The Incline (Part 1)

2,768 steps -- that's all it takes to get to the top of "The Incline". (In addition to all detours you take trying to get into the shade.) The best thing about this popular tourist destination is you can see the top (or at least what you think is the top) the whole way. As we hiked, I kept singing about heaven because that is our ultimate goal in life. And just like our journey to heaven:
 -- The Incline is a journey of faith -- we trust the mapmakers or in the case of heaven, the Mapmaker.
 -- The stairs are steep and it's hard even for those most prepared.
 -- People get discouraged, detoured, and distracted. A large percentage who start hiking, never make the summit.
 -- You can't see every step on the pathway to the top. You only know where you are planning to end up.
 -- And there are lots of surprises! (Like being told once you make it to the top it's 4 1/2 miles to make it back to your car!)