6/28/21 My companion for the week

We are in Sioux City, Iowa this week - well we are actually camped in North Sioux City which is in South Dakota - but you get the idea.

We traveled here over the weekend through some of the most unexpected scenic countryside - all in the state of Nebraska.

First through the rolling Sand Hills located in the upper north part of the state. Following the Platte River into the town of Grand Island where we visited a really cool museum and enjoyed dinner at a local brewery. Then on Saturday we drove up the west side of the Missouri River in a landscape that could have been Ireland or England. Rolling hills, green fields marked by deciduous trees in full leaf, beautiful barns and farmhouses. It of course helped that it was raining for most of the drive but still, it was so beautiful, and unlike anything we expected to find in Nebraska.

And, in keeping with our hermit travel philosophy we kept to small roads. We couldn’t help noticing that just over the Nebraska border were thousands of cars and semis trucking their way along the Interstate; most likely completely oblivious to the spectacular drive just to the west of them. Slower for sure - but so much more enjoyable.

This morning I awoke and got on my mat. It has been over a week since I last got on my mat for yoga and meditation. This is not a good practice to put aside and I am determined to get back on track. I am hampered by the fact that I cannot do yoga in the camper because it is too small, and I am not really comfortable doing it outside for all the campground to see. Jason has been better about this - getting up super early and doing his practice no matter what. I am wondering if this could have something to do with our extrovert/introvert natures. He is extroverted enough to not worry about spectators, while I on the other hand, want to go hide myself behind a closed door.

But my body is starting to revolt, and this morning I knew it was time to swallow my pride and get out the mat. I set up as close to the camper as I could get, placing all of our camp chairs against the top of the camper in hopes of creating a wall, and then proceeded to lay on my mat - eyes firmly closed.

To help with meditation I turned my body toward the camper with my back to the outside world. As I sat there quietly I had a strange feeling come over me and at once I was aware of the large tree behind me. It felt as if she was joining me in my meditation and wanted to let me know she was there.

She is a beauty - and I have to admit that prior to this morning I had not really noticed that she was there - which goes to show how distracted I have been lately.

I was so grateful for her silent tap on my shoulder that I brought all my work out to the picnic table after morning prayers - so we could spend more time together.

As I sat there admiring her I noticed the large hole where she used to have a limb that must have been lost in some strong event - and yet she survived. I picked off one of her small leaves growing at the base and spent time online discovering what kind of tree she must be. I am not a tree expert but have settled on the possibility that she might be a maple. I had not spent much time with a maple before and her rough bark and large expanse of leaves made me want to seek out more of her companions in the future.

But for this week - we are going to hang out together. She is encouraging me to join her on my mat again in the morning. I am grateful for this invitation as it will be easier to practice with a companion. And she has agreed to shield me as much as possible from prying eyes.

I have a feeling we will be a good companions. I look forward to getting to know each other better in the coming days and sharing our stories. I can tell she has much to tell.