What Are Men To Rocks And Mountains?

(A Sunday Gratitude on Monday)

"Oh! what hours of transport we shall spend! And when we do
return, it shall not be like other travellers, without being able to give one
accurate idea of any thing. We will know where we have gone -- we will recollect
what we have seen. Lakes mountains, and rivers shall not be jumbled together in our imaginations; nor, when we attempt to describe any particular scene, will we begin quarrelling about its relative situation. Let our first effusions be less insupportable than those of the generality of travellers.''

- Pride & Prejudice, Chapter IV of Volume II (Chap. 27)

I am a Mountain Girl married to an Ocean Boy.

I grew up spending vacations in Soapstone at my great uncle's cabin (now my parent's cabin). I loved watching the aspens quake, hiking down to the river, taking the canoe to Mirror lake. We always saw moose and deer. It was wonderful to be there. But I haven't been there since we moved here and I dearly miss it.

This past weekend we went to a work family retreat up in the mountains. For the past year my entire world encompassed about 10 square miles. I had no idea what lay beyond that, except for the road that led back to Utah since I have traveled that many times. This weekend I saw what lay west and north beyond for a good 3 hours drive worth. I love it when we travel small roads and see small towns. I love the old buildings and houses. I'm always imagining what life might be like there.

Then we moved out of civilization and up in elevation....

I have missed mountains! I have missed alpine meadows and pine trees. I have really missed wildflowers. They were there in abundance thanks to an end of drought and an excess of snow this past winter. I took more than a few pics which will make it onto the blog this week. But I wanted to post my gratitude for the mountains and alpine meadows and pine trees. The whole weekend was good for my soul.