Mount Cardigan by Brandon Gardner
We drove up dirt roads that winded and turned for what seemed to be forever but in reality was more like an hour. Finally we reached our destination, the bottom of the mountain. Looking up at the beautiful giant it seemed out of this world for my eight year old eyes and excitement struck me. My energetic self almost immediately got out of the car and started running toward the mountain until my parents reminded me about my back pack. I grabbed my pack and started the journey again leading my family up the mountain besides the fact I had no experience or remote clue where I was going.
The ground was wet, grimy, muddy and it was awesome. I was running through the mud and puddles not caring about the consequences of dirty clothing or ruining my shoes, I was in it for the fun. Eventually the trail became rocky and I started jumping off rocks like I was a ninja, hell I was a ninja in my own mind.
We took a break under a moist moss covered tree that seemed to be as old as mother earth herself. The colossus towered and displayed a glooming shadow over the mountain as if to show how insignificant the other trees were in comparison.
We started our hike up the mountain once again refueled and energized. I was cruising along until in my perspective I had found a boulder in the trail. I ran at trying to jump to the top but failed and tumbled down. Realizing it was a worthy opponent I ran at it again jumping up and grabbing onto a gangly root that creeped down the beast like a scar. Success, I had climbed up the boulder, a seemingly impressive feat filling me up with awesomeness. I turned around to find my family but only to witness them walking the trail that simply went around the beast.
Being tired out from my conquest I continued the journey up the mountain. We finally broke the tree line and it became windy, frigid, and all rock underfoot. The wind was howling and roaring as if it was angry that we had made it this far up the mountain. We climbed up the steep rocks the rest of the way to the top.
It was beauty as far as the eye could see. Rolling hills,
green land, towns, lakes, rivers, everything I could
imagine was just below. I felt like I was on top of the
world which at the same time should have terrified me due
to the fact I am scared of heights. But I was to in awe to care
about anything but the reward of my triumph. Peering off
into the distance I was lost in a way that made me feel
free and liberated.