Make Way for Ducklings

Aaron came into town Thursday night so Kendall and I met him at the library downtown and went to Ed's for a Mexican-food dinner. The entire experience was like reliving my first night in Estes Park and it's crazy to think how much time has gone by and how much different I feel as a person from that very first night. I had drawn him a map in fun colors of all the places he needed to know in the town and I was really proud of myself for knowing so many different back roads and the number of places of interest!

Last night, he picked me up after work (I was walking all week since my car was in the shop) and we went to get my car back. Afterward, we headed back home, made dinner, ran to Safeway, and headed to the Tree Dance at Barry's house. This party was more than just a BCO party--Barry said he had invited about a hundred people for a birthday celebration of sorts. There were lots of people there and the party really was dancing under a big tree in his front yard. He had it decorated with lights hanging down and carpet on the ground and it felt sort of magical, like a fairy party under a tree.

Speaking of magical, Aaron and I went on a walk after dinner but before Safeway and went down to the trail that starts at the end of my street. We found an open meadow with a great view of the peaks and just sat down on a rock while we soaked it all in. We started talking about religion v. science and other deep issues which are usually hard for us to talk about but something about this place makes everything ok. We talked about how it's crazy that people can be so opinionated that EITHER evolution OR the bible theory are the way that people came to be on this earth. I think there is truth to both sides--there is obvious evidence through science regarding evolution, but then you get into one of those open meadows and know that there is also something bigger than life itself out there that made everything possible.

On the way to Safeway, we saw a mama duck and two ducklings walking across Highway 34. I was worried they were going to get hit, but it reminded me of the book Make Way for Ducklings. In that book, the duckling crossing was a celebrated event that people seemed to want to come see. Here, people stopped and let the ducks safely pass to the other side, similarly to how Aaron gets excited about even seeing a small chipmunk or squirrel. There is something amazing about all of these creatures and their affects on the stressed lives of humans.

I remember another part of our deep talk on the rock yesterday (that rhymes!) about whatever kinds of afterlife are out there. We were talking about death for some reason and Aaron said one of the big differences between us and animals is that (other than elephants for the most part) we have a time of mourning after a loved one dies and put a pause on many aspects of our lives until we can come to terms with what happened. He said that animals just seem to continue on with their lives and not care if one is hit by a car or falls out of a tree. I think that animals actually know more than we think. They understand that they are playing their particular role in the circle of life and know that a death means they have served their purpose. Humans are so concerned with the afterlife and what happens after they die more often than not, that they are afraid about what lies beyond and don't willingly accept death as an option. I like the idea of understanding a purpose has been served and knowing that if death is coming, that really is just a part of the circle of life. Even though you might be dead and don't know what happens necessarily to your spirit, I think it lives in the memories of those left behind. Shouldn't that be enough to not be scared? Knowing that all those memories will keep you alive in the hearts of some?

When we got to the tree dance, the music hadn't started yet but people were hanging out, eating food, drinking, talking, and playing couch darts. I started introducing Aaron to different people and he seemed amazed at the age gap between everyone. As I've said before, our office is made up of people between 17 and 70, or even 80 if you count the volunteers who work. The best part is that we are all peers and coworkers and don't even really think about age, especially when we are hanging out in the office or outside of work.

John (44) and I are preparing for our climb up Longs Peak. This has been one of my biggest goals this summer and I am very excited and nervous that it is happening. One week from tonight, I will be camping at the Boulderfield and preparing for the morning summit. Our plan is to leave Sunday morning and set up camp six miles up at the Boulderfield, then summit the two neighboring peaks across the saddle (Mount Lady Washington and Meeker). The next morning, we will summit Longs and then repel down the north face rather than hike! For me, I am then hiking in to Andrew's Glacier and spending a night at that campsite the next night before heading to work at 10am the following morning. The whole plan is a huge mental game for me, especially considering my uneasy tendencies towards heights and falling. I have been preparing myself as best I can and am going to continue hiking this week to add to the physical preparation. As long as I keep talking myself into the climb and know that I have the ability to succeed regardless of the tricks my mind tries playing on me.