Q's Rock

My favorite place near my house is my rock by the creek. It is more than just a rock because it is rather big so it is more like a boulder that is partially in the creek. I go down there whenever I want to swim or if I want to play in the snow and on the ice. I don't usually go down there by myself, I am usually with friends or family. This place is special to me because it clears my head and relaxes me. I love when it is hot out so I get to jump in the creek which is cold but refreshing.  This special place brings back so many memories. 

I was about 11 years old and my sister and I put on our snow gear and headed down the hill towards Skunk Creek below my house. We built a snowman, and then realized that the river was frozen, creating the perfect time to play on the ice! We went pretty far down the river until we found an open area where we could bootskate. When we were playing, my boot fell through the ice and filled with ice and water. It was so cold! We then decided to head to a rock up the river just below the house to empty my boot. Once we got to the rock, I did not want to leave because I was so relaxed, but my feet were so cold that we decided to head home. I warmed up with a shower, and then my sister and I watched a movie with hot chocolate. Experiencing this, I know I am not the only person who has visited this place. There were people here before there was a neighborhood surrounding it.    

 I think of the Ute people that lived here before me. I made up a girl in my head. Her name is Kili, and she comes to this creek to wash her and her family's clothes. While she is washing she is thinking about what will happen to this place after she is not around anymore. For her, the land is different from how I see it. When she looks at it, she sees an empty forest with a few teepees surrounding it. For her, deer go through there often, a gift of food, but for me it is different.. When I see deer here, it is another reminder that we can't have dogs. No dogs in Lawson! The deer also eat plants from my garden. Anyway, these thoughts go through my mind sometimes. 

The other day, I went down to the creek to take photos. In one of the photos, you can see a stream trickling down and turning into a waterfall. You can also see my rock where I was standing many years ago and the humongous trees towering overhead. I thought of all the times that I had come here, and it has always done the trick of clearing my head when I am having a bad day. As I left, I took one last glance at the creek and saw the light reflecting off the creek. I love this place. 

Quincy Shoff