Mountain Lake

It was a bit of a spontaneous decision to make a day trip into the hills and hike up to one of the many lakes hidden behind rocky peaks. We drive over winding roads, that turn to packed dirt paths, and I watch through dirty windows while you make yourself comfortable between the bags and fall asleep. We stop in a well used dirt “parking lot” obviously used by previous visitors. The scenery is breathtaking even after a hard summer, the distance reveals burned out patches where forest fires chose their path of destruction. Even along the path we choose there are patches of new growth from previous fires. The sound of a stream singing draws the two of us away from the group and we decide to follow the water as our trail rather than the zigzagging path our families take.

We laugh and talk as we jump from rock to rock. Exchanging extravagant stories of past adventures, though yours are always more thrilling. I envy your fearless joy of foraging through wilderness often on the verge of danger and never quite sure if all will be well or not. You tell me about a day hike you had made, treading through snow and almost freezing with the sun out at eleven in the evening. We talk about rock climbing, and every time you’ve ever strung out a slack line just for the hell of it. It all reminds me of how close you and your sister are, which brings back memories of other stories I’ve heard from both of you.

As it is, we mock and challenge each other to take greater leaps and push ourselves to extremes. I only wish it could happen more often and bring more energy into my own relatively dull life. I talk about doing half the things you do but can never manage to find the time or fair companions who will join me in creating stunning adventures. It makes me wish I had chosen to go to the same school as the both of you, and I can only imagine what would happen between us. Infinite possibilities spring to mind but I brush them away in favor of maintaining a friendship that can never be replaced. Periodically the dog will spring past us, distracting my thoughts, running between the groups of people, feeding on our excitement and energy.

Distracted by our laughter I miss a step and slip into the water. Still laughing I climb out and we tread a little more carefully especially me with soaked shoes that don’t grip the rocks we’re climbing. In the distance, we hear our families talking as they hike, and we wonder what they’re talking about but forget once we face the end of the river and have to crawl over boulders to continue up through the trees with mountains looming on either side. Our words become a little softer as we contemplate our path as we go over this, around that, and between these.

I love these moments where it feels like we could be alone on this mountain side, having an adventure all by ourselves. The birds call amongst themselves unafraid, while the trees continue their growth without even noticing our presence. It makes me feel so insignificant to truly see all that is happening around me and yet realize how quickly it all can change. Every little piece has it’s part to play, infinite circles of life and death and simple stasis.

We reach the crest of the hike after resigning to the fate of following a path when the water travels underground. Everything drops down around us except for the mountains. And behold- the pristine lake nestled snugly within the valley, these trees untouched by ravaging fires. Carrying on magnificently through their lives, unhindered by many outside forces. Flourishing in their solitude.

The path down is steep and narrow, but we run the entire way, leaping over obstacles and cheering each other on while our mothers stop to pick huckleberries. The dog crashes through bushes behind us, which only makes us laugh more. We skid to a stop at the edge of the water, where boulders are neatly piled for easy access and the placement of discarded clothes. We both tear out of our outer layers to the suits waiting beneath. You make a smooth dive into the water and come up gasping. I laugh at your antics and follow you in only to come up gasping as well. The water freezes nerves and numbs joints. Shivering, we both pull ourselves up onto a rock and lay basking in the sun.

Finally, the heat soaks in, and we find the energy to grab up a towel and dry off a bit before finding a sandwich to share. We regretfully pull our clothes back on and hike to the top of the little enclosed valley where our families wait. We find places on the hillside covered in grass and collapse with weary excitement to contemplate the clouds. I smile and laugh, looking forward to life and the experiences of college and living away from home. Seeing you and hearing you talk about it only solidify my stubborn willingness to work hard and make sure I can have the time of my life. You always make me jealous in a way that doesn’t depress me, but inspires me to work harder for my dreams and goals.

After a while of just laying there talking, we once again take off on our own path. The dog keeps up with us this time as we run down the trail. The thrill of running filling my veins as I work to keep up with you. Slick dirt escapes from beneath heedlessly placed feet and only the quickest of reactions and constant momentum keep us upright as we race through nature. No longer are we contemplating, but merely enjoying and being a part of all that is around us.

We lounge on the hood of the car after that, waiting for our families to rejoin us. It’s peaceful to just lay here after such a wonderful day. Something to look back on and something to look forward to. Days where I can appreciate everything, adventures and fun and not having to worry. Somehow it just always works out.