I should have known he'd go swimming. Damn.
I've been waiting for the "best" time to post on Facebook about leaving UMaine. I didn't want to frighten my doctoral students or those in my online writing program. I also didn't want to depress my colleagues who have to take up the slack! In the end, as I wrote to a new colleague today, I really just wanted to control the narrative. I am a former high school teacher, and when we lose hold of the narrative in our classrooms... well, it's just not pretty. Been there, done that.
Yesterday, I did the deal on Facebook. Lots of former students, colleagues, friends and family commented. I got teary-eyed at times and loved reading the notes and seeing the emojis. The afternoon of reading felt a lot like a retirement party but without the messiness of people.
After multiple rain storms and an take-out lasagna dinner, a front pulled through and the air grew autumn cool and clear. After a week of heat and humidity, I couldn't stand being inside with such weather! So, I changed, packed up my gear, and headed to Whitecap for a twilight hike.
Two things to remember: 1) Never go hiking without telling people where you are. 2) Never go hiking at night if you haven't checked your headlamp's battery strength.
Strike #1. Strike #2. Fortunately, nothing happened except the sun went down earlier than expected. Stupid is as stupid does.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZo5GN6500I7-5v7-j4ov1hZEYvrOAjW2Wv8-EZoWmVyM97V34Z6ZXPcUXIaT5fWcZ21b8G7CO5j4ko3iGC7HWVZOSx8Bc11MJY2pVYjLtN5UwRDv2UvLo6MdSrXpfwwPvBF_4wG9UR91/s320/1+Whitecap+twilight.jpg) |
No one on the trails. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimC4XDHx25WFAolkj3D05rU12qF0BZmB-YU8yumJsfX_Ks9SmTH_RXqN5HMWAZAcNADXdrOrfFjyUL2G6yXboV-4orx9wXN2OGLCBhW6-AH-OquKVlCHVhjE6fSFhkM4CKyXi9pCJv0iyb/s320/3+Whitecap+Twilight.jpg) |
Damn x 2. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1gitQRI1s_r3y0GF-Q_K8kgtwUbxEW-QHgRi_RWo-IUo6x8NqGaSlp4Yv2Mm9Tetg_kEVD0nywLBc0e94IqhJEK0yUyeQf1c3NIzOpCHtPIfqIA09oJkBBJI5ZUF4un2dVoQcpmTY-HpO/s320/4+Whitecap+Twilight.jpg) |
Love these woods. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrWEYjJxRyQinlepg3lJiQORnPOemWAuU1GNbZBQ3592O1EJwEMH2pGqYU0DoX7CfViq2FkBPJdBFyxeoWQhl4gVMbLHYoKfySiOGcsoM6L5ZGgjIxAwSik3D1fal1UKGNxIuYcBV_52o/s320/6+Whitecap+Twilight.jpg) |
Yes, I'm coming. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqlFraL28Q6a_BB3ihxHEKCXqCumAh8aSlqnlUPOHwtxosBPEFKGw3ISl4edqGqXwhviCcMEjCvwDHagPKUt8lU4nttum_DKQIGQY_fCm1F9cnMUrIjnod-3nMyuaUY3Bpd1Gzpcpeim0J/s320/8+Whitecap+Twilight+sunset.jpg) |
Sunset. Oops. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahqDCGrm-xUc8iTnfRzsIKZg8Imm6EFSdrWqj-I1KDwrPdMpM0y786tQMAT0Vtc5ljEDEc7qIvaJLu-lpaQBnMUnEjRyj7yPui2-tA5wtQeUBfwa-UewIM8x4a5LXJX4sbnzZ8VC7aw_-/s320/10+Whitecap+Twilight.jpg) |
We turned back here. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBOv1wTfn1KC50HN4Pv2-RO9_KlKTC7HyTT4Ks19Mzfw8Pl2Z80oqQhGNHvJRgn_7-BGU1X7x5Rd5HtLteozkA90_n1xu8JbRz4tE9npTWCzmxGOn-L_05rJDxMzJ-b6NtSJquYunNR5x2/s320/12+Whitecap+Twilight.jpg) |
The lamp lasted for the final 30 minutes |