Cat and I carefully made our way down, over and through what seemed like the never-ending tangle of black volcanic fractured rock and towering spires. In several places we would stop our progress to catch our breath before continuing down the volcano's steep inner wall. I purposely slowed our decent so that I could lift Cat up or lower her down over especially difficult areas, as well as making many well-earned rest stops. It was during one of these rest stops that Cat asked me,
"Honey this is a lot harder than I expected, why would you pick such a difficult place to get to? I sure hope it is worth all of this. I'm just kidding honey; you know I'd follow you anywhere sweetheart. Why wouldn't I trust your instincts, you haven't let me down yet?"
"Oh sweet baby, you know if I knew an easier way down we would take it. But if there was an easier way I'm sure lots of people would be here, this way the secret place I'm leading you to should be all ours. I promise it is well worth the hardship we have endured to get to this point, as well as what is still ahead of us baby"
Once again I assured Cat.
Sitting on a very large, smooth rock Cat and I removed our shoes and socks, then slipped our bare, tired feet into the cool waters of the lake. I refilled our water bottles with this so very pure water after we had drank our immediate fill. Cat and I both laughed at Sierra who seemed to prefer being neck deep in the lake before quenching his thirst by lapping the water up all around him, it appeared he couldn't decide where the best tasting water was as he kept wading around in circles as he drank. With my hand slowing stroking Cat's hair she leaned back against me, laying her head on my shoulder. Cat and I both were exhausted from the hike down the volcano's steep inner wall and down to the clear blue waters of the lake. We looked out in the direction of Wizard Island as we played in the water, splashing in it with our bare feet like a couple of kids, which is exactly how I felt when with Cat. Yes, she brought out the child like playfulness in me, the way of seeing the entire world as a wonderful playground, our playground.
The lake was so very beautiful with its wonderful blue waters reflecting the towering cliffs surrounding it, as if cradling it gently in their protective embrace. The sky was just as blue but several shades lighter, without a cloud in sight, the only thing disrupting this vast blueness was the bright yellow midday sun as its rays warmed our flesh pleasantly. The surrounding shoreline as well as the distant island being made up of the jet black, shiny volcanic rock. Contrasting with these colors were the various shades of the many varieties of vegetation, the dark green of the evergreens, the white bark of the Aspen trees as well as their red and gold leaves as they fluttered in the slight breeze, and the bright purple and red berries hanging on the bushes along the lakes edges like Christmas ornaments on the annual tree.
Add to this so beautiful scene before us the many beautifully colored birds hurrying from limb to limb, others flying over the lake silently looking for rising fish such as the many bald eagles soaring so very high overhead. And the acrobatic fish hawks gracefully diving down at incredible speeds only to pull out of this daredevil dive just in time to skim over the glass like surface of the lake, then sinking its razor sharp talons into any unlucky fish with the stealth and a precision only shared by the very best of natures predators. And the splashes of other bright colors darting frantically all around us that seemed to suddenly halt their frenzied pace just long enough to float from flower to flower. This rainbow in motion coming from the gathering of pollen by both the bright yellow and black bumble bees, and the fluttering wings of the abundant beautiful multicolored butterflies that could be seen in every direction. Huge brilliant dragonflies seemed to be reenacting the dogfights played out by the nimble biplanes of battles of yesteryear now long since past.
Cat and I were very surprised not by the family of deer we had been watching drinking from the lakes cool waters, but how easily they make their way down the treacherous steep terrain that had just taken such a big effort from both Cat and myself. But what really surprised us was a large male black bear that was at first standing about a hundred yards from us sidestepping his way along the shore line eating the abundant wild black berries. When this so very intriguing bear could not reach the clusters of wild berries it had been gorging itself with effortlessly by pulling in limbs and then delicately stripping off the berries with its lips, it waded out into the deeper water that at some places only left its big burly head sticking up along with its outstretched arms and easily continued its reaping the bounty that apparently others choose not to pursue.
"Baby? We better get going as we only have maybe another three hours of light and I want us to get to a very wonderful spot where I plan for us to spend the night. Besides that I very much want us to be there with the sun still shining brightly as well as during what should make for an unforgettable sunset"
I suggested to Cat
Again needing to call Sierra to join us as both the deer and the bear mesmerized him, as he just sat there watching their every move, this because I had told him he had to sit down and stay with us. I know if I gave him the slightest chance he would bolt over to see what these so very interesting creatures were and if they wanted to play. Though he had seen plenty of deer they always kept their distance, Sierra could never get close enough to figure them out and as for the bear I'm sure that would have been trouble, this bear didn't look like he wanted to share his black berries or play in any way for that matter.
