Two by Two: Couples, Couples Everywhere

I Can’t Be The Only ‘One’

Banff & Jasper National Parks, Alberta, Canada- July 20

Alberta is the province of wild roses-
they're everywhere!

 It seems the vacationing world is full of couples. Couples often my age, sometimes younger; couples sharing the driving, cooking their meals, experiencing the wonders, having some wine at the end of the day. I have barely seen a single person, which can make a person (me) feel out of place. Hell, even John Steinbeck had Charley.

I am reading Travels with Charley in Search of America with enthusiasm and have marked some of his thoughts that totally mirror my own. He has inspired me and also given me pause. John is not afraid to talk about loneliness, and I wonder if I am. Of course he has a partner waiting for him at home, and I do not. So it is in my best interest to focus on not-lonely, which I do. And I love his statement: “There seemed to be no cure for loneliness save for being alone.” Diving into the alone-ness and feeling the length and breadth of it.

I am able to appreciate the couples I see, sharing their down time together. I know it is restorative and I hope they return to regular life with a new appreciation of and closeness with each other.

For me, there is a whole universe inside myself I am still discovering, and ways of enjoying life and my traveling experiences that are new and so fun to feel. The lonely comes on at times, wishing there was someone to hold hands with and enjoy the rush of water or the sun on a mountain, I don’t deny it. But there is a sense of celebration in the solo delight that I can feel, for prolonged stretches, that reminds me that ‘just me’ is just great… for now.

I'm happy to report that Hawaii is not the only land of rainbows. This was taken last night at about 7:30 at my campsite. The sky was still light at 10:30! And then the moon took over and there was no darkness that night.