I wake up and text Alex to see where we’re going. He texts back, “Pacifica.” I dress and pack a bag. We drive along the pacific coast highway. I play music on Alex’s stereo. The blues in the sky are beautiful.

I catch again the sense of moving forward without any effort and enjoying the passing scenery. The ocean and a concept of never-endingness to the right and mountains standing in wait to the left. Making progress toward an unattainable (and thankfully so) point in the distance where the road hugs into a singularity with the horizon.

During the climb we talk. Mostly I look at my feet and focus on my breathing. At the top, I hallucinate. The ocean and sky blues melt together. Sitting, holding my knees, with my eyes closed. My meditation is easier than usual—not for being at the top of the mountain but for having climbed it. My body is exhausted and so is happy not to be noticed by my mind which focuses instead on the blood orange backs of my eyelids.

The hike down is shorter, as usual. We drive the same beautiful highway route back home.