The day was a usual fall Saturday morning on my way to volunteer at Bear Lake. I usually leave home early and stop at Sprague Lake to decompress before the day with visitors, and to check out trail conditions. I go in my volunteer uniform but am not “officially” on duty until I reach Bear Lake.
The temperature was cool that October morning with a bit of snow here and there. The lake was quiet with a skim of ice and hardly a breeze. The trail was a bit icy but easily navigable. As I was walking along the board walk on the west side, I lingered a moment to look northwestward for moose who were sometimes in the nearby willows. I paused to admire the rays of the sun that were about to crest the eastern hillside.
A young man ambled by and stopped ten feet from me. We nodded to one another. After a short silence, the 20-something dressed in an unzipped parka and a blue stocking cap resting on his blond head said, “It’s a beautiful morning, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it is.”
“I saw a moose when I was out here yesterday morning,” he remarked.
“Wow, that’s great,” I replied. “I don’t see any signs this morning although it isn’t uncommon for them to be here.”
“I love this place.”
I waited a moment and then asked. “Where is home for you?”
“I’m from Atlanta. This is my first time in Rocky Mountain National Park. I flew to Denver four days ago and immediately came up here. I’m going back this evening.”
“You picked a great time to visit,” I responded.
“I needed this. It has been a tough time for me with COVID and work and everything. Coming here is the best thing I’ve ever done. It has restored my soul.” He paused and continued, “Do you live here?”
“Yes.”
“Do you ever get tired of it?”
I smiled, “No I don’t. Every day, every season is different. I don’t take this beauty for granted.”
“You are so lucky.”
We stood in silence for a moment and then I added, “I better get on with my day. It was nice to visit with you. Keep enjoying the park. Safe travels home.”
He smiled, “Thank you,” and I turned to continue my walk around the lake. I reminded myself of how nature heals consistently, and I can never take this place for granted. The best thing about meeting people in the park is that they show me continually how special these mountains are and how renewed I am to enjoy their nature every day.
Wonderful exchange and thoughts about the landscape and benefits of this wonderland. Thanks, Karla. ANNE.