A Date to Remember

There was a place we wanted to go see. We had heard about it from different people and read about it in different magazines. All of our sources agreed it was a magical and magnificent place. We had a date in mind, the forecast predicted clouds and fog in the early morning but promised clear skies by late morning. We were planning on taking at least one or two of the boys, but they decided they all wanted to take a day to hang at home. So were gifted with a day all to ourselves. When we got to the trail head we realized we just had had an uninterrupted two hour conversation during the car ride. Wow, when was the last time that happened? We started up the trail in thick fog but it did not dampen our spirits, it just felt so good to be with each other, not to mention the benefit of the exercise. We met this couple that was coming down, they must have been in their seventy's. Not only had they been all the way to the top by the glacier, but they had camped there. Shawn and I looked at each other and thought the same thing, that will be us some day. Even if our health prevents us from backpacking in the mountains, we want to grow old together while enjoying each other's company. In a way, that's what we were doing on that precise moment. As we continued up and the curtains were still shut close in front of the views, we were rewarded with other glimpses of our amazing creation. There were marmots and picas peeking out of the rocks and gathering food.

We could hear this pumping, thudding noise from far away and suspected it was a grouse, but weren't quite sure. As we turned on a switchback, the noise suddenly came from behind us and as we looked down, Mr. Sooty Grouse was right there, puffing his chest up, showing his colors and hoping to find a mate. Occasionally, a wind would blew taking some of the clouds away and we would have little and quick glimpses of some peaks, but by the time we got the camera out, it was covered again.

Until the clouds just could not fight with the winds anymore and left for good.

It was now time to sit down, have lunch and take in the majestic beauty that surrounded us.

The real beauty of the day though, was sharing it with the man I love and with whom I'm growing old with.