The Open Gate: Meditations from the High Country

by Don Ian Smith

Author Don Ian Smith was a rural pastor, rancher, and outdoorsman who found inspiration in the beauty of the Idaho mountains. This collection of 20 meditations was the fourth in a series of four.

128 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1989

About the author

Don Ian Smith (1918-2007) was a pastor, rancher and outdoorsman who spent much of his life in rural Idaho. He also loved to write--and loved to share the inspiration he received from the land around him. His first four books were a series of meditations reflecting how the land and the people of the land helped him to better understand his faith in God. In these books, he shared many unique insights on how one can find God and relate to God through one's surroundings--whether it be the plunging waters of a mountain river, the view of lofty snow-capped peaks, or the windings of mountain trails. He tells stories of horses and cattle, of wildlife, of irrigating, of growing gardens--and in each story he shares a unique insight into how to live one's life. His four-book meditation series was reprinted in 2004 by his family book company, High Country Books, and all four are available. Titles are BY THE RIVER OF NO RETURN, WILD RIVERS AND MOUNTAIN TRAILS, SAGEBRUSH SEED, and THE OPEN GATE.

Smith later branched out into other genres, including biography (SYMON'S DAUGHTER) and historical mystery novel (MURDER ON THE MIDDLEFORK)--both of these titles were printed by BRIDGE HOUSE BOOKS. He also published a short book of rural poetry (RANCHLAND POEMS), through High Country Books.