I’m in Avon, Colorado right now with my family this week. Since our arrival, I’ve been reminded of how much I love the outdoors. The air here is so different from home. It feels lighter, fresher, cleaner. The scent of the pine and spruce trees is invigorating and reenergizes me with each inhalation. It’s hot, but there’s no humidity or heaviness in the air. The sun is more intense, and I can almost feel my skin drinking in the sun’s individual rays. I waded into the Eagle River this afternoon with my sister. The rocks were slippery with plant residue and I almost tumbled into the icy water. The current was moving quickly over the stones and around me, and the sun sparkled brilliantly off the rocks and water. For just a moment I was still, taking it all in. The mountains. The scent of the wilderness. The babbling water. My soaked shorts. The numbing water. The aspen leaves dancing and shimmering in the wind. The breeze inviting in the afternoon rain clouds. I don’t want anything else in this moment, but to hold on to it. Because just like everyone else, my moments are fleeting…
