Night on the dunes

I spend the night on the dunes — first hiking back down to the car to get my tent and sleeping bag and a flashlight, then hiking not quite all the way back up because I’m too tired to walk any further. Poor planning. I could’ve done without the sleeping bag, for that matter; I wind up lying on top of it all night. On the walk I see many kangaroo rats, which are just about the most adorable creatures ever. I wake just before dawn to the buzzing of flies outside; an hour or so later I’m back on the road, with no real idea where I want to go next.

Ethan asked my wife whether I was finding whatever it was I’m looking for out here. I’m not sure exactly what it is, but I think this night might’ve been some of it.