I woke from a long afternoon nap in my sun-warmed tent, just before it began to get quite hot as the shade in that corner slipped away. I woke with a certain feeling of soul-deep satisfaction and contentment, a song in my head, and my Traveling Partner on my mind.

It is late in the afternoon, the beginning of what feels like evening to me.

Blue skies and perspective.

A full day properly alone with my thoughts, walking unfamiliar miles, immersing myself in self-reflection, meditation, and getting a deeply restful (long) nap, and somehow I’m ready to go home. I miss my Traveling Partner. He misses me. (And there’s rain in the forecast for Wednesday now, too.) I needed this. I don’t really need more.

… I’m glad I got the cot, and I’m glad I switched up the camp site; my effort went into the trail miles instead of setting up camp, and dreading tearing it down again…

I’ve got the evening (and the night) ahead of me. Another hike in the morning. Then, home to a hot shower in my own home, and sleep in my own bed. More than that, home to my beloved Traveling Partner’s embrace – and also, tacos. 😂 Yep. “Taco Tuesday” has become a thing at our house. Fun. Also tasty. Also not me cooking! 😁

Once upon a time, my getaways were definitely about getting away from something, if only for a couple of days. These days they are not that at all, they’re just an effective means of “going deeper” with the woman in the mirror and getting a different kind of rest in a busy life. Once I “get where I’m going”, I’m eager to return home.

Foxglove is blooming in the meadows and along the forest trails.

For the moment, here, now, in the evening, (and lacking any tacos) I’m mostly focused on… Dinner. How practical. How human. A chilly breeze rustles the leaves and hints at sun down and a cool night ahead. The clock is ticking, even in this timeless place. It’s a good time to begin again. Again.