journal

There is nobody on the trail, no cars at the trailhead. Snow remains in the shaded woods. The stream up the valley is frozen.

I climb a ridge, towards rock formations I can see at the summit. I am hot and sweating despite the cold when I come across one level spot to set up my tent.

For the next two days I don't leave, just stand on the cliffs and look.

Or sit next to the fire and listen, to the wind gusting through the pines, to the silence when it is still.

And try to understand the ancient rhythms my border collie pays attention to, the mystery he innately knows, but which I can barely sense.

A black and white dog stands on a rocky ledge looking out over large rock formations and a forest with patches of snow

Black and white dog standing on large reddish rock formations with forested mountains in the background, lit by warm sunlight

fallen tree with bare branches resting diagonally against a large rock, surrounded by patches of snow and dark green pine trees

Person wearing a hooded jacket warming hands by a campfire as dusk falls in a forested area with tall trees silhouetted against the deepening blue sky

Sunlit tree trunk and branches casting shadows on textured rock formations

Sunlit rock face with deep grooves and cracks above a dense cluster of evergreen trees

“Wherever you go, go with all your heart"