mid-summer meandering

After an overnighter to Minnesota's Mille Lacs (decided to save Whitewater for a future trip) I realized a few things.

1. Sometimes, even when you have a much-needed solo fishing trip planned, just sometimes you have to give in and take the four-legged navigator. I was all packed up & about to leave when I thought I'd do one last check of the house. Ripley was waiting at the door and wouldn't budge. She looked up at me and I waffled. That - and quickly packing some dog food & a bed - was that. Proof at #2.
2. 
3. Driving the Vanagon just plain makes me happy. It doesn't really matter if it isn't for long trips. We're putting more day trips and small journeys on the calendar.
4. The renewed interest in the Summer of Love (see the popularity of peace symbols everywhere) has created a brand new generation of kids flashing the peace sign from cars or from their bikes on the trail, "ex-special-ly at that campervan!"  Giving a "peace sign" back resulted in cheers and total joy.
5. Life is too short.