Extract from my travel log from around two weeks ago

06h55 up and about Clearwater Creek [state?]

Been on the go for half an hour and all is well. Barely slept though. Not used to the roughing it the way i used to on my first couple of trips, but thats fine by the end of August i will be totally sorted again. Reading through last nights stuff i see that if i do not get my act together then i will definately never publish or be read [is that what this is for?] never even thought about it till now. I will just write and see what happens. The conductor has opened his kiosk and i have drained the first coffee of the day.

Early morning in the hill country, is awesome. the sun is up but still low on the horizon. There is a deep crimson, red glow across the mountains and a sleepy town awakes. The farmer out with his truck filled with milk cans, ready for delivery. you just know he had an early start. The cattle have already been led out to pasture on some properties. The water in the lakes and streams appear to be dead calm and not a ripple to be seen. The river meanders ever so slowly alongside the railway track and at times moves away and later returns based on the lie of the land. The mist will start to clear soon as the sun warms the valley, but till then the suns glow is casting an eiry light across the fields and lands. I look upward through the skylight and thank God for this moment of peace and tranquility. I am in awe of his creation and his endurance to stand by us, even when we have wondered so completely off the path.

The birds are out and scampering across wet grass, eager no doubt for that first feed of the day. Possibly at this time of the year they have a couple of hungry mouths in a nest somewhere to feed. People are filtering through the observation lounge towards the dinning cart. They vary in shape size and colour and each have their own determination based on the state of awakefullness [even though there is no such word i think it sounds appropiate] St Louis is the next stop - and they have announced a stop long enough for a smoke - Ciao