Reaching New Heights
High in the mountains on the Island of Maui,
the marvelous waterfalls form the Seven Sacred Pools. I am determined to
view this marvelous natural wonder. The start toward the stream is
easy enough through an overgrown field. A sign says 2 1/2 miles
to the base of the last falls. That doesn't seem too far. So I strike
out upward with great excitement. Quickly the underbrush becomes
thicker and the footing rockier. The path is laden with washed out
roots from rainwater and from visitors climbing over them. Unusual
trees give the impression of an enchanted forest with their entangled branches
reaching from every direction. Soon a thicket engulfs my presence
as I trek on alone, onward and upward.
A path veers off to one side and I view the
first of many beautiful waterfalls. The pool below doesn't capture my attention
but the power of the turbulent water pouring over the cliff with a thunderous
roar below. There is an enormous drop to the water below so I am
cautious of my steps as I near the edge of the precipice. I hold
onto a tree branch as I lean forward, uncomfortable with the height and
the drop below, to see over the edge. I am enthralled by the force
of nature created by the rains of the previous night. Cautiously,
I retract my steps to safer ground and clamor back over the uneven rocks
winding round the trees to make my way back to the path upward.
An enormous banyon tree magnificently emerges
to mark the halfway point. I'm feeling so insignificant beside this
exquisite creature. It seems so full of life as I am befinning to
tire and it seems to be continuously growing before my very eyes.
I keep trapesing through the forest feeling like an intruder among the
overgrowth. The path becomes steeper as a stand of bamboo looms ahead
on either side. All of a sudden I am surrounded by a bamboo forest for
as far as I can see in every direction. The further I ascend, the
darker it becomes as the trees reaching skyward block the sunlight.
It is difficult to tell if it is daylight or night as my steps slow and
I survey my surroundings. I step off the path only to have my backpack
become wedged as the bamboo closes around me. I quickly return to the path
and move along more swiftly. I feel the urgency to move ahead as
time seems to be slipping away.
Somehow, the creek meanders through huge boulders
and I have to deftly find my way around them. My feet are so hot
from the climb, I finally decide to walk through the icy water with my
sandals on not caring where I am stepping as I am getting extremely weary.
I keep thinking it is only a little further when I realize that I will
have to retrace all my steps and I am exhausted. But, I am determined
to achieve this goal - to make it to the top. This is what I came
to see: these Seven Sacred Pools. I've come all this way...the end
is near...I am almost at the top.
Suddenly, I stop...There is a thunderous sound
of water tumbling over rocks. I look up and view the magnificent
sight before me...I stand in awe as the water pours over the mountaintop
down 150 feet crashing slightly ahead of me. I stumble across a rocky
pebbled creek it has formed below to bigger rocks that have fallen from
above. I maneuver over the rocks hand over hand staggering trying to get
steady footing. The water has become a spray on my face as I look
up again in awe. As I step upon a tuft of grass, I raise my arms
in victory. "Yes I did it!!!" What an accomplishment! I made it all
on my own. I feel so empowered...so courageous. I bask in the
marvelous feeling of success. This goal I set for myself - completed and
far surpassed. Again I raise my arms praising the glorious scene
before me and feeling my own inner strength.
The beauty of this scene before me astounds
me. As I view this magnificent falls at the head of the Seven Sacred
Pools in Maui, I am enthralled. There is such a magical energy as
the water pours over the 150 foot precipice to the rocks below. I
am mesmerized by the cascade as I watch in silent meditation. It
is indeed a natural wonder worth seeing. I soak up this special feeling
to carry home with me.
The water gently sprays over me as I stand
as close as I dare. Signs warn of falling rocks while boulders of
various size clutter the ground making getting any closer exptremely difficult.
I look for small plots of dirt and grass that managed to grown in precarious
spots between the rocks in the flowing waters. Carefully, I
select these for my footing as I make my way to view the falls from different
perspectives. The sound roars in my head as the energy seems to build.
Time seems to stand still as the torrent of water from last night rain
rushes down the rocks to form the creek flowing on down the mountain.
I savour this feeling... Regretfully, I must leave this magical place.
I turn away slowly.
The sound echoes in my ears as I gingerly
walk back across the creek alowing the icy water to bathe my aching feet.
Somehow, I have been reenergyzed by this experience. Joyfully, I
retrace my steps with an excitement in my being. Reaching the
top has empowered me and I now know I can make good time as I happily head
down the hill. I stop to quickly view several of the pools formed
by the falls along the way. As I had observed the falls on the trek
upward, I now take notice of the pools of clear water that had not captured
my attention before. These are the Seven Sacred Pools everyone comes
to see. However, it was the climb to the top that seemed so magical.
Halfway down the hill, the emense banyon tree
greets me as an old friend and I realize I have moved along at a good speed
on my descent. As I pass the twisted branches of the thicket of trees,
I closely monitor my steps amidst the irregular roots. My footing
is more sure as I lightly and nimbly bound down the path. Trees rush
by and blend into each other as I hurry along to my final destination.
I glide through the field and pick up speed. I smile as I realize
I am strutting joyously along the road - my task completed...triumphant.
I did it!!! I reached the top!!! I emerge
courageous from my trek up the Seven Sacred Pools in Maui. I will
take a piece of the spirit of the falls with me wherever I go. It
is truly a magical place and I will cherish this memory.
Marilyn Dixon Pfanstiel, Emerging Courageous in Maui 4/25/2001 (5/13/2001).
Lexington, Kentucky, USA
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