Limited bird action today given the potential life birds in the area, but Andy and I managed to find a good spot within walking distance of the hotel just beyond Clark's Bears. The roadside spot was lively with birds and likely contained 4 or 5 more life birds we ddin't count because we didn't get a good enough look to identify.
But, today wasn't all about the birds. The biggest delight for me was to see my Wife be able to hang out with her sister. It seemed to make her to happy to see her and spend time with her.
Jackson and Fiona were still tired from the flight so it wasn't a go go go day like I tend to gravitate toward. We did see the "former" Old Man in the Mountain which I had never seen while it was intact despite living nearby for the first 27 years of my life. In those days, places seemed so much farther away than they do now. I think very little now of a 6 hour rountrip drive. Previously, a trip to New Hampshire seemed to always require overnight accommedations which required funds which I didn't have at that time. I suppose it was also more important to "hang out" with friends, none of which I am currently still in contact with than to go out and experience the world around me.
There were a few times when I was younger when I said I am just going to go out alone because I didn't think anyone else would do it with me or at least it would be impossible to get the schedules to work, The first time was mountain biking and it was ok. It was hot. My bike broke. I hid in a tent to avoid the black flies which made sitting outside intollerable. The second time I traveled alone was to Maine for a whitewater rafting trip which was fantastic.
I think travel is better with friends and family, but there are times when you need to make a choice. Do you wait to get everyone onboard or do you just go? Ultimately, I think you need to find a balance. Sometimes you need to just go or you never will. I think about this in relation to the Old Man in the Mountain which I will never see in the original state. I imagine my friends at the time scoffing at the idea of driving hours just to see rocks which to some look like the profile of and old man carved into granite. Seeing the original state is a missed opportunity for me. It makes me wonder what other missed opportunities might lie ahead that could easily be avoided?
Of course it is always about priorities. But, I am generally bad at prioritizing. For years, I've prioritized work over all else. Then I overcompesate by devoting 90% of my focus to some new area like Marathons, Birding, or Trail Running. I guess part of this leave of absence from work was to find better balance.
Sitting with my wife and her sister just talking...seeing my wife smile...the beauty in her smile...I need to think about my priorities, but make room for as much experience as I can in this short time we have on this planet.
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