I know rain and cooler weather are in the forecast and really it’s probably only a matter of weeks until we’re already hitting the muggy, buggy season here in mosquito paradise, but the weather the past couple of days has been perfect. Spirits have been raised, outdoor chores have been vanquished, windows have been opened, trails have been run. Right this second the dogs are sprawled out in the back yard, panting with their lips caked in dirt. Copacetic. I need to purchase a new bike soon. Or maybe just a stuffed tiger, a flag, and an explorers hat.

It’s funny though. In spite of the goodness in the air (I also just found out I’ll be heading up a hiking trip to Montana with the kids at work this summer), I can’t help feeling pangs for what we had at the end of last summer. I feel the sun here and it makes me want to feel it reflecting off of the ocean as I bob up and down, watching otters watching me. Salt-flecked face. Neck chafed from pivoting inside neoprene. Beaten and happy. I mean, look at the header image at the top of this page. Undeniably gorgeous coast. We were right there watching whales swim and spray on the very day that that picture was taken. It’s tough to go back when you’ve seen something higher.

Then again sometimes you just have to wish for a sandwich…