A few days ago I was hiking on Mt. Shasta, and a couple things happened that just remade my day, and my attitude.  I was actually coming down a trail towards the top parking lot late in the afternoon when I overheard a couple of young men talking as they were going up.  Just before they got to me one of them said to the other, “Hey I think this looks like where one of the scenes was in the movie.”  The other chimed in, “Yeah, I think you’re right.”

I stopped in my tracks.  They nodded at me and proceeded to walk by me.  I quickly quizzed them, “Just curious, what movie are you talked about?” already knowing no other film had ever been shot up here.

They both said, practically in unison, “Dreams Awake.”  I was almost floored, but I caught my composure, and retorted, “Yeah, I think I heard about that, but I never saw it.  It was filmed up here, right?”

They both answered in the affirmative.  And then to keep playing along, I asked them about the film, as in should I consider watching it.

They both became very enthusiastic about it, suggesting if I was ‘into’ Mt. Shasta, especially the spiritual aspects of it, that they highly recommended it.  I smiled a bit, wondering if I should tell them who I was.  I decided I liked my anonymity just fine and didn’t want to spoil their more pure experience of the mountain by telling them who I was

They discussed the film with me a few more minutes, explaining certain aspects that had touched them.  I was impressed.  They also relayed that they were from the Bay area and were heading up to Portland.  They had never been to Mt. Shasta, but after watching the film decided they should check it out.  I told them that Shasta was certainly worth a visit and wished them well on their adventure.

I hurried down the mountain with a large grin and a full heart.  It was a magical moment that would only grow as I hit the parking lot.  Just as I opened my car door, another car drove down right by me with its windows open.  The music blaring from its stereo almost got my tear factory going.  The theme song from the film was playing!

First, I was mesmerized.  Second, I wondered how that person was playing that since it was not released on CD.  Of course, in this digital world there are plenty of ways to have done that.  So third, I didn’t worry about it at all.  I just enjoyed my drive down the mountain that day, smiling the whole way.  For I knew there were a few people enjoying the film, and then had found their way to a very magical mountain.  Wow…

JAD