hope you enjoy them.

It started like this.
Soon, it was nothing but ice. And since the trail is very rarely flat, I was sliding all over the place (and holding onto the rail or clinging to trees most of the time).
After about 25 minutes, I was nearing the bridge. It normally would take 10-15 minutes to get to this point.
This was nothing but ice, and I took a bad fall here on the way back down.
Thirty minutes to hike a half-mile trail and I’m almost there.
“I’ve reached the top!”
Standing on top of the bridge and looking at Lookout Point. Typically, I would’ve run into dozens of people by the time I got to the spot. But I had only seen three people when I took this picture.
A picture of the Bridge from Lookout Point. I had still only seen three people so far, two of whom can be seen on the edge of the Bridge on the left.
The cliff is mere feet from the trail. In some places, the trail was completely covered with ice. I wanted to go to Lover’s Leap, but the trail became fully ice-covered and angled toward the cliff. If I started sliding, I would have gone over the edge because there were no trees to break my fall. It wasn’t worth it, so I turned around.
Heading back across the bridge.
Pretty cool picture below the Bridge after making my way through Fatman’s Squeeze.
Going down the trail toward the Lodge was more dangerous than coming up. I had uncontrolled skids a few times and fell hard a couple of times. Other than a bloody knee and sore muscles, I made it down safely.
My GPS watch tracked my hike.

And one last thing. Six months ago, on August 8, Kim and I took my Mom to Natural Bridge for a fun day and an easy hike. I had no idea we would only have her for six short months before God called her Home. I miss her dearly but look forward to seeing her again in Heaven one day.

With Mom on the Sky Lift.
With Kim and Mom on Lookout Point. The Bridge is in view behind us.