Dream Journal
Melissa and I stood on top of a large hill looking at a map. I pointed out the path we had taken to get to where we currently stood and we discussed whether to take a different return path or backtrack the way we had come.
I could clearly see on the map that all of the rivers and lakes had frozen over for the winter and was able to verify that by looking out over the valley: all of the bodies of water were blocks of white even though the surrounding areas were a summery green.
We got back into the Jeep and headed down the hill, having chosen to take a new path down the mountain crossing two frozen rivers and one frozen lake. I pressed the gas pedal to the floor and loved the rush of speeding down a hill through thick brush.
As we came to the lake I noticed moments too late that it was not frozen as it had appeared on the map and from the top of the hill, but instead was filled with boiling lava. The Jeep immediately burst into flames, but we were traveling fast enough that we were across the lava before any permanent damage had been done.
I stopped the Jeep and we managed to get the fire out quickly. We turned and looked at the lava rolling through the previously frozen lake, and then Melissa said that we had to get off of the hill as quickly as possible. I looked across the Jeep’s hood at her, and without saying anything more we both jumped back into the car and sped off, the speed being more panicky than fun this time.
The next river we came to was also flowing with lava, but I was able to prepare for it because I could see it for a few miles before we came upon it. I told Melissa to hold on and gunned the accelerator. At one point halfway across I was sure that the Jeep would be pulled under, but we just barely made it to the other side of the lava river.
We got out of the car and continued on foot down a large staircase almost as steep as a ladder. I led the way, holding on to the both railings and skipping as many steps as I could while not getting hurt. I yelled a comment to Melissa about how running from boiling lava had cured my fear of steep stairs.
Themes: Melissa