Earlier this summer in July, my sisters and our friends went on a camping trip at red feather lake. We were surrounded by beautiful mountains, fresh crisp air, greenery, and wildlife.

Before heading to our destination, we road-tripped up to seaman’s lake. We hiked up the mountain to go cliff-jumping and cool off in the cold – actually, freezing – lake. We sat up on the rocks hanging out, giggling, and eating all the food we had brought along with us.

After taking our time enjoying the view, we got back to the car and spent the next two hours driving up to the campsites – it was only supposed to take one hour, but of course we got lost. We took pictures and talked about this upcoming school year and all the things we had planned.

We set up camp right away (in an irritated manner – two hours in a car in the heat is not the best), and spent the remaining hours of sunlight left walking around picking up sticks for the fire that night, exploring and swinging in our hammocks.

The fire was set that night. We sat around thinking of what would happen if we were in a horror movie: who would go first, who would fight back and survive (it was not me). We told old reservation tales about who shall not be named, even convincing ourselves of his presence with every wildlife encounter.

We tried a new TikTok combo of roasted strawberries & marshmallow fluff (best combo ever – we highly recommend). We went to our tents tired, happy, and ready for bed, not even thinking of the time. We snuggled up under our sleeping bags trying to keep the cold and mosquitoes out.

The next morning we climbed up the mountain next to our campsite, and sat up on a rock, enjoying the view and the fresh air. Just talking, taking pictures and taking it all in.

After being out all day and walking around in the dust and on dirt roads, my friend and I put our bathing suits on and washed off, cleaning our hair in the cold river before driving down the mountain to go cliff jumping.

After a long drive, we stopped at Horse tooth and went cliff jumping one last time, conquering our fears before heading home.

We left with a newfound feeling of independence and fulfillment, giggling about the next trip we’ll take together. Through this trip we found a new perspective on girlhood.