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Sierra invited Nate and I to go on a hike to Blue Mussel cabin about a week after we arrived here in Juneau. I was about as green as an Alaskan newcomer could be.

After dinner, we're sitting around the cabin, this girl comes through the door. She'd hiked out, in the dark, alone. "My friend Laura" Sierra says.

I was impressed.

I was also struck by the way the air felt whenever we got close (electricity, for lack of better descriptive ability).

We spent a lot of time together that summer, and ever after.