Ah… so this is long overdue. I won’t attempt to recall every moment, detail and activity from my time in the DR. I left at the end of August and stayed a few days. I landed in Santo Domingo and made my way up to Sosúa. Though I won’t provide play-by-plays, I will reflect on how I felt before and during my trip. My birthday is September 7th. A few months before the 7th, I had several ideas for what I wanted to do with my friends… As time went by, I began to feel overwhelmed. I didn’t want to orchestrate anything. I wanted to remove all stress and expectations from my life even those associated with birthday plans. The odd (and somewhat sad) realization was that most people forget or won’t celebrate you unless there’s something planned. I guess most of us need an invitation to do so. I wasn’t sure how to take that… a part of me took it personal but I’m actively working on my ego.
Back to the trip.
So… the DR wasn’t planned. I was griping to one of my friends about my state of mind and he invited me out (he was already going). I can’t begin to tell you how happy I was! While he was working, I was lounging. All I wanted to do was relax. I didn’t want to think or decided anything. I wanted to escape all of that. It was nice sightseeing, basking in the sun, exploring and trying new food. — which got better each time we went out. Though I’ve become more comfortable with traveling alone, it was nice to have company overseas. I don’t take it lightly that he offered to share his space with me and I’m thankful.
A few days of waking up, rinsing off and jumping in the pool or lounging in the sun with zero obligations was a calm reset I didn’t realize how much I needed. It was overdue. In fact, from now on, when I travel, I want to have less plans. I typically don’t have an itinerary but I do have activities/places I’d like to check out. I just don’t want the pressure to get it all done.
I had that short exchange at least 3 times throughout my weekend in the city. Sometimes curiosity and the want for new surroundings is enough to get away from your hometown. Once again, my friend Tiffany and I just decided on a weekend, a place to go and we went! We only had 48 hours to spend and we tried to optimize our time as much as possible. Here’s how it went:
June 25th
I woke up super early to catch my 6:30 flight. The temperature was warm in Greensboro, North Carolina but in Boston, it was kind of cool: the high was only 70° and the low, 61°. My connecting flight was in Atlanta. I met Tiffany at baggage claim once I arrived to Boston. We wanted to take local transportation to our hotel but we had a really difficult time figuring out which bus it was (even though a complimentary option was advertised for surrounding hotels!).
We got an Uber to the hotel and agreed that our appetite was through the roof, so we headed to a place called Shake Shack. While I was there, I should have looked at other peoples meals so that I would’ve known how small the burgers were… I would’ve gotten a double or at least fries and a milkshake. Surprisingly, the one mini burger turned out to be quite satisfying.
Afterwards, we got ready for the sunset boat tour and walked to the harbor. Our tour guide was informative (and easy on the ears). It was cloudy and quite chilly – my breath was visible! Unfortunately, the sun wasn’t interested in a grand departure, so we didn’t get to see rich colors while on the water. I learned a bit and I’m glad I opted in for the tour because originally, I wasn’t interested in absorbing a history lesson.
Next up, we caught an Uber to go to dinner at a restaurant called Local 149. Our driver was so obnoxious in a way where he wanted to seem like the big champ that everyone liked but his comments were arrogant, problematic and douchey. Who brings up politics with a complete stranger? It was quite the gamble.Anyway – he drops us off at the restaurant and we get a table. I was famished! I ordered a plate of coconut Thai chili mussels and a fried Flutternutter (something new I tried and enjoyed immensely). Tiffany wanted salmon but after some encouragement, she tried the mussels…. and swapped her order! Our food was tasty! We were satisfied and had regained energy to begin the night of fun.
We stood in line for about 15 minutes, striking up conversation with locals. We thought we were in line for The W but we were actually in line for another venue. The other spot charged a $30 cover which we weren’t interested in. Feeling a bit defeated, we decided to walk around to see what was there and we stumbled upon The W anyway (we thought it was closed or limited to hotel guests only but they let us in). There was an awkward moment at the bar… fortunately it was amended with free drinks. The DJ was so good! We found our spot amongst the crowd and enjoyed the music for the rest of the night until closing.
June 26TH
I slept in until about 10 AM – we had a long night before and there would be a long day ahead of us. This was the last full day in Boston, so we had to make the most of it! We realized last night, that the place we Ubered to was fairly close. Brunch was definitely within walking distance. Today was the day I’d reach my step goal ;). Originally, we had ours eyes set on Lookout Bar for brunch but the dining area was full. Read: secure reservations before big city trips. I asked the host if he could recommend another place and he mentioned Committee so we went there instead.
Once again: since I’m out somewhere new, I want to try something new! I got a Greek styled omelette, called “kayiannas” and a large not-so sweet pastry called “bougatsa” which would’ve been amazing with hot tea. Everything was just right: new, pleasing and just enough. I’m glad there weren’t any leftovers during our stay because we didn’t have a microwave in our hotel. After brekkie, the idea of drinks at Lookout Bar came back to mind. It was such a lovely view. Time was spent sunbathing, drinking and taking in the scenery before resuming our trek.
The next stop was Boston Public Garden. Or is it Boston Commons? Upon arrival, we heard a liberal activist bringing people together while encouraging unity and acceptance. There was an available bench near Frog Pond where we saw a lot of children playing in the lake and a couple of park patrol security riding on horses. How fitting. There were a few playgrounds. You could see the different activities happening as people socially distanced themselves… and it reminded me of what life was like before COVID-19.
Chinatown was the final stop for the day. It was a 20 minute walk from where we were. Just our luck, we happened to enter through the back of Chinatown so, we explored it in reverse. Once we got to the main entry, pictures were taken and compliments were received. After resting for a bit, it was time to look for a place to eat! We went to the Spice House and I got some vegetable dumplings.
After eating, I was in dire need of a nap. We took in plenty of sun, gotten plenty of steps so it was time to rest before heading out for dinner and getting ready for the early morning flight back home. There was a bar close by called Roxanne’s. We learned that most of these places require reservations (of course I wouldn’t expect anything less). We got comfy at the bar and I got fried buffalo cauliflower and she got mac & cheese dish. We had some pretty interesting drinks: mine had coconut milk and tasted light and refreshing. The night cap was a great way to end this quick getaway, especially because there was reflection and shared aspirations for the future.
I enjoyed Boston I want to see more of it when I return.
My friend had recently moved to Arlington, VA. I imagined it’d be a little difficult moving to a new city and starting over. So I chose a weekend to head up there and see her. Although I’m used to flying, I figured I’d drive since it was within my five hour road trip limit. The drive made me wonder if I’m gonna bring my five hour limit down to 4 1/2 hours. Ha! We’ll see! I left Friday after work, around 1 PM (or at least that was my intention). There were a couple of moments when traffic slowed down. I went during Fourth of July weekend. I reached her place around 7 PM. After a long drive you don’t really want to go to anything but relax and eat so that’s what we did. We drove to a strip-like area in Shirlington and went to an Indian restaurant. I ordered a vegetable dish and extra garlic naan (which I love!). After staying up for a bit to chat, I hit the hay. Ya girl was TIRED.
After taking her dog, Georgie, out for a walk, we headed to brunch. The place we went was called Chadwicks, located in Old Town Alexandria. I forgot what I ordered (it was probably French toast because that is my all-time favorite) but whatever it was, I inhaled it. There was a cute poodle mix that sat near us – I had to get a picture of him because it was still a puppy and he was big and fluffy. After eating, we headed over to the waterfront park. Plenty of people were enjoying the weather, kids were running around and a band was playing music. It was so lively! We checked out Old Town some more and took some photos by the marina. We came across a shop called Lou Lou and decided to pop in (mainly because it was SO hot outside). The vibe was cute and hipster. There was a swing photo op toward the left after walking inside, (good marketing, btw). I usually don’t make impulsive purchases and I’m not big on souvenirs but if something speaks to me, then I’m all in! There was a plaque about King Street and it said you can reach the end in about 15 minutes but it certainly didn’t feel like it. During our stroll, I took a couple of pictures near Franklin P. Backus courthouse (I was impressed by the architecture so I had to stop). JuJu got Boba tea and we also made a pitstop in H&M. I imagined we’d have more time to check out a few more shops but the sky looked a bit intimidating so we headed back home to rest before heading out again.
That night, we were determined to go out! So, we pre-gamed a little bit (2 shots), requested an Uber and went to a club called Decades. Upon arrival, I realized the crowd was bit younger (but pretty diverse). I prefer a place with a more classy atmosphere, space to dance, converse and get comfortable (I’m more so into lounges). It was a spur of the moment kind of choice – but not bad. They played decent music but it was way too crowded and people were pushing on the way upstairs. I was completely turned off by the bouncer’s attitude (gag!) I just don’t ever wanna go back to this place. BUT. JuJu seemed to really enjoy herself and that mattered more to me than everything else that night.
The next day was Fourth of July and I learned that my friend, Sezin (who used to be my neighbor while I studied abroad in Turkey) didn’t live far from JuJu. Sezin picked me up and we went to a restaurant in Southwest Washington called Coladas. We spent time at the Wharf marina in DC. It had to be about 7 years since the last time I saw her, so we tried to catch up as much as we could while exploring the area. I stopped at Praline Bakery to order vanilla and Oreo macaroons . Afterwards, we took a mini tour of the area: we drove through Georgetown University, drove by the National Museum of American History, the National Mall, the Holocaust Memorial Museum and The Smithsonian Institution Building but we couldn’t get close to many of the places because they were blocked off by security.
When I got back to my JuJu’s house, we thought it’d be a good idea to check out the pool. It wasn’t very hot anymore and much of the pool was in the shade by the time we got there so we didn’t get in. One of her neighbors recommended checking out Ruth’s Chris in Crystal (a small city not too far from Arlington). We didn’t have any plans for how we’d spend the Fourth of July so that was good timing. We went and found seats at the bar. There was about an hour left until the sun set. We had a great view because the restaurant had panoramic windows, so we got to see fireworks happening in different areas. The only downside was that they were small. It was a stress-free, relaxing way to spend the holiday.
We associate mirrors with vanity but I dare us to take them for what they are… and dive deeper.
Mirrors are reflective. We spend plenty of time in them and still don’t truly know the person on the other side. It’s all been surface level. Mirrors call us to reflect. Can you really sit with yourself and be alone? Do you begin to feel uncomfortable with certain thoughts? It seems like we’d rather run from who we are rather than sit, reveal and understand. Heal. Confronting the “ugly“ or less desirable traits only seems to be worth it when it’s cosmetic.
Blemish and dark circles? Concealer. Rough hairline? Shape up. Unruly brows? Threading or wax. Guilt?… Resentment? Fear… Jealousy… Anxiety? No. It will take more than 30 minutes to adjust those.
But we must. We have to start. We have to spend time with ourselves and name that thing – name that feeling. Find undertones and triggers. Learn the dark side, whether it’s for self-knowledge or to shed light and overcome the shadows. We owe it to ourselves to hold a mirror to the soul and reflect.
Ah, good ol’ Georgia. I hate to admit it but like many… the only two cities I’m familiar with, in the state, are Atlanta and Savannah. The cabin trip I was invited on was in Blue Ridge (my first time seeing the Blue Ridge Mountains!) and the estimated drive-time was under 5 hours from Thomasville, NC. So, after work, I grabbed my bags full of comfy clothing and a yoga mat and I hit the rode with Erin.
>>>Friday
We arrived around 6:00 PM, began unloading and met everyone inside. The cabin was so homey! There were three floors: the top floor had the master bedroom and a private balcony, then there was the main floor with a bedroom, bathroom kitchen, living room, and a wrap around porch (the porch had the grill and a firepit) and the bottom floor had a fireplace, bedroom, bathroom, pool table, tv and the jacuzzi. After organizing the food, Tony immediately went into cook mode. He is the chef, after all.
One thing I regret was snacking on the gummy bears and Reese’s throughout our stay. I definitely over indulged – but not just on sweets. I believe I fell asleep just before 9:00 PM.. I was so tired! I tried to fight it but I learned that if you’re on vacation… and your body needs rest, then let it!
>>>SATURDAY
I woke around 6:30 AM and I felt like a brand new human being. Tony, Andrew and Kayla were still asleep but Erin and John were up and moving about in the kitchen. There was fruit salad with melted marshmallow and it looked amazing. It was part of the breakfast soon to come. The three of us hopped in the jacuzzi in the cool morning. I melted. I woke up feeling refreshed and the jacuzzi swiftly put me on cloud 9. And with the long, shower after (I had a bomb body scrub), I was the epitome of mellow.
Is it possible to be too relaxed?
I grabbed my blanket, along with my book and sat by the firepit for a couple hours while breakfast was in the making. I had a blueberry waffle (loaded with the fruit mix), eggs, and home fries. John really did his thing in the kitchen! I took care of the dishes in the sink when I finished eating and I heard talks of taking shots. By this time, the day had barely moved into the afternoon. I wasn’t ready. But. I did decided to soak some gummy bears in the Bacardi.
While those sat, everyone eventually made their way toward the firepit. You know what’s against the law? Being around an outdoor fire without s’mores. I’m no law-breaker. S’mores stole the spotlight. Here’s where I give a shoutout to Girl Scouts for putting me on to greatness.
Not too long after, yoga was mentioned so we grabbed our mats and prepared ourselves for even deeper relaxation (I didn’t know it was possible). Erin led the session and we all agreed that it was the best, the absolute best yoga session we ever experienced. We almost went into a deep sleep toward the end. I felt as light as a feather. I need that in my life on at least weekly basis.
I spent the rest of the day by the firepit reading my book and finishing InuYasha: The Final Act. (This is my third time watching it from beginning to end).
Tony handle dinner once again! I had grilled salmon and it was amazing. Later that night I made a veggie homemade pizza.
>>>Sunday
I woke up pretty early and decided the best thing to do would be to jump into the jacuzzi. I mean, how many of us have the option to jump into a jacuzzi right when you wake up? I had to do it. Afterwards, I took a bomb shower and began to pack up my toiletries and organize my items back into their bags.
I felt as though I didn’t indulge in s’more‘s-making like I should have so I decided to make a bunch of them. I may have ruined my appetite for breakfast.
Soon enough, everyone was awake and taking advantage of the amenities before it was time for us to leave. Originally, we were supposed to leave by 11:00 AM but because we were vacationing during daylight savings (I highly recommend!) We got to check out at 2:00 PM instead. We lounged a bit and began to load the trucks. Before leaving we spent more time on the wraparound porch and simply enjoyed one another’s company. All in all, the experience was a great way to mark 2021. It was much needed.
There was so much food, that if we (a total of 6) had stayed four full days instead of two, we would have been just fine. It was beyond refreshing to not have anything planned (but to have options). The company was amazing and the atmosphere was quite pleasant. The guys cooked everything! So there was always a meal available. What a break from reality.
– transcribed from a recording taken after the experience, while sitting in the car –
Last Wednesday’s Event
It was about a week ago, I was sitting on my couch and I had my arm resting on top of my sectional. One of my cats, Mia, was sitting to the left of me and she looked like she wanted to jump up but something was stopping her. For some reason, I felt annoyed that she wouldn’t just do it. I said “Mia, Jump! What’s stopping you?’ and I gave her a little nudge. She jumped up but her rear feet scratched my arm a little bit and it *h u r t*. I was upset. Out of frustration, I gave her a push *nervous laugh* I didn’t mean to do that. I shouldn’t have done that. Understandably, she didn’t want to fall off the sofa, so she used her strength to stay on. Her back right foot scratched the heck out of my left index finger and it *b u r n e d*. I sat there as my frustrations dissolved — distracted by the pain in my finger. I looked at Mia and I said “I’m so sorry… You didn’t wanna jump and I made you jump. I shouldn’t have pushed you, I’m sorry. It’s my fault that I’m bleeding.”.
Flesh
I watched the skin. I saw the cut from the top left of my finger, to the bottom right and it just burned. I could feel the blood beginning to pool to the center of the wound. In that moment, I sat there with it because I hadn’t bled in so long. I hadn’t had a wound… paper cuts is usually as exciting as it gets for me. I haven’t fallen and scratched a knee in years and I’ve never broken a bone. My last injury where blood was present, was my freshman year of college. So with this, I sat with it… because it reminded me just how fragile I was… I am. Flesh is so delicate. I realize I move through life without acknowledging the extent of my mortality, until today.
The Close Call
During my lunch break, I decided to go fill up on some gas because I had 12 miles left in my tank. I went to Great Stops. On my way back to the office, I took O’Henry. I waited in my turning lane and to my left I saw this huge truck that moved into its right turning lane but continued straight. It continued straight where it wasn’t suppose to continue straight. There were diagonal lines in the lane in which he drove. His truck was coming straight towards me. I thought “Oh shit… he’s about to hit me.” This huge 18-wheeler on O’Henry Blvd., also known as “Death Valley” was about to hit my 2-door… and it was by the grace of God that I was able to act. I quickly shifted my car into reversed and I hit the gas and I was able to move out of its way. He didn’t honk at me… I think he knew he was in the wrong. His truck was sooo close to my car as he passed.
Definitely Destructible
If we made impact, the front of his truck would have hit me directly: on the driver’s side. Lord knows if I would have survived it. Everyone ignores the speed limit on O’Henry. In fact, people drive so fast there that I’d say it’s unsafe to do the speed limit. In that moment, I realized again my mortality is so real — not that I believed otherwise… But I’m not consistently reminded that I’m only here for a moment. That my body is not titanium… It is not made of diamonds.
I am physically destructible. I am a bubble, easily popped. We all are.
What’s there to do and where is there to go for New Years? 2020 made the world take a seat and reflect. What better way to end the year exploring a new place that inspires thought? I said I wanted to go to the beach but I was looking for a place that had a remote kind of vibe… a place that wasn’t super touristy and my objective was to check out Kure Beach. Instead, I spent the evening on Wrightsville Beach listening to music, contemplating and reflecting. There was nothing and no one out there but the beach, my friend and a blanket to snuggle in. Going to the beach at the end of the year is a win since it’s off-season and “crowdless”. I wanted to stay out on the beach up until New Year’s but there was a curfew that required everyone to be home 10 PM. That night, I had a small drink, watched a movie and went to sleep because first thing in the morning, we’d be headed to the island.
Baldhead Island, North Carolina
So, before hitting the road, we decided to go to our favorite beach drive-thru called Port City Java. I’ve mentioned this place a few times before. I always have to pull up whenever I’m in town! After grabbing some sustenance we checked out the distance from where we were. It was about an hour and 30 minute drive from Wilmington to Southport. From Southport we went to the marina, purchased our tickets and got on the ferry to Baldhead Island. The ferry almost reminded me of one of those fishing boats that you see in movies. Nevertheless, I recommend it for those who have never used water transportation before. Once we got to the island we took a 4 minute tram ride to the lighthouse called “Old Baldy“. . We later learned that most people navigate the island using a bike or golf cart because it’s so small. We spent some time around the lighthouse reading the different history plaques. The trees in the area had so much character. There’s something about the trees on the coast in the south that have this integrity and otherworldly feel to them. We began walking along the road and we kept getting passed by people on golf carts. We were aiming to go to the beach but figured it would be better to rent a bike so we turned back around and headed towards the marina where the bike rental shops were.
We got there in the nick of time, as they were about to close. So… we got a discount on ours ;). The attendant at the shop gave us a map and shared which routes we should take and some decent spots to check out. There weren’t many, as we went during off-season and most popular shops were closed. We made our way down to East Beach and South Beach followed. The view spelled out serenity. I mean, this was the exact vibe and aesthetic I was looking for to spend my last day of the year. But I suppose the first day of the year will do just fine. I wish I had brought blankets, tea and a book out there because I would’ve stayed so much longer. The tide was quite low and there was plenty of damp sand around. Half the sky was covered in dark clouds and the other was only hazy. The sky almost represented the darkness of 2020 and the newness that 2021 would bring us. After taking in the view and peacefulness around us we considered going to south beach but our thoughts were interrupted by a few heavy drops of rain that sent us running for our bikes. Thank goodness those drops of rain we’re only a scare and nothing came of it! We did make a mad dash back to the marina so that we can catch the boat on time but I looked at the wrong side of the schedule. We sat there for 30 minutes in the cold until the ferry came. Once in the car, we blasted the heat and headed back to Wilmington. But. I had to make a stop at the one and only Checkers. The reason I romanticize this place is because my Mom has told me about it and she’s from New Jersey. There have been a few times when she shared her childhood stories and would mention Checkers so, whenever I get the opportunity, I seize it. This time around I got a small regular fry, a small funnel fry, and a chicken sandwich. I also got a slushy and ice cream kind of drink but I forget the name of it. I am usually well behaved when I eat out but I had to make this one exception. In the morning, we checked out around noon and then we hit Port City Java one last time before heading back to the Piedmont.
This was the rainiest, shortest getaway I’ve ever experienced but we were able to get out and enjoy the sun! The drive down was about four hours. The rain poured during the first half of the trip. As we got closer to the coast, the sun began to break through. We unloaded at the hotel and and spent the last hours of sunlight on Wrightsville Beach.
There were plenty of people in the water and also groups of college students enjoying the view (we came during move in week). The water was comfortable and there were restaurants nearby. We did not explore so much in Wrightsville but overall the vibe was calm with a few things to do here and there.
Saturday:
So… the forecast was sunny with a chance of rain. It was HOT. We stopped at Port City Java for sustenance and I was pleasantly surprised by their menu and also the quality of food (it was our first time there). We hit the road and went straight to Carolina beach (by far, my favorite). We sat on the beach and took in the view. The thick clouds brought in obnoxious heavy rain drops here and there. Thankfully, it wasn’t a steady down pour – but it was enough to send us on our way. Did I mention how hot it was? I didn’t bring a bathing suit because yesterday was rainy but goodness. I wish I had. We walked around and came across a gift shop that sold magnets, jewelry, custom henna tattoos and clothing. When we entered, there was no one there to greet us. It took a few moments for someone to arrive. That gives me the impression that people are generally trusting in that area. As we continue checking out the shops nearby we stumbled across this place that served gelato and oh my goodness I will be back! I had pineapple rosemary gelato (a large serving) it was also vegan! I bought a lollipop as well, but I definitely want to come back and buy more and sample more of their flavors.
We went to the boardwalk and sat on the swing to enjoy our cold treat.
The next stop was Kure Beach. We decided to check this place out based off of some of the “remote” vibe pictures we saw on Google. Kure was less busy but definitely a place I would find myself coming to just to step away from what I’m dealing with in life and to disconnect. I’d like to give Kure another try. We walked down from Carolina beach I noticed it was mostly residential. We ate late lunch at Jack Mackerel’s. The drinks were fairly strong, though they tasted like juice.
Sunday:
We checked out 11:00 AM and stopped by Port City Java one last time before returning to the Triad. I’ll miss riding in that 2019 BMW 330i.
So, the gang met up at my place around 10 o’clock in the morning. I wanted to wear regular sneakers for the hike but something told me to get my hiking boots. Unfortunately, I went against my better judgment. The trip was about an hour and 30 minutes southwest from my home. I thoroughly enjoy drives under four hours – especially with loved ones. Anything longer than four hours tends to hurt my back. This was our first time going to Stone Mountain State Park in North Carolina. I believe there are a few parks with the same name on the East Coast. People usually think I’m referring to the one in Georgia, so I’ll have to check that out next! When we arrived, the visitors center was closed due to COVID-19. We grabbed a map and drove over to the trail entry at the upper trail parking lot. The longest loop trail was 4 1/2 miles and that was also marked as strenuous. There was no telling when we’d be back this way, so I urged the group to do the longest trail which I thought would also be the most rewarding. And they agreed!
Starting off there were plenty of people on the same path because the beginning segment eventually lead to the different trails the park has to offer. Even in the beginning, I was pleased by the greenery and the well marked paths. It quickly became my favorite place for hiking and I hadn’t gotten to the best part yet! So the beginning phase of our hiking experience was overall leveled but about 1/4 of the way through the incline began to kick in. We stopped a couple times. We watched hawks windsurf and got to observe a bold, unbothered doe. As well as a single dark heavy cloud. Shakira asked “What does being in the mountains do for you?”. I like nature in general so whether I’m in the mountains, meadow, near the lake, or on the beach, I am very much happy and calm and content. She had a stronger preference for the beach over the mountains since being in the mountains makes her anxious. After reaching the top of Stone Mountain, we thought that was all there was to see, so on the descent, we increased the pace. We reached a parking lot and felt a sense of accomplishment only to realize it wasn’t the parking lot we left our car at. It was the lower parking lot. And we were only halfway done.
So after getting some direction we set back out to complete our trail. The wind began picking up and the suddenly there were many more dark clouds rolling in. No more than seven minutes into phase 2 of our trip it began to rain. And then it began to pour. None of us were adequately prepared for the change in weather. I had a baseball cap. Initially, my friends (who were less excited about rain) tried to figure out what we could do but quite frankly there was nothing to be done but to accept the fact that this is out of our control. We could only keep trekking onward. The rain was fun for maybe the first 40 minutes but it later made things much more difficult. I continued to scan the scenery for shelter but we had no luck.
We went from feeling quite warm from hiking, to being wet from the rain, to being cold and soaked. One of my friends had product from her hair start running into her eye which made seeing difficult. And Bri had sprained her ankle prior to the rainfall (hiking boots >>> sneakers). What started as an optimistic trip with great vibes quickly darkened.
As we continued, we approach a high-volume narrow stream about 2 feet wide that empty into the river. It was right across our path so we had to cross it but all three of us were pretty intimidated by it. Bri was quit the soldier – we locked arms and crossed it. I’m not sure how I would have passed if I were in this situation alone. My friends were also surprised by a black snack (I missed it!). Hearing them running and screaming was a bit entertaining until I realized they were actually afraid of something back there. It makes me wonder how many times I’ve obliviously walked past a potentially dangerous animal…
There was no where to hide from the rain to take a moment and collect ourselves. As we continued on we came across this opening, this huge beautiful opening! To the left was this grand view of Stone Mountain. Or at least one of the largest slabs of stone that the park consists of. I dare say the rainfall made it even more worthwhile.
I wanted to stand in the rain and look. I wanted to stay awhile to take in the view and capture what was around me but that was not the mood of the crew. The objective was to get to the car at this point. Little did we know we had what seemed like a long way to go.
It was a mixture of beauty perseverance and chaos and one of the best memories of 2020.
Zaira Viteria 