Flowery
The daunting edifice of rock loomed before my being, a magnificent piece of earth erected decades ago by the forces of nature. I stood awestruck and intimidated by its grandeur seeming to be infinite. The mountain’s peak remained obscured by a condensed configuration of somber clouds. Compelled by the alluring visage, I began the tedious excursion towards the veiled summit. Would I be able to surmount the arduous journey uphill or would my limbs flounder to a stop before reaching the mountain’s height?
With trepidation, I pushed my limbs up the dusted path careful not to slip on the dispersed sediments protruding from the ground. Propelling forward, I felt a growing throb throughout the upper regions of my legs as my muscles strained against the upward movement. Gravity pushed against the frame of my existence urging me to surrender. The wind became an unnerving nemesis, seeping through the fibers of my garments with its icy touch. Every breath of air I took pierced my lungs, leaving them frigid and raw.
My fingers coiled around my camera, as I stretched my limbs forward. I was attempting to traverse this treacherous terrain for a picturesque image. As my lungs ached and my legs buckled under the strain of the hike, I found it to be a ludicrous reason. Was such an image worth the value of this journey?
Minutes felt endless under the exertions of this pilgrimage, but I moved forward reluctantly. Reaching the dense wall of mist, I ascended through the swirling fog into a clearing. I stood above the billowing clouds, an ocean of endless white. This was worth it, I proclaimed as I grasped my camera and took the shot.
Conversational
Looking up, I saw the mountain hundreds of feet above my head. I felt small as I stood at the base of Mission Peak. How could I ever climb something so big? I wasn’t even able to look at its peak because dense fog surrounded the top, hiding the height of the mountain. Was my body even capable of going that high? I was already thinking of quitting as I looked at the never-ending path. But I had woken up at 5 AM. Yes 5 AM! Just to take a picture of the view. I wasn’t about to quit now, although it was very tempting.
After a couple minutes of staring down Mission Peak and debating if I should run back to my car and drive back to my house where a nice warm bed waited, I did the unthinkable and started walking up. Let me tell you, I was aching all over! My thighs were burning, my calves were burning, even my lungs were burning as I breathed in the icy air. I had to stop so many times I lost track of how many. For a moment I considered going back. Why was I even doing this? For a picture I could get off the internet if I typed “Mission Peak Views”?
Every moment climbing that mountain felt horrible. I would stop to catch my breath every few minutes as my lungs screamed in pain. Go back! When you aren’t used to hiking it is hard to find the endurance to keep going. I honestly don’t know why I kept going, but I kept taking steps forward. The fog clung to my hair, I probably looked like a madwoman with chapped lips and frizzy hair. But at this point I didn’t care. I just wanted to be done.
When I walked through the thick wall of fog into the clear air, I was stunned. I have to admit that it was breathtaking to say the least. The fog looked like a soft blanket extended over the land. It felt like I was on top of the world. With the blink of an eye, I pulled out my camera and took the shot.
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