I spent 16 days and 14 nights in the Wind Rivers this summer. I went with Creighton as I did last year, but we also brought some other friends. We did a 7-day/6-night trip from the Green River Lakes and were joined by Gil and Diane. Gil and Diane had to leave on the 30th of July. Creighton and I came out with them and spent 2 nights and 1 full day in the Wyoming towns of Jackson and Dubois. We did laundry, resupplied, bought some gear, and rested. We then went in for a 9-day/8-night trip from the same trailhead (Trail Lake Trailhead) that we went in from last year. I did not journal this year as much, but I took some notes to remember some amazing moments. I thought a good way to sum up last summer and this summer in this magical place would be the simple phrase, "last year I survived; this year I thrived."
I did write two poems (very unlike me) while I was deep in a reflective state one morning. Creighton had decided to run up Gannett (yes he ran, well he summitted damn fast). I stayed in camp. Here they are:
1)
With time in the woods comes comfort in hard things.
Today, I napped on a rock softer than a feather bed.
2)
I wish I were a poet or writer,
one who had the gift to capture feelings with words.
I wonder what I would capture in this moment,
sitting alone by this high alpine lake.
The feeling of contentment?
The feeling of aloneness?
Maybe just the sense that life is pretty good when spent outside.
I scan my surroundings,
hoping to see a sheep or elk,
instead just the ground squirrel is within my sight.
He darts around camp in quick, acute movements.
If I sit still, it's as if he does not notice me.
When I move, he runs off in the same sharp movements.
Minutes later, the squirrel returns.
This time not frightened by my movements.
As if me sitting here, he (and the rest of this place) has gotten used to me.
He stops and looks at me.
We share a moment.
This squirrel knows me,
or at least I want him to.
