Watson Lake

                                                                           Watson Lake

Rain, rain, glorious rain. My parched town of Prescott, Arizona, is desperate for moisture. I exit my car, donning my raincoat and fumbling through McDonald's wrappers and trash in the backseat for my umbrella.

As icy drops cascade down my cheeks, I tip my face toward the threatening black sky. Massive thunderheads loom over Thumb Butte, making it appear like the tower of Sauron from Lord of the Rings.

My pink flamingo umbrella opens with a satisfying whoosh, and I stoop to tighten the laces on my hiking boots. They have already become sodden and mud-encrusted. I splash through a mud puddle, feeling the urge to jump up and down like a kid.

The rain is diminishing, but the pitter-pat on my umbrella taps a symphony of  Nature’s music. I skip to the rhythm, ignoring disapproving glares from fellow hikers as I splash through the puddles.

I follow the meandering path into the cottonwoods aflame with fall colors of red, gold, and brown. High up in the branches, Cormorants and Blue Herons call their distinctive guttural crackle as they beat their wings and warn off intruders.

The pungent, earthy scent of rain takes my breath away. I stare across the shimmering lake as the sun peeks from behind a cloud, sending a dazzling starburst of glittering diamonds across the blue water.

The rain has awakened the insects, and mosquitos and gnats buzz above my head.  I hurry down the rocky, granite trail, hoping to escape their vicious bites. As I near a rocky cliff wall, I notice Violet Swallows swooping and diving, feasting on a buffet of bugs. I silently cheer them.

Rounding a corner, I glance skyward and gasp. A Great horned owl gazes down at me with unblinking yellow eyes camouflaged by fall foliage. Dumbstruck, I’m glued to the spot, amazed by his beauty.

I glance at my Garmin wristwatch. I’ve hiked 10,000 steps. It's time to return to my car and reality. I groan as the acrid smell of car exhaust and traffic noise replaces the peaceful song of the forest.