"A Story Of Two Jonathans....."

I have been just musing these last few days about some first beginnings, and my very first awareness of two Summit Stone 'Finders' out there.....

Quite a bit of coincidence here and much serendipity, as they both happen to be named 'Jonathan', and we all frequent the same adventure wild lands.....

Here is what Jonathan L. wrote back in 2003:

"I was climbing today... and upon my return to the car I found upon my windscreen a wonderful 'summit stone' courtesy of DSD. I found it really cool, touching and uplifting".

Jonathan amazingly happened to get a response from a 'Gary' later on 2003, who wrote:

"I was sea kayaking in the Broken Islands... Among the rocks at one of the beaches our group found two summit stones. My experience was similar to your Jonathan".

A year later, Jonathan M., a 'Finder' of two Summit Stones in Kananaskis Country near Fortress and Rimwall Mountains in 2004 & 2005 wrote:

"Have any of you found a Summit Stone by DSD on your journeys? The stones are small with exquisitely painted mountain scenes on them. They are quite a treat, and the collection of intriguing quotes entitled 'An Adventure Muse' is a priceless gift. I was delighted with this find."

And Jonathan said of the Muse and the experience:

"It is a wonderful compilation of inspiring quotes from various wilderness adventurers and others who possess a deep appreciation of nature."
"It is clear that the entity behind these stones and this publication is a dedicated outdoors person going the extra mile to make the outdoor experience even more special for people like me."

"It truly is an uplifting experience to find one of the gifts and to consider the great expenditure of time, talent, and energy that DSD has made in this unique endeavor."

"I am not so interested in discovering the identity of DSD as I am in sharing the stories of the discovery of these little but powerful gifts."

These comments were made very early on in the first years of this Summit Stone journey...

A friend had told me about them. I had little computer and Internet experience back then and was taken by the amazing connections to be made upon this medium...

I myself was so very touched by the two Jonathans' musings, especially considering at that time I had believed my anonymous efforts would never really result in such a connection with 'Finders'...

I am also very humbled by their appreciations... And to see that this gesture has put a smile on a few faces out there, and encouraged further appreciation of our wild places, makes every effort worth every moment...

My partner and the same friend encouraged me to acknowledge the two Jonathans' as two of the very first 'Finders' from those early years and as the original persons to share thoughts about their Summit Stone experiences... Posting about them and what they wrote is just my simple way of saying thank you.....

DSD

(Pictures from Jonathan M. at Clubtread)