Multnomah Falls, Oregon

(The last one? I think that's what they call a vista.)

Ally borrowed these words to describe our afternoon at Lan Su Chinese Garden and I thought they were terribly apt:

Most cherished in this mundane world is a place without traffic; 

truly in the midst of a city there can be mountain and forest. 

-Wen Zhengming, poet from the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644)

Living in the Midwest, I dream of mountains and oceans and forests. But I've embraced the landscape, my home, and started working on creating my own mountains and oceans and forests.

My Bensimons traveling around Oregon, soles nearly worn through.

I met up with Anne when I was in Portland last week. She took my portrait and we sat for over two hours drinking coffee and talking about books, and photography, and advice, and life. She's just really talented and an all around great person—you can't have too many of those as friends. (Thanks, Anne.)

I was out of town for ten days and the trip solidified my feeling that travel is essential, at least for me at this point. Every slight change is so significant, moving me closer to that hazy idea I have of myself in old age, understanding every reference and filled with so much knowledge and gladness.

I continue growing.

[PHOTO BY ANNE LUCAS DI ELMO]