Blastoff….

Sorta……

I’m sitting here in my empty shell of a room, all packed up and ready to go, trying to sleep.Tomorrow morning I begin the endless hours of travel that will eventually lead me to the start of my journey. I always get a kick out of the enormous amounts of time and energy we spend to then go exert more energy in strange new lands. I guess that’s just part of the game.

I have, for the most part, said my goodbyes to friends and this beautiful place. Although I’m going to try and not think about Yosemite and the special people here, I know it will be impossible to not wish, at times, that I was back in the glorious Sierra Nevada, my home.

Instead, I am dancing that same old dance where you hug and kiss those near and dear to you and say, “See you soon.” And yes, I will see them soon. But it still hurts a little down inside walking away and taking that last look back at what you are leaving. This is and always will be a part of what we do, but it doesn’t have to be viewed as sad.

Instead, I’m trying more and more to see the meaningful goodbyes as a sign that you, as a person, are connected to these people. That feeling you are getting deep down inside is just your mind realizing these people’s importance in your life. It’s a reminder of your meaningful connections to everyone and should be seen as a celebration of kinship and relations, not sorrow.

True, I’m ONLY leaving for 70 days. So maybe I just need to suck it up and quit being a pansy. But to be honest, I will miss these people when I’m alone this summer.

That’s all for now.

peace, love and pirates to all……

Andres