Monday, May 21, 2012

We Were Drifters


When Travis and I were in college,
we found this white string with the word 'Drifters' 
 written in black ink over and over along its ribbed edge.

Travis and I on a Hawaiian cruise after college graduation, 2005.

And we decided right there and then,
we liked the sound of being drifters,
so we cut that string in half, 
and tied it 'round each one of our wrists.

It was a reminder to us to get out and see the world,
and that we were in this together.

It came with us on trips.
And even when we weren't on vacation, we were still drifters at heart,
eyeing the map for the next place to visit. The next adventure.
 The next time to see the world with fresh eyes.

And even though we wore these self made
 bracelets for only a few months at best,
it's always been a nice memory. 

And we've really tried to live up to this mentality over the years.
To get out. To do things.
To enjoy that which is at our very fingertips.

Last weekend we went with some friends 
to Laughlin and spent some time 
on that beautiful Colorado river. 


We went for rides in a speedboat.


We cruised pontoon boat style. 


We floated on river rafts.

Seriously, I could get used to this. 

And we had so much fun.

There is something so fresh about
 dipping your feet into the river's edge,
 and pushing your toes into the sand 
as the water rushes across your skin.


The feeling of the wind blowing your hair back,
and sometimes blowing the hat right off your head.


The initial shock of jumping into the icy cold 
Colorado after baking in the warm, dry heat.

(I admit, I let out a squeaky scream the first time I jumped in.)


The glorious sensation of floating, 
as the current takes you down river.

And as you are bobbing there,
each ripple reaching through your fingers,
there is heightened sense of self. 
Of where you were, and where you are going.

When I looked around at our friends,
some old, some new,
we were all smiles. 
Painted with freshly sunkissed skin.
Touched by the light, the sand, the water...
and each other.


We ate. We drank. 
We swam.
We ran out of gas.

And the gas station was closed. Whoops!

 But it all worked out. 

Because for that moment, we were invinsible. 
And as the crisp sun shone down on us, 
we were the perfect color of happiness. 
And nothing could change that.


Thanks to a great group of friends.
We had a awesome time drifting with you.

Until next time...

Oh, and cheers to a Happy 30th Birthday Steve!!





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