Omayra Acevedo, Peak to Peak. “One tree can start a forest. One smile can begin a friendship. One hand can lift a soul. One word can frame the goal. One candle can wipe out darkness. One laugh can conquer gloom. One hope can raise our spirits, and one choice can change your life. One choice, just one, can change your life forever. Your life today is what your choices have made it, but with new choices, you can change directions this very moment.” When I read this, it made me realize how grateful I truly am about the choices I have made in life. No, not all of them, but most. 

I mention quite a bit about my time in Europe and that’s because, moving to Europe made me realize more than ever how much I am meant to be here in the Rocky Mountains. All I did was make that one decision and take that one step and it changed my life forever. Speaking of which, why don’t we place both feet on the terrain of these majestic mountains. Join me as I reexplore a very popular and beautiful trail in Boulder County. 

It was just before nine in the morning. I pulled up to the Nederland Park and Ride, double-checked my backpack; as I stepped out of my truck I was greeted by the beautiful blue sky and the sunshine embracing my shoulders. I lathered with sunscreen, placed my Colorado hat on my head and my camera in my hands. Just a few minutes later, my hiking companion pulls up. We hopped on board the Hessie Shuttle and our adventure began.

We had been getting a lot of rain - which is great for the dry heat in the forests – so parts of the trail were a bit muddy and the potholes full of water. No big deal. There’s always a way around them. There were already tons of people hiking, but luckily, everyone used their nature voices and seemed pretty happy to be wherever they were. Hiking, like music and art, brings out the best in people. I love that!

The flowers were blooming, the creek was roaring, the birds were chirping and life was utterly perfect. Hessie Trailhead is not difficult to locate and easy to fall in love with. I’ll be a tease and end it here. I’d love for you to discover more about Hessie trail on your own. You can get there massively early to find a parking spot, or you can leave your vehicle at the park and ride and take the free shuttle over.  

I will say one more thing. If I had decided not to go hiking on that day, I would have missed out on so much beauty, peace and gratitude. Moral of the story? Sometimes, you don’t know what path you’re truly meant to be on until you make that one choice that changes your direction…

(Originally published in the September 5, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)