From the Cabin Window

It’s 5:00 am and I’m wide awake. I’m the first one up, so the generator isn’t turned on yet. It’s pitch dark and cold in this beautiful cabin that’s nestled in the woods of the great Sierra Nevada mountain range. The thermostat reads a cold 42 degrees inside. Usually the cold would bother me, but there’s something about the crisp mountain air that simmers warm in my soul, so I’m not a bit bothered by the chill this morning. The fireplace and wood burning stove will heat the cabin to a toasty temperature soon enough, but for now it’s cold and dark.

Trying my best not to wake my husband, I forgo the flashlight and rummage through our duffle bag searching for my clothes. I find them and quietly put on my thermals, jeans, and thick, furry socks. I zip up my sweatshirt, put my hair back in a ponytail, pull my beanie down tight over my ears, and quietly tip toe into the living room, careful not to wake the others that are still sleeping soundly. The thick knitted throw blanket feels heavy and warm on my lap as I settle into my favorite chair next to the window that overlooks the middle fork of the Stanislaus River.

It’s pitch dark outside, but I can make out patches of bright, white snow that soften the edges of the bank next to the rushing river. Sitting perfectly still in the quiet, I look out from the cabin window watching for any signs of life and light.

As I gaze out into the woods, my mind wanders, leading me out of the cabin door and into the snow-covered terrain that looks pillowy and soft. A little red fox with a long, silvery tail steps out on the trail in front of me, staring, as if beckoning me to join him, and so, I do.

I follow him down to the river and dip my toes in, giggling as the ice-cold water tickles my bare feet. I drift out among the pine trees that stand hundreds of feet tall along the steepest side of the mountain, gulping down the crisp, clean air. I drink from icicles that taste sweet, like nectar from a tree. I search for berries and nuts to nibble on and hear the loud crunch  of ice underneath my feet as I run, jump, and slide down the powdery snowbanks.

There are bears sleeping soundly in their cozy dens, squirrels scampering up the trees, and birds singing a morning melody as if announcing the arrival of a brand new day.

Twirling under the stars that cling to the night, I wave to the moon as it gets smaller and smaller in the sky. I fly like a bird above the pine trees, looking down on the mountain peaks where blankets of snow shine like diamonds in the blue hour just before dawn.

I catch fish with my bare hands and toss them to the hungry red fox that still follows close behind me. I help a family of beavers collect twigs for the hut they’re busy building, and watch in fascination as one of the tallest cotton woods falls to the ground in a thunderous boom, creating a perfect bridge for me to safely cross the roaring river.

My heart pounds in excitement as I leap from rock to rock, bouncing lightly between the rushing tide and first sparkle of light shining down from the rising sun.

The sound of the generator startles me as the sleepy cabin comes to life. The lights come on and I hear the floor creak under the sound of footsteps. I quickly tuck my adventures back into my mind to visit again later.

My husband’s hand feels warm as it brushes my shoulder “Good morning, what’s my beautiful wife up to?”

The smell of coffee drifts through the cabin and I’m grateful for the steaming, hot cup my husband hands me.

 “Nothing much, just enjoying the view.”

And then I see him—the little red fox with the long silvery tail is standing right outside of the cabin window. I’m stunned! I start to call out to my husband to come see, but instead, sit perfectly still and watch in amazement as he glances up at me one last time before he turns and quickly disappears back into the enchanted forest of my dreams.