Chapter 1
Iris
The drive up the mountain is amazing. Everywhere there's foliage and birds and nature, and it's the most exciting thing I've done, and I'm so glad I've taken this sabbatical to spend this spring here up in the mountains of Hunter's Peak.
I've rented the toughest car that I could so that I could navigate these mountains as well as any other car in here. My trunk is full of materials for painting and crafts.
I teach high school art classes back in Boulder, Colorado, but I need some inspiration desperately lately. I'm just searching for something different that I can show in my work and level up my artwork.
Seeing all these landscapes inspires me so much and just gets my excitement for painting again at a super high-level. I wonder what kind of paintings I'll be doing once I've spent some time here in the mountains.
I arrive at the Airbnb that I rented, and find that it's top-notch. I don't know why it was as cheap as it was, but it is over the top luxury all around me. I park on the driveway and go tour the premises.
This house must have at least three bedrooms and two bathrooms, and there is an area that looks like a solarium where I can do my painting whenever I'm not outdoors, doing sketches of the mountain.
There's a cottage in the background about three hundred meters away from where I'm standing, and it looks to be empty right now. Does that mean I have a neighbor?
The spring air surrounds me and makes me feel energized. This is exactly what I need. I open a door with the code that they gave me and it's perfect. Once inside I can see the majestic features of this little cabin, which is not a little cabin at all.
I walk inside to see well built rooms furnished as if it's a luxury home, and I am so glad that I was able to find this place. I check out each of the bedrooms and choose the one that faces the mountain to stay in. The view is undescribable.
My hands are itching to start sketching, painting and drawing. If I could just find a model, that would be the perfect thing for me right now.
However, I'm not sure I should be searching for a model this early on. I need to get back to basics and make sure that I warm up and see what level my skills are at right now.
All I've been doing for the past year is grading projects for my students, and I haven't picked up a paintbrush since. I've been too much of a coward to try new things.
I mean, I have a job that pays for what I need. My house is already paid for, and I don't need any extra money for the mortgage or something like that so it's easy to get complacent about these things.
Not having done a show in such a long time has meant that I that I am stagnant as an artist and that just can't be. Not anymore. I go back to my car and start getting my supplies and luggage and bring them inside.
I can almost feel the way this place will change me and my art and take me to the next level. My mom didn't want me to isolate here, but I think it's part of the process of leveling up.
Once I bring everything inside, I go check out the kitchen. I forgot I needed to get some groceries before coming here. When I open the fridge I see that it's fully stocked and I am amazed. I find a letter on the counter and tells me that it's been done as a courtesy for me.
Frankly, this feels like heaven. I am already feeling excited, energized, and happy about being here on top of the mountain. If I can get myself to get out a whole collection throughout this season, I will be ecstatic. The fact that it's spring and everything is blooming outside is just another thing to appreciate about staying here in this wonderful place.
I arrange my supplies in the solarium, but then I realize I hear a sound from the back of the property. Could this be my new neighbor? I guess we'll find out soon enough.
Chapter 2
Harrison
Ithink I'm in love. Today was my day off from my Search And Rescue duties and I came to make sure that everything was all right in the cabin that I'm renting.
I made sure that the fridge was fully stocked, and that everything was clean and tidy and ready for her arrival. I didn't know she was gonna be so beautiful.
When she arrived in that jeep, I gave thanks for her having chosen a good, sturdy vehicle to come to the mountain. Not everybody is conscious of that, and they get into trouble really fast.
Spring has just started, and there is still a lot of rain and mudslides all over the mountain. A normal vehicle wouldn't be able to handle it, so she's safe with that jeep of hers.
I ogled her for longer than I should have, watching her get inside the house and look around and then come out to get her supplies. I should have gone and helped her, but I was frozen back here in my cabin.
The right thing to do is to help her. I'm just worried she might be spooked if she sees me, not knowing that I own the place. My little cabin back here is enough, and I am renting the big house that I built for my future family.
I saw her carrying some canvases and supplies like paints and things like that, so maybe she's an artist of some kind. That would be really interesting to see.
I'm not really sure what to do with myself right now. If I go up to her, she might be wary of me. If I stay here like a stalker, I might never hear the end of it from my friends at the park ranger station.
