Omayra Acevedo, Peak to Peak. I keep finding myself reflecting on days and situations that have yet to occur. Why? Good question. I think the overwhelming reality of what’s going on has finally taken its toll on me and has triggered reactions that are, I suppose, abnormal for me.  I see no point in sharing with you the details of all that I am going through. Let’s just say that the moment has come when enough is enough.

Nonetheless, before I act impulsively, I will turn to the one thing that has never disappointed me: Mother Nature.

There’s a 56-mile stretch on CO-125, through the town of Rand, and between the towns of Walden and Granby, that will take you on a waterscape driving expedition. Some of the running waters you will come across on this drive are: Pass Creek, Mulstay Creek, Adams Creek, Bronco Creek, Hall Creek, Denver Creek, Coyote Creek, and my favorite of them all, Willow Creek. Which ironically, is also the name of one of my favorite restaurants. Wow! That was a lot of creeks. I love pulling over and sitting by the beauty of water dancing in its natural state, the sound alone is enough to heighten your senses and calm your stresses. 

Here in Colorado there are no shortages of water. That’s until we get into wildfire season. Then, there just isn’t enough of it. A few days ago, as I decided to cancel my run due to the heavy smoke, I began to truly miss the snowfall. That white stuff on the ground that protects our forests, offers survival to our wildlife and provide us with our summer lifestyle in the mountains. That beautiful moisture is what helps create the perfect experience when we’re hiking next to a river or stopping for a picnic near a lake or snapping photos of our favorite person next to the roar of a waterfall.

Here’s what’s interesting about waterscapes: in some way, shape, form or another, they all connect. Yet, they are all so different. Some run for miles on end, others are short and gentle, a few of them rush with such force that it’s difficult to notice anything else, and some are seasonal or temporary.

Just as our rivers, creeks and bodies of water join together to thrive in this world, I keep hoping the dots in my life will also lead into one another, inevitably helping make sense of everything.  

(Originally published in the August 27, 2020, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)