What do you do when the whole house is sleeping and you are wired? Go for a run at first light. Dressed like an Eskimo. While it's a balmy 62 degrees back home, it was 23 here and felt like 18 when I headed out the door. Brr..
I headed out the bike path next to our house. It was dark. Not dark enough for a flashlight, but dark enough that I was a tiny bit concerned. More about human animals than the four-legged kind, but I was alert and aware, and was pretty certain most people - even the crazy ones - were not insane enough to be out at 6 AM in the dark when it was 23 degrees. Off I went towards Pope Beach.
At first, I was too cold to run and didn't want to trigger my asthma. As I walked really fast (hey - you know - it was dark and there COULD be bears out), I found myself warming up quickly and began running. I LOVED IT. It was so awesome to be out there in the quiet, still, pre-sunrise morning. It was breathtakingly beautiful. I knew I could not possibly capture the moment with pictures - but I tried anyway.
I made it over to Pope Beach and just kept catching my breath thinking how incredible it was to be back home in Tahoe. No matter where I live or wander, I will forever and always consider this where I belong. At least until Earth is no more and we go to our forever home. There is not a place on this planet where I feel so comfortable, so at peace, so happy or filled with joy, or so absolutely calm and centered. I couldn't stop thanking God for allowing me to come back.
I took some photos as I trekked out onto the sand. Again - the pictures do not do the view justice at all.
Right after I posted, I turned to walk up the beach a little further. I saw something out of the corner and turned to look. At first, I wasn't quite sure I was seeing correctly. There, staring at me from the path, was the most absolutely beautiful wolf I have ever seen - in the wild or in captivity. She just stared at me for a moment while I stared at her in disbelief. Then, she turned and trotted on her way. I tried to snap a quick photo but wasn't quick enough. I just said out loud, "Oh Lord, she was beautiful. Thank you."
The only sound I could hear were geese flying around. It was just pristine. I wished I could stay there in that moment forever. I can't remember the last time I was able to enjoy so much peace and quiet for an extended time. Despite the cold, I stayed for an hour on the beach, just soaking it in.
Finally, realizing my team was probably going to start worrying about me, I headed back towards the cabin. I was trying my best to hold onto every single moment. I began seeing other humans out enjoying the morning but refrained from disrupting their quiet, even for a hello. I just smiled and kept going.
I made it back to the cabin, walked in and my boys asked if I was frozen. I said I was a walking, talking popsicle and went to grab some breakfast. After I ate, I was still chilled, so I decided to take a quick shower. I told everyone to be thinking about what they wanted to do today, since we didn't have to be back to the expo until 4:30.
It was decided that we were heading to mini golf. This should prove very entertaining...
*** Update note - a wildlife specialist in the area confirmed several months after this post that the wolf I had seen was indeed a wolf, and she was OR-54. Probably the most incredible wildlife encounter I will ever have in my life. ***
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