Adventuring doesn’t always mean going somewhere you’ve never been—it’s about experiencing something new and beautiful. It’s not always about going somewhere new, but experiencing something new in a well-loved place. Rachel, Madison, and I talked for hours on our hike through the darkness. We laughed while tackling the steep parts of the trail and helping their dogs climb. It was blue hour by the time we reached our destination and there it was—a lake they’d visited many times before—BUT today was their wedding day. Their faces lit up. This place was about to become all the more special. There wasn’t another soul in sight as we waded out to a small island in the lake. The joy was infectious as they changed back to back into their wedding dresses. Rachel and Madison couldn’t have had better timing for their ceremony, just as they began the alpenglow rose behind them. Wrapped up in a shawl to celebrate their Jewish heritage they shared tear-eyed vows. Afterwards they watched the sunrise as they enjoyed a breakfast picnic with their dogs cuddling up on their dresses—muddy paws and all. It was apparent how much time they spent in nature, the way they could just sit together in silence absorbing the environment around them. As the rising sun relieved lush rolling hills, their plans for the rest of the morning were...well...wander to their heart's content! As backcountry rangers for the NPS they spend so much time outdoors together, it’s their happy place. As someone who deeply enjoys educating people about the areas I care about, it was wonderful to be on the other side of that, as they taught me about foraging and various plants around us! We eventually paused our wandering for some cake and for one of the dogs to sign the marriage license. And just like with everything else Madison and Rachel did during their elopement there was so much warmth, calmness, and ease. Despite all of us having explored the wilderness of Colorado for years, we’d never experienced it like this before. An experience that left us all with a renewed appreciation for the places we love. xx Maddie Mae