The Hike Down

Overlooking Oberammergau
In Southern Germany
Is a lofty peak
That summoned us skyward.
We rode the cable car
To the top of the mountain,
The same lift
That would be ferrying
Vast numbers of skiers
During the winter.
From the summit,
The town was a mere speck
Off in the distance.
The mountain afforded us
A magnificent
360 degree panorama
Of the surrounding hills
And farmlands.
We noticed
A few hearty pilgrims
Had decided to hike
Back down the mountain,
So we followed suit.
The slope down was
Steep and damp,
And led through
An alpine cattle ranch.
At one point I started to slip
And put my hand out
To catch myself
Only to land
Smack in the middle
Of a very liquid
Cow paddie.
That was the highlight
Of our entire vacation
For my daughter, Ruby,
Who was coming down
Right behind me
And had a front row seat
For the whole fiasco.
She was beside herself
Laughing hysterically.
To make matters worse,
When I approached
A small lake nearby
To wash my hands off,
I was chased off
By a rather possessive bull.