Farms and ranches lined the roads and highways hemmed in by mountain ranges with snowcapped peaks. The hay meadows alternate with green pastures where cattle or horses were grazing. I did not see the usual billboards or neon. No city  lights off in the distance.

After each mile I could not believe I was going to spend my summer here! Every curve in the highway took my breath with a  landscape more scenic than the last.  The chain of lakes filled every space between the roadway and the mountains. I could see the boats out on the water and cabins and campers lined the banks.

The maintenance man, Jim, was waiting for me when I arrived at the park where I will be working all summer. He offered to help me park the trailer.  I still need practice backing in the trailer so I took him up on that offer. The park was completely deserted. Even my co-host had gone into town. After hooking up the utilities for the camper, Abby and I walked out on the dock. To the right I could not see the end of the lake and the view was so clear, I could see details of the trees on the opposite bank covering the mountain.  Canadian geese landed on the water and spooked Red-winged Blackbirds in the tall grasses next to the dock.

Jim came back to greet me, and asked if I needed anything before he left for home. I thanked him and said no. He started walking away and then turned back and said, “Are you ok?” I replied, “Yes, I just don’t know what I did to deserve this.”