Page 2 of That First Flight
“Not tonight, man.”
He sucks in an exaggerated gasp. “You should find the nearest hospital up there when you’re sightseeing. Because you need to be checked.”
I usuallyreallyenjoy the different women I get to meet at each place I go to. I just haven’t been feeling it on my last couple of trips. I can’t pinpoint when, but I know it was sometime over the summer, that I just stopped giving a shit about making that my priority.
My brothers tell me all the time that someday I’ll grow up and find that special someone. I beg to differ. As a people person—and wildly charming, might I add—I love chatting with locals everywhere I go. I’ve met plenty of people on my journey who live this single life until they are old and gray, and I’ve never seen them happier.
“Har har,” I mock. “Very funny. Listen. Service blows up here. I’m heading inside the cabin now to get settled. Don’t get in too much trouble tonight.”
“Me? Never.”
“And stay away from my sister,” I add.
“Relaxxxxx,” he draws out. “If you wanted me to stay away that badly, you should have taken me up there with you.”
“One, I don’tevertravel with people. You know this. And two, we’re gonna murder you, ya know?”
“Enjoy your trip,” Logan says in his most smug tone before he hangs up.
Sometimes I can’t tell if he’s joking about my sister or if he's serious. Either way, he’s been warned for years that she’s off limits. I know Logan’s history with women, and he’s the last guy I want to see Emiline end up with.
I shake my head as I put the key into the front door of the cabin.
Once inside, I take in the insane entryway of this place. For most people, this would be a dream home. Definitely not a second house to come visit here and there.
Marc has lost his ever loving mind.
As I tour the place, a sense of happiness engulfs me. There’s something about traveling alone that just fuels my soul. In a way that brings me peace and solitude. It’s why I never travel with friends or family unless it’s for an event or some family function.
I prefer it when it’s just me, my camera, and my trusty tripod to take all the pictures I need.
“A week of just you and me, hot stuff.” I slap my hand on the giant kitchen counter overlooking the mountains, talking to the house as if it’s going to talk back.
The sun is setting over the mountain peaks while snow flurries dance across the sky and it’s the most gorgeous sight I’ve ever seen in New York. Listen, I can hate the snow with a burning passion and still think it’s the most beautiful thing Mother Nature creates.
I grab my bag that I dropped by the front door to pull out my camera. I make my way to the back deck and snap a few photos.
I’m in complete awe of nature's beauty.
It’s so raw. Unfiltered. Stunning.
I'm killing two birds with one stone on this trip. Not only will I be helping my brother but I’m also planning a blog post about this town. My home state. The only mountains I haven’t visited in my posts.
Scenic images are some of my most viral photos. I refuse to put a filter on anything and love to show the world the beauty that’s out there in hopes it sparks inspiration for people to get out there, start traveling and justlive.
Avery and Marc have already filled me in on a little bar and grill downtown from their first visit here. It’sactuallycalled ‘Bar and Grill.’ Talk about lazy marketing, but I digress. They said it’s good and I should hit it up immediately to mingle with some locals for more recommendations for the rest of the week.
My stomach growling reminds me that I should probably head there sooner than later because I’m worse than a starved bear in the woods right now.
Which is half true, since I’m already in the woods.
Within thirty minutes, I’m pulling my truck into the parking lot. When my eyes land on the restaurant, I can’t believe this is the place Marc recommended. It looks like it’s about one hundred years old. The brown siding on the outside looks worn down from the weather.
When I step foot inside though, it feels like a totally new place. There’s a jukebox off to the side, and it’s lit up with a soft glow from the beer signs and dim lighting. Off to the other side is a door that leads to the back. It’s open so I can see it’s an outdoor patio with heaters spaced all over the place.
I take back what I said, this place is cozy, maybe even… decent?
I assume this is their busy season, noticing that almost every table is full and there’s only a couple of chairs open at the bar. Which makes sense since there’s a ski resort half a mile up the road and they’ve gotten fresh snow this week. Not to mention tomorrow is New Year’s Eve.