Leaving Utah

I am packing. More or less. I am low energy, easily distracted, and faintly curious to see how all my crap is gonna fit in my car. It all got here, after all, and I've mostly gotten rid of things, so there should be no trouble, but I'm not excited to "play Tetris" (as Mark calls it). Mostly, I am surprised by how fast the time has passed. I feel especially strange about the fleeting relationships that have formed and resolved over the last couple weeks, and who knows what essence will remain. I guess Patrick's strange mood rubbed off on me.

I look forward to the drive, to aimless wondering in national parks, and thousands of miles of open road. I have not seen much of America.

We spent our last weekend together at Capitol Reef National Park. The main event was hiking the Upper Muley Twist, a 14 mile partial loop, offering jaw dropping views of the Waterpocket Fold, and the Henry Mountains sitting on the platuea above.

I experienced one of the most frightening moments in my life this weekend - a thunderstorm in a canyon. It was stupid to be there, but there we were. I listened to incessent thunder come upon us from behind, watched lightening strike across from our sandstone bluff. Scrambling down into the wash, a clap of thunder made me jump, and it began to pour. I watched waterfalls stream off sandstone cliffs and saw how quickly the water began to pool and flow. My heart was beating so loud I don't think I would have been able to hear a flash flood, though I was all ears.

Luckily there was none and I feel almost guilty to report how beautiful the whole thing was. Terrifying, but beautiful.