by Brittany Wallace
We left the ranch midday after our morning chores, driving past the charming downtown with the legendary steam engine train, past the sage and rabbit brush, past the junipers and ponderosas and over the Chama River sparkling with light. Up the mountain with our little family we went to find The Rut.
The road wound up the mountain until we reached the top of Cumbres Pass. It is hard to pack light when you have more than yourself to be responsible for, but we did the best we could; the weather still warm and baby friendly. We hiked north, up and up into our local mountains, the aspens shining gold in their glory. I remember not too long ago the high meadows flared up like fireworks from the wildflowers. We hiked deeper into the wilderness. Not too long from now, these old worn-in camping spots along the trail will be filled with hunting camps.
We kept hiking; pointing out all the names of nature to our little one, giving her gold leaves to hold. We made it to the tall pines. We let our little Daisy explore the forest floor, as the dog was off in the distance making his rounds to guard the camp. All of us awakening our more primitive instincts. Fall gave us rain, so we were able to make a fire. Sitting on the earth passing back and forth our thermos of spicy ginger tea with a dash of whiskey to warm our bellies. I don’t know of a better way to quiet your mind, than to rewild in the mountain forests. The glorious scent of pine needles and dust toasting the cold air.
The forest is ALIVE!
The stars light up and glisten, reminding me of the summer trout in the river flashing their bellies and sunbathing. Our baby is dreaming of halcyon gold, while Oak, our loyal dog, is alert and outside the fire’s ring watching over us. The fire brings us into a deep meditation, as fires do, allowing us to slow down and speak of our dreams, sending them to the fire and up with the smoke rising.
And so it begins, like a shooting star across the night sky, the proclaimed trumpeting through the shadows: The Rut! The call of the wild ones!
Brittany Wallace is a CDT Community Ambassador in Chama, New Mexico. She manages the Chama Trout Stalkers Ranch and loves exploring the CDT with her family and community.
