Overexposed pt 3

I had a thing for a queen and It was disappointing that many could only make assumptions when the superficial is seen. Of course, they don’t know about A fated 5 am meeting and the first sight of beautiful form praying to god as I she first came into view. They don’t know bout that first full week and how fulfilling every moment is. Nor do they know about spending the night on that Atlanta rooftop, the wild uber ride home, that first date or a number of other moments.

This was our world though so how would they. Heck even experiencing it myself I had my doubts. She entered my life with an unforgettable world wind. As she told me some of her story for the first time I peeped her military ID and I knew the name she gave me was not her real name. for the first few years I couldn’t decide if I thought she was some sort of secret spy of the potential love of my life. Yet by some miracle the contact never broke and eventually I would get to know her nickname and her true identity at last.

Our connection was mostly emotional. We met in Atlanta but I went back to Baltimore and her to L.A but even being so far apart life lined up for us to see each other every few years along the way. Today’s trail starts in Las Vegas! This was another memorable experience for many reasons. It was the first time we caught up since I came home and a new experience for me overall. I recall her hitting me before I took off and telling me the specific colors I was going to need to pack and to get ready for some fun.

“I can’t believe you never had a Girlfriend before” She said as we entered the hotel room for the first time. I would hear that sentence at least a dozen times throughout the trip. It seemed to slip out whenever I did something thoughtful or manly. I flashed back to my longest situationship for a second Not sure if that counted nor how to respond to that statement, but I guess it meant I was boyfriend material, so I took it as a compliment. And her actions and energy were giving wifey material for sure.

Easily my favorite part of this trip other than the great adventure outdoors was how we responded to each other and navigated challenges together. The first challenge came right when we first connected. It was a long walk from the car through the hotel, and we each had a hefty suitcase. No questions asked, I took her from her and turned our walk into a nice workout. She looked every now and then as if she expected me to get tired but the longer, I handled it the more her appreciation and soft side started to show.

Her happiness multiplied my joy 100-fold before hitting an immediate wall. Now this was my first time booking such a classy hotel (We stayed at the ARIA). I had made all my payment arrangements in advance and set aside a few hundred dollars for us to enjoy our time together. I would come to learn that what I paid was for reservations and fees and did not include full booking and it just so happened that the remainder due was about equal to the spending money I set aside. I covered it because what choice did I have but now I was in an extra nervous state. Wondering to myself how I am going to make this beautiful woman enjoy our time together without looking down on me with just a few dollars left to my name. between the hotel, travel expenses, and the car rental I already spent the better part of a thousand dollars, and I refused to reach out to anyone back home.

Besides most people didn’t know about our friendship and those who did usually misjudged it as some internet thing (we met in person lol) or something sexual even though to that point We had not yet crossed that line. I was ready for her to chomp me down when I mentioned how that surprise would affect our trip but her grace and understanding completely disarmed me. She knew the land well and was confident we could still find plenty to do. Challenge two would come on our route form the front desk up to our room. When we got there the keycard did not work and we had to call someone up from the desk.

Somehow what should have been an easy fix starts to turn into a back and forth. I felt my voice start to raise and was ready to catch myself not wanting to lose my cool in front of my lady. Her demeaner impressed me yet again. Instead of chastising me She encouraged me to let my voice loose yelled out to that woman that she is Talking to a king and needs to act accordingly and stood right by my side while we handled the issue.

Some of this we can leave as what happens in Vegas stay in Vegas but the chemistry was there from the jump and the fun started immediately with playful banter and a beautiful view. Before we headed. I understood why I got the clothing command, and it demanded respect. We stepped out looking like we was one and a number of people along the way felt compelled to let us know. I enjoyed the architecture and the layout taking in the scenery as we made out way to what ill call an outside street fair type thing for a lack of better words. We played some games I tested My Might on the hangdown challenge ( I just missed the prize). And I let my mind go peacefully blank watching her dance playfully to the music.

The peak of the trip had every element all in one. It came with new views, exploration, challenge, collaboration, joy, playfulness, and pure Awe. We drove state over to Arizona to check out this hidden cove in the mountains called Little Jamaica. As we got closer to the destination the road disappeared entirely, and we started going thru sand dunes better fit for an ATV. Had to dodge a ditch or two before finding somewhere to park and continue the route on foot.

This my idea type of trip right here so I’m more than ecstatic to be here and to share it with a queen on the same timing. We get to exploring going down hills thru fields and even crossing through a shallow river leaning on each other for support along the way. Now about 30 mins in I question to myself how deep out there we gotta go but she confident in the trip so I don’t say nothing. It was a good hour in where the excitement turned to a lil frustration when we agree we went the wrong way and I’m kicking myself for not speaking up but still projecting strength.

Again, our energies meet nicely, her frustrations fade and we make our way back towards the start. I’m not content with seeing her be so strong and not getting to see the falls we came for but hell hath no fury so I’m grateful that this felt so natural to navigate without no real friction between us. I was observant the whole way down and able to lead the way back with no doubt but even though we made it to the correct place this time we were on the other side of a wide and thick Viney entanglement.

I’m thinking we might have to find another way but she like nah we can make it under so here we go crawling commando style under the shrubbery taking cuts and scrapes as I made it through and lifted what I could out of her path as she followed. Even the trip back felt like a victory and a moment itself but the best was saved for last. It turns out the actual destination was only a mile or so from where we started and we were able to make our way pretty quickly once we got back and I was greeted with a gift from nature for all of my senses.

To look up at the multiple pools carved into the side of the cliff. To hear the water rolling down over each and feel the slippery stone and the grip of the rope that we had to climb up to the pool. We had a bottle of wine and a speaker and after we laid in the sand we danced in the pool and under the waterfall. Serenity is the perfect word for feeling. Theres more to the story before and after but I just felt like sharing that chapter.