A rock and a tree and the river that flows beneath them. Ouzel Falls, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

Good morning—another early start.

This time, I do not need to rush since the entry time is nine. Still, I have fallen in love with the early morning light, so getting up at four now feels exciting.

My hike this morning is to Ouzel Falls via Wild Basin. It is a 30 minute drive in the dark, as there are no street lights in the wild. :)

Oh, a dirt road? The last section of the drive feels a bit uncomfortable. It is hard to maneuver with so many bumps in such darkness. I can easily recognize how this uncomfortable feeling would have held me back in the past, how it used to take over my whole being with draining fear. I feel a sense of pride for the progress I have gained and earned through my challenging experiences. More and more, I find the reward in pushing myself forward.

By 5:15, I find my corner and begin my morning routine.

It is much colder than I anticipated. It is an unbelievable 42 degrees in July! Well, I am at 8,500 feet of elevation after all.

I am on the trail just before six. The sun is soft and slowly warming the air. Not far into the hike, I reach Lower and Upper Copeland Falls.

In the blink of an eye, a beautiful memory from my time in the White Mountains in New Hampshire comes to mind. There is something in the flow of the essence of the place that feels so familiar. It’s a feeling of warmth and love.

I continue my hike along the gushing stream, rushing fast over the rocks that line its bed. I find a spot where I face the stream, feeling as if it's coming straight at me. The sun is beaming on a tree just a few feet away, calling my attention.

I concentrate on this single tree shining in his glory and beauty. The more I observe his story, the more I notice how deeply connected he is to his environment. What a beautiful connection between a rock and a tree and the river that flows beneath them.

I take off my backpack and sit down at the edge of a rock across from him. I love the energy here. The sound of the roaring stream seals a simple moment that, somehow, I know carries a lesson for me.

The trail, of course, continues upward. I still feel the effects of hiking at high elevation—my pace is slower, and my breathing is heavier.

At Calypso Cascades, I stand on the bridge facing the waterfall, looking up at her flow. I take out my phone to capture a photo. Seeing Calypso Cascades on my screen reveals details I had not noticed without framing it. Interestingly, I think to myself how in the past I would have been annoyed by the trees blocking my perfect shot.

Today I find a strong metaphor in each obstacle. Each fallen adds to her story of resilience. It is her collection of wrinkles. :)

I reach Ouzel Falls by eight, thrilled that I still have Mother Nature all to myself. I remember my new friend Branda’s advice: “Find a way to bushwhack and get closer to the falls.” So I do just that.

By now, the sun is highlighting Ouzel Falls with a shimmering beauty. It is no longer a cool morning, the sun’s heat is strong. I welcome the gentle breeze the falls create and the cool spray of water on my skin.

By 9:30, I lose my solitude.

I am grateful for what I had. Time to head back.

I find myself once again sitting at the edge of the rock, visiting my tree from earlier this morning. He is still there, but now, he is no longer the star of the story in front of me. The lighting of the sun comes from above, casting a gentle harmony over all the elements in this beautiful landscape.

The lesson is clear now: Every landscape of our lives can be seen from different angles and in different lights. As long as we find beauty, we become the beneficiaries of the gifts in the universe’s lessons.