good for the soul

Old friend. New babe. Coffee. Fireplace. Exactly what I needed today.

18 days, 15 states, 3700 miles

The main reason that 2013 was dubbed "The Year of Stupid" was my decision to sign up for a 70.3 before I'd done a single triathlon. Stupid. Not only did I sign up for this massive race, I did so in a state very far away, requiring a lengthy drive (or plane ticket and the cost to ship my bike). As long as I was driving to NC, why not visit my friends and family up the east coast too? Stupid. So began the road trip to end all road trips.

Here was my route:

Stops included:

1. Champaign, IL
2. Columbus, OH
3. Durham, NC
4. Washington DC
5. Shrewsbury, MA
6. Tenafly & Leonia NJ
7. Toledo, OH

I hardly took any pictures on my trip. I decided I'd rather be in the moment than behind a lens. And it was incredible.

I had a rough year at work, and I needed to "run away" for a while. This trip ended up being exactly what I needed - not so stupid after all.

Hoping the rest of summer can continue to help me recover from the year and get if not excited, at least ready, for next year.

good friends

I think what I love most about good friends is that no matter the distance and time, you can fall easily into conversation and it isn't strange at all. My friend I visited in Greece was in the Twin Cities for a couple hours on her way back to Athens via the international teaching job fair in Atlanta. She extended the trip to come here to spend some time with her family, who live outside the metro, and so the only chance to see her was at the airport on Sunday evening.

We met her at baggage claim and headed to the bar located outside security for a very brief but great hour and a half. As I was sitting next to her, filling her in on the drama of the fall and hearing about hers, I stopped and said, "It seems so normal to be sitting here next to you." She said the same. Sad it wasn't longer, but glad I got to see her.

She's off to Bogota, Columbia for her next teaching job. Summer 2013??