From a seemingly alternate domain of the outdoors, she walked through the stretched out, hollow, semi-cylindrical enclosure of rocks and cement. Entrancing smells and sounds over took her body with nostalgia, as if she had stepped into a living memory. It  reminded her of the sweet times she would scurry through this inviting entrance as a little one. Dimness was prominent, but not that of gray, but of an inviting, cool blue. The scent of the tunnel evoked the recollection of her childhood after a summer monsoon rain. The drip, drop of condensation trickling from the bumpy ceiling, the echo of even the softest whisper, and the cooling, gentle splashes of the circulated cascade all exemplified what it felt to be secure. From where she stood, a comforting brightness shown through the end of the tunnel, pulling her closer until she reached that which reminded her of heaven, coming from a place that linked the real world to paradise. Encompassed by a friendly warmth radiating from the twelve hour mark, one could not help but be exuberant. The vast array of fresh, homey smells hit her face with a soft, familiar force. It was as if she had taken a whiff of a raw, newly cut Christmas tree.
The explosive clangs of the bell radiated throughout the ground space of this forested wonderland. Emerging from behind the roof of the tall cabin, glistening smoke elegantly danced as the breeze brushed by. Hot, sweet smells made their way to her nose, leaving her mouth watering. As the obnoxious clangs of the bell began to subside, emerging from all different directions, campers herded around the front entrance, eagerly waiting for the doors to open; they knew what awaited. After access was granted, eloquently dressed servers made like eggs, and scrambled. The entrancing smells allured the crowd inside like mice would to the tunes played by the pied piper.
The flurry of people created an invigorating atmosphere. However, in the midst of the chaos, the chestnut-colored walls held a serenity that welcomed all who came in. It felt like the commotion of eager parents and children on the first day of school, but was free flowing. The spotless bottle-green table covers swooshed too and fro as hungry families scampered past. Children rushed to the buffet tables covered with food. Her eyes were captured by three options: a platter of dewy fruit, an enormous bowl of sparklingly vegetables lying in a fresh salad, and chunky, buttery mashed potatoes sprinkled with rosemary. Waiting in line felt like an ineffable amount of time, but once the plop of a steamy, juicy, browned steak on her plate was heard, she knew this meal would be well worth it. Meandering her way to the outside tables, the continuous clatter of silverware and dishes began to fade out. Once she reached a perfectly shaded table, the only sounds to be heard were that of nature and the muffled chatter and giggles from inside the dining hall. Eagerly waiting for the rest of her family to come join her, she slipped one of her flip-flops off, and gently brushed the sole of her foot over the crisp pine needles and wood chips, causing tingles to fly down her spine; there was no sensation she loved more. The combination of this, the cooling breeze, and the soft hum of bees reminded her that times like these did not last long, and demanded to be cherished in every waking moment.
Joy imprinted on their faces, one by one, her family joined her at the table. Eyes hungrily glanced at every plate. Trying to imagine the splendor of each future bite was almost too much to bear; she could wait no longer. "Shall we begin?" On cue, everyone dove in. The satisfaction portrayed on every face told a story words could not. Luxurious mashed potatoes had the same full, fluffy appearance as the foam found in shaving cream, but the taste and texture was that which was beyond compare; every bite felt like the discovery of a hidden treasure. The buttery, rich bread roll had a taste that brought her to conclude it had been baked with a small amount of beer to amplify the lush flavor. The airy softness of the blissful piece of bread left her craving more. Assorted by the colors of the rainbow, the collection of splendid looking fruits on her plate appeared absolutely delectable. Bursting in her mouth, an eruption of sweet, tangy flavors encompassed her tongue, leaving a gratified smile upon her face. Oh, but the chewy, tender, juicy mouthfuls of steak left a tasteful memory that she knew would not be easily forgotten. Every time she stabbed a new piece, anticipation of the exquisitely prepared dish lingered until it plopped into her mouth. In less than twenty minutes, it looked as if her plate never held any food in the first place. In short, the enrapturing atmosphere, fine foods, and time with her family made this experience at Forest Home nothing short of perfect.