1400 Miles Later...

We actually made pretty good time on the way back, and timed things so we arrived in Tampa right during a picture-perfect sunset. It still feels pretty alien, trying to settle back into this normal routine and taking seriously all the schoolwork I'm supposed to be doing for tomorrow and Tuesday, after a long weekend of southern Appalachian mountains turning seasons and Dana cooking feasts every night, and breakfasts every morning. The only thing that offsets all the steaks and bacon and eggs and sausage is the trapesing in the woods. Well, when I decided to not take my car on roads it doesn't belong on... But fording the river really wasn't that bad. Either of the two times.

So, there I was, driving through windy mountain roads, watching the golden, green, brown and red glory of the trees arch overhead, listening to Enya.

There I was, melting in the hot tub, watching the sun set behind the next peak over and turn the clouds all kinds of colors to match the fall leaves.

There I was, sitting on the couch with friends, in front of a crackling fireplace, trying to keep my thoughts from wandering off.

There I was, on a log by the firepit, watching the stars, listening to the wind through the trees, hoping for the moon to come out.

I also did a lot of soul-searching and pondering of my emotional universe. Lots of thought, but perhaps not so much helpful knowledge to share. I will go through my notes, and if there's anything useful to be said, post it later.

Oh, yeah. I took pictures too. More on those later.