Driving past open pastures and wooded areas along 840 the other evening, on our way to Cleveland, I was really taken with a feeling I hadn't felt in quite some time. Watching the setting sun to the tune of a long forgotten but favorite album, I thought about the countless number of drives I have made, since meeting Cliff, to a place that was once completely foreign and now almost as familiar as the place I have called home for the last five years. The newness of those first couple of drives have worn out over the years, but Friday, they returned.
Cliff was driving his car in front me of me with our kayaks strapped to the top, as I toted along all of our climbing gear and the rest of our luggage for a holiday weekend at the lake. Smiling, I realized we had almost everything we love and need packed in our cars and were heading home. My mind wandered forward a few years, wondering how it would feel to be heading that direction to settle - permanently - as is currently the path we see ourselves headed down.
That trip alone made the foolish trouble I had been having with the idea of even having my physical residence be in Franklin and not Nashville - Williamson, not Davidson County - much less disconcerting and, perhaps, even comforting. The more time I have spent in that area of Middle Tennessee, which was not unfamiliar to start with, the more I welcome the change of pace, location, even - life.
Our drive was just the start to a great weekend spent climbing, kayaking, and spending time at the lake with family. We went to Leeda on Saturday - our first climbing trip sans Aaron, which meant that while Cliff led each route, I had to, in-turn, lead-belay and clean the routes. That was quite an experience for me, but a good one - especially in the attitude-check and learning departments. After a couple of climbs, Cliff took me up to Little Rock City and I bouldered my first two outdoor problems ever! Sunday, we did the lower portion of the Hiwassee which was about a 10-mile stretch from Highway 411 to the Old Patty Road bridge. It was incredible! Crystal clear water, broad bends, and a TON of fish. We saw Trout, Bass, Carp, Gar, Stripers, Perch, and another yet to be identified fish. And then we came back to the cabin to celebrate my birthday with the fam and... guess what I got for my biiirshdaay... (AN iPOD!) woohoo. So that was awesome.
Monday we ate way too much food (don't you just love having to wear a bathing suit and then being offered really great food) and took a few boat rides before packing up and heading back to Nashville. And here we are. Hung out with Molly and Lauren yesterday, saw Pirates with Casey and Sara last night, am babysitting today and Friday, and then later that day we'll head back to Cleveland with Natalie and Ryan for our shower (excuse me, Tea) on Saturday afternoon and more lake fun! Back and forth, back and forth, and on and on we go.
I love summer!
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