A Remedy For Cabin Fever

 

Before going to Iceland, I was suffering from a particularly bad bout of cabin fever. The kind of cooped-up feeling that leaves you irrationally exacerbated and irritated by everything and nothing in particular. I was so fed up with that disgruntle emotion that all I wanted to do was run away and find my contentment again. 

And I did. Spending time with my folks in the beautiful wild of Iceland, I rediscovered happiness. Everyday was a new adventure and everywhere you looked, no matter the direction or location, there was an unspeakable, indescribable beauty. 

We took a hike on a trail called Hjorleifshofoi outside Vik, a small town. It an incredibly narrow, deep rutted trail that carried you straight up a steep hillside and sweeping meadows till you reached the top of hill and you could see everything - the gray ocean, icy glaciers and huge sweeping lush green plains. The wind was howling and for a moment I had the hilltop to myself. I looked at this landscape and felt utter contentment and bliss. 

When you get that feeling; you don't want it to go away and I wondered as we boarded the flights back to the U.S. and then back to New Mexico if I would return to that gnawing irritation again. But it turns out vacation can be real balm for bad feelings. That glow hasn't faded off. Besides, I am already thinking about the next big trip ...