"Not all those who wander are lost."

Caspar David Friedrich - The Wanderer Above the Mists - 1818

Every year around this time, when the skies shadow over with clouds and the trees are laid bare, I have this inexplicable urge to come out of my Hobbit hole and go on some sort of grand adventure...some sort of wandering journey.  Of course, this is probably the busiest season of the entire year, so when would I really be able to get away, and...well...where would I go for that matter.  But, none-the-less, when the Autumn season arrives I itch to have a purpose greater than my daily routine.  I lose all ability to concentrate, and I long to stray from this place.

Since I'm not usually able...hey who am I kidding, since I'm NEVER ABLE to exit the daily grind....I always end up being prone to day dreams, and I find my nose (more than usual) stuck in a book full of adventure, heroism, and bravery.  One of my all time favorites is J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.  I think I've read it close to ten times now....and I'm ....errmmm...reading it again.

One sort of interesting thing though about reading it this time....I have a real life pictorial reference to help me along in my imaginary journey.  My dear friend Laura, over at Janus-at-the-door, has been recently posting pictures of her trip to England.  Take a look at some of her images, HERE, and you will see what I mean....

J.R.R. Tolkien

Farewell we call to hearth and hall!

Though wind may blow and rain may fall,

We must away ere break of day

Far over wood and mountain tall.

To Rivendell, where Elves yet dwell

In glades beneath the misty fell,

Through moor and waste we ride in haste,

And whither then we cannot tell.

With foes ahead, behind us dread,

Beneath the sky shall be our bed,

Until at last our toil be passed,

Our journey done, our errand sped.

We must away!  We must away!

We ride before the break of day!

- Frodo, in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Fellowship of the Ring