Lake Crescent. We drove around the whole Olympic Peninsula today. It’s nice when it’s just your backyard because there is no hurry or rush to see everything. We can meander and see the random things because we can always come back tomorrow. We stopped at Lake Crescent – our favorite lake ever. Today was the first time we have ever been there without Rory. I am not sure I can count the times we have driven up – to explore, to walk, to paddle. We’ve brought John’s parents, our niece, my mom and aunt – and always Rory in tow. It was where we discovered that she knew how to swim when she jumped out of the kayak in attempt to quickly dog paddle herself back to land. Just the thought makes me laugh out loud.

We often moseyed through the meadow with its tall trees and long grass that was full of little flowers. Back and forth to haul our kayaks and picnic gear. The view from the side of the lake next to the meadow is breath taking. The lake folds into the mountains and clouds often hang in the cleft. The water is multiple shades of green and blue and so clear you can see every rock. Due to low nitrogen levels in the water, there isn’t much algae so the water is gorgeous.

Dogs aren’t supposed to be on the trail between the meadow and the lodge but we always took her anyway. Soft trails with lots of ferns. Her favorite. We adventured around the lake in the snow one winter. The lodge was closed and no one was really around. It was such an experience to see everything draped in white. Rory never minded these crazy adventures.

Today we arrived without our girl in tow. It was a beautiful day. Some sun with random clouds that sprinkled droplets from time to time. The forget-me-nots were in full bloom. Everywhere. I was not expecting the flood of grief upon arrival. Seeing her everywhere. The fresh Spring ferns surrounded by thick patches of the friendly little purple flowers. I wept. My obsession with Forget-me-nots started from the Outlander book series by Diana Gabaldon. We’re still waiting to know who planted them for Claire to find at the standing stones. But over the years, as I search them out in the month of May, I have come to see her in the forget-me-nots. They grow wild at Scenic Beach State Park too (see Chapter 1) and I was endlessly trying to pose her in the Outlander flowers. She would never cooperate but they make me think of her now. Jamie Frasier and Rory. 

We walked the paths from the lodge to the meadow and sat where we always sit at the edge of the lake and stared out. I have no idea how we were alone on such a beautiful day, but I am glad we were. It was a good place to mourn. To cry. To remember. I’ll never forget you sweet girl.