Lost and found

View from near our hotel early this morning.

Everything is as it was, I discover when I reach my destination, and everything has changed.

~ Michael Frayn

M and I got lost somewhere in Maryland on our way home today.  But you know what they say.  It’s the journey, not the destination.  So we enjoyed the journey.  It was a fine day to get lost.  The sky was the most amazing shade of autumn blue with nary a cloud to be seen (until we neared Ohio where I sometimes think clouds are born).

This evening's view of the pond.

Somehow we found our way.  We traveled further south than intended, enjoying the fall foliage and the beautiful day as we traveled along the ridge of a mountain on a gravel road for what seemed like miles and miles and miles.  In truth, it was about 9 miles total.  Funny how it seems longer and further when you’re lost and there aren’t many signs of civilization.  Stopping to ask for directions was out of the question as there was no one to ask.  No street signs.  No maps.  Just the mountain ridge, the gravel road, the occasional hunting cabin or camp (with no hunters around), and the gorgeous scenery.  I’m surprised we didn’t come across any wildlife during our excursion.  No deer.  No bears.  Not even a chipmunk or a squirrel.  I am also surprised at how much wilderness there is in the western portion of Maryland.

The trip home was a little longer than expected, but well worth the extra time.  I’ll tell you more about it soon.  In the meantime, we are home safe and as sound as we ever were.  There doesn’t appear to be too much change around the pond, but it’s hard to say for sure until I get out there and take a walk.  We arrived home just before sunset and didn’t have time for a walk after we unloaded the car and spent a little time with Izzy and Bella (the cats) who obviously missed us very much.  (That may not be entirely true.  I’ve found out that my directions on feeding the cats were not clear.  As a result, our chubby kitties are now sleek and slim, and are madly in love with me now that they’ve had their usual servings of food this evening.  Their warm welcome home to us was probably more of a glad to see some food for a change.)

Time for me to go unpack and unwind.  I have lots of photos to share, and will be back with some tomorrow if all goes as planned.  Thanks for dropping by.  If you’ve had the opportunity to get lost lately, I hope it was as enjoyable as the detour M and I inadvertently took today.

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