Spirituality and Isle Royale Trips

** (NOTE: THIS POST HAS RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL CONTENT -- but it is related to Isle Royale and hiking.) **

I am an ordained pastor. (I began my first ministry internship 38+ years ago. On September 1st, I will have been serving at my current congregation for 30 years). I was also an Army National Guard officer and chaplain for 13 of those years.

In addition to serving as pastor of my congregation, I also chose to join a Protestant monastic religious order whose members have committed themselves to a life of prayer, meditation, and contemplation. Even though I am married, have children, and live in a regular house-- (just like most other people) -- I am also a monk who pauses for a time of prayer three to six times per day. (And, yes, sometimes, I even chant prayers and wear a clergy collar and a long robe--with a hood. However, I don't wear that stuff too often--and never while hiking on Isle Royale--LOL).

It is interesting coming to a remote place (like Isle Royale) as a monk. Most of the time, I come to Isle Royale for a time of solo hiking, solitude, prayer, and contemplation. Isle Royale is my spiritual "happy place". Although I don't stick too closely to watching the clock while on my hikes--I do tend to pause for prayer at around 6:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., Noon, 3:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., and 9:00 p.m. I will also often be in prayer and contemplation as I walk. I have been known to privately celebrate the Lord's Supper (Communion) at places like Mt. Franklin, Rainbow Cove, or places with great views on the Minong Ridge Trail. I enjoy sitting at a picnic table (on the dock at Siskiwit Bay) and silently doing Morning Prayer as I watch the sunrise over the Bay. On the Minong Ridge Trail--I once went 30 hours without seeing another person or speaking. It is hard to beat that for solitude as a monk.

I have officiated at a wedding (for hiking friends) on the dock at Windigo. That dock is also where they met and became engaged. (Note: Things like weddings require special permits from the National Park Service--in addition to the usual things like getting a marriage license).

Three weeks from today (on August 14th), I go back to Isle Royale for a 16-day hike and spiritual retreat. My route is still tentative and flexible. There is a good chance that I will hike most of the trails on the island. So, maybe I will bump into some of you.

As I have already noted, I spend a great deal of time in prayer during my trips to Isle Royale. If you have something particular that you would like me to pray about during my trip --feel free to send me a private message with the prayer request. I will add it to my prayer list.

Why do I share a religious / spiritual post once or twice per year in this group? It is because spirituality is such a huge part of my own Isle Royale experience. I have also discovered, that such a post gives other people a "safe place" to mention their own Isle Royale spiritual experiences ...even if the individual is not particularly religious and never visits a church, synagogue, mosque, or temple. Isle Royale is a special place--that is also a "spiritual" and "holy" place for quite a few people.