White sands, you land of mountains gander, you provided for us. That provision came through an 18-year old Texan who goes by the name of Michael. Though we didn’t know it, we needed you – we needed you at the beginning of our trip because though you wandered upon us I believe it was not by accident.
bums ahoy / cc: matt
When Matt offered you to camp with us I’ll admit, I was nervous by no fault of your own. I was nervous because the paranoid part of my mind pivoted to the highly unlikely bad that could ensure instead of the highly probable good. And then, good came swift and full. Camping under the deserts full moon, learning about your life and your travels that mimic ours I realized this:
too hot for pants / cc: megan
Life is to participate - To enjoy the wit and youthfulness of fellow travelers, to stay in the realm of reality and not live in the paranoid cocoon of the beautiful but sometimes unrealistic mind.
cc: matt
We’re all learning. Megan and Josh got lost under the starts and the moon of the great White Sands Monument and though they were troubled and frightened they accepted the help of a White Sands veteran who lead them to the head trail. Matt, Michael and I took a stroll to find the babes and sure enough we did – it was a very romantic moment for me. Holding the hand of my love under the moonlight which covered the dunes of white at every turn I realized this: though I am small and fleeting all my fellow man and I hold insurmountable value in this strange but beautiful world.
cc: kristen
When we woke in the morning my breath was full and conscious. My exhale emptying the fear, my inhale gathering the crystals of Earth and I began to feel full. This feeling is always fleeting, per our curse and cure of human form, and so we are off to search for the next.
cc: megan
Thank you Michael and White Sands. We will always remember you in joy.
Headed west,
Kristen
Listening on repeat – Sheebeen Queen by Rikki Llilonga