Inland a few miles from the Pacific Ocean, at the confluence of two salmon spawning streams is a place called Cougar Creek. Stacie Smith first visited Cougar Creek in the fall of 1998, going alone, approaching the place at dusk, guided by simple directions to the cabin perched high above the narrow road: "Find the big, old maple tree by the parking spot, and look for the little wooden dolphin sign nailed to the tree trunk. The dolphin's nose points to the trail up to the cabin." She found the trail, and by the very last of the day's light, she found the cabin. Smith fell instantly in love with the place-its majesty, constancy, and healing energy. This collection of impassioned poems was born from that love.