Querencia Final

   I woke up to the sound of my alarm on my phone. It was 3:30 a.m. My friend Libby and I filled our water bottles and packed a light breakfast for later. Our friend Kristi's grey truck came up my driveway and we hopped in. It was still dark outside. We got to the start of the trail at 4:30 a.m. When we started up the trail, we found that it was really nice. It was quiet and a little cold. It was 5:00 a.m. when we got to the first pillbox. We took out our breakfast and ate while we waited for the sun to come up. It was July 28, 2015 when we hiked up the Lanikai Pillbox trail to see the sunrise.
   When I got to the top, I could see all the way down to the ocean. It was very peaceful. On the top of the first pillbox, it felt like the whole world was on pause. I felt safe even though at any moment, I could have fallen off the pillbox and down the side of the mountain. I wanted to stay there forever. I did not have to worry about school starting, memorizing cello music, or getting down the dance for a performance.
   I knew I would have to go back home soon. The sun was up and the pillbox was more crowded. It was not as peaceful as when I first got up there. We headed back down, Libby, Kristi, Chamberlain, and I, and went back home in Kristi's black truck. I went straight to sleep when I got back home. But I could not stop thinking about how I felt up on that pillbox. I want to go back again. Waking up at 3:00 a.m. is worth it when you go to a place where you do not have to worry about anything.
   Now that school started, I don't have a lot of time to go hiking. I haven't been back to my querencia since the summer but it is still a special place to me. If I could, I would spend all my time there. Pillbox is different from other places. It is peaceful when you are up there. You have a perfect view of the ocean below and you can hear the waves crashing on the shore. When you go to the first pillbox to see the sunrise, there is a beautiful view of two islands in the ocean and the sun rises right between them. You can not get that view or the same peacefulness anywhere else.
   When I am on the pillbox, I can relax and take time get rid of all the stress. It helps me calm down if I am stressed out or scared. Although this is a hike, I don't feel tired when I get to the pillbox. I feel full of energy and ready to take on whatever life throws at me. This helps me when I go back home because going home means chores, homework, and many other things that have to be done. My Querencia might be a public place for anyone to go to but when I get up there, it seems like I am the only one there. I feel safe, relaxed, and stress free.