wherein i have gone, only to return; part one.

my body, my heart, my whole self belongs in the wild. we found those wild places.

it's strange to have traveled, experienced, and touched rock for so long, to suddenly stop, and only get out on the weekends.
this doesn't seem to work for my mister and me. so we left all civilization behind, turned off those pesky cell phones, and began walking into the mountains.



it is still cool, winter snow still melting, and the field of flowers in full bloom. we needed to be a part of it, needed to get close to them, and let the fragrance surround us. even bear took a moment from running to stop and smell.


a field a granite awaits. so we loaded our back-packs heavy, spilling over the sides, with everything to live and climb, and began walking up winding and steep paths. i've never back-packed into a place, and i was nervous, and loaded down.

my small frame holding so much, a burden on my shoulders. but i am tough, and trudged forward.
i am positive my pack was gaining weight as we walked, and eventually i became delirious, losing track of the surrounding, and the beauty, and with every passing mile, i slowed. when we finally came upon our rock, i was only making progress by pure will. every step a challenge and when i finally set it down i flew.
the thing is: climbing consumes all logic, and walking miles upon miles seems totally worth it when the final corner is turned and that rock face stands in full glory. it challenges, with it's splits, and fissures to climb it.
this is how i know god was a climber. how else could something so perfect become real?




we sit in awe. this place pristine. glacier water flowing over our toes, pines encircling our tent, and granite waiting for us.

so we climbed. and climbed. and climbed.
pitch upon pitch.
i've never climbed something so big.
1000 ft of granite.
i lost it.
just a little.
a traverse, a heavy pack, and more pitches then i've ever done.
i may have looked down.
i may have cried.
fortunately i have the greatest partner a girl could ask for, and whilst on the verge of a break-down, he calmed me, soothing words and a promise of making it to the peak (and no option of going down) we finished that giant climb, and stood, for just a moment on top of a mountain, both sides falling to the valley and us alone on the very tip-top.




things are beautiful.

i am a simple girl.
i need very little.
the sun, my man
wild wide spaces
water, and rock.
that is all.
i am happy.