My Very Very Tall Brother And A Story

This is a pic of my brother taking a picture of me taking a picture of him. From 2008, at Eagle Rock in Lake Tahoe. It has been so long because I couldn’t find it in my inbox after The Hub sent it to me. :S

This is a picture of the area we grew up in. The National Forest was our playground. Both my brothers are still very fit and active. Unlike their city-bound sister. One time when I was with one of them, we joked about them loving extreme sports, and me loving extreme countries (remember I used to travel through Communist countries for fun, too). They know that Jordan just shares borders with such countries, and isn’t one.

When we were all together that summer, recreating our favorite childhood activities for our children to experience together, VVTB suggested a hike to the top of Eagle Rock. Easy, he said. Fifteen minutes, he said. No prob, I said. Boys were very excited.

We drove to the bottom of the tall rocky outcrop, and VVTB led us to a steep path. I had remembered a sort of meandering switchback-y kind of trail, but hey, he saw my state of fitness (lack) and surely had friends approaching 50.

Around the bend of the steep trail, we came to a rather vertical looking gash in the mountain. So my surprise, he and the boys scrambled up like mountain goats. My dear SIL Jessica became to exclaim: “What? This? Easy?” and began a torrent of protestations, understanding the reality of my then-current state of non-physical fitness. “She can do it” said my VVTB, a bastion of confidence.

The other problem was that Lil Kinz had an arm in a cast and was having trouble grabbing the tree roots in order to get herself up. That was  break #4 for the Kounouz, we are up to #7 now, hoping that today’s xray does not reveal another break: perhaps Dr. Amr Amr will give us the punch ticket break, get one consultation free after visiting 9 times.

Jessica  was very kind to slow down and make sure we were making it ok, but at one rather difficult part Lil Kinz got scared and we were stuck. Jessica called to VVTB and in an instant, he pulled a SuperMan move like I had never seen. He ran down the vertical slope, RAN, I tell you, swooped Lil Kinz up, tucked her under his arm and ran back up the mountain. It was as if I imagined Jacob the werewolf from Twilight in strength, skill and agility. Way cool. He then stayed at the top to make sure the five boys did not stray from the edge of a very serious cliff. Close enough for a boy-thrill but not in danger. He seems to know those degrees.

Jessica was apologizing, and I did make it up that part, slowly, but watching my bro in action was worth it indeed. Fifteen minutes was all it took him, he didn’t even break a sweat. He just smiled. He is a man of few words, but his smile speaks volumes. Being the youngest in a whole family of talkers, he has his way of getting the point across.

We took pictures at the top that I still have as my screen saver.It reminds me daily of that fun vacation with them. They got to be there for Brother T’s wedding, so I am thinking of my faraway family lots these days. Love you guys!

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