Mietzke's POST Holden Adventure

I took a long walk with Nyrie today and it felt a little bit like awaking from a fog. We walked along the trail towards ten mile falls, and I was able to notice the sway of her slight body and the sounds our feet made on the path. I felt like I was drinking in the moment deeply; the new spring greens that line the forest floor and the footprints of deer in the melting snow and mud. The wind was whipping its way across the ridge tops sending swirls of snow high into the air and the smell of damp spring earth filled me with a sense of belonging.
I soaked up the sound of the owls calling back and forth in the forest and the trickle of melting snow and rain as it winds its way down the hill, and finally the roar of the waterfall itself as we came around the bend.

I loved listening to Nyrie talk about her hopes for the future about her dreams of where we might end up after Holden. I have been holding this anticipation and the responsibility of decision making so close that I have been missing all of life going on around me missing out on my beautiful girls and Dave.
Nyrie wrapped her arms around me the whole way and filled me with ideas of joy for this next step. I have been so bogged down with being the responsible adult that I was missing the joy of adventure.

I sat on the porch of Chalet 10 today with Rachel. We decided to spend some time painting together and with the rain the porch was the best spot. We sat mostly in silence taking in the straight and curves that make up copper basin and trying to put it to paper. I found myself (as often is the case) being amazed at the depth and color of this valley with its dramatic peaks outlined against the sky and the deep greens of the trees that climb ever upwards. Holden is so beautiful nestled in to this valley.

The girls and I ended the day snuggling on the couch reading with the patter of rain and the whir of hummingbird wings outside of the window. It was peaceful end to a needed day of rest.