b-lated birthday blog
"So, are you enjoying your birthday river?" Bryan asked while treading the pristine water below me.
I was perched atop a boulder with my feet dangling down toward him. I drank the view of the canyon around me --The American River meandering past, the outcropping of rock and evergreen along the riverside, the sun glinting on the subtle chops of the current.
"Yes, I am,” I smiled.
It was his special spot--tucked away in Colfax, accessible by an 8 mile stretch of primitive, winding dirt road followed by a hike along the river. I had to laugh at mine and Jenn's ridiculous attempt to conquer the boulder and thorn bush laden trek in our flip flops. Eventually, I stowed my footwear in my bag and braved it barefoot--since toes can grip a slippery boulder much better than Old Navy rubber.
"Man, he's on a mission," I had said referring to a determined Bryan who was 20 feet upstream, forging past the boulders and brambles. I had momentarily paused to free my ensnared beachtowel from the clutches of a prickly vine. I secured the towel around my waist in a sumo knot and followed after him -each step mimicking the damp footprints he left on the river rocks ahead of me.
"Oh wow," I said as Jenn and I turned a bend. A small cove came into view--a peaceful spot where the river momentarily strayed before rushing past on its usual course. The water was unbelievably clear and the river bottom could easily be seen from the surface.
"We made it!" I cheered. We joined Bryan on the rocky shore. We were all a little overheated from the hike. Without warning, Bryan ditched his backpack and bee lined towards the chilly water. I laughed as he dove, Converse and all, into the American. I followed shortly after. Jenn cautiously waded out before being coaxed into just plunging in. We swam, explored and conquered semi-submerged river boulders. We maneuvered upstream like a covert Navy Seal operation and then turned ourselves over to the current to carry us back.
After a much needed sandwich break I set out on my own personal hike. I wandered upstream. A light green river rock persuaded me into settling before I could explore too far. I sat and gazed out on the water --my thoughts abandoned to the recollection of events that had taken place over my 24 year existence. Every moment, every action and interaction that had ever occurred to me had somehow led me to that very spot. It was almost overwhelming to think of how different life could have been had not one of those events occurred. How close was I to never meeting the people that I hold so dear today? I wrapped my arms around Bryan when I returned and hoped that he could tell how grateful I was for those paper thin circumstances that lead him to me.
We packed up shortly afterward and laughed at ourselves when we discovered a much easier path (complete with stairs) down to the river than the arduous one we stupidly chose. hehe.
Once back at home, I picked Bryan up at 6:30 and we headed over to Dad's for dinner. It was the infamous meeting of "boyfriend and family".
“You’ll be fine,” I reassured him as we parked outside. He had an anxious almost defensive look. I could see how it might be daunting for him. I was after all, leading him into a houseful of conservative, Republican, meat-eating Catholics. Hahaha. Him being the liberal minded, agnostic vegetarian that he is -it was probably the equivalent of walking into a lions’ den.
As predicted though, all went well. Dad even tried to connect musically with him by telling him of his trumpet and accordion playing days. *fierce little giggle*
Dad and Lina offered an amazing spread of tacos (with Boca meat for Bryan) and Spanish rice. We ate and chatted and enjoyed the company. Of course Dad had to embarrass me by playing art docent and giving Bryan a tour of all of my shoddy ceramic work from high school. Heh. -to be expected I suppose.
*sigh*
It was an excellent birthday. I feel very blessed. Thanks to everyone that made my day so awesome - for sharing your special getaway, for cooking an awesome meal, for making a special trip out, for your seasonally incorrect b-day wrap, for your ridiculously extensive citrus themed giftage, for your calls, text messages and cards, for capping the day off with fine Corey Feldman cinema.
Love you guys.
I was perched atop a boulder with my feet dangling down toward him. I drank the view of the canyon around me --The American River meandering past, the outcropping of rock and evergreen along the riverside, the sun glinting on the subtle chops of the current.
"Yes, I am,” I smiled.
It was his special spot--tucked away in Colfax, accessible by an 8 mile stretch of primitive, winding dirt road followed by a hike along the river. I had to laugh at mine and Jenn's ridiculous attempt to conquer the boulder and thorn bush laden trek in our flip flops. Eventually, I stowed my footwear in my bag and braved it barefoot--since toes can grip a slippery boulder much better than Old Navy rubber.
"Man, he's on a mission," I had said referring to a determined Bryan who was 20 feet upstream, forging past the boulders and brambles. I had momentarily paused to free my ensnared beachtowel from the clutches of a prickly vine. I secured the towel around my waist in a sumo knot and followed after him -each step mimicking the damp footprints he left on the river rocks ahead of me.
"Oh wow," I said as Jenn and I turned a bend. A small cove came into view--a peaceful spot where the river momentarily strayed before rushing past on its usual course. The water was unbelievably clear and the river bottom could easily be seen from the surface.
"We made it!" I cheered. We joined Bryan on the rocky shore. We were all a little overheated from the hike. Without warning, Bryan ditched his backpack and bee lined towards the chilly water. I laughed as he dove, Converse and all, into the American. I followed shortly after. Jenn cautiously waded out before being coaxed into just plunging in. We swam, explored and conquered semi-submerged river boulders. We maneuvered upstream like a covert Navy Seal operation and then turned ourselves over to the current to carry us back.
After a much needed sandwich break I set out on my own personal hike. I wandered upstream. A light green river rock persuaded me into settling before I could explore too far. I sat and gazed out on the water --my thoughts abandoned to the recollection of events that had taken place over my 24 year existence. Every moment, every action and interaction that had ever occurred to me had somehow led me to that very spot. It was almost overwhelming to think of how different life could have been had not one of those events occurred. How close was I to never meeting the people that I hold so dear today? I wrapped my arms around Bryan when I returned and hoped that he could tell how grateful I was for those paper thin circumstances that lead him to me.
We packed up shortly afterward and laughed at ourselves when we discovered a much easier path (complete with stairs) down to the river than the arduous one we stupidly chose. hehe.
Once back at home, I picked Bryan up at 6:30 and we headed over to Dad's for dinner. It was the infamous meeting of "boyfriend and family".
“You’ll be fine,” I reassured him as we parked outside. He had an anxious almost defensive look. I could see how it might be daunting for him. I was after all, leading him into a houseful of conservative, Republican, meat-eating Catholics. Hahaha. Him being the liberal minded, agnostic vegetarian that he is -it was probably the equivalent of walking into a lions’ den.
As predicted though, all went well. Dad even tried to connect musically with him by telling him of his trumpet and accordion playing days. *fierce little giggle*
Dad and Lina offered an amazing spread of tacos (with Boca meat for Bryan) and Spanish rice. We ate and chatted and enjoyed the company. Of course Dad had to embarrass me by playing art docent and giving Bryan a tour of all of my shoddy ceramic work from high school. Heh. -to be expected I suppose.
*sigh*
It was an excellent birthday. I feel very blessed. Thanks to everyone that made my day so awesome - for sharing your special getaway, for cooking an awesome meal, for making a special trip out, for your seasonally incorrect b-day wrap, for your ridiculously extensive citrus themed giftage, for your calls, text messages and cards, for capping the day off with fine Corey Feldman cinema.
Love you guys.