I love the challenge of this month’s theme. It catapults me right out of my comfort zone. I write big novels where I can take the time to explore concepts to whatever end and it’s common to pound out over 10,000 words in a single day.

A story made up of only 55? Bring it on.

There’s a great saying:

Wisdom is knowing how to avoid making stupid mistakes.

Wisdom is gained by making stupid mistakes.

My story was inspired by a recent four-day hiking trek along the beautiful Lower Rogue River Trail. Thirteen hearty souls embarked on the 42+ mile journey and most of us reached the far end intact, with a few blisters and, in my case, the loss of one toenail. And what better activity to do during a long, hot hike along a river than to find the best rocks for jumping from the heights into the cold waters below?

We had a blast.

I hope you enjoy my story: The Plunge

Everyone else had hesitated before jumping, so of course I leaped without even looking.

Weightless, exhilarated, laughing, I looked down.

What an idiot!

Definitely time to scream.

The impact was brutal as I plunged into icy depths, feet stinging, and water shooting up my nose.

I surfaced, but smiled away their worry.

“Piece of cake.”