The Valley of the Cloudwalkers

Coming back from the Bubblechain crater, I heard of a beautiful kind of flower that grows high high up in the mountains called the Flucturia. It only grows in, what the locals down below call, "The Valley of the Cloudwalkers". Having some extra days, I decided to visit this place.

The climb was arduous and hard. The rocks were steep and sharp and bit into fingers and hands, but my guides kept spurring me on, saying it was worth all the effort. So I kept going. At night, I froze and there was little comfort in the howling winds. During the day, we roasted in the hot sun. Our rations were only of dried foods and, after the snowline was reached, we drank melted snow.

Then, after a week of arduous climbing, nerve shattering near-falls, steep crevasses and ice, we finally came to the valley. And how right they were.

Above the clouds, it seemed like we were on another world altogether. All below us was a valley of evergreen trees, far far below the waterfall we perched next to. The roar of the water was tremendous. It looked as if we were a mile above the valley. The little river that cut through the valley and fell off of the other side of the mountain is said to be one of the natural wonders of this world. In places, it goes for thousands of feet straight down without hitting any rocks before crashing into boulders, splitting them with it's power. So great is the shaking on that side of the mountain that it is impossible to climb. But from far above, where this little waterfall on the right starts it all, it looked so serene and peaceful and small.

And, of course, the flucturias, pink and yellow and in their prime, over the idyllic scene, picture perfect. I climbed down and stayed for a few days, wandering in the valley and climbing the other rocks and cliffs to get other views. Maybe I will think about building a little cottage here one day. It was so beautiful.

- Traveling Uncle Nat :)

09/11/99