Half Moon Pass on Holy Cross Mountain cuts through the rugged Rocky Mountains outside Minturn Colorado just a 2 hour drive from Denver. The dirt passage up Tigwon Road leading to Half Moon Pass shakes all the bolts lose on any rugged vehicle and can swallow tires whole.

Kendall steps from her Chevy Trailblazer parked under a pine tree in a dirt pullout, big enough for two cars. A red tail hawk surfs the wind, drifting back and forth in a rhythmic motion, resembling a circus performer on a trapeze. The warm air envelopes her body as she breathes deeply expanding her chest, letting the unpolluted air fill her lungs and her soul. The bad energy trapped in her organs flows out into the world as she exhales. Leaning back she smiles and stretches her stiff muscles.

The whisper of wind on the tree tops and the sound of her blood, pumping deep within her ear drums are the only sounds she can hear as she reaches for her Camelback. The Camelback water tube tastes like old rubber but the backpack contains the hiking necessities of rain gear, Heal Your Body book, a journal, mid day snacks of cherries, cheese, crackers, dark chocolate with sea salt and her first aid kit. The sun is searing down on her, so she pulls out her sunblock for an extra coating, tightens her mesh hiking shoes, adjust her visor and heads toward the trailhead.

Moving toward a canopy of evergreens, she enters the start of Half Moon Pass hike. Cool air lingers under the canopy, void of any sun and creates a refreshing energy pulse through her body. The ground is soft and when she steps, there is a hollow sound as if deep below, water has carved out an underground cavern. The scent of earth hangs in the evergreens but it settles low in the air. A fresh breeze captured the sweet smell of the wildflowers and pushed it into the evergreens to mix with the earth, trees, animals and fresh air. Each movement she can feel her leg muscles stretch and release. Her shoulders release downward from her tense neck and she pauses to rub them. This place pulls all the anger and sadness from her face when she realizes how alone she really is at this moment. This area of the forest resembles the making of a child’s fairy tale, mossy rocks, dark, rich hues of red, brown and black, tree trunks with bark formed into intricate patterns, flowers growing out of tiny cracks in boulders the size of cars. She looks in every direction trying to see every inch she can possibly observe.

The path through the evergreens continues for a quarter of a mile and as Kendall glides through, her thoughts take her away from the experience. She reaches a clearing in the evergreens where the path juts up ward through a grove of aspens and she can see the sun sneaking through the heart shaped leaves. Stepping from the fairy tale forest, the sun illuminates her, causing a shiver to shake off the cool. Continuing on her journey through the aspens, she can feel the dust accumulating in her expensive mesh shoes and shakes her head. On her legs, dirt has accumulated giving her the mark of a person who participated in life today.

The gradual steepness of this trail causes her heart to beat faster but not enough to stop and rest. Watching images of wilderness on a stair stepper has nothing on the opulence of Half Moon Pass. This section of the trail, just past the aspens is steep, carved into the mountainside and covered with jagged rocks that demand attention. Kendall tip toes through the rocky mine field, squeezed tightly with columbine wild flowers in shades of lavender and maroon, baby evergreens with dark and light green branches reach out looking for light and tickle her legs as she strides through.

The crest of the trail opens up and into her view comes Cross Creek River where the cascading snowmelt pushes the intense heat from the sun at 10,000 feet far from its edge. The runoff is higher than expected. Hesitating to move forward, Kendall searches for the beetle kill, pine tree that has strategically fallen over the river to allow passage to Holy Cross peak. She moves toward the river stepping lightly and seeing if anything has changed since her last trip. Spotting the natural bridge, several hundred yards up the river, she searches for the trail. Underbrush has hidden it at first glance but she is able to locate it and with a little bush wacking, makes it to the tree. This river crossing, the trees on the opposite river bank, thick and held straight with jagged boulder faces, shooting straight up from the rivers edge causes Kendall to stare. Her heart is now beating faster and her body tenses from the brain down. Blinking slowly, she looks down at her hiking shoes and back to the tree. The water underneath is pounding the rocks below and flowing in a rapid descent off the mountain. Taking in a slow breath and letting it out little by little, she looks around for some sort of support but knows she’s alone. With a determined hand she grasps the large branch sticking out from the tree and she pulls herself up onto the tree bridge. One slow step at a time takes her across the tree, her focus is forward so she will not lose her nerve and fall in the river. Running out of air and across the river, she jumps onto solid ground and lets out a yelp. Bending forward and resting her hands on her knees she begins to breath again. She glances back at the tree and after a few moments she heads upriver. Scaling these rocks will be impossible but she finds a small opening in the rocks, only big enough for her to squeeze through sideways. Shimmying though the rocks she discovers the trail again. The path, surrounded with pine trees begins to thin out and she happens onto another clearing. The open space tucked between these mountains, spans for half a mile and is filled with waist high golden colored grass. In the distance are jagged peaks in shades of gray and yellowish gray green and appear to be painted on a canvas. The serene moment is broken when something whizzes past her head and instinct shouts for her to crouch to the ground.

The Cave version 1

The Cave
The cave is a cool and protective place. To those who have been invited it’s a sanctuary, hidden high above the river, up on Holy Cross Mountain. Kendall can see people as they walk on the various paths around the river. Often they will stop and cool their feet in the river, but they cannot see beyond what is in front of them or above them. Kendall is not sure how she has been granted access to this paradise but she is grateful for a place to hide from the world. She has found her secret spot where the entrance to the cave is smooth and there is a spot that cradles her body perfectly so she can fall into a deep sleep.

Kendall is restless today and wants to explore more of the cave. The last few times she swears that she has heard voices echoing from deep within the cave. She thought maybe she was hearing things but today she wants to explore.

Kendall grabs her backpack and walks slowly into the cave. It starts out as cool from the summer sun and dark, she reaches into her backpack for the flashlight she brought. Clicks it on when she can no longer see where she is going. She is amazed that the walls are so smooth, like a torrid of water rushes through there to pound down the walls. There is nothing in the cave which is odd, no sticks or debris, no creatures who normally hide in a cave, it’s like the whole place has been whipped clean.

Just then she hears the echo of voices again and stops. Her heart is beating so loudly it drowns out the sound of the voices. She takes a couple of deep breaths to slow her heart so she can hear. She reaches out to touch the wall of the cave steady herself and is surprised it’s warm. OUt of instinct she pulls her hand away in case it’s hot. Why would it be hot she says to herself? She touches it again and in act it’s just warm. She stands there for another moment trying to hear the voices again but there is nothing. She looks around, tentatively wondering if she should continue her journey. She points her flashlight forward, further into the cave and continues.

As she continues there is a faint smell of sulfur, like you smell when you are sitting in the hot springs. Wouldn’t it be great if she found a hidden hot spring. Chances are it’s not hidden, someone knows about this. She reaches for the wall again to test the temperature and it’s still warm. As she continues through the cave she notices that it’s moving from dark black to a little bit more illuminated. If this continues she will be able to turn off the light. With a quiet click she turns off the light and stands still, she hears the voices again. She is convinced that she will come across a hidden local hot spring. Her instincts tell her to keep walking that she is safe in here and in what she will encounter. The temperature is getting warmer as she moves through it which is interesting so it must be the hot spring. She steps forward and now she can hear water rushing, it seems to be moving above her head, she looks up confused, there is no water dripping or seeping through the walls. This experience is getting stranger by the step. Her mind is now creating all kinds of explosive thoughts about what she will discover. She always did have a creative imagination. Something about this cave is very familiar to her, she has a deep feeling that she has been here before but her mind definitely says no, but still she has an overwhelming feeling of peace, happiness and passion. She stops suddenly because she is tingling all over and is almost giddy, with a wide smile overtaking her face, now it becomes flush with excitement. What in the world is happening to her? She loves this feeling and needs to continue, she picks up the pace and no she smells a spicy cologne smell. This gets all of her senses humming ad flashes of a mans face keeps fading in and out of focus. When she can see his face her heart beats a bit faster and when it fade she stops walking. She does not recognize his face but it does seem familiar to her.
She can still hear the water and it feels as if it’s still above her. The cave is getting lighter and lighter. Then the cave above her disappears and she can see straight to the sky. Amazing the sun is high and the ski is as blue as ever. She has the most euphoric feeling as she looks up, and the mixed scents of jasmine, evergreen and lavender cover her face and surround her. She smiles and sniffs as if this is the greatest moment of her life. She fades back to the moment at looks just ahead of her and there is a pool of water with water more clear than she has ever seen water. She reaches down to touch it and the sandy bottom sparkles and shimmers like a hidden treasure, she blinks thinking there is something wonderful toxic in this cave making her see and feel things. She feels as if she has found a secret paradise hidden deep in the mountain of Holy Cross. She has always had an attraction to this area and this cave is something even more amazing. The water is hot like true hot springs but it does not smell of sulfur. The water is so inviting and she starts to get flashes of frolicking around in this water with a group of other people.

Euphoria is engulfing Kendall and she becomes concerned that there is something affecting her. Her rational mind is telling her to her head back out of the cave but she cannot get herself to leave. She wants to throw down her towel and take a nap or step into the pool of glitter and swim. Just then she begins to hear the voices again and looks around. Where are they coming from, she begins to walk around the pool to see if there is a hidden entrance she is not seeing as she steps back into the dark behind the cave, she runs her hand along the wall until she feels an opening. It’s so dark that she reaches for her flashlight , clicks it on and immediately sees the ladder. Just then she hears the voices, this saddens Kendall because she knows this place is somehow not a secret. It’s a hidden gem to her but a most likely a place of reflection for someone else. She closes her eyes to imprint her experience so she can find these feelings of harmony when she is surrounded by the presence of others.

The ladder is a series of steps carved into the wall of the cave. She secures her backpack puts the light between her teeth and makes her way up the ladder. She begins this small journey with sadness but as that spicy smells hits her again it brings her back to a happy place, a place she is not sure where or why. As she ascends the carved ladder she can see shards of light coming from up above but no direct light. She keeps making her way up the ladder, she is getting to the source of the slivers of light. When she is able to touch the cover above her it’s rough like branches tied together, she delicately runs her fingers across and gently pushes it upward. It’s light and not connected so she pushes it to the side. She steps further upwards an peeks around. She strains to look behind her position and see’s no one. She grabs onto two rocks jutting out from the ground to pull herself up out of the cave. She takes the final step off the ladder, straddles a rock wall and comes to the edge of the pool.

A bit of sun is sneaking through the canopy of vines and making the water sparkle. It’s heavenly, a dream oasis. She can feel the energy rippling through her bubbling with hope. She looks around is pleasant shock, this is not like the Rocky Mountains it’s more like a tropical paradise. Vibrant pink azaleas dotted with a splash of yellow lillies, Vines encircling the evergreens and Aspens. It’s a hodgepodge of growth and it’s enveloped several pools of water. Just behind the last pool a moderate distance from where she stands Kendall get’s a glimpse of the waterfall. This waterfall sparks another memory of a man diving into the pool below the flowing water, he pulls himself up on the rock ledge on the edge of the pool with no effort at all. He is lean, defined, darkly tanned with shimmering long black hair. He wipes the water from his face and runs his hand over his head and squeezes the water from his hair. Kendall steps back to hide from the waterfall, thumping in her ears and heat on her face.


She begins to hear voices but it sounds more like singing. A deep male voice seems to echo out from the cave below, so rich and melodic it’s mesmerizing. ‘I have heard this song before, I know this voice” she says to herself. For a moment, it’s as if she can picture this man in her mind. The words are sung with intense passion, he is singing in the words of his people, asking the gods to protect their Well of Life and that the stranger that sits among them, will guide the others to protect the sacred. How does she know this, she is not familiar with the language. He continues “the sacred is their future and the future of so many, depends on her. She is a stranger in this vision but she is there seeing and feeling it but this is only a dream. She feels as if she has dreamt this dream many times before after wandering around of Cross Creek. It seems so real, and her heart aches for him- the man who holds her soul but exists only in dreams. “What is wrong with you Kendall, have you lost her mind as she banishes these thoughts and images.” She is making up a life that does not exist, could not exist.


Kendall steps toward the pool and dips her hand into cool water. She looks around for any sign real sign of people but the place looks untouched. She stares down at her reflection and wonders what she is doing wandering around in a cave and the woods on her own. She has been very restless these past few months, getting the sense that something is going to happen, there is an uneasiness in the air. The socail butterfly has been hiding out and she is not sure why. These mountains have always been a place of reflection for her but what she is finding is that she is being drawn here like an addiction instead of a peaceful choice. She sits down on the edge of the pool, the water warm and she takes off her hiking shoes and dips her feet into the clear deep pool.


They had seen this women wandering around Holy Cross before but had never given her too much thought. They just thought she was an avid hiker. They were sitting at the base of the waterfall when they caught a scent of someone entering the cave, their scent and their sounds coming closer the well of life pools. They saw her head pop up from the cave and to their surprise she was not one of their tribe. They stood stock still not knowing what to do and waited till she made herself known to them. They were surprise when she looked toward the waterfall, looked surpised and confused and then stepped out of sight. They couldn’t be sure if she saw them so inched closer. That would be incredible because there are only a few chosen people who can find their way to this hidden, mystical area. This area is hidden even from the satellites that pass overhead.

My Talisman Talks Back

Here is what my Talisman said to me about my own inner strength.

"It's so there, just a rumbling beneath the surface. Crack that barrier- it can be done so easily, a bit more clarity and it will happen. I have absorbed as much energy as I could as she carries me around in her bag. She knows I am there and I am gaining power, insight and confidence. The moment will come and up goes the geyser of strength and she will grab those ideas, swing from her dreams and land on that cloud".

"I feel the rumbling- I can see the excitement in her eyes- she knows it's there, she needs that push. I am looking to find that final step so I can make clear the path and then the break will happen".

"Keep steady the advancement, keep steady the building, keep steady the breathing, keep steady the passion".

it's rumbling- it will soon crack and her comes the geyser

You Were There

You were there when I realized that good music was more than top 40 radio.

You were there when my teen eyes and undamaged heart reached out to someone I thought I was in love with, only to have them reject me.

There were moments I struggled with what I believed was right and what other people were actually doing. You were there to tell me to stand tall and face them with me beliefs.

We spent hours together where I was searched for answers to my questions in your words. You had the ability to comfort me. You could explain pain and tragedy that I was feeling and told me of other peoples experiences. I realized my pain wasn't so bad.

Weeks flew by on my journey to discover who I wanted to be- you offered suggestions and a path- you told me I may never find the end but that I was not alone. The journey is the best part.

Some days I would get lost in your music and wander through the woods dancing to the beat and singing your songs.

You were always along for my road trips, how could I leave you at home?

Again you filled my dreams and thoughts.

Someone asked me once if I found what I am looking for and I said in you, yes. You were there for me when I needed you.

You changed your voice and kept your words fresh. Those words surrounded me with comfort.

You made me laugh, dance, remember and relive.

You taught me pieces, valuable to a good life- I met you when I was 14 and haven't stopped loving you.

You were there when the person I loved the most betrayed me and you gave me Walk on.

So, I still haven't found what I am truly looking for but upon the horizon is a one tree hill that will direct me to my next adventure and I know you will be with me, looking for that unforgettable fire.

The Love Story of Ida and Argell

The funeral is exactly as Ida would have wanted it.  A small Methodist church filled with expensive bouquets purchased only from the top florist in St Louis.  Near the altar a framed picture of Ida in her early years without one wrinkle on her perfect face.  The Bible reading was sacred and from her favorite section, the music was slow and spiritual.   Everyone in town was there to see the show more than pay their respects.  Ida’s 4 children were there with their children and spouses and in the middle of it all was Argell, her husband of 45 years.   

She lay in her coffin in a designer gown made for her on the 40 birthday, amazing that she still fit into it.  3 inch Jimmy Chos covered her feet and on her fingers were all of the diamonds she acquired over her lifetime.  Most people would have given those to their children and not taken them to their grave but Ida was convinced the only people who would end up with them would be the in-laws and that just would not do. 

Her jet black hair was pulled back tight, she would never been seen in public without perfect hair and never a gray to be found.   Powder covered he face to hide the wrinkles; she was particular about that when talking to the mortician.  Lastly, the signature red lipstick on what she thought was her best feature.    

The home that Argell and Ida shared was filled with casseroles and flowers that the neighbors brought by to offer their condolences.  It was impeccably clean thanks to the neighbor. 

Ida’s children and their families were all there.  Ida was a tough woman and set the standards for choices and behavior.  Her disappointment was that her children broke those rules to pieces, shattering her hopes for them.  Piece by piece the family broke apart so all that remained was Argell and Ida and patched up conversations with their mother. 

So as Argell stood in his living room, trying to pay attention to the people that came to support him, he could think of nothing but his last conversation with Ida.  How could he talk about it to anyone?  That secret should stay buried forever.

In the last years of her life, when Alzheimer’s started to take hold, she would have moments of clarity.  One moment happened as Argell read her favorite bible passage.  She interrupted his reading by saying, “I have something I want to talk to you about”.  She spoke those words so softly and with such affection that it surprised Argell. 

“It was accident Ida said.  It happened right after we were married.  I was filling the book shelf, in the bedroom when I dropped your book of Robert Frost poems, the one your father gave you.  The book was tattered and dog eared and I had wanted to throw it away but I knew it was important to you.”

Argell nodded it was tattered but he loved it. 

Ida continued, ‘When I dropped the book out popped out three letters bound with a rubber band.  I recognized the name on the letters it was Maryann Anderson”.

“That name brought back memories of the summer we spent at Green Lake.  That was the first time I met Maryann.  I remember her strawberry blonde hair, pulled up into a high pony tail with just enough wave on the end to give it bounce.  She was fearless, the only girl to grab the rope and swing out into the lake.  She was so petit she hardly made a splash.  She would surface with a huge, beautiful smile and start giggling.  Her laugh was so infectious.  I caught myself smiling, even though it’s not proper for a lady to run around with boys and jump off a rope swing.  I just sat there on my blanket in my white dress with the red belt and shoes watching you Argell Franklin, the catch of all catches and I saw how she looked at you, sweet Maryann, engaged to a boy she met on her travels Chicago but she looked at you with a tenderness she never shared with me.” 

What?  Said Argell

“Never mind we will get back to that later.”

Argell sat there with a confused look on his face and not sure he understood what she was saying.

“When I saw those letters I burst into a rage and opened each one.  It wasn’t until later I realized that you had not sent them.  You knew it was not right to contact her after she had made her decision to marry another man and you with a commitment to me.  That I do know about you.”

Argell in a gentle tone not fully grasping the moment asked.  “Why did you not tell me had found those letters?  I would have explained!”

“Argell I was there that summer, I saw, there was no need to explain.” 

“I stewed about those letters for months so much so that I could barely breathe at night knowing that they were there, taunting me.  Here I was a married women, Mrs. Argell Franklin of The Franklin Family, the most respected and wealthy family in the county to which I was now a member.  I had a beautiful estate, all the luxuries I could ever ask for, 4 beautiful children and all I could think about was Maryann.”

Argell interrupted, “you should have talked to me about it, and it was a boyhood crush nothing ever happened.”

“I know Argell but I don’t think you are hearing me”

What is the issue?

After thinking about Maryann I picked up the letters and proceeded to write her a letter.  It was of the nasty sort about betrayal and some other craziness but I finished the letter with my own name.  It was then I realized that I was not jealous of your love for her but that she did not love me.  I wanted her to love me.

“What are you telling me Ida, that you had a crush on Maryann?  Argell blinked and couldn’t tell if he was breathing.  The question lingered in the air as both Ida and Argell starred at each other.

Ida deep inside her head knew the answer but had never said it out loud.  She was a sinner of the biggest kind for wanting to love another woman.  She couldn’t help her affection for Maryann.  It was just there and she didn’t know how to stop it.

Ida took a deep breath and whispered out a yes.

So there in the hospital Ida told Argell she loved Maryann and she did send her a letter after all. 

Dear Maryann,

I hope this letter does not take you by surprise but it was many years ago that we met.

I married Argell Franklin and have been happy these many years.  I know that you two were once good friends and it is with regret I tell you that I will be passing away in a short period of time.

I have Alzheimer’s and it has taken its toll on me. 

I write this letter in hopes that you can look in on my Argell from time to time to make sure that he is ok.

I wish you the best and all the happiness in life.

Sincerely,

Ida Franklin

Argell just sat there not wanting to move for fear he would crumble.  How can this be, how did I not know.  Was he so blind?  After a few moments Argell worked up the energy to ask “Did you ever love me”.

Tears came to Ida’s eyes and a bright big smile grew across her face.  In a low whisper Ida said “always and forever.  It may seem like I have a small heart but there is plenty of room for you and her”

Argell stood up and touched Ida’s face and kissed her forehead.  “I must take a minute Ida I will be right back.  Argell stepped outside the room and shuffled down the hall to the waiting room window.  He looked out into the bright sunlight and thought back to that summer at Green Lake.  He smiled and thought “that was a really fun summer”

As he walked back to the room her knew Ida was gone.  He covered his eyes with his hands as the nurses came running into room.  Slowly he turned around and walked out of the hospital and called his son.

There in the living room, with all his children, on the day that his wife died, a knock came to the door.

The Cave

The Cave

The cave is a cool, protective place for me.  I have created a sanctuary, high above the river- up in the mountains.   I can see people as they walk through the woods and then stop to cool their feet in the river, but they cannot see me sitting above them.  It’s the perfect place to hide from the world. I can sit at the entrance leaning against the side where the wall is smooth and cradling to my tired body. 

Today I hear something coming from inside the cave like a percolating- old school coffee machine.  I have only ventured a short distance into the cave before but the sound is drawing me in.  I could swear I hear a voice but is it a voice or just an echo? 

My instincts tell me there are no dangers deep in the cave, so I begin my exploration and creep through the cave to the sound.  I want to run toward the sound but I take cautious movements just in case.  The sounds of a bubbling spring echoes off the walls and the temperature is getting much warmer, not cooler. 

The smell coming at me has just a hint of sulfur. Maybe it’s a hot spring that I have stumbled upon?  I stop to hear the voices again but everything is silent.  I continue forward running my hand against the smooth walls with small divots carved into them.  I cannot see much, only a faint light further back in the cave. 

As I walk, I can still feel the air getting warmer and it feels odd given I am in a cool cave, protected from the sun.  This cave is fascinating since the walls are smooth like water flowed through her, hollowing out a tunnel.  Water now flows below this cave and at some spots above it.  I wonder why the water stopped flowing through here and how long ago did this happen. 

Step by step through the cave, my mind goes crazy with explosive thoughts about what lies deep within these passages ways.  The further I get, the warmer I feel and now a cool breeze is hitting my feet.  The sensation is incredible since I cannot see much.  It’s getting lighter and lighter.  I must be coming to an opening. 

The sulfur smell has dissipated and now I have picked up a musky, spicy cologne smell.  Am I coming out along part of the river?  I cannot hear anything just that bubbling spring and a slight moaning as the breeze makes its way through the cave.  I step forward and make a sharp left where I can see more light.  I can go right and step back in the comfort of the cool darkness but I am compelled to see where this cave leads. 

A ways up, I stumble upon a pool of water which is open to the clear blue sky.  The fresh air lightly presses down on me and I can smell the forest just as I left her on the other side of the cave.  I bend down to touch the water and I am mesmerized by the touches of light on the water, deep in the cave and the minerals on the sandy bottom lighting up like a hidden treasure. 

The water is hot as I suspected.  For a cave that has been untouched for so long there are no signs of creepy crawlies or debris from the outside world.  The warmer air pushing its way into the cave is causing me to want to through down my towel and tap a nap in this warm and peaceful place. 

I decide to continue on to see if there is anything else to explore and as I move further into the cave I begin to hear voices again.  This saddens me because I know this place is somehow not a secret.  It’s a hidden gem to me but a place of reflection for someone else.  I hope that I can find the harmony I seek surrounded by the voices and presences of others.  I come to a section of rocks that look like a step ladder was carved into the wall, leading towards the sun. 

The voices I thought I heard now sound more like singing.  It’s that of a deep male voice.  For a moment I pause and the voice echoes into the cave, so rich and melodic that it surrounds me like the warm air and makes me smile.  I have heard this song before and even the voice.  For just a moment, I am back with the Lakota and I can see him singing with such passion.  He is singing the words of his people, asking the gods to protect their Well of Life and that the stranger that sits among them will guide the others to protect the sacred. 

The sacred is their future and the future of so many, depends on her.  I am the stranger but this is only a dream.  I have dreamt this dream many times after my wanderings of Cross Creek.  It seems so real, that my heart aches for him- the man who holds my soul but exists only in my dreams.  There is something wrong with me that I have resorted to making up a life that does not exist.

But as I stand there, I know this song- I need to know who sings it and grab for the ladder and with all my strength make my way up the stone stairs.  Step by step, I can feel my heart speed up.  Maybe he does exist and now my dream will be real.  The voice draws me near and I know this man, he is the protective warrior.  As I peak my head up I don’t see anyone and the singing has stopped- what has happened? 

I keep making my way up the ladder and as I look out I can see a small waterfall pulsing into a small pond and from there it appears to flow back into the ground and perhaps back into the cave.  I take the final step off the ladder, straddle a rock wall and come to the edge of the pool.  From the ladder the pool looked small but it’s actually larger in size and is protected by distinctive foliage not found here in the Rocky Mountains but more like on the island of Kauai in Hawaii.  It’s tropical with full pink and red flowers with a canopy of vines covering the pool and the waterfall.  A bit of sun is sneaking through the vines and once again making the water sparkle.  It’s a dream oasis, nothing I have ever seen and it strips my sour emotions and dazzles me with a bubbling hope.  Oh my I have discovered heaven.

I walk toward the pool and dip my hand into cool water.  I look around for any sign of people but the place looks untouched. I stare down at my reflection and wonder what I am doing wandering around in a cave and the woods on my own.  What happened to the social butterfly that always got people together to have parties and go on outings to the cabin or go to the pool?  Where did she go?  Now it’s just lonely, hidden excursions hoping that I don’t run into anyone so I can be alone and at peace.