Art by maudoggo.bsky.social!

It was another quiet morning, one free of the expectations of life. The air was cool and crisp, a hallmark of the changing seasons. Autumn in the mountains always yielded brilliant colors this time of year. If the weather stayed as nice as it had been so far, maybe the colors would get to stay for a few weeks more...

Ryker took a deep breath as he sat out on the front porch of the cabin, enjoying the smell of the pine trees mixed with the smell of the falling leaves of the aspens and maples nearby. The air felt light in his lungs, the telltale sign that he was, in fact, at altitude. 6,250 ft above sea level to be precise.

Most people would find the air too thin for comfort, but for the wolf, it was the same as it always was. He enjoyed the lighter air. In addition to the smell of the forest, it always reminded him of home. Slowly, he sat on the padded wooden bench and turned to admire the autumnal beauty displayed before him.

The early golden rays of sunrise sifted through the canopy, enhancing the already brilliant colors of the fall foliage. Despite the cooler temperature, each patch of light felt pleasantly warm against his fur. If only every morning could feel this peaceful.

Luckily for the wolf, he had the day off, so he could enjoy the scenery as much as he liked. Ryker adjusted himself to get more comfortable before taking a sip of his morning coffee. While he didn't need the caffeine to get him going, the pleasant flavor of the drink left his belly pleasantly warm.

If every morning were as pleasant as this, it'd be Heaven on Earth.