a slightly different focus

One word: Wow.

I didn’t expect the Maine/NY trip to impact me in the way it did.

However, “blown away” is not inaccurate. From nearly every part of Maine, which I’ve missed more than I realized, to long-lost friends and family — whose lives are well beyond what I expected — the past month or so has been … amazing.

And, I have the photographs to prove it. For instance,

A “rainy” view from Cadillac Mountain, near Bar Harbor, Maine:

My old elementary school, near Boothbay Harbor, Maine:

And, a view of New York City from Dobbs Ferry (as close as I got — very glad to have met an old friend rather than spend that day going into the City):

Every one of the above, along with many, many more from this trip, made me appreciate things in a way I hadn’t before. Taken as a whole, it could only be called a life-changing experience — one that enabled me to take the next, very needed, step.

A huge shout-out of “thanks” to all involved, from Mom (especially) to Jean, Ellen and Jennifer, Jeanna and Lissa, Ernie and Jean, Adam, Noreen, and Naomi. As working vacations go, this one was king.

Despite coming home to bills, 4am calls from the ex, and dental appointments, the past few weeks have me convinced that life is good.

But the “trip,” as it were, didn’t end where I expected. Before I could even finish sorting the photographs from Maine, I was heading out, with my very good friend “Long Trail” Phillip, to….

Providence Canyon, Georgia, this past weekend:

Additional thanks to Phillip, his lovely wife Neecee, and new friends Ryan and Thomas. Nice time.

Yeah. As I said, a pretty amazing month. Looking forward to the rest of the photographs — and what’s to come….!