I’m supposed to be in Washington. 

Last year I booked a dream trip for the end of August: four days hiking through Olympic National Park and then three days kayaking the San Juan Islands.  I’d been checking the website for summer dates to be released and was the first person to sign up for both trips through the company I’d used many times before.  They were tickled by my enthusiasm.  And I was so proud of myself for being in a place, financially, where I could plan trips far out and leave deposits. I still hadn’t built up savings or an emergency fund but I could take a trip, that was a big deal.  

And then in March Linus got sick.  He seemed to got better but the (financial) damage was done so, through tears, I wrote them explaining that I had to cancel my trip.  

A month later, there was an opportunity to book the Twilight house and I thought, “okay this could be my chance to get back to the PNW this year.” I scored three nights at Bella’s house over my birthday weekend in October during Halloween month in Halloweentown in the PNW during fall. What. A. Dream. 

And then in July linus got sick.  He did not get better.  And so, through tears, I wrote them explaining that I had to cancel my trip. Later, friends () helped cover that financial burden. 

I guess this is all to say that I miss him. And I should be in Washington and he should be here.  

I took this picture on the parkway today and it made me feel like I was in Olympic.  I’m sad about not taking any trips this year but infinitely more sad about the reason why.  I’d give up a lifetime of trips to have him back.