What is it about staying in a different house that just happens to be in the woods that makes everything feel relaxing? You watch TV, you cook, you play board games, you drink, but for some magical reason, it all feels like vacation.

I’m in Skykomish, Washington (not only did I not know where that was before, I had too google it to find out where I am right now). There’s a river flowing behind the house where we’re staying. There’s a mountain beyond that. I didn’t write yesterday because I was busy coming here, getting groceries, and getting situated. But I realized that I really only need two things when I’m on vacation (I am excluding the obvious – good company – which I have as I’m here with my girlfriend and her family) and that’s fire and pie.

That’s really it. Sure, conversation, a nice walk, some games, some good beer, that’s all great but I need that fire pit in the back yard and I need to make a pie. I was able to do both yesterday.

Perhaps it’s the simplicity of making both versus the joy they provide that makes me like them so much. Flour, butter (vegan substitute for the lady), apples, sugar, and spices. Mix it all up, bake it. Boom. Dessert. Get some sticks, light them on fire, watch them burn, have people gather around them, add bigger and bigger sticks. Boom. Evening entertainment. Maybe it’s an excuse to say that I like doing it for other people. I really like apple pie and I really like watching stuff burn.

I’m a simple man.