Omayra Acevedo, Peak to Peak. I made a decision recently that put me in a somewhat vulnerable position. One of the things I don’t like is being vulnerable. Not sure who does, but I sure don’t. I know it is part of the whole human experience, and without it one might find it difficult to evolve. Still, vulnerability weighs heavy on my shoulders even as I sit here at the computer typing. I sigh and find something to be grateful for. 

A plethora of things came to mind: wild flowers, wildlife, mountain peaks, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, the sound of silence, the invigorating chill of high elevation wind gusts, the scent of sweet wilderness pine, moments of laughter, sunshine and inner peace. All of which I had experienced while on a hike with five very powerful women this past week. The day was Wednesday, July 29, 2020. The time was just before 9 a.m. The place was Brainard Recreation Area in the town of Ward. 

As the park ranger handed me my day pass, she says “Congratulations! You just got our last pass of the day.” Yikes! But those are the times we’re living in. Times when even nature is only allowed to see a few of us at a time. We all parked, hiked to the trailhead – yes, we had to hike to the trailhead – I couldn’t believe how many hikers were there on a Wednesday. C’est la vie! The hike started at Long Lake, taking us roughly 0.15 miles before veering to the right towards our planned destination: Lake Isabell.

No sooner than we began hiking, two of us practically bumped into a buck grazing on the lush greenery next to the trail. He was beyond handsome. Velvet antlers, a shiny golden-red coat and unaffected by our presence. We watched him until he crossed the trail in front of us. We figured it’d be best to simply let him be and moved onward. About another two miles and we made it. We crossed bridges, waterfalls, creeks, gained over 400 feet in elevation, had lunch by the lake and reveled in the beauty that surrounded us. I wish I could fully express how much being in nature changes me for the better. And it’s great when you can share it with people that feel the same way about it as you do.

Honestly, in the grand scheme of things, I probably don’t have much to regret. However, I’m only human and I have to be okay with that. Luckily, there are many beautiful things to experience. Thank you, Jane, Suzanne, Grace, Susan, Neva the pup and Lake Isabell. There are experiences that stay with me forever. The memory of those experiences tends to receive a name from me. This one will forever live in my heart as La Bella Isabella.

(Originally published in the August 6, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)