Where in the World?

When you’re safe at home you wish you were having an adventure; when you’re having an adventure you wish you were safe at home. – Thornton Wilder

Erica and I arrived back in Rhode Island about 9:30 p.m. It was a long day of flying from California. Combined with the extra physical activity with our week in Yosemite, I was quite tired by the time we arrived. But it was a good tired. It’s the same feeling when you get a lot of work done around the house. In this case it was due to extracting all the available fun and adventure out of every minute we spent in Yosemite.

I still couldn’t go to sleep immediately. Even though my body wanted to, my mind had other plans. Thinking about the trip, looking at my photos and just relaxing in my apartment kept me up until midnight.

It doesn’t take long for me to start planning for my next adventure. I find that funny. I love to return home, but shortly after, I start to think about my next travel. The next big one is Alaska this summer, but I know that I’ll be doing some smaller trips between now and then. Well, there is Barcelona coming up. Not necessarily a small trip.

But, I’m home for now and I love it.

Michael

We got back to Sacramento late last night from Yosemite. It was quite an incredible trip. Yosemite was beautiful, spectacular and very refreshing. The weather was perfect even with a night and partial day of rain. I haven’t found a time in Yosemite that was not perfect. It’s just what the place is all about.

My daughter and I realized that it was almost exactly one year since our last trip together to Yosemite. We’ve decided to make this an annual trip. It’s a great idea.

I’ve been here over 10 times and I saw things I had never seen. I’m endlessly fascinating about that. Wildlife was abundant. We saw mule deer and coyote on multiple occasions. There were new ephemeral waterfalls to enjoy. Wildflowers were abundant.

On the way out of Yosemite, we were able to spend several tranquil hours walking through the giant sequoias in the southern part of the park. As an added bonus, we discovered an incredible waterfall off of Hwy. 41 that made is felt like we had been transported to a tropical jungle.

We are already planning our next trip.

Michael

Yosemite Valley, to me, is always a sunrise, a glitter of green and golden wonder in a vast edifice of stone and space. – Ansel Adams

It’s been many months since I was able to visit California. After living there for over 13 years, I still have a quite an attachment. The geography of the state is awe inspiring. In fact, I’m here for two very important reasons. First and most importantly to see my daughter. Secondly, to spend about 5 days in Yosemite National Park.

I haven’t seen my daughter since January. It’s been too long. Both of us are quite excited about spending the week in Yosemite. We’ve been there many times and never tire of it. My daughter’s boyfriend will be there as will Erica as soon as she flies in on Monday.

I’m always changed after visiting Yosemite. There is something about this place that revitalizes me from the inside out. Sometimes it feels like packing in a year’s worth of psychotherapy in just a few days. This recharge usually lasts me for several months.

I’m very appreciative of Yosemite. It’s an example of nature at its most splendid and place very special to my heart.

Have a great day!

Michael

I drove to Boston Logan Airport this afternoon. I had a flight to Helsinki, Finland. Almost immediately after settling down at the gate to await boarding, announcements started about possible delays.

Apparently the front landing gear had problems that could cause the plane to lurch 90^o to the side when landing. That didn’t sound like a minor problem to fix. The mechanics worked on it and the pilots tested the plane on the runway for over 1 1/2 hours. The flight was supposed to leave at 4:15 p.m. Around 6:00 p.m. I had a strong feeling that the flight would be canceled even though testing was continuing. I walked back up to the ticket counter and got in line. There were about 25 people in front of me.

About 45 minutes later, people started to pour out of the gate area. The flight had been canceled. I’m glad I was already in line as it grew to a couple of hundred people. Even with me being so close to the front, it still took almost 2 hours to get my tickets changed.

It’s important to take these kinds of changes/events with a light heart. Getting angry, impatient and frustrated will only prolong your negative experience. Those feelings don’t help the situation at all. I always think of what my uncle says about events like this: “Wherever you are is exactly where you are supposed to be.” That really helps to keep me relaxed. I’m also very appreciative to be safely on the ground!

Have a great day!

Michael