I loved that place. I had no worries or obligations. The months of planning that went into our two-week adventure were well worth it. Heavily stocked with canned food products, milk that didn’t need to be refrigerated, and other forms of food that could last years, our boat was ready to take on anything. It wasn’t exactly the healthiest diet, but it’s what was necessary. We weren’t close to any large towns. In fact, the largest town, Little Current, only had 2,000 citizens. My brother, dad, and I could not rely on anyone or anything during these couple weeks. We were in a desolate, but astonishingly stunning area of Lake Huron just south of Georgian Bay. The water here could only be described as a mirror of deep blue, that when disrupted, sent ripples in every possible direction, until fading out of sight. We were in the North Channel.

Propped up with my feet dangling on the side of a mountain looking at our anchored boat down below, I knew I’d never forget that view. My dad and brother sat next to me munching on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, with a side of raisins. It seemed as if the rock ledge on which we were sitting was perfectly carved into a seat. I remember spending hours on that mountain’s ledge, thinking. Nothing too serious passed through my mind, just loose thoughts that I allowed to wander anywhere. The sky was the purest blue that my eyes had ever seen. The lake down below was also pure blue, like it had never been touched by humans and their ungrateful actions. No contamination by anything that wasn’t meant to be there. I could see so far. For miles on end, no towns or landmasses were visible. No boats in sight, except ours bobbing up and down ever so slightly. The few clouds in the sky reflected on the mirror below. It was like nothing I had ever seen. The air was thin on top of that mountain. I felt like every breath I took rejuvenated my body. No insects flying around my food, no disruptive noises, and absolutely nothing to penetrate the peace and serenity of that mountain’s ledge on which we sat.

Two of my favorite people were on either side of me, munching away on their bagged lunches. Usually so talkative, my brother seemed to be soaking up the tranquility of the area. This surprised me. No one spoke. No one moved abruptly. No one shattered the stillness. The only sounds created were the slow chomps from the crunchy peanut butter within their sandwiches. I didn’t eat. I preferred to remain focused on the view, and I knew eating would distract. After a while, conversation between the three of us began. We began to compete by seeing who could use their imagination best to pick out shapes formed in the hazy clouds above. I remember the words; elephant, balloon, and dog being thrown around. Then, our imaginations became more abstract. Words like chopsticks, high heel, water slide, giraffe, zebra, and wind mill were being yelled out. I’m sure that half of the things we said we could not actually depict in the clouds. It turned into a comical competition of who could come up with the most unusual shape we could think of. The quietness and tranquility of that cliff’s ledge were completely interrupted. Not by a boat putting around in the distance, nor by a plane shooting through the clouds, but by three people who couldn’t seem to stop giggling.

It was the day I sat on a cliff’s edge peering out on Lake Huron’s North Channel that made me realize something. Money, technology, and being surrounded by people could never bring me true happiness. While I sat with my two favorite people in the world, no distractions, looking out onto something so beautiful, I realized I was content. Nothing could ever replace the laughs we shared sitting atop that cliff. Nothing could replace the picture perfect view. And nothing could replace the joy I felt on that beautiful day. I remember that day so clearly, as if it were yesterday. My heart sinks as I come to the realization that I’ll probably never sit atop that cliff again. Still, my memories will remain, and when feeling saddened due to something materialistic, I will remember how I felt sitting atop that cliff. Just sitting, allowing loose thoughts wander anywhere.