My backpack weighed heavily on my shoulders as I shrugged it off and eased it to the ground. I removed my bottle of water and took a big long drink. I started swinging my arms in large circles, stretching the shoulder muscles, loosening them back up after my two mile hike. I gazed around at my surroundings, taking in the views of the majestic mountains rising to my left, the west.
The mountains were rugged, with rocky snow capped peaks, jutting up towards the sky, at their feet ran a stream filled with crystal clear water meandering through a meadow of green. Ah, summer in the Canadian Rockies, there was no equal in all of the world.
Groaning to myself as I shouldered my pack, and trying to reason that I only had about a mile to go I started back down the trail. I couldn't wait to get to camp and the man who awaited me there. I was laughing to myself as I thought, do I have some stories for him.
It took me about twenty more minutes of brisk walking with my weighty pack to finally reach camp. My friend had set up camp close to the stream, by an outcropping of evergreens. I could see a small trail of smoke wafting up through the trees, next to some big boulders. I glanced at my watch and told myself I was right on time as I marched into camp and practically threw my pack off. Sighing, feeling around twenty pounds lighter, I glanced around for Steve. He was nowhere to be seen so I decided to set up my tent. He was probably just out hiking I reasoned.
It took me a couple of minutes to get set up. I then decided it was time to relax. I walked down to the creek and sat on a boulder, thinking about the upcoming conversation with Steve. I had some juicy tails to tell him and I was bursting with anticipation over the wait.
I was picking up small stones and tossing them into the stream, when I saw Steve walking up the creek below me. He saw me and waved, heading in my direction. I studied him as he approached, wearing a blue shirt over his wide shoulders, his brown hair just touching the collar. He had long legs tucked inside of tan khaki pants and a pair of hikers on his feet.
I stood as he came near, brushing off the seat of my pants, and smiled warmly at him. His handsome face smiled back at me and taking my hands, he held them tightly and beamed at me.
"How are you doing, Kathrynn?" He asked.
I smiled at him and giggled, saying, "I'm just great, Steve."
Putting an arm casually around me, we walked back up to camp in companionable silence.
Steve and I had been meeting like this for a couple of years and we both found it as an enlightening and therapeutic experience.
I could see by look of anticipation on Steve's face that he was waiting for me to begin, but feeling a little ornery, I decided I'd make him wait.
"How was your trip up here, Steve?" I asked somewhat nonchalantly, stifling a giggle as I sat on the ground, leaning back against a big rock.
