I spent eleven days away from Indiana and my apartment and my car and Valpo and I spent little to no time missing it.  I told Dan today that I missed the idea of home, but only for a few days before I will feel ready for another trip somewhere. 

After Dan left I felt alone, utterly alone for the first time since I had left.  I had this moment that crushed me momentarily.  Suddenly I was not going anywhere, no one would be around to confirm the next day's plans, everything stopped.  Though I spent my days in solitary pursuits in Reno, I had Randy to spend time with and Dan and I did not get more than minutes apart each day once we hit the road.  Good, caring people surrounded me on my entire vacation.  The last time I felt such loneliness was when I moved into my own apartment for the first time in the summer of 2001.  Once I started putting things away and sifting through mail I remembered the life I have left behind while exploring the West, and the loneliness has receded.

What a weird sensation to enjoy time alone and look forward to it and also dread it and regret it.  What a contradiction the human condition is!