Living in Denver, there are times when I just feel like going outside for no reason.

So one day, I felt drawn to drive west. It was only about 20 minutes out of the city, but the scenery suddenly changed.

In the distance, the snow-covered Rocky Mountains, and below them, a soft expanse of green fields. The sight of the white mountains and green fields side by side looked like a background colored with crayons, yet it was real. At that moment, I let out a quiet "Wow...".

The Rockies always stand majestically. Even as winter is coming to an end, the snow on the mountain peaks does not easily melt, sparkling in the sunlight, creating a scene that is truly clean and serene. It feels like a giant scoop of ice cream is stuck in the sky.

But right below, a vibrant green field spreads out, making the contrast between the snow and the greenery strangely beautiful. Up close, the blades of grass sway in the sunlight, and when the wind passes, they ripple like gentle waves. The distant mountains are heavy and still, while the world below seems to be alive and breathing. The moment both landscapes came into view, something inside me quietly unraveled.

I got out of the car and walked for a while. With each step on the dirt path, there was a dry crunching sound, the air was cold, but the sunlight was warm, tickling the tip of my nose. The scent of the breeze mixed with the smell of earth and pine, and that aroma was incredibly refreshing.

As I looked at the mountains while walking, their height became more tangible. In photos, they seem like distant mountains, but in reality, they appear enormous enough to occupy half the sky. The depth is different from when I look up at the same sky in the city. It feels as if nature is saying, "I am here," with a heavy presence.

A couple riding bikes nearby, people comfortably lying on the grass reading books, and others walking with coffee while taking their dogs for a stroll.

Everyone was quietly resting in this scenery. The sight of everyone smiling silently somehow resonated with me. Here, there's no need to talk. The landscape already speaks enough. I felt like, "Today, just breathing is enough."

As I gazed at the snow-covered mountains, I suddenly thought this. Cities are busy, and people always seem to have to do something, but nature is complete just as it is without doing anything. The mountains stand, the trees grow, the grass sways in the wind... That simplicity sometimes lightens life. Sitting on the greenery, taking a deep breath of the clean air, I felt my tangled thoughts slowly unraveling.

As the sun began to set, shadows stretched long, and the mountain light turned a slight bluish-gray. Below, the greenery appeared even brighter, making the contrast between the two more vivid. That sight was truly wonderful. On the way back, I kept looking out the window. As I got closer to Denver, there were more buildings and roads, but the mountains continued to follow like a reflection in a mirror.

When I got home and looked at the photos, I thought that the real thing was much more beautiful. Photos capture only part of the landscape, but the actual Colorado remains in memory with the wind, scents, sunlight, and temperature of the air.

Someday, when I feel complicated again, I want to drive west once more to see that landscape. The vibrant green fields unfolding beneath the snow-covered Rockies—a single scene that refreshes my heart. The power of nature that Colorado possesses must lie in this.