June 15th

What a day…

Some moments stick with you forever. Accumulated over the days, months and years; these are very special, sad, funny, regretful, great moments in time that will remain crystal clear for the rest of our lives. These moments can become more than just memories, they can also build who we become if closely listened to.

June 15th, 2019 contained many of these special memories, and in doing so also reaffirmed my life choices over the previous year.

The day began with the loud low growl of our diesel truck ignition penetrating the darkness. The rising sun lit up the Olympic Mountains across the dark misty mirror of the Hood Canal as we made our way North to a disc golf course in Bremerton, WA. The course was lush green, short, but technical. The tournament was full of new friends, fun conversations, pristine dense old growth forest, and the ring of disc golf chains throughout the day.

After 2 tournament rounds, we found ourselves back on the Hood Canal to celebrate a soon-to-be great friends birthday with even more soon-to-be new friends. Within 10 minutes of parking the truck, we were zipping along the deep blue water on a speedboat, getting splashed by the cool water, shotgunning beers, and watching the legendary Downtown Terry Brown clear the wake on a jet ski.  

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The evening continued to evolve and escalate as the sky turned bright orange, yellow and red. We carried the torch handed to us from the sky as the colors faded by lighting the fire pit with a legitimate flamethrower.

Cold yells from skinny dipping and slaps of unintentional belly flops occured off of the end of the pier; the booms of fireworks engulfed the sky… And around the campfire I witnessed someone getting shot with a roman candle… from 10 feet away… straight in the doodle… 

He’s ok, but the memory has scarred many witnesses, me included..

The roars continued to grow louder. The party was out of control, and while it never swerved into overwhelming chaos, it was on a collision course with pandemonium if it continued on its current path.  

However, this party was  more than just a birthday celebration, it was also an extravagant farewell and concert for 2 wonderful people about to embark on a new adventure hiking the Continental Divide Trail and playing music along the way.

When the sun waved its last tendril of light, the moon crept over the mountain peaks and enhanced the already spotlight lit stage. The low hum of the mics electrified the air. A tranquility gripped everyone at the party as Emalee and Anna stepped on stage and began to play.

It was a surreal scene on the canal. The silence and love for these 2 was palpable, and I was entranced. The music was beautiful, but the silence it provoked was powerful. Their music had the power to slow down time and sooth the uproar that had consumed the atmosphere of the canal and all of it’s attendees.

The calming eye of the tumultuous storm surrounded the waterside home with love and music. Everything stood still as two amazing musicians softened the chaos… if only for a moment.

Then, the music stopped, the trance lifted, and the volume was turned back up to 11 as the tequila bottle started being passed around once again.

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This is a moment that has come back crystal clear and frequently along my journey. The smell of the salt water and sulfur from the fireworks, the vision of the lit up stage surrounded by friends, the sound of the music. In this moment I truly embraced the present.

This day was also a perfect reflection on my life for this trip. The past 7 months have been full of energy, good chaos, and non-stop activities. This day reflected these ideals, but added a more powerful belief on top of them all: sometimes being present and enjoying the stillness and peace that silence speaks volumes.

June 15th embodies living in the moment and embracing any and all crazy, beautiful, painful and other emotions / feelings that can occur one short roman candle fuse later. But the memory of this day also represents a culmination of everything that I had built in my life to continue my pursuit of happiness, mantra in taking leaps, strive to exist in the moment, and ability to listen to the universe; just as Emalee and Anna are seeking now.

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*Please check out the journey that these 2 have embarked on here.