Love Laughs Alot

The quiet of the morning awakened them there on the mountain and soon coffee was brewing and the back door was opened to let a slight breeze come through the screen.  Hot buttered toast with raspberry preserves, fresh fruit, and scrambled eggs broke the evening’s fast and a morning dove cooed to make awakening official.  The conversation was tender and strayed to the previous day’s magical moments in the mountain meadow and a plan was made to return there soon but today held a walk up the stream to the tree line after showering.

There was a kind of rapids in the stream as it passed near the cabin and the sound of the water tumbling over the boulders could be heard in the bedroom and provided a soothing “white noise” for deep, restful sleep, free from cares, worries, and disturbing dreams.  The sound of the water seemed to flush away all tension from the muscles and erase everything from the mind that would upset, frighten, or annoy.  So, it was a relaxed couple indeed that set out hand in hand that morning toward the stream and the tree line far above the cabin.

The scent of spruce and pine was pungent in the air and the slight crackle of the pine needles under foot drew attention to the dry, warm morning air.  Sound seemed to travel for a great distance and, although they were speaking somewhat softly, in contrast to the natural sounds around them, their voices seemed booming and echoing.  Each, rather involuntarily, stopped speaking and continued walking in a meditative silence.  As they ascended, the trees became less dense and the patches of snow became more frequent and larger.  They turned to survey the climb they had made and looked out on a vista that included a brilliant morning sun and shaded, foggy valleys with sparkling streams that seemed to be sending some shining signals to all around.  It was time to don the warmer sweaters and share some trail mix and a quick drink; they could see the dome of the mountain as it stood out boldly against the western sky, surrounded at the tree line by a growth of pine and fir trees that made it look like a jewel of diamond-shining whiteness held in a filigree setting of green.  How fresh was the air; how clear was the sky; how crisp was the morning light as it shone off the snow, scintillating in a sparkling dance of water crystal diamonds.  The snow was now crunching under foot all the way and the path was becoming steeper; they could hear the stream rushing out of the mountain cave, beginning its cascade down and past the cabin where they were staying and that cave was their destination.

The mouth of the cave faced due east and was ablaze with the morning sun and, despite the temperature, it felt quite warm inside and this was borne out by the fact that there was a steam arising from the walls that gave the cave a slightly mystical and magical feel.  They dipped their cups in the stream for a drink and it was ice cold, refreshing, and with a distinct taste of iron; they felt invigorated.

The stream had cut down into the mountain inside the cave and left a ledge that provided a good vantage point for sitting and looking out over the mountain; the cave, the roar of the stream, and the silence of the panoramic view suggested the feel of a holy sanctuary and each held their cup of water as a chalice of holy communion.  He put his arm around her; she placed her hand on his thigh; they sat still like that for almost an hour and finally stirred with a kiss.

The trip back seemed to go more quickly and was punctuated with more laughing and giggling; more skipping and jumping; some slipping on the pine needles and a general lighthearted good time of it.  They ran the last little bit to the cabin and arrived breathless and deeper in love, ready for a hearty meal.