the West.

8 states in 5 days is quite the accomplishment. (Texas, California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming)

Arriving in LA jetlagged, famished, and dazed were mere excuses for behaving oddly at an indie art opening. Complete with cotton candy and mini brownie muffins I sipped sangria as I gazed at the beautiful people mingling. Such is LA.

Staying with JR is to be expected, a silly white cat that's shaved except for a mohawk running down its spine, some pinkberry, and continuing aristocratic tendencies. That is, of course, minus the night spent at BE's work, where I slept for a mere 4 hours on the boss's couch and drooled on his pillow. Oops. Then, in the morning, I rode the razor scooter around the office before the Frenchie whisked me off to Santa Monica where I watched an old man wearing a skin colored thong tanning in the shade of palm trees (???).

What is to ensue is a long day in the car, entering 4 states. The discovery of satellite radio in the rental, driving by Vegas (the random oasis in the middle of...nowhere?), and perhaps being the only person for miles wearing a long sleeved shirt in the desert. To follow was a cramped evening in Days Inn with a 6am wake up call and hitting the road once again.

Idaho surprisingly reminds me of South Africa. Montana is a cool state. And Wyoming is wide open spaces. Yellowstone is just like the history books-- or at least the first day is. Buffalo grazing next to a river, pole pines, deer, moose. Geysers, hot springs, mud pots... steaming into the brisk air that reminds me of the midwest in the fall. The second day was much different, minus the sun, snow covers pine trees and the wind through their needles reminds me of Christmas. (it must be those childhood memories). I concluded that Old Faithful, the grand tourist attraction, is like graduating college: anti-climactic. The canyon in the snow, unable to feel my fingers, the rushing waterfall, nature splendidly at its best.

Arriving at our overly large log cabin at the base of the Grand Tetons was definitely childhood again, bounding through the rooms, "I want this one!" and standing in awe of the views I get to wake up to in the mornings. Today, hiking around Jenny lake and up into Teewinot-- spectacular. Being out again, nestled between lake and river, gazing up to glaciers in the mountains, perhaps something like South Africa but perhaps only in my mind because those were my first true hiking experiences. Perhaps the highlight was the snow halfway to inspiration point. Watching clouds roll between mountain peaks and flurries catching my eyelashes. Hands tucked into my sleeves and gazing up at summits covered in clouds.

Maybe it's these vast open spaces that leave me perplexed about life and relationships. Maybe it's what I need to feel some emotion again-- some time away. Perhaps a few less words and a few more thoughts.