Driving through the winding mountain roads, the suspension of the pickup truck adjusting the banked turns and undulating curves as the passengers look back at the disappearing view of the rugged mountains to the west. Inside the extended cab, melodies of the acoustic guitar fall upon the ears of the two passengers as they gaze at the cotton ball dotted mid-summer sky above the expansive San Juan mountains to the east. The conversation jumps from topic to topic, reminiscing about memories and sharing experiences, from childhood to the present day, there is excitement, life, in these stories and experiences.

This trip, many months in the making, is a welcomed break from the daily stresses and battles of the passengers. And the timing couldn’t be better, with both occupants parting ways in just a few short days there is a sense of purpose with this trip. As they crest the top of the 11,600ft pass, the driver points out a spot along the side of the road in a ditch where several years prior there had been a freak snowstorm where the silver pickup truck had plunged into the ditch and several tense hours was spent digging the truck out of the snow and conversing with a snowplow driver. The driver shifts in the seat to admire the view of the 13,000+ mountain dominating the landscape in the distance. The passenger begins to tell of a recent trip, where the last month was spent criss-crossing countries across Europe much to the drivers’ interest.

Soon the driver motions to a side road off of the lonely state highway that leads to a majestic waterfall that is labeled “a must see”. The next hour is spent hiking around, climbing over rocks and boulders, reaching a platform of grass just feet away from the powerful 100ft. waterfall. The sound is deafening, and the spray of the waterfall drenches the immediate rocks and grass. Short minutes are spend gazing at the mighty power just out of reach, before the two decide to dry off in the afternoon sun as it plays peek-a-boo with the clouds above. The hike back to the pickup truck is a slower pace, the uphill journey is littered with sizable boulders that must be negotiated with care. The final push is made by climbing up an 8ft. “cliff” to the shelf overlooking the waterfall. A gorgeous day, with only a slight breeze and the roar of the waterfall the audible sounds. Back toward the truck the two walk, their clothes nearly dry from the bright sun.

After a quick side trip down a dusty, windy road the two meet back up with the nearly deserted state highway. A few minutes later, another detour is made down to a road called Fern Creek Road. The driver has mentioned this special place many times to the passenger, and has shared stories about childhood memories spent chasing family behind the two story cabin. This place is somewhat more somber now, family members of yesteryear gone but never forgotten. A tour of the property is made, along with a quick refreshment and card game and it is back to the highway for another 20 miles to the isolated mountain town that is the destination for the night.

Pulling into the small but busy mountain town, the two make their way to a restaurant that has been picked out by the driver, having dined at the establishment several times before. The conversation continues, never forced or dull, mostly being dominated about future plans and preparations. The passenger tells of long sought after dreams that are becoming reality, many changes will take place over the next week or two. The driver smiles, these plans of the passenger are both great and sad. The conversation shifts to the driver sharing about what’s next, and eagerly anticipating the change of scenery that is approaching fast. Drinks and food soon are consumed, and the two find themselves walking down the main street of the town, browsing a few small shops along the way toward the theater. This has been something that the driver has planned for many months, tickets purchased quite some time ago in hopes that this day would happen. The two take their seats and the show begins, the farcical comedy bringing many laughs to the two theatergoers. The driver looks at the passenger, thankful for these memories that have been created. The show ends and the two make their way back to the pickup, the night sky lit with the moon and stars, no lights to obscure them out here. The trip back will be spent conversing, laughing, and enjoying one anothers’ company. The passenger fighting to stay awake to keep the driver alert, but eventually succumbing to sleep. The driver glances at the passenger, then back to the lonely road before them. Breathing a sigh of contentment, saying…

“Today was a good day.”