Merlot on a hike

He had asked me the day before , did I want to go on a hike. I told him "If the weather was good I had thought that would be fun". It would be the first time we had done anything together with out other friends around.

He had a canteen , a walking stick, and a backpack. I had brought my camera. He laughed at me "you don't go hiking much do you?" he joked. "Don't worry I have enough of everything for the two of us." he concluded. He asked me if I wanted a glass of Merlot. Feeling a little awkward I said "no". But really I was thinking, should he be drinking if he was going to be driving and hiking. I stood in silence and waited for the unneeded on going lesson to end. We got in the car and listened to the radio and sang songs. The day was improving.

When we arrived at the mountain he took charge. We went to the nearby bathroom before we started the hike.

I was contend because I was prepared for the hike. I had my camera. Every five minutes or so I snapped a picture. Some of him but most of them were of the plants, and flowers along the trail.

All of a sudden he had what he thought was a great idea. We were going to forge our own trail. I was not quite as excited. He was going to lead the way. We pushed away branches and headed through the dense brush. My arms became scratched. About 15 minutes later I heard trickling water. There must be a stream. Not only was there a stream, there was a waterfall. I had not known there was a waterfall here. I had once gone on a waterfall excursion in North Carolina. I didn't know how we were going to make it back to the car, but for the moment I was thrilled. I was to busy taking pictures and enjoying the nature surrounding us, to really notice his lesson on navigation. Both of us were happy. We rested and then, not wanting to go deeper into the brush , I suggested we start back. I asked him if he knew where the path was, because I had absolutely no idea. His chest buffed up. This was absolutely no problem.

He lead, about twenty-five minutes later we found a path ,and headed back down, to his car. I was chatty, out of relief. We stopped to take a drink out of the canteen. I took a sip, it tasted good but it was not water or Gatorade. It was not even orange juice or any kind of juice. It tasted like wine. It was Merlot. He took a guzzle . For a moment I was glad that I did not excel in science . How well did wine and hiking combine? Do they both dehydrate you? I didn't know and I didn't ask.

He was very proud when we reached the bottom of the trail. I was very happy, but I knew if we did this again I would bring water in a canteen and save the Merlot for later. I did not know if this adventure was suppose to be a date, but when we got back to the city, I went back to my apartment and took a bath. And yes before I left his house I did have a glass of Merlot.