Thanks, Past Self

As I expected, I had a great time yesterday -- even with a long "dread everything" stage.  Full circle, ending with happy (I first wrote this as a "happy ending" ... word placement matters lol!!).

The hike was fun and not hard ... good jaunt through the trails -- guess I was ready enough.  Lots of conversations about travel, retirement and hiking -- plus enough silent intervals to enjoy the mountain.  I met one of the other hike leaders and he gave me the lowdown about his hikes -- l'll be on the lookout for some interesting ones.  The Happy Rocks we left on Sunday were gone -- that always makes me smile.

Random old kitchen?
Would love to know the story.

Hike leader.  She's 78 -- amazing.

Heard from my girlfriend who had her first vacation day in Madrid yesterday.  She was at a restaurant we recommended, eating what we recommended.  Sharing an experience with good friends -- weeks apart, but still together.

Before I left for the charity event, I texted the woman who introduced me to Refuge Coffee.  She was an adopter through the dog rescue who happened to be wearing a shirt that caught my eye.  Anyway, we had a really nice text exchange and she's expecting to move back to ATL this fall.  If so, we are planning to reconnect.  I'm very glad I reached out -- FS thing.

The drive to the charity event was easy.  Parking was no issue.  I met incredible people, had deep conversations and silly conversations, ate delicious food prepared by refugee women working to get their restaurant license and learned a lot about this community.  So much fun.  

There's a mural on the wall that I enjoyed.  Artist signed it and turns out I know her (also through the dog rescue).  Small, small world.

The drive home was horrible.  So much construction for this massive project that's about a decade long -- hard to see lines and lanes and exits.  My new glasses prescription is still an adjustment too.  I JUST got though the closure of all the exits for overnight work.  The police were behind me closing off the roads.  It was a little white knuckling the first half of the drive, but I made it.

Shout out to my past self -- she hooked me up with a great day. 

Happy Friday.  Off to lunch and shop with my aunties.  Then dog sitting begins.  Later gators.