Daily Commute

So on my way home today - I took a glance to my left and then to my right.  15 miles of my commute every day is along the highway.  And I've driven many different sections of highway all over the country.  On my way home today - I thought, man I'm lucky to have such a beautiful commute.  Today, mixed in with the lush green grass were large masses of lupine and daisies - all gently swaying in the afternoon breeze, just winking up in the sunshine.  Looking at the beautiful expanse... curtained by lush evergreens and trees covered in an array of lush green leaves, I took a moment to be thankful for such a serene and beautiful commute.

I've had commutes that were less attractive.  Less serene.  Less beautiful.  It made me be very thankful that I ended up back in Maine to live.  When I lived in Las Vegas - I has sparkling lights, high rise buildings, dusty sandy parking lots and on a really adventurous commute - a flash flood.  Over the days, the lights twinkle would star to subtly fade as the dust would start to cover everything.  The only time the lights would REALLY sparkle was after a heavy rain.  But with the rain generally came the flash floods, and very slippery oil covered roads.

Here in Maine - my commute I see deer and turkeys.  Sometimes even rabbits and other animals traveling alongside the daily commuters.  The trees buffer one side from the other, giving you a sense that you are traveling in a peaceful place.  Wild flowers dotting the lush green grass.  And even after a rainstorm, the river swells but rarely causes a flash flood.  On one section, after a rain, the ways bounces down the side of ledges, cut years ago when the highway was being built by sticks of dynamite.  After a rain, the pooled water flows over the ledge catching the afternoon sunlight making the water sparkle in its brilliance.

In the winter it is just as beautiful.  Especially after a freshly fallen storm.  Everything is blanketed in a layer of white.  So white you almost need sunglasses from its brilliance.  As the afternoon's sun warms the tops of the trees - the evergreen boughs break through the thick white blanket.  The dark green looking very lush against the white.  The birch trees and other deciduous trees branches stretching out - attempting to hold onto the cold blanket that protects it from winter's biting winds.  But the sun is stronger, and the snow slips from the branches fickle grasp.

That summer waterfall, in the winter ends up encases in thick but crystal clear ice.  The sun glistens over the icicles as they hang precariously from the ledges edge.  The warming afternoon sun, allowing the thick icicles to drip slightly - creating a cold pool of water during the day on the ground below.  Over night, it forms into a small icy pond.  One I'm sure some of those frisky winter rabbits skittle along playing in the winter's blanket of snow.

This section in the winter is also visited by local snowmobilers.  It seems kind of strange to see snowmobiles whipping along the side of the highway - racing at you - as your heading home for the day.  They dart in and out of the tree line, creating a path through the freshly fallen snow.  But I know the next storm will cover up that path, and through it - it the early morning commute, I'll get to see tracks of the deer that gingerly cross the highway in search of winter's meals.

In the fall, the tree line is awash with the colors of the fall leaves.  A painting in the making with white wispy clouds drifting across the still blue sky, three leaves painted in shades of orange, read and gold.  Those few holdouts holding on and sticking it out a bit longer to have the green linger even as the days shorten and the air gets colder.

In the spring, as the winter melts away.  The rivers rise and crest.  Sometimes breaking out of their boundaries and flooding the low area between the northbound and southbound lanes.  But as the weather warms, the earth absorbs the water.  The dirt in the grass begins to fade away as the fresh grass starts to slowly push up.  Soon the best smell in the world will slip through my windows during my commute.  When the DOT workers ride along the sides of the road - mowing the grass.  The first smell of freshly cut glass in the spring.  The renewal of a new season.

Again - my commute is only 20 minutes on the worst day.  But boy am I lucky to have the commute that I do.  Here in Maine.  Where seasons are varied and the views you can encounter - if you take the time to actually look - are truly amazing.  I'm once again humbled to be living in such a beautiful state.  I just love living in Maine - especially after a long day at work. 

Here's hoping that your commute brings you as much joy every day.  And even if you live in a concrete jungle - take the time to notice those little things.  Sometimes our daily commute is the best time of our day!