“Kir, can you plan a hike?” they said.
“Gladly!” I said.
“Something easyish but fun!” they said.
“For sure!” I said.
“We won’t be rappelling, right?” they said.
“No, definitely not,” I said.
“Are we almost there?” they said.
“Yes, just around this bend!” I said.
“Are those rock climbing shoes?” the stranger said.
“No, these are just trail runners,” I said.
“I thought you said we weren’t rock climbing!” they said.
“We aren’t!” I said.
“Where’s the summit?” they said.
“Right up here!” I said.
“I’m just going to wait right here,” they said.
“Wait, what are you doing?” they said.
“Get away from that ledge!” they said.
“Just come sit on this rock right here.” I said.
“Wow, this is incredible!” we said.
“Are you ready to head back down?” I said.
“Not yet,” they said.
And then we quit saying and just took it all in.
Tusk Gap, Shenandoah National Park
