The rock face extends high above the tops of the trees that stand at it's base. Dave and I used to go up to McKinley Rock and just sit on top looking out over the surrounding mountain tops. It truly was a peaceful place to sit and ponder.



I returned to McKinley Rock once after Dave and I finally went our separate ways. He always hated the thought of growing up. To him it meant taking on responsibilities and having to deal with daily obligations which keep one from the simple pleasures in life.



The wind was blowing so hard that day I'd decided several times to turn around and head for home. A couple of those times I actually stopped, turned, and stared back down the trail before turning back to continue on. I knew I probably wouldn't be able to go up to our favorite sitting place on top of the rocks without being blown off.



Upon reaching McKinley Rock I walked around the base of the massive outcropping. The picture at the top of the page is just one of many that could be taken without overlapping shots. It was taken by an old school mate of mine not very long ago. When I saw the pictures on his homepage it made me think of that day.



The southeastern side of the rock actually emerges from the mountain top at about a 45 degree slant. (maybe a little less) But it's normally easy to scale that side up to the top. I finally made my way around and stood there daring myself to go up. I guess what finally made the decision for me was when I thought of Dave and how he'd likely just bolt on up the side, and the fact that he wasn't there because he'd taken on those responsibilities and obligations of life. It was then that I knew if I didn't go up there I may never get another chance... because my own life was knocking at my door.



The wind was stronger than I'd ever experienced it at the Rock... It wasn't a gusting wind, which was probably a very good thing. As it was I was having to stand leaning so heavily into it, to keep it from blowing me backward, I didn't even have to extend my arms out fully to lay my hand flat on it's surface. It was almost like climbing up the face of a cliff. Each new step had to find a purchase to catch the toe of my shoe in.



I made it all the way up to our sitting spot on the northwesterly edge and literally poked my head out over the edge while my feet were still almost a full body length away from it. I stood there for a while, with a hand on the rock surface bracing me, feeling the full force of the wind almost holding me in place.



I noticed the shadow of a large bird slowly moving across the tops of the trees down below and when I raised my head to look up the wind caught me and blew me backwards several yards. It scared the crap out of me, but as I started moving back to where I was originally standing I started playing with that wind. It was so steady I found if I let my arms drop back along my sides and cupped my hands against the force of the wind I could actually maintain my stance without much fear of falling flat on my face.



With this new found skill I slowly moved up to the edge again. Only this time I eased out farther than before. It was scary at first, but I made sure I had enough of the surface still under me that I could catch myself should the wind let up enough to let me fall forward. As long as I kept my head into the wind and didn't try to look up I was able to control myself with ease.



Little by little I began to inch my feet closer to the edge... and my body farther out over the tree tops below. My confidence was building with each new step I took closer. I had to adjust the position of my hands a couple of times as more of my body extended out over the edge of the cliff and catching more of the wind deflecting off the rocky face.



Finally, with little more than my feet and ankles still on top of the rock I decided I could control myself enough to step out over the edge and stand on the face of the cliff wall. Thinking back, I have to say it was a truly stupid thing to do, but at least I'm still here to think back on that day.

With one foot placed over the edge I paused for a moment. "You could die here." I told myself. "It's a long way down." Then, with the sudden realization that, while I stood there with one foot over the edge and the other still wedged against a small raised edge on the top, I could already have made my last mistake. What difference would it make if I took that last step?

I eased my right foot out and found placement for it where I felt securely balanced. The mere idea that I was where I was filled me with a sense of awe and anxiety. If the wind let up even the slightest I would plunge down through the tops of those trees below and possibly die before I even hit the ground.

Instead of fearful thoughts running through my mind, I found myself ponder such things as... Is this what it feels like to sky dive? and... This is probably as close to experiencing the feeling of personal flight as I'll ever get aside from the cliff diving experience I'd had. And while I was relishing that thought I saw the shadow of that massive bird again.

My first impulse was to look up to find him but I remembered the first time I'd done that. I had to accept the fact that I could only watch the shadow move along the tops of the trees. "Is this what it feels like to fly?" I even asked aloud.

Almost instantly, as if in answer to my question, the wind faltered. I felt my weight begin to fall through the wind. "Oh God!" I yelled, realizing what was happening, and adjust my arms and hands in effort to catch more of the wind that remained. As I threw my head back, I saw the eagle still hovering on the wind above me. Suddenly the wind gusted even harder than it had blown before. I don't know if it was because of the position of my head, which had caused me to be thrown back before, or simply the hand of God... but as my feet left the face of that cliff I was hurled backwards with such force that I landed approximately 25 feet from the edge.

I hit so hard it took my breath away and with such momentum I rolled nearly half way down that slanted side before I was able to stop myself.

I laid there for a long time while catching my breath and feeling for the bruises I knew I'd sport for days as a reminder of my arrogance. But there was a new sense of assurance to my life. A memory of an event that no one would likely believe really took place, because.... why would anyone in their right mind step over the edge like that?

I did... and if I could write with words that could make your heart race and your emotions flare as mine did that day perhaps you'd truly believe me... but for today I'll have to accept that perchance you at least enjoyed the reading.

Benwar