Adventure Awaits.
Vaxed, packed and ready to hit the road.
We piled in the car knowing that a great adventure was before us. The air felt still and there was a warmth that I felt that was beyond the sun shining down on us. First order of business was music. Instead of turning to the usually gang of favorites, I went with the Lithium channel on Sirius XM. Anthony Kiedis was serenading me with his familiar and comforting voice. “Under the Bridge”. One of the best.
“I don’t ever wanna feel like I did that day
Oh, take me to the place I love, take me all the way”
I first saw the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1986 at Colorado State during the infamous College Days celebration. It was my freshman year and I was exploring the event with my first college friend Doug. He and I became fast friends as we both lived on the same floor and found EVERYTHING funny. We did the typical CSU freshman tour, going to Rams football games and hanging out at the on-campus bar, the Tap. Back in those days you could drink 3.5% alcohol if you were 18. Which we were.
College days was sponsored by Coors (pronounced Curs in Fort Collins dialect). There were booths from local shops, restaurants and bars and various bands played over the three day celebration. It was a party that locals and residents from all over Colorado shared. Unfortunately, the festival got out of hand two years in a row and was promptly canceled indefinitely. My love for the RHCP however did not cease. To this day, they are still one of my faves.
As I was leaving the Milwaukee area, I started dreaming of the red rock formations of Arches National Park. Another fave. Arches is, hands down, one of the most inspiring, spiritual and grounding spots in the nation. It is magical and healing and I could sure use a little of both right about now. So of course, Arches was on the itinerary.
Driving towards my next adventure, memories of a camping trip to Moab in my twenties bubbled up. I was headed there with a friend of a friend—someone I hardly knew. But it wasn’t the uncertainty of camping with a stranger that filled my thoughts; it was the thrill of exploring Arches that fueled my excitement.
The night we arrived, we attended a campfire talk with one of the park volunteers, Ranger Matt. I had never believed in love at first sight, but every time Matt looked into my eyes as he spoke about the animals and plants that inhabited Moab, my heart melted. After the talk, I nervously stayed to steal a few more minutes with my Prince Charming. Matt flashed a smile that made me feel weak in the knees as he encouraged us to join him for a park hike in the canyon the following day. Ummm, yeah, of course we would attend!
The hike turned out to be pretty fun. Aside from being love struck, I was in awe of the magnificent red rock formations that surrounded me. My world shifted in that moment and I felt alive, grounded and whole. I was so inspired by the hike that I started to form one of my life long dreams - to become a park ranger and educate people on environmental issues. I asked Matt question after question about Arches and being a ranger. The more he spoke the more inspired I became. By the end of the hike I was ready to sign up.
After the hike, Matt and I continued our conversation about the wilderness and how free and inspired he was while living in Moab. It was intoxicating. I wanted to know everything about the ranger life, Matt, and this new and incredible passion. By the end of our talk, Matt had invited me and my friend to dinner at his place. We agreed to meet at seven. My friend and I went off to explore the rest of Arches. We hiked to Delicate Arch, did the drive around the park and got in a much needed nap.
Dinner was great. Matt impressed us with a delicious Mexican chicken dish. After we ate, we took a secret, ranger-accessed drive to one of the highest spots in the park. I literally felt like I was on top of the world. The night was warm and enchanting. There were a billion stars out and Matt pointed out constellation after constellation as he looked deep in my soul. Cheesy, I know, but that’s how I roll. Our hands touched briefly and accidentally, but the passion that sparked in both of us was unmistakable.
After dropping my dutiful wingman off at our campsite, Matt and I sat outside as the tall, dusty rock formations hovered over us creating a backdrop of awe. We talked all night about our dreams and life desires. The more we shared, the more enamored we became of each other. We started talking about relationships and our attraction to one another and soon we were kissing. Oh my god - we were kissing! His kisses were magical. I had never felt such passion in my life. We talked until dawn and as the sun peaked out of the canyon, it shed its illuminating warmth with bursts of pinks, yellows and oranges, filling the sky with a new hope.
I never saw Matt again or became a volunteer ranger for a summer, but that night lives on in my heart. I don’t know what lessons Arches holds for me this trip, but I know the rocks will talk of possibility and promise.
