dumb narrative

I can remember the first time he took me there; it was in April of 2005. I had been to that park countless times and never explored farther than the trails provided for our enjoyment. When my best friend told me to drive down the path that read “Breakneck Bridge,” I started to wonder, “Where in the hell is he taking me?” We parked the car and stepped outside; it was so warm for April. I stretched my legs as I got out of the car and took in a breath of fresh Pennsylvania air, I was ready for any adventure in front of me. We started walking towards the guardrail and as I peered over, my gut felt empty again. Maybe not. Jeff must have noticed the look on my face because he smiled and quickly added in, “Trust me, its not that bad and it’ll be worth it when we get there.” We had been friends since fourth grade; he was the only boy that hadn’t let me down. I’d never admit it to him but I always trusted him.
The first part of the path appears to be almost straight down. I look down and notice the trees that lined the path had been broken away by other hikers at an earlier time. I wonder if they were as scared as me? As I crawl down the hillside, holding onto only tree roots (please don’t break, please don’t break) I wonder who first knew to come here? Once we clear the tree roots, we walked towards another hillside, this time the dirt looks loose and I’m wondering how my flip-flops will react. I can’t help but notice that at the end of the downhill slide, there is a cliff waiting. I bite my tongue and take off down the hill. To my surprise, it wasn’t as tough as I had expected. I could feel the dirt between my toes turning to mud as my feet made it obvious I was nervous. No worries now, we were at a plateau. I hadn’t noticed before but the sound of the water was getting much closer. It’s amazing how fear takes a hold of you with such a tight grip you forget what is around you. We continued to walk towards a large boulder when I looked up. There were rocks reaching for what seemed like miles all around us. Where did this come from and why didn’t you tell me to bring a camera? He explained that this wasn’t what he brought me to see and it still gets better. How could that be? The rocks were formed so naturally around the landing at the bottom of the hill, as if Mother Nature gave strict instructions to the weathering. Every shade of grey and brown you could ever imagine was above me, stacked in layers. We started walking towards the thunderclaps of the water. Down a boulder, up a boulder, slide between some rocks and most of all: don’t slip. As we walked around the last boulder I can feel the moisture so heavy in the air I know we have to be close. Jeff took a step up onto a rock and gave me his hand. I stepped up and realized I was standing next to a waterfall. Jeff hunched down and crawled across the rocks as the water splashed his back. I followed him behind the waterfall to the other side. I took a seat beside him. I’ve never seen anything more beautiful in my entire life. How can something like this even exist in this town?
At the time, I was scared I’d fall into oblivion and no one would be able to find me. What I really got from going along with my best friend was an oasis. As the days and weeks passed, as long as Mother Nature held up her end of the bargain, I’d be at Breakneck Falls. Its distance from my driveway is exactly 44.7 miles or the perfect amount of songs to shuffle through on my Ipod. The corner convenience store ate so many dollars from my pockets. Iced tea was always essential for the trip. Every time I walked down the hill it got easier and easier. The temperature always dropped the closer you got to the water and some days that’s the reason I enjoyed it so much.
When I first started going, I’d always invite along a companion. I loved to take people there. When Jeff showed me that waterfall my life as it was before, was never the same again. The water’s tranquility before it exploded down the rocks was my favorite part. I felt like that water, smoothly flowing along but just waiting to crash. You could always tell how much it had rained lately by the roar of the water splashing. The dampness from the rocks always felt cool against my legs, as I’d peer out over the ledge. I remember always feeling guilty for smoking cigarettes there. Where do you throw the butt when you are surrounded by beauty? Thank god I quit.
I started going to the falls alone more often as I got older. Senior year of high school approached and it was pretty apparent that things were going to change soon.
Jeff’s family had always talked about moving south and I wanted to be anywhere but where I was. I’d stop by anytime I had a minute and some extra fuel. I started getting so scared my last couple days in town, just like I was the first day Jeff had brought me there. Everything I knew would be so far away soon. I didn’t realize what I was leaving when I moved to Chicago. Those last two months in Pennsylvania have such a stale aftertaste. I knew I had to enjoy it while it lasted, so I continued to take trips down that interstate. I still feel most alive when I am near a body of water and I am still convinced that Breakneck Falls is the only place that I can go that can clear my mind.
The rolling green hillsides and trees for miles that I once couldn’t wait to get rid of are now what I look forward to seeing the most. You really don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone. Jeff’s family moved to South Carolina in October and sometimes I still feel empty. I still show up at home for a weekend here and there and disappear for a few hours. The falls are the same as they always have been, water levels are high this time of the year. Every time I go there now, I remember that day we pulled in and Jeff told me to park my car in the turn around. I thought he was crazy, but I know now he’s still the only boy I trust.