Scene 2 – Go with the Flow
(a continuation of previous blog, Camp Utopia)
I read somewhere years ago that Uncompahgre (pronounced un-come-paw-gray) is a Ute Indian word meaning Quiet. I google the definition of Uncompahgre to validate the meaning, but the only definition I find online is dirty water. This rings true as there is very little water up here and whatever water there is may only be found in mudholes. So, we come prepared with a 3 to 4-day water supply for our camp trip. We veer off the main dirt road and head down a designated 4-wheel drive road, looking for a level, dispersed (outside of a designated campground) site that is tucked away, awaiting our longed-for solitude and serenity. We rule out this site and that site, with a too-close-to-the road or not-level-enough discrimination before we find the site. We pull in, Camp Buddy spots the area for the tent, backs in the truck, and begins unloading.
Next thing you know, we have Camp Utopia. Kitchen situated on the tailgate, roomy master bedroom off to the right, airy master bath out yonder. Outside of our open-concept living/dining room, Monarch butterflies circulate. Overhead, canvas tarp crinkles, bird symphony in background, while fresh air and agreeable temperature direct us fully into the present moment. Flowers bob, aspen leaves twinkle, and high above pine needles swish – all responding to the breeze. We become receptive to the daily message reverberating from the cosmos – be like the flowers, aspen leaves, and pine needles, go with the flow, be flexible. The message is seemingly corroborated by the many large aspen carcasses lying around – who evidently, lost their flexibility.
We awaken to the sound of a chain saw, followed by semi-automatic gun fire, and ATV-motor noise. We sit up and try to collect our senses. Camp Buddy and I exchange perturbed looks. Camp Buddy says, WTF and I don’t mean, Welcome to Fruita. A preliminary recon (a peek out the window) proves that the party is not at our campsite, but you could have fooled me, it sounded like it was in our dining room. We attribute all the noise to the middle of the day of a busy holiday. It is the 4th of July weekend after all. We also note that although we are on a jeep road, we are not that far off the primary road. Privately, I try to conceal the anger that I feel at these inconsiderate, disrespectful campers disturbing my peace and quest for solitude.
Eventually things quiet down, we go about camp business, and we gear up for dinner. Camp Buddy cooks and I wash camp dishes and that’s the deal. Always. The sun sets, we call it a day…and our general thought is that the raucous party earlier was just an anomaly. So much for denial – now, we know that is no strategy – as we are awakened again in the middle of the night by what I imagine to be Mardi Gras party-voices. Hooting. Hollering. Motors revving. This goes on only for a couple of hours and it started at midnight. I’d still like to go with the cosmic wisdom – uh…go with the flow? Did the cosmos betray me? My anger gets the best of me and I toss and turn for hours.
Next morning, Camp Buddy puts on his best County Commissioner smile, hops on his bike, and goes scouting. Meanwhile, I remember the dichotomous key (see previous blog – Camp Utopia) and I take satisfaction in keying these inconsiderate hooting-hollering-motor-revving species in the neighboring camp:
Irreverent Subject uses rude Mardis-Gras party voice, throttles motor, and fires semi-automatic weapon at any and all hours to celebrate the 4th of July…………………………. %@#!
To find out the meaning of %@#!, stay tuned.
To be continued…
Previous Reader Comments
Well put, Lisa! Your words eloquently express so very much and I, too, have experienced the @@#! in the midst of high expectations of peace and solitude in nature. Still, your adventurous spirits and the call of Nature rule the day! I eagerly await the ‘To be continued…’ KF
am staying tuned…do I have to wait one week????? AR
I can’t wait to find the meaning! TD
