Heading out of Calgary today I felt my heart swell slightly at the shadows of the mountains in the distance. That's always my favourite part of driving to the Rockies, when you can barely make them out on the horizon, and in fact aren't quite sure if that's the mountains you see or just low, dark clouds.
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| From Kananaskis Trip 2011 |
My uncle pulled up to my parents' campsite and I bounded out and made a beeline to Elmo.
"Hello Shamo," I greeted him with the special grunts and coos that only he can understand and much affectionate scratching behind the ears. He answered me with his happy whimper and soft growly sounds. I then turned around and saw the jagged top of Mount Kidd rising up over the mix of pines and poplars. I instantly felt small and girlish, like I'd just been wrapped up in the strong arms of a chisel-jawed and sky-blue eyed cowboy. It was only to be a two and a bit day stay, but my heart was already taken.
My mom took me on a walk to show me around a bit. We are just a few steps away from a rocky creek with cool and clear water that you can see down to the bottom in.
"I'm renting the house and I'm not going back," I said to my mom. Even the air here is different. I was always confused by those Mountain Fresh scented laundry detergents until today. The air really is sweet here, some mix of the pine and the wildflowers I suppose.
I went exploring on my own, later. I went back to the river, clapping my hands all the way. Mostly because I was afraid of a bear sneaking up on me, but also because I was happy and I knew it and I really wanted to show it.
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| From Kananaskis Trip 2011 |
I've been to the mountains before, but I guess the last time was probably when I was still a student and had endless summer vacation. I don't remember loving it like this: feeling so grounded, so soulfully at peace. I don't even miss the blistering prairie sun right now. I don't mind that I'm wearing a wool sweater and sweats and that later tonight I will have to bring out my down vest when at home I'd be soaking in the humid summer heat.
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| From Kananaskis Trip 2011 |
Maybe it's just because I haven't been on a vacation in I don't know how long that didn't involve a shopping mall. Maybe I just missed real camping. Maybe when I leave on Monday I'll be ready to go back to the wheat fields and slow, muddy rivers.
I don't want to think about any of that right now though. I just want to let my spirit dance in the shadow of the mountain, lean up against a sturdy old pine and breathe it all in.
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| From Kananaskis Trip 2011 |
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