An early morning hike took her far past the hills surrounding the house, into the valley where the creek ran. She struggled to take off her heavy boots so she could soak in the cold mountain water, slipping her feet under the surface, stroking the mossy rocks with her toes, goose bumps rising on her skin from the chill of it.

Following the trail further north, she passed a mob of wallabies grazing by the path. They calmly watched her as she walked by, less startled than curious about her sudden appearance. Her instinct to click Skippy-like at them made … Continue Reading