I am sad. Tuesday morning and the world is at work. I shuffle through my quiet apartment in search of purpose and worth. The feeling of vacation has given way to the grimness of unemployment. I write lists to stay busy. If I stay busy, I will have something to …
I’m back. Today is the first Monday of my return. While workers scurry into their cars or onto the train, I lie in bed and wonder about the day. I rather avoid doing anything. What am I supposed to do? I can start with errands. There be laundry to wash, …
I have new eyes. San Francisco sparkles differently. I notice hills, second-floor signs, building details, and murals. I reconnoiter slowly and freely through the streets. Travel taught me no longer to carry the weight of the whole city. I do not want to get caught up in its struggles. I …
I run to Golden Gate Park to renew my exercise routine. Under a tree, I fall to the ground for push-ups, sit-ups, and crunches. I like running. I think while I run. My main mission now: to be the best person I can be. I finally have the time, means, …
Ten thousand miles over twenty-nine states for three-and-a-half months. I soaked in hot springs by Mount Shasta, marched the Gettysburg battlefields at sunrise, set up the Platonic Solids for a prom in Yellow Springs, traversed New York City’s Highline Park at sunset, and camped with dinosaurs in Utah. It was …
Home after 10400 miles, 2 countries, 29 states, 105 days, 3.5 months, and over 10 gallons of oil. Rabbit at rest. Now what? Time to make some noise. My apartment feels foreign. I forget what my bicycle looks like. I bike this morning to the grocery store without a bike …
The trip ends today. I return to San Francisco. I wonder what my apartment looks like. I cannot remember which locks my keys open. I fear the great emptiness of time and space after unpacking. I left San Francisco quite weary three months ago. The city’s cost of living ran …
I wake at sunrise in my tent by the Green River in Dinosaur National Park. I brew coffee and make oatmeal while I pack up the car. I will miss campsite #10 with its own beach, army of rabbits, and eager chipmunk. I drive further into the park to visit …
As I near the end of my trip, I count the days until my return to San Francisco. On the one hand, I want now just to sit, think, build, participate, study, cook, bicycle, and canoodle. On the other hand, I am sad to leave the road. I learned the …
I wake in my tent just after sunrise to a roaring lion. WTF? I quickly recall that this riverside campsite lies next to the local zoo. Either I roar back or get up. I get up. I make coffee and oatmeal, collapse the tent, and pack the car. I drive …