Trip was successful, with a lot of self reflection. I flew out to Seattle for WorldCon. As my friend S decided he couldn't afford to attend due to finances, I ended up rooming with a random conworker found through extended acquittance network. She was a good roommate, but didn't end up socializing with her or really anyone at the con. Still working on accepting that's just how I attend cons, and debating again if it's worth it.

Then caught up with a high school friend over dinner on Sunday night after the con. Which was good, but leaves me thoughts that I need start pushing family to discuss plans for dealing with aging parents.

Monday I went back to the airport to pick up a rental car for my 10 day camping/road trip. Added two more national parks to my visited list, and did a lot of hiking. One thing about experience is that I'm getting better about hiking uphill without bailing. I did bail on one uphill hike, but looking at the map it was a lot of elevation for not much to see and getting later in the day.

There's things I could have done differently if I did more research/planned (timed hike better for ferry ride, been able to float down river I camped next to), but successful. Saw pretty places (Nisqually glacier and Nisqually delta) and some new to me animals (sooty grouse and marmot). I rediscovered that I enjoy meeting and chatting with people while traveling. Most of my trips for the last decade plus have been work or with Tom, and I don't as much.

On the other hand, I'm happy to be home. The air smells right here. I like the smell of both the wet west and dry east parts of Washington, but it's not home. Also, it's screaming tree season back home.