Evening Colors

Beautiful sunset this evening.

Evening Colors - USS Alabama - Mobile, AL

In the cloudless sky this evening, I didn't think any sunset pictures would be any good. I'm pleased to say I still haven't developed any real skill as a fortune teller. Tomorrow will certainly bring another adventure or two, and I'm looking forward to uncovering them.

Quadcopter Sunset

After a bit of travel, I headed out to put in some miles at one of my favorite sunset locations. Distance was not the goal since the weather was spectacular and every now and then one should take some time to enjoy previous rounds of location recon.

I was a little nervous that I'd headed out a bit late, and quite frankly given the lack of broken cloud cover on the horizon, I launched out with a bit of skepticism that the photographic exploits of the evening would amount to much.

Boy was I wrong (which just goes to show you that I'm not much of a fortune teller.  I got down to the beach in Fairhope, AL just in time to prop my feet up on a stormwater outfall and soak in the glorious ending of the day.

Kicked Back - Feet Up - Fairhope, AL

I mean, seriously? I'm getting paid for this? I'm pretty sure I'd do this for free, and to top it all off, I was surrounded by fellow sunchasers.

Fellow Sunchasers (and dog) #2 - Fairhope, AL

Every time I come down to this place, I feel like I get a little bit closer to the Divine. I'm not a great fan of churchiness, but it's hard not to be awed by a power greater than yourself when you see it displayed in all of its glory.

While I was soaking in my good fortune, I noticed that someone was doing the same with the assistance of some augmentation from technology.

Quadcopter at Sunset - Fairhope, AL

Not knowing whether I was under surveillance or not, I decided to go with the civil response and waved a shaka in the general general direction of my robotic overseer. This little guy buzzed around a little, and given the running lights, seems to be facing the sun rather than facing the pilgrim.

On my way back to the car, I ran across the Quadcopter operator who happened to be a photographer as well.  Chris and I talked about Maryland, Alabama, the Navy, Coca Cola, and photography for a thoroughly enjoyable twenty or thirty minutes.  I met his service dog and one of his longtime friends, Cora as well.

Today was another great day for the record books. I don't know what tomorrow will bring, but I'll tell you this...I'm going to keep hitting the trail because it just keeps getting better the more I'm out there walking the path of the pilgrim.

A Brief Note on Libraries

In pursuit of the pilgrimage, I've really grown fond of being outside chasing the sun and putting in miles on the trail. There's a new adventure around every turn, and I've found that the anticipation and the discovery is worth every step in the course of exploration.

Pining for Spring - City Dock - Annapolis, MD

During this time I've found another temple of exploration and adventure. The Library.

I remember reading about the Great Library at Alexandria, Egypt back when I was in middle school.  I also remember heading out to the library in our home town on the weekends with my dad. To be honest, I wasn't always thrilled to be going with him. He'd spend time in the stacks looking up books on fly fishing and camping, and I'd usually be able to find something in the kid or young adult section to occupy my time...once I stopped complaining and buckled down.

Fast Forward to high school and college, and somehow, my view of the library as a hall of drudgery and work became even further entrenched.  It became the place I went to study and put in the grind to get the grades.  I'd avoid it if I could, and when I couldn't stay away, I'd endeavor to make my stay as brief as possible.

It's taken me two decades to get back into the library again after the high school and college experience. That's a real same. During that time, I can't tell you how much money I've spend on books, but you can rest assured that it was in the thousands of dollars. Not a complete waste, but at least a little wasteful.

I'm grateful to be back in this great hall of learning and self-improvement. In addition to being a real money saver over the last six months, I've really come to appreciate the gems of literature that I've stumbled upong wandering the collection. They've all added joy to my life.

If you're a librarian, thanks for waiting patiently for the prodigal son to return. If you only visit the library, please don't take the place for granted like I did for the last twenty years.

I don't know what tomorrow will bring, but I know at least two places I can find peace, learning, and adventure...outside and at the library.