Yesterday I posted this shot of me in my overalls after a hike in the Grand Canyon back in 1978.
It evoked a lot of comments from friends and family.
It also gave me pause to reflect on those times and how they impacted the last 40 years that brought me here to this spot.
In many ways, the canyon brought me to Cadrieu and Cajarc.
I learned a lot about myself on this trip. I love to travel. In that love of travel, I learned that I prefer to travel alone and truly explore the places I go and the people I meet along the way. Even though I travel alone, I am rarely alone.
On this particular trip, I met 3 women on the bus to Flagstaff. Two were Australian and one was Swiss. We got a hotel together in Flagstaff and then took another bus to hike the Canyon together.
While we were reserving the van to the top of the South Kaibab Trail, there was a group of guys from Philly who were going too. We ended up taking the van and hiking together.
My friends and I only went down to the five mile mark and then returned. The guys went on to the bottom of the canyon.
Before we parted, Ed (sitting on the ledge in the photo above) and I agreed to meet at the bus station in LA on Saturday night at 6pm. I went on to Las Vegas and then LA.
And, yes...I was at the bus station early.
I'll never forget how happy I was to see Ed running down the staircase to get me.
We spent a little LA time together but then they headed back to Philly and I headed on to visit a friend in San Francisco.
There's something to be said for falling in love at first sight in the Grand Canyon, even if it can't last forever.
We managed to do long distance between Philly, St. Louis and New Orleans for almost a year. I guess I should have known that when I chose New Orleans over Philly during the summer of '78, that was the kiss of death.
I am convinced that I am here today because I reach out and talk to people. We get to know each other. Relationships develop. We end up staying in touch...sometimes ending up in interesting places all over the world.
This last one, just happened to become home.
Even in 1978, I was celebrating the beginning of a truly international life in overalls. Don't forget to begin celebrating today!
Happy Friday!
Happy Overalls Weekend to you too, Niels-Loved seeing the two photos you posted on FB-Fun seeing you and Bodil. I'm in my overalls as I write-Hooray! Miss you both and lots of love-Laury
Posted by: Laury Bourgeois | November 16, 2018 at 12:20 PM
happy overalls weekend, yes, it is fantastic what happens, when you reach out and meet people, lots of love, really happy today, Niels
Posted by: Niels | November 16, 2018 at 09:08 AM