midsommar's aftershock

it was 2025, the peak of july summer in the red rock desert. driggs in his shoes to prevent sunburn and her shoes melting into the ground on the black asphalt. they unpacked everything from the move, kept the company afloat, got internet at home after weeks, and she was stressed af from work. a long month. new tires, all 4 too, all season plus an oil change. time to start planning a nature getaway before another episode happens.

fishing license secured for 15 bucks, fishing pole borrowed from up north, bait gifted, pack of beer in the gifted cooler, playing cards, and guitar ready for the weekend. just one more day until a single unpaid day off before we can head out after work and be there before dark.

well, she wore the back brace all day, and was too tired and sore to load everything into the car that night. so they eat, put a few records on, did a cellulose face mask with eye masks underneath for extra assurance on dark circles, dance the ugly vibes off, shower so we have good hair smell good fresh start before rollin' in the dirt. all with anxiety. also clean and do laundry so we have a clean house to come home to and our fav pieces to pack from.

where are they going? don't know yet. one of these general areas for sure. *googles best fishing spots* .... cool. see how it feels in the morning.

whew. "alright bud. potty break." *toke real quick* *lights out*

...

car loaded. driggs in the backseat. sunglasses on. playlists downloaded for offline beats. still feeling sick and restless. back brace on. "just get there and then we can relax." no breakfast. leaving later than planned. no time. must go. get out of town. took the day off for a reason. stop at maverik in cedar. and walmart for pain gel patches. back and neck. lumbar support pillow permanently in the driver's seat.

boulder mountain it is. 3 hours. *google maps cool spot to stop and work the back pain off* butch cassidy's home? perf. chill, no people. *route* *volume up* look back. "are you ready bud" ... "alright lesgo"

peace... just in time... barely

highway 12, the favorite long drive. a beautiful landscape while she endures the pain. they decided to go a bit further to the gas station at the junction down the other side of the mountain after realizing the first pick had too rough a road for the black stallion. with angry cows and no service.

she got a sandwich, he got free steak bites, and they looked up the next site. different lake. more popular. ugh. let's just go to the quiet side. stressed. losing prime tanning hours. more gas used. tired. in pain. nauseous. hold the tears in with the food. let's just get there already. 

ahhh finally. not yet. set up camp hunched over in pain. forgot to say no dairy in the sandwich. nothing but pain. pushing through it with the music on the jbl. yoga mat rolled out. 

"my god we actually made it. keep watch driggs" *collapse into child's pose*

settling in...

"there ARE mountain lions up here... aren't there"

hands covered in sap from tying the hammock she used for 20 minutes. "this can't be good. committed now. too late. i can't care anymore. keep watch driggs."

"shit, gotta send the pin to safe people."

service spot just up the dirt road. thank god. alright everything in place now let's get back and do some yoga. free flow. just work it out. as long as it takes. who cares. forget about the lions. they wouldn't dare. at least plenty of warning. car closeby. no worries mate.

3 hours later...

literally. new woman. she didn't know her sleeping pad was flat until this moment... "omg I can't... f*** it. later problem. i've GOTTA fish before sundown when they're hungry and active. wanna go swimmin' bud?" hell yeah.

"it's like a reward"

local brew. the bombshell pack. one for every hair color.  crack a cold one. bikini on. a toke for later. bait hooked. let's just sit and savor this for a minute. beach to ourselves. waiting for the fish to start jumping. driggs wants to throw the toy. what's over here? seems like a place fish like.

a peaceful evening

truly. no complaints. scenery? top notch. sunset? unreal. mosquitos? avoided. chill breeze. pants o'clock approaching. cover up back on.

annoyances? driggs thinking the hook was a ball. except for listening well and patrolling a 30ft radius. she used power bait, and reeled in when it should've just sat there. fish jumping everywhere. ya tu sabes. no fish was caught. illegal bait there? she didn't know. not another trip to town after the sleeping pad. forgiveness not permission, if needed. there was no need. caught on the seaweed a couple times though. food for later. building immunity for the fish that are routinely dumped here to keep the lake full.

"well driggs no luck let's go back and maybe play a song while we avoid the sleep on hard ground that's about to happen for me not you."

they commented "dreamyyyy" on this post.

his best portrait

in his element. the roadrunner bandana.

 "omg you look so cute and handsome we gotta get this moment saved forever." a case of the zoomies after every photo for holding his pose. for the millionth time.

shot on iphone portait mode. contrast, shadows, highlights and slight saturation in lightroom. the phones always dim the colors ya know. just enough edits to make it feel like the real thing. the lazy approach. we're not professionals paying for the premium versions. 

only spotify. attached to playlists since high school. hadn't transferred yet. swedish made by twins, originally anyway. apple music sucks. vinyl and cd collection slowly growing again. one piece at a time. no judgement along the way.

the night cap

we are definitely coming back here.

in the morning. first light. the lighting here. not crowded. people wave as they pass by. giving respectable space. who cares. we're all just here to enjoy the high desert peace.

the need to explore

"damn. might be too deep driggs. can't risk it bud. looks fun tho. another time." *back it up* morning beach spot picked out on the opposite side of the lake.

the slot canyon just behind

"I wonder if a mountain lion hangs out there..." back to camp. guitar out. too lazy for a fire. play until you can't see anymore. learned ride on by monica valli. bedtime.

but first... face masks

h&m sweatshirt. lots of compliments. gold eye masks obviously. double up. 4 advil. diet coke. another toke. and scene.

the next morning...

up with the sun at 5:30. unmovable from the pain and sleeping on ever so slightly padded slickrock. driggs? on his new plush cheap bed snuggled up for body heat against her. wait until the muscle lock gives in. gently sit up. grab a snack. do skincare and makeup in the sleeping bag. advil and a toke, protein bar for breakfast just like dinner. then head out for first light fishing.

low water means driving out further to the water's edge. new tires? no big deal just watch for rocks. taking it slow, grateful dead on the stereo, the morning sun glare blinding... BAM. 

immediate panic. check for damage. all good? nothing but a heart attack and a slight dent on the side frame. "i'm gonna throw up." fish for 30 minutes. driggs won't stop swimming to the bait. it's his first time. no bite, no worries.

change spot. book? "how to write one song" by jeff tweedy. a dave suggestion. nana and papi gifted the previous holiday season. doing her best to avoid the panic attack that was just barely avoided yesterday upon arriving...

playtime over...

look. they did everything they could but there was just no stopping it. she threw up almost nothing on the beach, laid on the ground for a few minutes, and felt immediately better.

she said "you know what? maybe this is our lucky shot. let's give it one more reel." and the reel went flying. she stood there speechless while he stood there wondering if he could fetch it. it gently floated right back.

"i'm so sorry driggs let's just go we've never failed this hard, people are showing up, and I can't do this anymore.. we'll make a day out of the drive home i promise."

and they packed up and left.

coffee and museum date

lavender chai latte? a relief

the only one in town. small talk with the barista. "what's it like living here?" boring but we have a lot of fun here. "hell yeah. add this shirt to the order. we'll be back."

art and ruins

it was always closed when they passed by before. a score. beautiful designs. communal spaces. free access no fees. what a turnaround on a beautiful hot day.

taking notes for later

the colors are just so rich and exquisite. local tribal artists. save money, keep in mind for later when we can afford it. in awe of the craftsmanship.

small talk again

gift store clerk. local school teacher. "mountain lions everywhere right now. careful out there. glad you have the dog." thanks... we'll be back with more money but just the paw print sticker for now. a souvenir.

the beautiful road back

kiva coffeehouse

a bucket list stop. no pets upon walking in. *points to driggs's vest* he's a service dog. "um let me get the manager... ugh. follow me. what do you want?" oat milk chai and a burrito please. thanks.

inhale that view

"I wonder how long it would take to walk that canyon to the slot.... can I get some water for him too please?" ugh. fine. "dogs on the rooftop patio only but we can't tell you to move." thanks for the cold aluminum dog bowl under the table out of the way no bother to anyone.

weird people, good food, gold star view

we don't know if we'll be back. overpriced for many understandable reasons. worth it. no regrets. no one spoke to us. just looked. no judgement. just sayin' the view is unreal lots of hikes nearby.

and that's a wrap

playlists on tap. dog asleep in the backseat. 3 hours through the most beautiful country before another shower, king sized bed waiting at home and plenty of leftover beer. not our first or last time here. pink floyd is a vibe out there.

we had a redo in the fall... elsewhere... less stressful... in other ways...