MONDAY, AUGUST 22, 2022 - I LIFT MY EYES TO THE HILLS - PART I

 MONDAY, AUGUST 22, 2022 - I LIFT MY EYES TO THE HILLS - PART I

Image is Black Messa Oklahoma - the high point in Oklahoma

I am on vacation this week.  Can a retired person have a vacation?  I guess I’m not working my part-time job, so to me, it is a vacation!!!

Psalm 121:1-4

I look up to the mountains—  does my help come from there?

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!

He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.

Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.

Yes, I am “lifting my eyes to the hills” this week, so I am writing this early.

*****

Many years ago, with my family, we hiked to the top of Harney Peak, the highest point in South Dakota.  It has since been renamed “Black Elk Peak” in honor of the Native Americans who viewed the Black Hills as sacred.  

Wikipedia says, “Black Elk Peak is the highest natural point in the U.S. state of South Dakota and the Midwestern United States.”  At 7244 feet above sea level, it is considered the highest point between the Appalachian Mountains and the Rocky Mountains. It is in the Black Hills (and not far from Mount Rushmore).

We parked at Sylvan Lake and followed a nice path to the summit. The hike was strenuous but not overwhelming.  I did have to hustle down the mountain to move the car to a closer location and then went back to help our daughter down and guide the family!!!  The area was more open than I expected.

So, I began my search for the high points of various states.

*****

Some state high points are really high points, and some are quasi-high points.

Since that hike in about 1992 (about 30 years ago), I’ve been to seven other high points that I am counting (or eight counting Black Elk Peak)!!  (There are two that I’m not counting - “close but no cigar”.  Today (on my vacation), I hope to be conquering the high point in Oklahoma (number nine).  

My writing for this week will be a little about geography, and a little about setting goals (even strange goals).

*****

IOWA HIGH POINT:

The Iowa high point is aptly named, “Hawkeye Point” at 1670 feet above sea level.  It used to be on a farmer’s field between Ocheyedan and Sibley Iowa -off Iowa Highway 9 which goes from Lansing Iowa on the Mississippi River to Rowena South Dakota (near Sioux Falls).  I drove past this spot on highway 9 and said I’d been to the Iowa High Point.  Wikipedia says in 2008 the county acquired nine acres and made a little park commemorating the highest point in Iowa!!  So, in terms of hiking or climbing - Hawkeye Point is nothing!!!

Is Hawkeye Point exciting?  Did it require a climb?  Not really.  (I am glad that people can get out of their cars now).

*****

RHODE ISLAND

The highest point in Rhode Island is Jerimoth Hill at 811 feet above sea level.  This is a point like the Iowa point - just off a state highway.  Not a strenuous hike.  I did stop so I could say “I was at the high point of Rhode Island”.

*****

ILLINOIS

The high point in the state of Illinois is Charles Mound at 1235 feet above sea level (the internet says this is state high point #45).  This is on private properties and the property owner allows access on the first weekend in June, July, and August.  I drove past the property but since it was NOT one of the weekends, I didn’t actually make it to the official high point.  This point is about ½ miles south of the Wisconsin/Illinois state line.  

*****

OREGON

The high point in Oregon is Mount Hood.  I allow “closeness” to count for visiting the high point.  I’ve been to the Timberline Lodge at Mount Hood - which is close to the summit.  (Okay, I’m using a “casual” approach and counting that as being “near enough” to the high point!!!)

*****

MASSACHUSETTS

The high point in Massachusetts is Mount Greylock.  I passed within two miles of the summit.  Can I count that as being at the high point of Massachusetts?  (I’ve not been counting it).

*****

NEW  HAMPSHIRE

The high point in New Hampshire is Mount Washington.  I passed within five miles of the summit and I have not been counting it).

VERMONT

The high point in Vermont is Mount Mansfield.  I was about 15 miles away, and am not counting it!!

So, South Dakota, Iowa, Illinois, Oregon, Texas, Arkansas, Connecticut, Rhode Island - eight - plus Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska on this trip - for eleven (or 22% of the states!!)

More tomorrow!!

LOVE WINS!!

Karen