Thank you for sharing this incredible story. I will share! It's truly remarkable you found the one person by a simple act of giving of yourself and your time. The Rilke quote also really got to me and will help to further trust that the universe has my back and that all questions don't have to have an answer which I have been struggling with recently. ♡♧♡♧
Your stories and poems are always thoughtful and uplifting in some way. This one resonates for all of us out here leaning into our big beautiful outdoor world for comfort. Now when I hear the phrase "drinking the Kool-Aid" it will bring to mind Jack and you and a beautiful little lake on high. Big mahalo for sharing!
That particular Rilke quote resonates so much! I bought a card with the questions/answers quote decades ago and posted it to a note board I've kept since. For a long time, I didn't know why the words meant so much to me, they just felt like something I needed to hold on to. And then I ended up on a personal introspective journey that felt as uncertain, perilous, committing and incredibly worthwhile as any alpine or backcountry endeavor can be. During a tough moment, I looked up at the card with Rilke's wisdom and felt an all body understanding of what I was facing and what I would be tending in me. Now, thinking of your story, Jack's story, and Kool-Aid Lake and thinking about our foot steps along that storied route... well, it adds layers of meaning and depth and connection to a beloved place and beloved wisdom. I'm so grateful your and Jack's paths cross and that you shared this story with us. Thanks for another one of those tear-inducing, heart-thrumming yeses to the serendipity of life! <3 ( ^..^)ﾉ <3 ( ^..^)ﾉ <3 ( ^..^)ﾉ
I am so happy to read this! I saw the name on a map ages ago and wondered about it. I assumed the lake was the color of blue cool aid, but this is a MUCH cooler story!
Wow, what an incredible story! I had chill bumps reading it, the coincidence of you meeting Jack and finding out he named Kool-Aid Lake is astonishing!
Thank you so much for sharing this delightful story! You are such an amazing and inspiring person. Sending hugs to you and please pass one along to Jack from all of us who love a good outdoor adventure and aspire to be like you.
Oh my gosh, this has GOT to get reprinted in the Mountaineers magazine or the WTA magazine!!
Oh wow, I hadn’t thought of this, Katt! Thank you so much, I am definitely going to have to reach out to them!
I love everything about this story! To end it with the Rilke quote was perfect 💜
I’m in tears. I love synchronicity ☺️
Coincidentally, I appeared “on the map” in 1963, too. 😉
Thank you for sharing this incredible story. I will share! It's truly remarkable you found the one person by a simple act of giving of yourself and your time. The Rilke quote also really got to me and will help to further trust that the universe has my back and that all questions don't have to have an answer which I have been struggling with recently. ♡♧♡♧
Your stories and poems are always thoughtful and uplifting in some way. This one resonates for all of us out here leaning into our big beautiful outdoor world for comfort. Now when I hear the phrase "drinking the Kool-Aid" it will bring to mind Jack and you and a beautiful little lake on high. Big mahalo for sharing!
What a great story! I love serendipitous connections like this :-)
I feel like this is a continuation of the Creepy Cat Detective Agency :)
Why did this make me cry at the tire store in the middle of the afternoon???? 😭😭 Beautifully written, Anastasia!
PS: that Rilke quote was on my senior page for my college yearbook.
That particular Rilke quote resonates so much! I bought a card with the questions/answers quote decades ago and posted it to a note board I've kept since. For a long time, I didn't know why the words meant so much to me, they just felt like something I needed to hold on to. And then I ended up on a personal introspective journey that felt as uncertain, perilous, committing and incredibly worthwhile as any alpine or backcountry endeavor can be. During a tough moment, I looked up at the card with Rilke's wisdom and felt an all body understanding of what I was facing and what I would be tending in me. Now, thinking of your story, Jack's story, and Kool-Aid Lake and thinking about our foot steps along that storied route... well, it adds layers of meaning and depth and connection to a beloved place and beloved wisdom. I'm so grateful your and Jack's paths cross and that you shared this story with us. Thanks for another one of those tear-inducing, heart-thrumming yeses to the serendipity of life! <3 ( ^..^)ﾉ <3 ( ^..^)ﾉ <3 ( ^..^)ﾉ
I am so happy to read this! I saw the name on a map ages ago and wondered about it. I assumed the lake was the color of blue cool aid, but this is a MUCH cooler story!
Thank you for sharing this story! It brought tears to my eyes seeing how you and Jack were brought together and you were able to share his story!
Wow, what an incredible story! I had chill bumps reading it, the coincidence of you meeting Jack and finding out he named Kool-Aid Lake is astonishing!
My brother did that Traverse a few years ago! He had an amazing time. Glad to hear your wonderful story too.
Thank you so much for sharing this delightful story! You are such an amazing and inspiring person. Sending hugs to you and please pass one along to Jack from all of us who love a good outdoor adventure and aspire to be like you.
This made my day! Beautiful story about an unlikely and joyous synchronicity...