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| Grandpa Bierschwale's Family |
A year ago on this day I was in my all time low. I was in remote Alaska, it was dark, cold, and I felt isolated and alone. Despite my best attempts, it wasn't my home. And after months agonizing, I decided to move on at the end of the summer. I set forth from Alaska this September thinking the answer was travel. Hit the road again, explore, wander. Heading to Europe for an epic journey through Spain and onward.
Sometimes you have to be honest with yourself. And often honesty hurts. Travel can be lonely. It isn't always what it's cracked up to be. Constantly saying hello then goodbye to new friends, hanging your hat a different place each few days, continually being pushed beyond your comfort zone. Things you learn to both love and hate.
Throughout my walk in Spain, the question of "Why are you walking?" was always there. Every day I would ask myself that question and then one day part way through the journey I felt my gut telling me to stop. I had received all I was going to from this journey. With much confusion and a little bit of sadness, I left early.
The month since leaving, what I have come to discover is that at this point I need to find a place to call my home. After so many years of wandering, I need to take some time to be rooted.
Thus I'm going to give it a try. Or maybe I should say give it another try in a place not as cold, dark, and isolated. A place I love getting lost: Montana (although Hawaii was in a close second). I feel a connection and a sense of place here. This weekend I move into a temporary place to work and live in Bozeman. Not sure what will come, but I'm going to give it a go.
I still love to explore and travel. I will always continue frolicking here and there...
