"An Old Hiking Staff Awaiting..."

"As I was shaping my walking stick to fit my hand, I started thinking that it resembled my life...". Anon
How nice, I thought, here at the trailhead,some past wanderer has left an old hiking staff. It was more of a sturdy branch from a tree, but clearly had been polished from many hands using it and also was quite worn on the end which met the trail. I had not brought my own hiking poles this day as my intention was only to find a series of hidden waterfalls and not head up any mountain side. These were waterfalls that would be in full glory and force this past early spring, with the extra snow pack up high and the recent now warmer temperatures.
I have always liked hiking staffs and the usefulness of one is so often appreciated by us when out there. So this old staff which had been simply waiting there, was now to accompany me for this adventure day. It later shared a few stories from what seemed like small carvings upon it. It would also be so helpful when crossing the wet rock near those waterfalls. Handy too as I poked among the stones there for those special few who might become inspiration and a medium for me. I hope it felt welcomed, as I was certainly now grateful for its company, and when I returned it later as the sun was setting, a bit more happily worn it was. I smiled at it once it was placed back in its resting place at the trailhead, now patiently awaiting another companion, when it would then share in that next wonderful adventure..... DSD
My thanks for your image, as hiking staffs do very much take us in many directions. And, by the way, Dear Finders, have you ever wondered why so many artists carve faces in their hiking staff...