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As we continue the hike, there are fewer and fewer hikers heading down the trail. Shadows begin to deepen as the sun slips lower in the sky. The incline steepens and my muscles work harder to push on.
Alec looks back at me, never rushing me, his body language relaxed and encouraging.
“You’re doing great. Need a break?”
“How close are we?”
“About halfway.”
“Only half?”
“Don’t worry. The trail levels out in a quarter mile. How about we take a break?”
“I’m good. Let’s keep going.”
“Okay, but I’d like to stop for a quick water break.” He moves to a grouping of boulders and takes a seat.
I love how he makes the stop about him needing a water break rather than me needing to catch my breath. I take a seat beside him and take a pull on the long tubing attached to the Camelbak of water inside my pack. We trade sips back and forth, while my legs thank me for giving them a rest.
“It’s a bit harder than I thought it would be.”
“Maybe, but you’re physically fit. Nothing worthwhile comes without putting in the work. I think you’re really going to enjoy where we set camp tonight.”
“I’m going to enjoy this hike coming to an end.”
“Don’t worry. It’s easier going down.”
“No shit.” I slap him playfully on the arm and roll my eyes, but his words, while not praise, fill me with a surge of pride.
I’ve never gone hiking before. I’ve never been camping outside. He’s opening up a whole new world to me and I’m finding I really like it.
“Break time’s over.” Alec pops to his feet and I grudgingly follow.
After the short rest, I’m surprised how my legs protest. I’m definitely going to be sore in the morning. Back on the trail, I find Alec’s words about the trail leveling off to be spot on. The rest of the hike is relatively flat as we travel along a ridgeline.
“Here we are.” He stops at a meadow overlooking the valley floor several hundred feet below us. There’s not a single sign of another human being, or any signs of human habitation.
“This is absolutely stunning.” I take it all in, wanting to imprint this moment in my mind forever. All around me, an abundance of life flourishes without any sign of man.
“I thought you’d like it.” Alec comes up behind me, moving much easier without his heavy pack. His arms wrap around me, tugging my back tight to his chest.
I tip my head back, close my eyes, and open my ears to listen to the rushing of the wind, the distant melody of a bird’s song, and feel the cool breeze blowing against my skin. I use my senses to ground myself and make a promise to have more of this in my life.
“Come on, love. Let me show you how to set camp.” Alec hands me a set of tent poles and I stare at them utterly confused. “Don’t worry, it’s pretty simple.” He walks me through the steps of pitching our tent.
It’s a small, two-man shelter that’s perfectly cozy. Although, I’d like to sleep below the stars. Not knowing if that’s a thing or not, I don’t mention it and follow his instructions.
He’s patient and encouraging, explaining the reason behind everything; even when it comes to where we’ll set our latrine and why that’s important.
After the tent, he pulls out cooking supplies while sending me to fetch wood for the fire. When I return with an armful of deadwood, he shows me the basics of stacking the wood and lighting the fire. I take over, determined to prove I listened to his directions, and surprise myself when a tiny flame dances in the kindling.
“Great fire.” He squats down beside me. “Now start to feed the fire more wood. Smaller pieces first. You don’t want to choke out the flame. As it takes hold, you can set the bigger pieces over the fire.”
With the sun setting with a rosy glow, Alec carves two long pieces of wood until they’re sharp on the end.
Our dinner consists of hotdogs, apples, and a selection of sliced cheeses. Nothing fancy, but I’ve never had a more flavorful hotdog than the one I cooked for myself over the crackling flames.
As darkness falls, stars fill the night sky, twinkling like tiny fireflies far overhead.