large duffel bag. I grabbed the sleeping bag and tent from the hall closet. I’d never been alone with him, only together with Karen. Therefore I hoped that I hadn’t forced Michael into taking me and that we might find something to talk about on the long drive.
Michael came back and we headed out. It was several hours’ drive and he spent the time quizzing me about myself. Every time I tried to change the subject back to him, he would make an outrageous comment and turn the conversation back to me. How awkward! I started to think it might have been a mistake to tag along. Now I’d be trapped with him for the next few days and if we didn’t find another topic to talk about, I’d go nuts pretty soon.
Thank god, we finally settled into a conversation about climbing and I was amazed at his vast knowledge. But the more he got into details and told me stories about stuff that’d happened to him or friends of his, the more nervous I got about my first outdoors climb. Maybe it was a mistake, after all?
“Michael, are you sure this isn’t too dangerous for a beginner like me?”
“Nothing to worry about. We’ll things slow and leave the harder climbs for another day. And after all, I’m here to protect you.”
His enamored face made me only more nervous. I definitely didn’t want to start anything with him. He was nice, but didn’t attract me at all.
When we arrived at the park, Michael pointed out that the fire danger was in the ‘red’ zone.
“So lets stay in the campground to be on the safe side.” I suggested.
But he resisted; “No, too far away from the climbing routes and too many people.” He drove about a half mile up the road and pulled off where the ground was level. We decided to make camp there and set up the tents.
I personally would have liked to stay around other people, but since I was tagging along on Michael’s trip, I didn’t make a fuss about it. I had noticed several other groups of college kids unloading their vehicles and thought it might be nice to have company. Especially since Michael was so much interested in me. More than I liked.
After unpacking everything, Michael suggested we do a small hike and climb before dinner, to see how I managed. Based on that he’d decide which routes to tackle tomorrow. Even though I was tired, I was excited to get out and explore my surroundings. I agreed and Michael led us up into the valley.
Two hours later, I was so exhausted I was afraid Michael might have to carry me back to our campsite. As he didn’t show any signs of fatigue, I finally called a halt to it. “Michael, hey, I can’t go any further. I’ll be lucky to make it back to camp.”
Michael looked up the trail, wanting to reach the top before heading back. “Can’t you go another half mile? We’re almost done.”
I shook my head, too out of breath to even talk.
Michael wasn’t happy about it, but finally relented, “Fine. Let’s head back and have an early night. We’ll get up early tomorrow morning and tackle something a little longer.”
“Sure. But please, lets finish for today!” Oh boy! The man was a machine and didn’t know when to stop! I felt like an intruder and didn’t want to spoil his fun with the exercise, but I had to get back to camp before I collapsed.
Hearing noises behind us, I turned and saw a group of college kids approaching. Several of them wearing t-shirts from the same college I attended. That was a lucky break, “Hey, are you guys from Santa Clara?”
“Yeah. You?”
“Yeah. It’s kind of weird meeting people from your town up here in the middle of nowhere.”
“Sure is. We finished exams and came up to relax and have fun for a few days.” The tallest boy in the group was eyeing me and then looked at Michael. Nodding his head towards Michael he asked me, “You with him?”
“Yeah. He’s my roommate’s friend.“ When Michael didn’t appear to want an introduction, I turned my back and spent a few more minutes talking
Michael came back and we headed out. It was several hours’ drive and he spent the time quizzing me about myself. Every time I tried to change the subject back to him, he would make an outrageous comment and turn the conversation back to me. How awkward! I started to think it might have been a mistake to tag along. Now I’d be trapped with him for the next few days and if we didn’t find another topic to talk about, I’d go nuts pretty soon.
Thank god, we finally settled into a conversation about climbing and I was amazed at his vast knowledge. But the more he got into details and told me stories about stuff that’d happened to him or friends of his, the more nervous I got about my first outdoors climb. Maybe it was a mistake, after all?
“Michael, are you sure this isn’t too dangerous for a beginner like me?”
“Nothing to worry about. We’ll things slow and leave the harder climbs for another day. And after all, I’m here to protect you.”
His enamored face made me only more nervous. I definitely didn’t want to start anything with him. He was nice, but didn’t attract me at all.
When we arrived at the park, Michael pointed out that the fire danger was in the ‘red’ zone.
“So lets stay in the campground to be on the safe side.” I suggested.
But he resisted; “No, too far away from the climbing routes and too many people.” He drove about a half mile up the road and pulled off where the ground was level. We decided to make camp there and set up the tents.
I personally would have liked to stay around other people, but since I was tagging along on Michael’s trip, I didn’t make a fuss about it. I had noticed several other groups of college kids unloading their vehicles and thought it might be nice to have company. Especially since Michael was so much interested in me. More than I liked.
After unpacking everything, Michael suggested we do a small hike and climb before dinner, to see how I managed. Based on that he’d decide which routes to tackle tomorrow. Even though I was tired, I was excited to get out and explore my surroundings. I agreed and Michael led us up into the valley.
Two hours later, I was so exhausted I was afraid Michael might have to carry me back to our campsite. As he didn’t show any signs of fatigue, I finally called a halt to it. “Michael, hey, I can’t go any further. I’ll be lucky to make it back to camp.”
Michael looked up the trail, wanting to reach the top before heading back. “Can’t you go another half mile? We’re almost done.”
I shook my head, too out of breath to even talk.
Michael wasn’t happy about it, but finally relented, “Fine. Let’s head back and have an early night. We’ll get up early tomorrow morning and tackle something a little longer.”
“Sure. But please, lets finish for today!” Oh boy! The man was a machine and didn’t know when to stop! I felt like an intruder and didn’t want to spoil his fun with the exercise, but I had to get back to camp before I collapsed.
Hearing noises behind us, I turned and saw a group of college kids approaching. Several of them wearing t-shirts from the same college I attended. That was a lucky break, “Hey, are you guys from Santa Clara?”
“Yeah. You?”
“Yeah. It’s kind of weird meeting people from your town up here in the middle of nowhere.”
“Sure is. We finished exams and came up to relax and have fun for a few days.” The tallest boy in the group was eyeing me and then looked at Michael. Nodding his head towards Michael he asked me, “You with him?”
“Yeah. He’s my roommate’s friend.“ When Michael didn’t appear to want an introduction, I turned my back and spent a few more minutes talking
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