Water

Water….

Water is one of the most abundant molecules on earth, and all living things require it.  And yet, according the United Nations, more than 2 billion people world-wide lack access to clean drinking water.  Here in California, the Shasta Dam controls mountain run-off allowing people in low levels to live a viable life.

Water will always find the way of least resistance.  Sometimes I consider myself doing the same, dammed up only to wait, and then a crack forms allowing movement to flow in many directions.  Metaphorically, we are finding our way…

But literally, we have cooler storage problems.  Purchased roughly ten years ago from one of our famous box retailers, I brought along two soft coolers.  They are perfect for a summer’s day.  Picnic in the park sort of coolers…

By day two, the first had broken.  The zipper snapped from the demands of new career.  Dreams of intense cooling, and the skills for refrigeration were not in the cards for this light weight.  Bright colors and fun were as far as his ambitions would take him.

Still positive, I felt confident with my favorite of the two soft pouches, the heavy duty bag.  It holds approximately two meals of kale and cauliflower.  The zipper is stout, and has never failed.  Feeling confident, I was on track to minimalism and frugality…. Until, water found a way out.

A small crack, I’m sure, completely undetected.

Luckily, Henry and I decided to check The Sportsman Warehouse in Redding, CA before our trip to Lassen.  While there, it was highly recommended to purchase bear-proof gear when going up to the mountains.  So, we in invested in a Yeti.

Yikes, I was deep breathing at the expense but swiftly loaded it up with ice and provisions.  Now convinced, life will somehow be more relaxing with a Yeti.

Until I lifted this heavy weight, loading up the van, and saw a leak.  A leak!  Water found its way along the seal and broke through.  Water is always finding its way… abundant and persistent, most likely, excited to reach our next destination, lake of abundance, Lake Tahoe.