Une Envie de Sel

Every now and then I have to throw in one of these shots, just as a reminder. This is how I used to live. Before things got down to brass tacks. Before home ownership and grad school and adoption paperwork. Before the wars and the economic minefields.

Do I regret any of it? Not even a little bit. But someday we will hit the road again, this time with a wide-eyed child to introduce to the wonders of our continent and the natural world outside our little bubble of home. These are the times of noses to the grindstone, of focusing in on the microcosm of our cozy homelife, of works in progress, of a toddler's daily minutia of wonder and discovery. Someday, it will be time again for days to hit the open road. And that will be good as well.

This photo was taken in the gorgeous Escalante/Grand-Staircase National Monument, one of the wildest places left to camp, hike and explore in the desert Southwest. Since those days, my little desert tent and my compact camp kitchen have spent many months in storage in the garage, but it will have its day again.