There are very few experiences that can compete with a campfire under the stars... more thoughts to come in the coming days...
Monday, May 30, 2016
Sunday, May 8, 2016
I just had a great weekend with very good friends. To call them college friends wouldn't be accurate, because that college stuff ended ten years ago, but the six of us have continued to be friends since commencement.
Yet another friend is getting married. He was my first true friend at college. I would have to write much more than I have the energy for after an unofficial "bachelor party" weekend in order to convey what he's meant to me over the years, so I'll wait for the wedding in mid-June to do that.
I do have energy to share some of the highlights, which included:
Visiting a new lake in the Adirondacks. That is, after seeing a glorious view of the lake from afar during many a ride on the highway above on the way to Champlain for as long as I've made memories, I finally met it up close
Drinking much more than I have in years upon years, including a triple shot of tequila at the end of the night, simply because I'd heard people arguing about who was going to drink something somebody else had ordered but didn't want anymore, and I wanted to end the discussion and move on to the next thing.
Having it explained to me the next day that I had done four shots of tequila at the bar, not one, and then the fuzzy memory of that glass, which, in hindsight, had been very large.
Having this explained to me when we were already well into our hike of Giant Mountain, the 12th highest peak in the Adirondacks of New York.
Being very hungover (it's been years) and on 4 hours of sleep (that's normal) during this hike.
Enjoying the hike anyway (if you write off the first thirty minutes, which is always rough on the first hike of the year anyway), probably because I sweat all the tequila out in the first hour.
Ascending to a clear view of a valley and peaks covered with evergreen trees and leafless deciduous, something I'd never seen before because I had never hiked this early in the year.
Being very thankful for a sunny day, because they had been calling for a washout.
Running down the mountain for certain stretches, just because if felt right.
Having flashbacks to Yosemite Valley in 2004, which was the first time I;d hiked with three members (Chris, Joe, Joe) of the hiking party. I think it was also the last time I'd hiked with those same three people.
Remembering that this is exactly how I'd felt when I'd hiked Cascade Peak with Cambridge friends in 2009. We'd been drinking liquor, beers and smoking cigars (and other things) pretty much the entire day the day and night before, yet somehow Joe'd convinced us that we should hike our first high peak the next morning.
Also remembering that it had been on that mountain hike, in July of 2009, that I'd gotten the feeling that a special journey was on its way... and that it somehow involved India.
Enjoying the way the light and shadows mixed on the landscape, especially because the last four times I've hiked mountains, I've needed a headlamp on the way out (I know it's dangerous, but sunsets on mountain peaks are hard to beat).
Having dinner at Friendly's, because that's what the soon-to-be-a-groom wanted.
Playing very disturbing/hilarious word games afterward.
And finally, most of all, being truly blessed to still have such meaningful, enjoyable and hilarious friendships for such a long time
Yet another friend is getting married. He was my first true friend at college. I would have to write much more than I have the energy for after an unofficial "bachelor party" weekend in order to convey what he's meant to me over the years, so I'll wait for the wedding in mid-June to do that.
I do have energy to share some of the highlights, which included:
Visiting a new lake in the Adirondacks. That is, after seeing a glorious view of the lake from afar during many a ride on the highway above on the way to Champlain for as long as I've made memories, I finally met it up close
Drinking much more than I have in years upon years, including a triple shot of tequila at the end of the night, simply because I'd heard people arguing about who was going to drink something somebody else had ordered but didn't want anymore, and I wanted to end the discussion and move on to the next thing.
Having it explained to me the next day that I had done four shots of tequila at the bar, not one, and then the fuzzy memory of that glass, which, in hindsight, had been very large.
Having this explained to me when we were already well into our hike of Giant Mountain, the 12th highest peak in the Adirondacks of New York.
Being very hungover (it's been years) and on 4 hours of sleep (that's normal) during this hike.
Enjoying the hike anyway (if you write off the first thirty minutes, which is always rough on the first hike of the year anyway), probably because I sweat all the tequila out in the first hour.
Ascending to a clear view of a valley and peaks covered with evergreen trees and leafless deciduous, something I'd never seen before because I had never hiked this early in the year.
Being very thankful for a sunny day, because they had been calling for a washout.
Running down the mountain for certain stretches, just because if felt right.
Having flashbacks to Yosemite Valley in 2004, which was the first time I;d hiked with three members (Chris, Joe, Joe) of the hiking party. I think it was also the last time I'd hiked with those same three people.
Remembering that this is exactly how I'd felt when I'd hiked Cascade Peak with Cambridge friends in 2009. We'd been drinking liquor, beers and smoking cigars (and other things) pretty much the entire day the day and night before, yet somehow Joe'd convinced us that we should hike our first high peak the next morning.
Also remembering that it had been on that mountain hike, in July of 2009, that I'd gotten the feeling that a special journey was on its way... and that it somehow involved India.
Enjoying the way the light and shadows mixed on the landscape, especially because the last four times I've hiked mountains, I've needed a headlamp on the way out (I know it's dangerous, but sunsets on mountain peaks are hard to beat).
Having dinner at Friendly's, because that's what the soon-to-be-a-groom wanted.
Playing very disturbing/hilarious word games afterward.
And finally, most of all, being truly blessed to still have such meaningful, enjoyable and hilarious friendships for such a long time
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