Some years ago a fellow monk was given a car which involved a lengthy trip in order to pick it up. She was reticent about going. A friend advised her simply. Don't let the thought of the journey put you off going!

For the next ten days I'll be traveling in Washington and Oregon, by early July I'll be in Idaho. At times during the past week making the arrangements for this trip have become overwhelming. Thankfully there have been opportunities to walk in the forests around here and to spend time with fellow monastics and lay friends too. There were so many details that needed to be dovetailed together, so many variables to juggle. Thankfully the thought of this trip has not put me off making it! I've recycled my friends advice many times over. It has become something of a mantra, Don't let the thought put you off.

Tomorrow I'll be driven to Seattle to catch a ferry to Bainbridge Island. It will be a 40 minute crossing and I'm told I might just see a whale, but at this time of year it's more likely you will see sea lions or seals. And possibly a Dall's porpoise, which looks like a miniature Orca. There may be another more lengthy ferry voyage next week and, if all goes to plan, a very interesting visit which I'll write about. Already the mental gymnastics of the past days are fading.