Up where the air is clean and clear

Picture: Vogelsang Peak over Boothe Lake, Yosemite National Park, California

There’s something undeniably special about stepping outside of your tent, stretching, and taking a deep breath of the cool morning air.

Now, several months later, my mind again turns to the thoughts of clean air, as I celebrate a very big personal date. This week marks the three year anniversary since I had my last cigarette. The three year date is special, because that’s the length of time I needed to be tobacco free before I would *officially* be classified as a non-smoker according to the life insurance company.

On occasion, especially outside the local Starbucks, I’ll walk by some smokers, and think to myself how happy that’s not me anymore. Maybe once in awhile, I might take an extra deep breath, but only in so much as to say, “yeah, I remember that.”

What I remember now are those hikes at 10’000 feet, and how much easier they are now because of my choice three years ago.

Now please excuse me while I go call my insurance company, and become 100% officially designated as a “Non-Smoker.”