Making Memories , chapter 1

After many years of traveling across much of the western U.S. on countless road trips, I had acquired a grocery list of unforeseen bad life events. These events would deposit me into the most unlikely of places. The big sky country of eastern Montana is home to miles and miles of open farm land. Along with the flat and open Bad Lands that offer few challenges for the idle and restless hands of the wondering rock climber. So I devised a plan to recruit eligible candidates for a road trip to adventure.

 On a humid summer night, along the banks of the muddy Yellowstone River, I sat around a camp fire with a group of new friends. One of which would grow to be my most cherished and beloved friend and lover. Another would prove himself worthy of the title of my strong and trusted climbing partner. I told stories of close calls and the epic beauty of the wild state of Arizona. Stories of trout fishing In the Grand Canyon and vast boulder fields as far as the eyes can see in the deserts of the south west. As I spoke, I could see the flames of adventure burning in the reflective eyes of my new found friends. The seed had been planted.

 After a year of odd jobs and long nights of planning, my vision began to take shape. One of which was to revisit my old friend streakier spire, a four hundred foot desert spire as red as a desert rose.  I packed my grocery getter with gear and supplies and would be meeting up with a friend in Nebraska, where we would consolidate our gear into his small truck that we would cram four people and my trusty dog into. With gear strapped to the top of the camper and barely enough room for two people to lie in the back, we appeared every bit the vagabond gypsies that we were. Equipped with our bandanas and baggy jeans, we set off on what would be a month long trip to make memories.

  In my minds eye I would capture the moments in snapshots that would play back a slideshow over and over. Like the one of my girlfriend holding up her first Arizona rainbow trout. Lying beneath the blanket of the stars, I would play back past trips with old friends under the same stars. I can still smell the rice cooking on the open fire along side of the trout from the Colorado River. If not for the skills of my climbing partner we might well have starved.

 Then, before entering a cave, my girlfriend would comment that I should be a tour guild. Because my knowledge of the cave was so extensive that I found myself answering questions for the passing tourists.

 There was  the crazy man that we would meet in the cave , who just hours before was in the hospital, and  would tell us stories in hush tones of a lost treasure while passing the peace pipe by lantern light at the back of the cave. He spent the next two hours trying to convince me to climb a cliff to retrieve a treasure that doesn’t exist.  On a different day we would bounce laughter off of the boulders at pebble beach that would echo through the forest and into my soul. There are so many memories that I hold dear and some that I will not share, as they are for my personal vault of happiness.

 We had done almost everything on our long itinerary and a few that weren’t. We would meet several characters whose names I have forgotten but whose faces I won’t. But there was one friend that we still had left to visit on our list….Streakier Spire.

 

Reviews

[The Tao of Bri]

NICE!! I love your use of description and making the imagery come alive!

[Carole]

I agree with Jessi. You are a very talented writer. This piece held my attention from the start to the finish! An excellent read. Just a couple of typos that I caught: ***One of the last paragraphs: Then, before entering a cave, my girlfriend would comment that I should be a tour guild. (***guide*** instead of guild.

Same paragraph: He spent the next two hours trying to convince me to climb a cliff to retrieve a treasure that doesn't exist. Grammatically speaking, doesn't should be changed to "didn't."

I really enjoyed this, ML! Another amazing write!!! On to part two. I am on a roll. Have I set a record yet with the most reviews you have received in one night? :-)

[Jessi]

You are so talented all you work holds me attention I love it

[Mariah]

You draw your reader in and make them feel like they are a part of the story. Every word seems to be in place. I wouldn't change a thing about it.