Oh my! Feels like I’ve been in that chrysalis for way too long! But it feels like the long night, (forgive the mixed metaphors) is finally coming to an end.
A couple of weeks ago James and I returned from a 2 week long escapade in southern Wyoming. A recent wildfire had scared the landscape where we usually go, but our campsite was left with little damage. Even with the black char covering everything the fire touched, it was beautiful. Beautiful.
But that’s not what this is about. I want to talk about HOW MUCH BETTER I’M DOING!!! This trip, while not exactly hard core “roughing it” can involve long days on the four-wheeler riding over steep inclines and rocky trails. When not on the Beast, as I affectionally call the ATV, we often find ourselves bushwhacking our way to find fishing spots, rock-hounding, or just exploring. Given my health issues for the last few years, and given that I’d had major surgery just a few weeks before, I was fearful that I wouldn’t be able to keep up, or would slow James down, or even end up contorted in pain. While I was packing for the trip I made sure to include art supplies, downloaded books on my iPad, and had plenty of power available to charge devices in case I couldn’t ride, hike, or explore. Turns out, I didn’t need most of that stuff! I was not only able to enjoy the rides, I practically had to encourage James to get out and about! I don’t know if it was the clean air, the adrenaline, or just what, but I felt better and had a far more wonderful adventure than either James or I had anticipated. 
Hello Butterfly! 