Mountain Memories

Friday night, my daughters, some family members, and I were fortunate enough to spend a “girls overnight” at my sister-in-law’s home in the New Hampshire mountains. Since we arrived in the dark, we had no idea how beautiful the view was until the next morning. And, my oh my, was it lovely!

From the deck I could look down through the leafless trees and see the pond which connected to a lake. Beyond the trees, surrounding the lake, were distant mountains - above, a cloud streaked sky. The most delicate snowflakes floated through the air. Though they didn't stick to any surfaces, it was first snow of the season for me.

Along the back roads, before reaching the main route home, my girls and I could appreciate the true beauty of the area and the panoramic views.

We stopped the car a few times to take pictures, but really, they don't do the natural view justice.

camera shy cows (except for that one in the front)

The trip got me thinking about how I see the world and how that naturally helps my writing. Obviously, an experience which is out of the ordinary routine - like a trip to the mountains - would cause anyone to stop and ponder.

As I tried to keep my eyes on the road which was difficult surrounded by such natural beauty my mind started to wander. I thought of stories I'd read in which a character had to travel long distances by foot through forests and over mountains like Jamie and Claire in the Outlander series or Torak in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series. I thought of the pitch dark roads we traveled and the eerie look of the tall pine trunks illuminated by my highbeams as we drove up to the house. What would it be like stopping for the night on the mountains - huddled on a frigid night, camping in the dark?

My senses translated my experience into memory.

purple-blue mountains;

the sky, painted with watercolor-blue brush strokes;

leafless branches, like fingers reaching for heaven

the sharp coldness of the impenetrable night;

the quiet solitude of a simpler way of life

Story fodder for another day.