I woke up! And I ate it! And I said it!

I sent her the text reading, "can we do this some other time? I'm soooo sleepy. . . " 

Then proceeded to lie in bed, my cell phone on my face, waiting for it to buzz, slightly dosing off, waiting for the warm comfort of sleep to come again. 

"But Melissa! I already woke up! I'm almost to your apartment! But if you insist :( . . . " 

Shoot dang. 

I definitely didn't want to be that girl. Rolled out of bed, into my Chacos, and out the door. 

I bet you'll never guess where we went. . . 

Hiking. Yah. That, again. In the mountains? Of course! And it was a beautiful, uphill hike into Rock Canyon at 6:30 in the morning. I thought we'd be able to reach the end of the trail in an hour or so. I was happily surprised to see that the trail continued on much much further and even forked off onto other trails and other adventures waiting to be had. It was so beautiful, so refreshing and colder, the air getting brisker the higher we went. The sun rose, hitting the rocks and top tips of the mountains around us. We talked and laughed, huffed and puffed, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The birds and the sound of a happy brook bubbling by were our morning companions. We even saw a deer and I found a few excellent climbing routes and camping spots. Due to time constraints, unfortunately, we were unable to finish but I'm anxious to return to see the end of this little trail. We turned and headed home after pausing a moment to take it all in at the third fork in the trail we had come across. Muscles aching, the feel of early morning and a cool mountain breeze, the view and the colors--all of it. It was a heck of a way to start a Monday.  

 Reflecting upon the morning, though it was hard waking up, I knew I wouldn't regret going even if Natasha had to push a little.  Even if I had to be at work at 10, sleepy and cutting it a bit close. Now, here I am, blogging about it though I know of only one person whom actually reads this (that I actually know in real life--thanks, Sam) while eating banana pudding made by that same person from the restaurant we both work at. 

Today, I'm grateful for banana pudding. 

And insistent, guilt-ridden text messages. 

And that one, wonderful person who is the only person that I know who reads this blog who will roll her eyes upon reading this because she can't take a compliment (how dare you call me a brown-noser!). 

And for all of you strange people who seem to visit my blog every day or so. Thank you for making me feel a little bit vainer and a little more full of myself. The world thanks you for this. Me and my big head, speak for the world. No, no, please. The pleasure is all yours. ;)

Seriously though, my camera, these pictures--really do not do it justice.