Delicate Arch

 

            Shading her eyes from the sun, Carmen looked over at the massive arch. The Delicate Arch was much bigger than she had expected.

            “Pretty cool, right?” Dad asked. “I told you it would be worth it. It looks almost magical.”

            Carmen wasn’t sure about that. The hike had been pretty tough. A slight breeze blew into her face and she closed her eyes, welcoming its coolness. It was only April, but Moab, Utah, could get really hot – even in the spring. She never thought she would miss the cooler weather of northern Utah. When they’d left, there had just been a spring snowstorm. It was the kind of snow that melted right away, but it was still cold.

            Carmen shivered. She opened her eyes to the orange landscape in front of her. She had forgotten how sweaty and hot she was for a moment. Shivering again, she turned her face to the sun to get warmed up. But what was happening? She felt like she was getting colder instead of warmer. The breeze that had been softly blowing across her face now felt more like an icy wind.

            Dad was saying something, but Carmen’s ears weren’t working. His mouth was moving, but all she heard was the howling wind. Hugging her chest, she ran to stand next to him and was alarmed when she realized she couldn’t move. The wind was preventing her from going anywhere. She knelt down to keep herself from being blown over.

            The wind continued to swirl around her as it whistled and reached a fever pitch. She raised her hands to cover her ears and closed her eyes when suddenly the wind stopped.

            The loss of wind made it seem silent around her. She opened her eyes and immediately wanted to shut them again. Instead of the red rocks she expected to see, she was in a winter wonderland. She was kneeling in still, quiet snow. Icicles hung from bare tree branches all around her. She stood up with her legs freezing, and her T-shirt left her skin exposed to the icy cold air.

            Carmen stood staring at the scene around her until her eyes watered. How had this happened? She shook her head to clear it. As she did so, she felt a warm breeze blow across her face. She felt her skin start to thaw as she hugged herself tighter. The wind grew in strength as she felt warmer and warmer. She finally closed her eyes when the wind got too intense – and then it stopped.

            Opening her eyes, she was once again standing near the Delicate Arch. Dad looked concerned as he asked her, “Are you okay, Carmen? You look a little rattled. Maybe that hike was too intense.”

            Throwing her arms around her father, Carmen said, “I’m just so glad to be back here at the Arch. It feels so warm out here.”

            Dad pulled back from her hug and looked at her closely. “Let’s take a break before we head back down. I think you could use a little rest.”

            Panic gripped Carmen as she thought about staying there and being blown back again to winter. “No, no, I’m fine!” she said – maybe a little too cheerily. “You were right, Dad – this is a cool, magical place – but I’m ready to head back down now.” She started back to the trail with Dad following close behind. She didn’t want to risk being blown away again to who knew where.

            “Are you sure you’re okay, Carmen?” Dad asked worriedly.

            “It was just a little too windy for me, that’s all.” Carmen didn’t know what had happened, but she knew she wanted to get away from the wind.