I was gazing at my desktop picture this morning, which is one of the pictures I took while on the Samhain Sashay, and recalling that wonderful moment when I took that picture. What an experience it was to see those buffalo, and gaze into the watchful eye of the herd bull. I've been blessed with many such experiences in my life. Many of them in my nomadic youth. As I write these words I can recall other such experiences, like how exciting it was to stand on top of Ayers Rock in Australia. I also remember the beautiful wonder of The Great Barrier reef as I viewed it from a glass bottom boat while vacationing in Surfers Paradise. Closer to what is now home for me is the memory of that scenic drive taken during Thanksgiving while visiting Fort Davis. And the beauty of the Chisos Mountains as Moonie and I drove through them. I can also recall how much fun we had while attending the 2009 Terlinqua Chili Cook Off.
As I recall those wonderful moments I am so glad I finally got over the aversion to traveling that my nomadic youth had given me for so long. Gone now are the days when my roots ran so deep anything more than an weekend jaunt was looked upon with horror rather than wonder. Now I am chomping at the bit to once more hitch up the travel trailer and hit the road. Buying that travel trailer is one of the best things we ever did. I think the fact that it provides me with a home away from home that is familiar territory so speak, is one reason my feelings towards traveling has changed so much. That, and the fact I've discovered luxury RV parks with extra goodies like swimming pools and hot tubs have helped change my attitude towards traveling. Boredom also played a big part in that change of attitude.
My soul longs to experience the beauty of nature in many different places now. I want to stand on many mountain tops and survey the valleys below. I want to hike deep within lots of canyons and experience their wonders. One of my New Year resolutions for 2010 is to explore as much of Texas as I can. This big state I was born in offers such a diversity of sights to see, and natural wonders to experience. I intend to see and experience as many of them as I possibly can this spring, summer and fall. Some places I visited in past are going to be revisited. Places like Fort Davis, Big Bend, Terlinqua, and Seminole Canyon. New places like Palo Duro Canyon will also be explored.
As I sit here daydreaming of seeing all those places, and more, I find myself very grateful that I will be able to see only the beauty of those places, and experience them in a way that leaves me filled with positive wonder. And I find myself thanking The Powers That Be for allowing me to still do that despite all the many sorry sights I've seen, and bad experiences I've had. Yes, personal strength plays a big role in being able to do that. Unlike some, I have made a conscious decision to see the beauty, and experience the wonder. But, I am very very grateful that whatever created me, instilled enough personal strength within me to be able to do that. What a drag it must be to only see the bad, and never experience the good.
