A few nights ago I stayed at a Louisiana rest area.
I arrived after dusk, pulled up next to the Sheriff vehicle and had a nice chat. He recommended I sleep further from the restrooms under a pavillion because he thought people might be less likely to disturb my sleep. At the time, I realised, the only people who have ever interrupted my itinerant slumbers are law officers or security folk. I don't recall ever having been disturbed by a citizen.
I spent the night sleeping at the spot in the photo. As I was snuggling up in bed, pulling the blue tarp over my head to keep myself dry when it rained, and tightening the pullcord on my cocoon sleeping bag to keep the heat in, a thought that often crosses my mind at these moments, crossed it again. I could see the stars, there was a threat of rain, but I was under the eave. I thought 'There is something very wrong with a person with my educational background and professional qualifications who enjoys sleeping rough as much as I.'
I feel so blessed.
