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It is February in Fresno. Living in the shadow of the mountains, but yearning for the sea, every year I take two vacations. These vacations are vital to my continued wellbeing.

The winter vacation is next month, when I head east, to the mountains and hike to the peak of Mount Whitney. Breathing in the crystals of cotton peaks makes me feel so alive. Turning in circles to survey nature’s panorama I feel insignificant yet at the same time a part of everything. I return home refreshed and ready to work hard through winter until my summer vacation.

Summer vacations are spent at the seaside, at Carmel by the Sea. An endangered species of squid has a habitat a few miles offshore. I rent a small boat and dive there, watching the squid swim in the sun. The baby squid always leave me with hope for the future.

At 80 years of age, it takes me a little longer to climb Whitney than it used to. The squid are fewer than they were 60 years ago, but they are still carrying on. I think as long as Whitney stands and the squid frolic, so shall I.

The End.

Fandango’s FOWC is shadow, the Word of the Day Challenge is wellbeing, and Paula’s 3 Things Challenge words are squid, cotton, Fresno