We left the busy ring road that kissed the lake shore in favor of the shadow of tall trees, the hush of loam, and a quiet meandering path through the glistening spider domes and the dark green serrations of ferns, the red crest of a shy Pileated Woodpecker flashing brilliantly against the sun-dappled forest. Today we walked and talked about everything and nothing, in the way that only friends can do, and had a connective dinner amongst the First Nation carvings of Bears, Ravens and Wolves as we drank and laughed and ate far too much food.