Driving over and around the rises and curves of Route 19, Genna couldn't help but to find herself the slightest bit elated as she made her way to Indian Lake. This first day of spring had, indeed, begun with a sense of newness and regeneration.
Waking near sunrise, she had padded out in her pajamas onto the patio to sip her coffee, knowing full well that another long and brutal Wisconsin winter was behind her. The song of robins serenaded her from the treetops, while the ears of her three cats, who had followed her out into the morning air, pricked with rapt attention. The season of rebirth had finally arrived. It was nothing less than baptism by sunshine.
She found it fascinating to note how much joy one could discover in the simple things, having gone so long without. The freshness of the air, the scurry of rabbits in the courtyard. At last, she was able to greet the day with a sense of gratitude, and that brought her the peace and contentment amid which she thrived.
Turning onto a long, winding side road, she steered toward the trailhead, only to find a single motorcycle parked in the otherwise empty lot.
Knowing without a doubt that she couldn't be early, as she was never on time for anything, she wondered for a moment if she had mismarked her calendar; yet, it was the annual equinox trail workday, and spring was everywhere around her.
Taking the spot next to the cycle, she turned off the ignition, grabbed her bottled water and pocketed her keys. She made her way up to the trailhead, the designated meeting spot, and saw a solitary figure through the glare of morning sun. As she neared, he offered a wave of acknowledgement.
"You here for the workday?" he asked.
"Yeah," Genna responded. "But, where is everybody?"
"It looks like it's just you and me."
"So much for community involvement, eh?" she said with a slight smile.
"That's all right. I'm ready to whip these trails into shape if you are," he announced with conviction.
"You bet, but I have to admit that I don't have any tools or supplies. I assumed they would be provided."
"No worries. I have everything we'll need, and we won't need much for an initial cleanup. Let's just give it a couple more minutes to see if anyone else arrives. By the way, I'm Lucas, the coordinator of this year's highly successful workday," he introduced himself with a wink and an outstretched hand.
"I thought you looked familiar. I'm Genna. You're Kara O'Connell's brother, right?"
"As a matter of fact," he responded, revealing the most perfect smile she had ever seen.
"I thought so. I've noticed you around town, and I think I remember you from last year's event."
"Gotcha. Well, as much as I love Mad Town, I'm glad to be out in the sticks today. It's an awesome morning; but, beware, there's a lot of melt."
"I don't mind getting dirty," she countered with nonchalance, lest he take her for just a pretty girl.
"Well, what do you say we start clearing debris from the lake loop? If we have time, we can work on the more remote trails. It actually doesn't look too bad."
"I'm up for it. Let's go," she agreed.
They made their way onto the main loop, both astounded to find isolated stretches of snow pack despite the recent rise in temperatures. Genna could have sworn the daytime highs hadn't dipped below fifty degrees for a week or more.
"Just watch your step," Lucas warned. "Despite the muck, the ice is slick."
"Trust me, I'm as sure-footed as they come," Genna assured.
Clearing the occasional fallen branch by tossing it easily into the woods, they found themselves surrounded by paper birch, which, though beautiful, had robbed the area of its natural prairie. Even up on the slopes, gnarled oaks and other hardwoods had choked off the wildflowers.
Although they had spent a couple hours or so easily navigating the trails, Lucas and Genna found that the muck through which they had trod was barely an indication of what lay ahead -- a complete washout. Indeed, the trail had disappeared into what resembled marshland, and only that if they were lucky.
"Where do we go from here?" Genna asked, having gleaned a healthy amount of respect for Lucas's wilderness skills.
"You said you don't mind getting dirty, right?"
"Yeah."
"At the worst, I'd guess it might be at thigh level. The lot's not far. I have sandwiches and extra waters. Otherwise, we'd have to backtrack, which would take a lot more time."
"Okay, let's go for it. I am getting hungry."
"That's my kind of lady," Lucas said, once again displaying his incredible smile.
Each step proved to be an adventure in itself; and, despite their cautious footfall, they both found themselves very slowly and clumsily making their way toward solid ground. They never knew how deep their boots would sink into the wet earth or when they might let their weight unwittingly bear upon the slick surface of an algae-covered rock.
"You doing okay?" Lucas asked over Genna's left shoulder.
"I think -- " Genna's ankle gave just slightly, allowing a buckling in her knees. "I think I'm good," she professed, however uncertainly, as she regained her composure.
"Here, grab my hand," Lucas said as he reached a sinuous arm toward her. "We'll get through it together."
Smoothly and with ease, Genna's fingers entwined Lucas's own.
"There's no rush," Lucas offered his words of gentle encouragement. "Let's just take it slow and -- "
