Being back in Idaho has had some real ups and downs. I love being in this part of the United States where I can climb, bike, hike, and see family. But what I didn’t count on was the rush of memories from last summer. My experiences and memories are heavily based on place, where I was and where I am. Being back in Idaho has brought back these complex feelings, memories, and connections which feel lost in time. Last summer in many ways felt like the best of dreams and being back now in the context of COVID, looming school, and anxieties manifested from what was; I’m having a hard time settling in the way I usually do.
There’s not much I can do about these feelings and I know like all things there is an ephemeral cycle. Last summer was a peak and I’m glad and fortunate to have had amazing people and relationships around me to help me get there. Now is different and that is ok, I still have great people around me and I’ve reconnected with many of those I didn’t see last summer. While I’m not at the peak of my cycle I’m trying my hardest to take advantage of the time here and now.
Nature has always been a release for me, a privilege that I want to share with as many people as I can. Yesterday I decided to go
and boulder with a good friend from school. We went out to a new place for me called Swan Falls just outside of Kuna, ID. The basalt boulders sprinkling the landscape here came from the high walls carved out by the river below. It was an uncharacteristically cool day for June in the Idaho desert creating an inviting environment to scramble the deep dark rock boulders and meet some new climbers. After cutting our hands on the sharp volcanic rocks and feeling the heat from the sun, the weather rolled in. It was a pretty amazing site to see the dark ominous clouds roll over the cliff edge, to feel the wind build up into tiny droplets, and to escape to our cars just as the rain got strong. Overall a great day.
