Lake Tahoe

This is a first draft of something I wrote while sitting on my deck over looking Lake Tahoe.

       Peering past the emerald bristles, my eyes settle upon the motionless blue water. Like a sapphire mirror it lays with effortless beauty. Boats race across, forming trails of white powder behind them. The scene stretches to the towering mountains which stand covered with a blanket of trees. The soft breeze fills my nostrils with the familiar smell of pine and wood mingling with the smoke gliding off of the barbeque. Mosquitoes hover beyond the cabin, help at bay by the shield of repellent candles surrounding me. The sound of laughter drifts up from the beach, dancing through the trees. The noise smashes through the peaceful silence and brings the forest to life. The trees sway to the innocent music and blue jays swoop out from their homes. They spread their majestic wings and flutter across the deck, searching for crumbs left over from lunch. As the laughter fades away the birds float back to their nests that lay high up in the curved branches of the flawless trees. Stillness returns to the forest and the serenity envelopes me. Entranced by the beauty I bring the glass cup to my lips and let the cool, fresh water of Lake Tahoe slide down my throat.

            As night creeps closer I pull the ratty Afghan around my shoulders and watch the bright sun tuck itself behind the mountains. An ember glow falls upon the tip of the horizon. Bats start to peak their heads out, anticipating the darkness to come. The lake and trees shimmer in the dim light of dusk until night jumps out. The sun dips below the mountains and the rustle of nighttime shivers through the trees. The lake turns deep navy, reflecting the black sky above. One by one lights appear around the lake, sprinkling the shore with brightness. Stars begin to pop up, making the heavens twinkle. The bats swoop down in joy and release themselves, relieved to be free of the sun’s imprisoning rays.

            Cold rides the wind and flutters across my face, but the chill moves on as I scoot closer to the fire. Flames lick the round logs and sway in the night air. I let the warmth radiating from the fire hug my face. Smoke drifts past me, grazing my cheek with its soft embrace.

            I close my eyes and lose myself in the sweetness of Lake Tahoe. I feel the tranquility seep in and fill my body. The world around me disappears and I go with it, vanishing into a calm slumber.