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There's a reason I called it Utopia

By sciencewoman on June 12, 2008.

Utopia

The view from a friend's house. If you look closely (or embiggen) there's a snow-capped peak in the background.

Early this morning, Minnow and I returned to Mystery City from a week-long trip to Utopia, land of my former inhabitance.The trip was a fully-integrated mixture of business and pleasure.

The ostensible purpose was a to write a paper from work that I did during my post-doc. Not a single word was actually written, though we certainly did work hard on refining (making more exciting?!) the project. I also got some materials to use for my new prep next semester and a chance to meet with co-authors about final (i hope) revisions on another paper.

I also got to bask in the company of good friends, extended family, and copious quantities of time with Minnow. I stayed up late talking, took a hike in the cool woods along a rushing mountain river, got to meet babies born after I'd moved on, and children who were mere babes last time I saw them.

wildflower

And today has been a day of rest, laundry, and recovery. For tomorrow, I've got to return to integrating business and pleasure on my home turf. For there are revisions to be completed, papers to be submitted, a beautiful daughter and loving husband to enjoy, and another trip for which to prepare.

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Beautiful pictures. I'm looking forward to an upcoming trip to visit a friend and collaborator. I love the exchange of ideas and it's always nice to return to the familiar. Here's hoping for many equally good trips in the future!