2022-10-16
Translation of Chinese article
Autumn is peak foliage season in New Jersey. There is no better way to admire the fall leaves than hike a mountain in the cool fall air. With the traditional Chinese Double Ninth Festival just behind us, many of us needed to release the built up stress from the pandemic and regular life. As I researched possible destinations, the Chinese Association came through with a perfect plan. Outdoor enthusiast Hexiang took charge of organizing the food and drink and scouted the terrain ahead of time. Ultimately, we decided on Schooley’s Mountain County Park for our autumn outing on October 16.
We planned to arrive at the parking lot at 11:30 a.m. However, Lao Gao, a dedicated member of our group, was already there. Within minutes, more members started arriving, one after another. It’s often said that the three-year pandemic had caused many to lose their sense of time, and today’s punctuality seemed to dispel that notion.
Our first activity was a group photo. We gathered in a bright clearing with colorful fall trees in the background. Holding the Chinese Association flag high, everyone felt a strong sense of unity and cohesion.
Around thirty people attended the event, most of them familiar faces, although many had appeared outside for the first time in years. There were also some newcomers, including Hexiang’s young son, born during the pandemic. Having just learned to walk, he enthusiastically cheered for his father. His sister, now taller, watched the proceedings intently.
Seeing her father hard at work, she was outraged that he was distributing food to everyone . “Why does Dad have to be so busy serving everyone?” she wondered “Can’t they serve themselves?”. “Because your father is the leader,” her mother replied. The little girl suddenly smiled and was filled with pride. Her mother told her that, “To be a leader, you must first serve the people”. This sense of dedication and service must be instilled from a young age.
Although the Hexiang family successfully brought their baby along, unfortunately they forgot to bring shoes for him. Hiking a mountain with a baby on your back is tricky, so it seemed they wouldn’t be able to join the hike. Fortunately, there was a small, picturesque lake where they could stay and enjoy the scenery near the parking lot.
The tree surrounded lake was divided into two parts by a floating bridge in the middle. It might not stand out during other times of the year, but in late autumn, it was truly breathtaking. The vibrant leaves in shades of red, yellow, green, and various indescribable colors transformed this small lake into a scene straight out of a fairyland.
To accommodate all ages, we chose the easy blue trail. However, the difficulty immediately surprised me. After the pandemic, was I really that out of shape? The trail winds up along a mountain creek, and despite its modest elevation, it was entirely covered with stones. In some areas, fallen leaves had even covered all evidence of a trail. We had no choice but to navigate by carefully following the blue blazes on the trees.
After walking for a while, everyone was sweating profusely. Having feared the cold in the mountains, I had even prepared an extra jacket. However, the hike made me so warm that I had to remove it and stow it in my bag. The weather was unexpectedly pleasant.
After a while, the adults began to complain of being tired. On the other hand, the children had only become more energetic. Being locked down indoors for so long, they were eagerly exploring everything that nature had to offer. They clambered to the top of boulders, shouting with joy, and then scrambled down to the creek, searching intently for treasures.
Master Gu repeatedly issued safety warnings to the children. However, the adults were not idle either. While the children were busy running around, the parents searched for beautiful backgrounds to take pictures. There were selfies, solo shots, pairs, and group photos in various combinations. Everyone wanted a photo with the vibrant autumn colors in the background.
Li Min directed the impromptu photo sessions, shouting instructions to the models to pose with their chests out, heads held high, and stomachs in. Her English slogans, shouted in Chinese, had a unique rhythm. While some of the older participants seemed disdainful of these staged poses, the younger participants still found ways to include them.
When Lao Gao nonchalantly squatted down into the grass and chewed on a large, snow-white steamed bun, the photographers couldn’t resist capturing the candid moment. Whether these photos captured the essence of the outing is hard to say, but they certainly added a unique touch to the day’s memories.
The blue trail eventually connected to the white trail, and the path suddenly became wide and flat. Instead of walking cautiously, everyone could finally relax and lift their heads. No longer preoccupied with watching their steps, conversations flourished. People chatted about who had gotten a new dog, who had developed a vegetable garden, who had moved into a big house, and who had successfully lost weight. Suddenly, the once-quiet subdued community atmosphere, was lively and vibrant once again.
The road in the second half of the journey became smoother and smoother, and the surrounding scenery gradually lost its charm. The winding paths and surprising vistas every ten steps were gone, replaced by an easier, albeit less exciting, walk.
This transition mirrored the lives of the hikers themselves. Before moving to the America, each person had their own unique charm. However, after settling here, everyone gradually became more alike. A few Chinese people lost in a sea of Americans. Sometimes, we long for the passion of our youth, but if reclaiming that passion meant retracing our more difficult paths, many of us would hesitate. It’s better to cherish what we have in front of us now.