Escape
6 mile hike up 2500 feet to 12,550 feet of elevation in Indian Peaks. Body sleep deprived and oxygen-starved yet exhilerated by the climb. Nearly knocked down at the summit by violent winds and a Rottweiler barrelling down the mountain, checking back periodically to make sure that I was alive. Somehow a diet of granola bars and peanuts can go a long way. The hike was worth it when I caught my first glimpse of rolling green hills, yellow and purple flowers, and Pawnee Lake.
We found the perfect camping spot - a soft bed of pine needles beneath a few pine trees. We had a backyard balcony made of boulders overlooking the lake.
We filled our bottles with filtered mountain water from a small waterfall. Nature's cocktail - the most refreshing beverage on earth. Savannah cooled herself by lounging in the moss and occasionally splashing us by parading her giant paws in the stream.
Pawnee Lakeside - cool and quiet, definitely nap-worthy after 7 days of conference, the mischeivious sun scortching my thighs and mosquitoes feasting on my flesh. The 20 minutes of sleep was the perfect escape.
At night, we shivered together as Savannah wedged her way between us into the best spot in the tent. Jeans rolled up to serve as a pillow. Phill waking me up every now and then to get me to stop snoring. I dreamt of mountain lions.
I slept until I could feel the sun beating down on the tent, which apparently doesn't happen that high up in the mountains until close to 10am. Bodies aching, we eventually managed to pack up our things. Savannah's Doggie Back-Pack received the brunt of the load in hopes that we could slow her down to a human pace on the way back. But that dog was unstoppable.
The site of the parking lot after our 6 hour hike back, was both a relief and a bit sad, as it was a sign that my vacation was almost over. But nothing compares to the feeling of removing your constricting hiking boots and passing out on the drive home.
Thank you, Phill and Savannah for an epic trip. We may still be recovering, but it was worth every minute.
