The View

One of these memories is of my brother and me. We are preparing to ski down the slope where my lawn ends and I recall looking up and seeing one of the most gorgeous sunsets I’ve seen; pinks, oranges, and reds surrounding the towering mountains as if it was painted. I remember being skeptical of the ski at first as the trees are close together and you have to make sharp, tight turns. I think, “How are we supposed to navigate through all of these trees?” However, all that fear and skepticism disappears as a smile forms on my face and I turn through the deep pow. I look back now appreciating this moment and knowing that I will treasure it forever and I wonder if people before me had an experience here that they treasure almost as much as I do… 

It’s the end of a hot day and I just reached my camp, located a short distance from the town of Telluride. A cool breeze makes my hair dance as I sit at the top of a hill searching for a place for my cattle. I am a rancher, and cattle don’t last long in the rapidly changing weather up here in the mountains. This is a nice spot, however it’s not ideal for cattle. I keep looking. A large gush of wind, and then the trees split. An opening I have not yet seen. Two beautiful mountains present themselves to me. I am in awe as I soak in their beauty. I am so mesmerized by this moment that I almost don’t notice the open field to the right, perfect for my cattle. I think about the future as I am grateful for this place, and I hope that others appreciate it as much as I do.