The Essentials Spring-Summer

At the bend in the winding road, the landscape opens up onto the estuary. On the horizon, the river and sky merge. A silvery light radiates from this thin thread. Our gaze rests on it and we imagine thousands of fish swimming on the surface of the water. Distracted, our legs come to a halt and we glide along in the wind to the sound of clicking. Our hands clench until we come to a stop. The water has receded and the sand beneath our feet is damp. We are transported back in time, seeing ourselves walking along the shore in search of treasures. Reflexively, our hands slip a few pebbles into the pockets of our jersey. It's time to get back on the road.

The route takes us back inland. Across the fields, tall grasses and wildflowers sway in the wind. The scents of the surroundings are blown into our faces and into our wheels. We can still detect the lingering scent of the salty air. The fields suddenly give way to forests, and birds fly overhead, tracing large curves through the canopy. Watching them, we understand the full extent of their freedom. At times, the trees stretch their branches down to the road. The sun filters through the foliage and our bodies in motion nimbly weave their way through the beam of light. 

We have traveled a long way. In the distance, we think we can see hills, but we finally recognize the peaks of mountains. Their image stays with us. We draw from memory their rocky slopes dotted with conifers that stubbornly grow there. We stare at them periodically, and each time, they seem to grow larger. We are almost there.

Tomorrow, we will return to the riverbanks.