A Rough Night Turned Golden by Tyler Brett

On day thirteen, I woke up early with a sciatic flare up. I must’ve been sleeping in a bad position and shifted my lower back. I’m used to these flare ups, as I’ve been dealing with this pain for the past six months. This day was different, though.

It was about 5:30 in the morning at the Red Rocks Lake National Wildlife Refuge. My tent was wet from condensation and fog that lifted from the lake. I rolled out of my sleeping bag a little grumpy, but decided I could get out and at least hope for a nice sunrise. I set up my chair and began to wait. I watched as the misty fog danced above the lake and lifted up into the air. As I watched the fog, a warm glow began to appear from behind the far mountains. It was at this moment that I realized I was in for a spectacular show.

While everyone slept in their tents, the glow of the sun got brighter. Not long after, a soft orange-yellow orb began to peak over the mountains. The entire sky began to shift to a gentle orange hue surrounded by a deep blue. A breeze helped brush the fog along the calm surface of the water, creating an unreal atmosphere that only nature could create. As the sun rose higher, the lake began to reflect its rays and glow, displaying a one-of-a-kind sunrise. Slowly, the orange faded away leaving behind the bright sun and a vibrant blue sky.

Throughout this incredible time, I had completely forgotten about my sciatic pain and that my tent was wet. In a way, I believe Mother Nature knew I needed a pick-me-up, so she reminded me of why I love her. She healed me temporarily, and I felt more in tune with nature than I have in a long time. It was extremely calming and serene. I’ll never forget this morning and how lucky I was to observe the natural beauty of the world we call home. Thank you, Mother Nature.