It had been unseasonably warm and sunny that morning as we pulled to the side of the road, next to a faded red dash painted on a tree. The three girls quickly got out of the car, eager for the opportunity to stretch arms and legs, and breathe in the fresh mountain air. Gravel crunched beneath their feet as they walked around. “I can’t get a signal,” Mei complained, waving her phone around. “Me either,” Shruti confirmed. “...

She stood at the corner of the patio, where the rising sun was just catching her sable hair. That’s what caught my eye, the sun glancing off her shiny hair. She wore a long purple coat that nearly reached the ground. I couldn’t see her face because she was facing away from me while I worked. I kept watching her, there was something about her that caught me. I shook myself and went back to work, but the image of her wouldn...

  4:15 pm   Ella couldn't see a thing out her window. The gray sky had opened up and flurries of powder were descending on the dark landscape. The lamps in the parking lot were obscured and the few cars remaining were quickly disappearing under the white onslaught from above. Swearing silently to herself, she realized that she should’ve left much earlier.  Footsteps approached from behind her, “What are you still doing he...

At the ends of the tombs is Silence. It is spread above the fields. Chill winds blow making Silence in motion. Silence now moves further ahead, eyes staring at it. Only the throbbing of the leaves can be heard. Even wolves don’t dare to growl. They just join the eyes looking quietly at the Dance of Silence. It embraces the earth. The air, the water and fire. An erotic act with souls magnetized by the welcoming warmth of t...

Snowflakes melt on my face as I numbly trudge through the ever-deeper cover of cotton-like snow. I give a silent prayer to the Gods for the cold. Else I would never have gotten this far. I reach a patch of windswept land and up my pace. A backward glance tells me my pursuers are lagging behind. This is my territory. My terrain. I know how to make friends with the spirits of ice and rock. Not far now. The glacier sits just...

The rain was coming down in buckets as we hiked through the foggy landscape of the Joshua Tree Wilderness. We started our hike four hours ago when the rain was only a soft drizzle. The weather report did not have rain in the forecast, so we were more than a little frustrated that we were now carrying an extra few pounds of moisture along with the 50lbs of gear on our backs.  We often take a weekend to get out in the wild...

There were once beautiful baths that existed in this world. Back when sexuality wasn’t hidden like a disease and the true beauty of the naked form and nature was something to be preserved instead of graffitied upon or covered. It lay next to the modern-day bath, a community swimming pool. It's mildly populated this afternoon. Couples, young and old, children splashing about, elders tanning themselves. Everyone enjoying th...

I sit here on the worn wooden park bench remembering the last time I was in this very spot. Our nature preserve. We marked it as our own a while ago. The first time you took me here it was a special circumstance. Pure luck. We drove behind each other not really knowing where we were headed and then you guided me to this place. We signed in using cute aliases and walked the short path to the pavilion. We talked for a few h...

There is a little path through the woods that leads to a secluded patch of heaven that I find myself seeking out. The path is not well marked, guarded from most of the outside world except for those who have been here before and are very good at remembering the landmarks that guide your feet to this place. It’s a Sunday afternoon. The kind of Sunday afternoon where the sun shines lazily, and cat naps outdoors are encourag...

Kimmi hopped out of his SUV in cutoff denim shorts and a white t-shirt. Mr. B had rolled down the windows for the trip so they could smell the fresh air, but he also liked Kimmi with a windblown, wild look. Her nipples were showing through her thin white t-shirt. He smiled in satisfaction at her appearance. "Come see my farm, Kimmi," he said eagerly. "I love this," she replied smiling, looking around at the trees and wild...

The mountains and forests of New Hampshire are beautiful in the summer. We had been enjoying the sights and activities of the White Mountain National Forest for the last four days; hiking, exploring, and kayaking on the streams and trails around the little town our  B&B was in. The trip had been somewhat last minute, a week away without any kids or job distractions. The hiking was especially nice up there. Whereas at home...