In Between These Pine Trees

I like the kind of weather that is that somewhere in between. Not too hot, not too cold. Just right.

You know that special chemistry of the cool, yet warm summer weather. The one where you take your shoes off in the day and dip your toes in the cold river. Yet later that evening you slip back into your socks to enjoy a cool cozy night around the fire.

I like that kind of weather.

Like riding your bike to the dumpster to throw away your trash. Man that’s a heavy bag – should have drove the truck. Ironically my ratted “live simply” shirt is flowing in the wind. It’s a perfectly cool night. Not too hot, not too cold – just right.

It’s that kinda weather where you could pick shorts or sweatshirts and you’d be good. Sandals or boots you’d be fine too. Being in that sort of place helps your remember what’s important in life. And that some things, like all the fuss about what you have; what you wear, aren’t worth all the fret.

The air feels fresher here.

Even the smell of a moldy camp fridge clears out with a few air fresheners.

Things aren’t perfect in this kind of living, but they really aren’t that big of a deal in the grand scheme of the thing. Having freedom on the road, limits the things that tend to hold you down.

These pine trees seem to clear the air real quick.

While at the same time they help you remember what is important. It’s that feeling of knowing where you are, while also being in a place that is totally new. It’s like being a local who actually gets to enjoy the freshness – the meaningfulness of a place.

It seems when we sit around the same place for too long, we forget how important that place can be.

Same thing with people too, We get into ruts, disagreements, the “normacy” of things and we end up barley able to make it through. But when you’re at a new place and it all seems fresh, but if it wears off in a day or too – that’s too touristy. It seems to me that tourists have a hard time letting the freshness of a new place actually be enjoyable. Because they are not away from home long enough to make that time be meaningful.

You know the moments where people won’t get off their phone or take time to look up at the trees, the mountains, the lakes or the beauty around them? It seems it’s because when we are tourists we become focused so much more on pleasing our likings; the habits of home we fall into so easily, whilst forgetting to enjoy the beauty around us.

Not me, not tonight.

Not on this perfectly cool yet warm evening. The kind of weather I like. Not too hot, not too cold. Just right. Tonight I’m going to sit back and look up at these pine trees overhead. To choose not to be a tourist.

It seems that being on the road does something. It lightens your spirits – it carries your load. Giving you the ability to actually enjoy it.

You find it in between these pine trees. Not too hot, not too cold. Just right.

July 14, 2022 – Mosquito Lake State Park, Ohio. Picnic bench at night.