The day is hot, but I am eager. My shirt clings to me as I speed down the road on my bike, gaining momentum as the hill gets steeper. The wind whips my hair back. I savor this feeling of being so free.

As our meeting place comes into view, I slow my bike. Just as I reach this rendez-vous place, Joseph arrives as well. We drop our bikes and decide to climb down into the drainage ditch just before the woods.

A frog leaps into the shallow water, frightening me momentarily, as I carefully navigate the small but steep hill. Various bugs fly around me, getting caught in stray tendrils of hair. My nerves rise, though I am excited. There is a large dry rock in this area of the ditch, so I decide to take a seat. It is smooth and cool beneath me, and the earth behind me, damp and thriving with moss, cools me further.

Joe wanders around, gathering small twigs and leavings, deciding to make a small fire to ward of the pesky insects flying around us. We talk every now and then, but having only just met the day before, the air between us feels stiff and awkward.

A light breeze rustles my hair as he sits beside me and builds his fire. First comes the smoke, thick and potent. The smell of burning wood and the smoky leaves consumes the air as well as my senses. The smoke holds off the bugs, preventing any annoyance, just as Joseph had promised. The wind blows once more, and the smoke floats into my eyes, causing them to sting and water in reaction, momentarily blurring my vision and making me squint against the discomfort.

I look to my left as the flames come to life, small but effective. The woods beyond are dark and mysterious, peaking my interest and curiosity.  Our eyes cannot see beyond the fallen tree just within the barrier of the brooding darkness. Joe looks, too, but we stay where we are and continue with our casual conversation. But neither of us can deny that nagging curiosity. He gives in before I do, asking if I’d like to adventure into this unknown territory. My eagerness spikes once more, rising and bubbling, making me giddy.

Joseph puts out the fire, and we stand, hesitant but too curious to stay put. We break into the woods, darkness no longer concealing what was once hidden. Rocks mark our path, though it is not an easy one. Under this tree and over that one, zig-zagging back and forth, from one rising wall of earth to the other. Everything around us is damp. Even the air smells damp, but with the lingering scent of smoke clinging to us, the bugs keep their distance.
Soon we come across a flattened rock, free of vegetation. The walls one either side of us match our height, but below us is a rock wall. It is steep and from our view, it appears to be a long way down to the bottom. However, what is at the bottom excites us both: a creek. The hill on the opposite side is covered in trees and ferns and an assortment of other small bushes and grasses. Each is a rich green, varying in shade and tone, some rich, some reminiscent of spring buds. The water below trickles over rocks, lazy and soothing.

We decide to risk it and climb down the wall, rather than go down the hill beside us. The climb is not as difficult as it had appeared, but we take our time, making sure to find sturdy foot holds and avoiding abandoned spiderwebs. The water from above trickles down the middle of this rock wall, so we keep to one side to avoid slipping.

I feel free and exhilarated. I have never done anything like this, and it excites me more than anything. When we finally reach the bottom, we both take a moment to take in our surroundings:

The sun breaks through here and there, glistening over the water and creating shadows that are in constant motion. The water drops down over a rock, mini waterfalls leading to a large and sill section of the creek, perfect for wading in. It is clear and clean. There is a fallen tree creating a bridge for the brave, but it is too high up to reach without some climbing. In the opposite direction, the rocks become more dense as the creeks snakes around a bend. The air is cooler down here, comfortable. It is filled with the natural scent of dampened soil and the greenery that surrounds us. Though it is difficult, the wind manages to break through the towering trees to reach us down below and play with our hair.

We're mesmerized, transfixed by the natural and untouched beauty of a place once hidden and unknown to us. Having forgotten each other for a moment, we share a look of minor surprise, but pure excitement. Breaking free of our trance, we stumble our way to the other side of the narrow creek to a shelf of rocks perfect for sitting on.

 With a single look, our bond is secured, and we know that this is our place, our sanctuary.

After that day, we hurried to our creek daily, spending hours together. Each time was a new adventure, discovering a new place to explore, a new adventure to be had. It's our safe haven. Our home.