Nostalgic Travels

I was archiving and cleaning shop with my photos tonight, and I ran across old photos.

Well... They weren't that old. But it reminded me just how long I have been here in Vancouver, WA. I found photos from two winters back; from my first arrival: from Warren Wilson.

Wow. What a time ago. I found myself rereading through my yearbook with my and many of my friends' senior pictures and quotes in it. What a ride. It's amazing how time flies, and yet, how current it still feels.

I can't go back, and I'm slowly coming to the realization that... That is okay.

The pictures showed a much happier, but a much more different me.

It's amazing how much I've grown over this time in my life. It's amazing how fragile memory is, and how many minor events at Wilson have been lost to time. Moving forward shows the generalizations of history, and how the human mind works in that regard.

Those I love stay with me though. As I carry on, they are there from the past to help me and to prop me up. Looking through those pictures, I saw them. The ones that are there.

Pictures are unique time capsules as well. They allow people to return to their consciousness, but also allow people to remember those times that were forgotten.

I came across pictures from Barcelona too. How long ago was that? I can only remember the places I went, and the people I was with. I never really remember the smaller details. Except that one woman who worked at the cafe under our apartment. She struggled through my Spanish so many times. All with a smile on her face, and an understanding tone. I really want to go back to Barcelona.

Have you ever had those moments in your life where you simply say "Wow!" and you cannot believe your eyes? Like when you stand upon the slopes at the treeline of Mount Hood:

Or the elation you get when being in a brand new city? The world as mysterious and open to you as you will ever get at?

How about a sunset across the Ohio plains?

Greeting the western shore for the first time?

Gaping at the sand dunes that extend for miles.

Meeting the giants of the volcanic giants of the west?

Or returning home.

To those you love.

There is nothing else like it.