{"id":19172,"date":"2026-05-02T07:00:25","date_gmt":"2026-05-02T13:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thovanyenson.com\/?p=19172"},"modified":"2026-05-01T14:59:55","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T20:59:55","slug":"han-toi-tap-hai","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thovanyenson.com\/?p=19172","title":{"rendered":"H\u1eafn & T\u00f4i \u2013 T\u1eadp Hai – He and I – Another Chapter"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

(M\u1ed9t chuy\u1ebfn \u0111i, hai mi\u1ec1n k\u00fd \u1ee9c)<\/em><\/p>\n

Kho\u1ea3ng tr\u01b0a Th\u1ee9 S\u00e1u, v\u1eabn nh\u01b0 m\u1ecdi ng\u00e0y, t\u00f4i \u201cthi\u1ec1n internet\u201d \u2013 m\u1ed9t ki\u1ec3u thi\u1ec1n c\u1ee7a th\u1eddi \u0111\u1ea1i khi m\u00e0 cu\u1ed9c bon chen \u0111\u00e3 ng\u1eebng l\u1ea1i, nh\u1ecbp s\u1ed1ng ch\u1eadm l\u1ea1i v\u00e0 \u0111\u01b0\u01a1ng nhi\u1ec7m ch\u1ee9c Ch\u1ee7 T\u1ecbch Nh\u00e0 B\u00e1o. Trong l\u00fac \u0111\u00f3, nh\u00e0 t\u00f4i c\u0169ng \u0111ang mi\u1ec7t m\u00e0i v\u1edbi c\u00f4ng vi\u1ec7c c\u1ee7a s\u1edf v\u1edbi m\u1ed9t d\u00e0n \u0111i\u1ec7n to\u00e1n \u0111\u1ed1i di\u1ec7n trong gian b\u1ebfp \u2013 n\u01a1i n\u00e0ng c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 nh\u00ecn ra m\u1ea3nh v\u01b0\u1eddn xanh ng\u00e1t ph\u00eda sau qua hai vu\u00f4ng c\u1eeda k\u00ednh l\u1edbn; n\u01a1i n\u00e0ng c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 \u0111\u1ee9ng d\u1eady l\u00e0m \u0111\u1ee7 lo\u1ea1i b\u00e1nh tr\u00e1i cho t\u00f4i th\u1eed khi m\u1ecfi m\u1ec7t ho\u1eb7c khi c\u00f3 nhi\u1ec1u \u00e1p l\u1ef1c c\u00f4ng vi\u1ec7c.
\n<\/p>\n

Kh\u00f4ng gian y\u00ean t\u0129nh, quen thu\u1ed9c, \u0111\u1ebfn m\u1ee9c n\u1ebfu kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 g\u00ec x\u1ea3y ra th\u00ec t\u00f4i v\u1eabn ca b\u00e0i\u2026 m\u1ed9t ng\u00e0y nh\u01b0 m\u1ecdi ng\u00e0y; th\u1eddi gian s\u1ebd \u00eam ru tr\u00f4i qua nh\u01b0 bao ng\u00e0y kh\u00e1c.<\/p>\n

B\u1ed7ng c\u00f3 ti\u1ebfng \u0111i\u1ec7n tho\u1ea1i reo. Nh\u00ecn v\u00e0o m\u00e0n h\u00ecnh th\u1ea5y t\u00ean c\u1ee7a H\u1eafn. T\u00f4i b\u1ed1c \u0111i\u1ec7n tho\u1ea1i l\u00ean, b\u00ean kia \u0111\u1ea7u d\u00e2y v\u1eabn c\u00e1i gi\u1ecdng Hu\u1ebf lai c\u0103ng c\u1ee7a H\u1eafn:<\/p>\n

–\t\u00ca T., \u0111i Pensacola ch\u01a1i kh\u00f4ng? <\/p>\n

C\u00e2u h\u1ecfi \u0111\u1ebfn b\u1ea5t ng\u1edd nh\u01b0 m\u1ed9t c\u01a1n gi\u00f3 l\u1ea1 gi\u1eefa tr\u01b0a h\u00e8. T\u00f4i ch\u01b0a k\u1ecbp ph\u1ea3n \u1ee9ng, h\u1eafn \u0111\u00e3 n\u00f3i ti\u1ebfp \u0111\u1ec3 gi\u1ea3i th\u00edch cho l\u1eddi m\u1eddi b\u1ea5t ch\u1ee3t.<\/p>\n

–\tTh\u1ee9 Hai xu\u1ed1ng \u0111\u00f3 ch\u01a1i v\u00e0i h\u00f4m. Nh\u00e2n ti\u1ec7n v\u1ee3 ch\u1ed3ng b\u1ea1n gi\u00fap t\u1ee5i m\u00ecnh xem l\u1ea1i c\u0103n nh\u00e0 l\u1ea7n tr\u01b0\u1edbc t\u1ee5i m\u00ecnh c\u00f9ng th\u00edch. Nh\u1edb c\u0103n nh\u00e0 ch\u1ec9 c\u00e1ch bi\u1ec3n m\u1ed9t con \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng kh\u00f4ng? Ch\u1ee7 nh\u00e0 c\u00f3 v\u1ebb ch\u1ecbu ch\u1ecbu b\u00e1n v\u1edbi gi\u00e1 c\u1ea3 h\u1ee3p l\u00fd. <\/p>\n

T\u00f4i im l\u1eb7ng v\u00e0i gi\u00e2y. Trong \u0111\u1ea7u hi\u1ec7n l\u00ean ngay h\u00ecnh \u1ea3nh chuy\u1ebfn \u0111i h\u1ed3i th\u00e1ng Gi\u00eang – b\u1ed1n \u0111\u1ee9a ch\u00fang t\u00f4i lang thang \u1edf v\u00f9ng bi\u1ec3n Perdido Key, ch\u1ea1y t\u1eeb c\u0103n nh\u00e0 n\u00e0y sang c\u0103n kh\u00e1c nh\u01b0 nh\u1eefng ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u201c\u0111i t\u00ecm m\u1ed9t gi\u1ea5c m\u01a1 th\u1ee9 hai\u201d. H\u1eafn cho bi\u1ebft, Lan \u2013 v\u1ee3 h\u1eafn – kh\u00f4ng c\u00f2n c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 \u1edf tr\u00ean v\u00f9ng n\u00fai cao \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c n\u1eefa m\u00e0 ph\u1ea3i xu\u1ed1ng v\u00f9ng bi\u1ec3n m\u1edbi \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c. T\u00f4i m\u1ec9m c\u01b0\u1eddi ngh\u0129 trong \u0111\u1ea7u, \u201cWhoa c\u00e1i b\u1ec7nh n\u1ea7y h\u01a1i shang \u00e0 nghen.\u201d \ud83d\ude1c<\/p>\n

Ch\u00fang t\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 \u0111i loanh quanh r\u1ea5t nhi\u1ec1u c\u0103n \u0111\u1eb9p, nh\u01b0ng c\u00f3 m\u1ed9t c\u0103n khi\u1ebfn c\u1ea3 b\u1ed1n c\u00f9ng d\u1eebng l\u1ea1i l\u00e2u h\u01a1n m\u1ed9t ch\u00fat.<\/p>\n

C\u0103n nh\u00e0 kh\u00e1 l\u1edbn, c\u00f3 hai t\u1ea7ng l\u1ea7u, m\u00e1i l\u1ee3p m\u1ed9t lo\u1ea1i t\u00f4n d\u00e0y ch\u1ed1ng r\u1ec9 s\u00e9t, \u1edf g\u1ea7n cu\u1ed1i cul de sac. Ph\u00eda sau tr\u0169ng th\u1ea5p v\u00e0 xa h\u01a1n ch\u00fat l\u00e0 tri\u1ec1n \u0111\u1ed3i th\u1ea5p, tr\u00f4ng r\u1ea5t h\u1ea5p d\u1eabn. Chung quanh nh\u00e0, ng\u01b0\u1eddi ch\u1ee7 s\u1eeda so\u1ea1n r\u1ea5t khang trang. Khi \u0111\u1ee9ng tr\u00ean l\u1ea7u nh\u00ecn ra, th\u1ea5y bi\u1ec3n xanh th\u1eb3m, th\u1ea5y s\u00f3ng b\u1ea1c \u0111\u1ea7u. T\u1eeb nh\u00e0 ra bi\u1ec3n ch\u1ec9 c\u1ea7n b\u0103ng qua m\u1ed9t con \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng nh\u1ecf l\u00e0 ch\u1ea1m c\u00e1t. M\u1ed9t kho\u1ea3ng c\u00e1ch v\u1eeba \u0111\u1ee7 \u0111\u1ec3 m\u1ed7i b\u00ecnh minh \u0111i b\u1ed9 ra bi\u1ec3n; v\u1eeba \u0111\u1ee7 \u0111\u1ec3 m\u1ed7i ho\u00e0ng h\u00f4n \u0111\u1ee9ng tr\u00ean ban c\u00f4ng nh\u00ecn n\u1eafng v\u00e0ng r\u01a1i tr\u00ean m\u1eb7t n\u01b0\u1edbc. M\u1ed9t c\u0103n nh\u00e0 l\u00fd t\u01b0\u1edfng m\u00e0 gi\u00e1 c\u1ea3 c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 afford \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c<\/p>\n

M\u1ed9t c\u0103n nh\u00e0\u2026 kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i \u0111\u1ec3 khoe, m\u00e0 th\u00edch h\u1ee3p v\u1edbi ho\u00e0n c\u1ea3nh c\u1ee7a h\u1ecd. H\u1eafn cho bi\u1ebft c\u0103n nh\u00e0 tr\u00ean n\u00fai Pagosa Springs \u0111\u00e3 b\u00e1n \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c n\u00ean ph\u1ea3i t\u00ecm mua m\u1ed9t c\u0103n kh\u00e1c ngay b\u1eb1ng gi\u00e1 \u0111\u1ec3 tr\u00e1nh \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c thu\u1ebf capital gain.
\nSau khi g\u00e1c m\u00e1y, t\u00f4i quay sang v\u1ee3.<\/p>\n

–\tAnh ch\u1ecb Thu\u1eadn r\u1ee7 m\u00ecnh Th\u1ee9 Hai t\u1edbi l\u00e1i xe tr\u1edf l\u1ea1i bi\u1ec3n Perdido Key ch\u01a1i v\u00e0i ng\u00e0y, nh\u00e2n ti\u1ec7n xem k\u1ef7 l\u1ea1i c\u0103n nh\u00e0 mu\u1ed1n mua. Xong r\u1ed3i tu\u1ea7n k\u1ebf ti\u1ebfp l\u00e1i xe \u0111i Pagosa Springs m\u1ea5y h\u00f4m \u0111\u1ec3 close deal v\u00e0 d\u1ecdn \u00edt v\u1eadt d\u1ee5ng c\u00f2n l\u1ea1i. M\u00ecnh \u0111i \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c kh\u00f4ng em? <\/p>\n

C\u00e2u tr\u1ea3 l\u1eddi, nh\u01b0 th\u01b0\u1eddng l\u1ec7, r\u1ea5t th\u1ef1c t\u1ebf:<\/p>\n

–\tAnh \u0111i ch\u01a1i v\u1edbi hai anh ch\u1ecb \u0111i, em \u0111ang l\u00e0m vi\u1ec7c m\u00e0. <\/p>\n

T\u00f4i c\u01b0\u1eddi. Bi\u1ebft l\u00e0 s\u1ebd kh\u00f4ng d\u1ec5, nh\u01b0ng c\u0169ng kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u1ecbnh b\u1ecf cu\u1ed9c s\u1edbm.<\/p>\n

–\tEm l\u00e0m online m\u00e0. \u0110i v\u00e0i h\u00f4m \u0111\u1ed5i gi\u00f3. <\/p>\n

–\t\u0110i b\u1ea5t t\u1eed v\u1eady sao xin ph\u00e9p \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c! Pagosa Springs th\u00ec c\u00f3 th\u1ec3.<\/p>\n

–\tAnh r\u1ea5t mu\u1ed1n \u0111i\u2026 m\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng mu\u1ed1n \u0111i m\u1ed9t m\u00ecnh.
\nC\u00e2u n\u00e0y c\u00f3 v\u1ebb \u201ct\u00ecnh c\u1ea3m\u201d, nh\u01b0ng th\u1eadt ra r\u1ea5t th\u1eadt. Nh\u1eefng chuy\u1ebfn \u0111i ki\u1ec3u n\u00e0y, n\u1ebfu thi\u1ebfu ng\u01b0\u1eddi b\u00ean c\u1ea1nh, t\u1ef1 nhi\u00ean m\u1ea5t \u0111i m\u1ed9t n\u1eeda th\u00fa vui.<\/p>\n

Sau v\u00e0i v\u00f2ng \u201cth\u01b0\u01a1ng l\u01b0\u1ee3ng ngo\u1ea1i giao\u201d, v\u1ee3 t\u00f4i b\u1eaft \u0111\u1ea7u xi\u00eau l\u00f2ng. Cu\u1ed1i c\u00f9ng, ph\u01b0\u01a1ng \u00e1n \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c th\u00f4ng qua, n\u1ebfu \u0111i sau tr\u01b0a Th\u1ee9 Ba sau khi n\u00e0ng v\u00e0o v\u0103n ph\u00f2ng.<\/p>\n

T\u00f4i g\u1ecdi l\u1ea1i cho h\u1eafn. Trong phone h\u1eafn t\u1ecf \u00fd b\u1ea5t ng\u1edd l\u00e0 ch\u00fang t\u00f4i c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 \u0111i ngay nh\u01b0 v\u1eady. H\u1eafn n\u00f3i r\u1ea5t vui v\u1ebb \u0111i\u1ec1u ch\u1ec9nh th\u1eddi gian \u0111\u1ec3 c\u00f9ng \u0111i sau tr\u01b0a Th\u1ee9 Ba. <\/p>\n

* * *<\/center>
\nBi\u1ec3n \u2013 n\u01a1i m\u1ecdi th\u1ee9 ch\u1eadm l\u1ea1i<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chuy\u1ebfn \u0111i b\u1eaft \u0111\u1ea7u gi\u1ea3n d\u1ecb nh\u01b0 v\u1eady.<\/p>\n

Th\u1ee9 Ba, 2 gi\u1edd chi\u1ec1u, t\u00f4i \u0111\u00f3n nh\u00e0 t\u00f4i \u1edf s\u1edf, ch\u1ea1y th\u1eb3ng t\u1edbi nh\u00e0 h\u1eafn. B\u1ed1n ng\u01b0\u1eddi l\u00ean xe. Kh\u00f4ng k\u1ebf ho\u1ea1ch ph\u1ee9c t\u1ea1p. Kh\u00f4ng h\u00e0nh l\u00fd r\u01b0\u1eddm r\u00e0. M\u1ed9t chuy\u1ebfn \u0111i \u0111\u00fang ngh\u0129a \u201croad trip\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u0110\u00eam \u0111\u00f3 ng\u1ee7 \u1edf song b\u00e0i L\u2019auberge \u1edf Lake Charles. D\u00f9 v\u1eady, c\u1ea3 b\u1ed1n ng\u01b0\u1eddi ch\u00fang t\u00f4i \u0111\u1ec1u kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 m\u00e1u c\u1edd b\u1ea1c n\u00ean ch\u1ec9 \u0103n ngon, ngo\u1ea1n c\u1ea3nh, r\u1ed3i ng\u1ee7\u2026 R\u1ed3i s\u00e1ng h\u00f4m sau, ti\u1ebfp t\u1ee5c h\u00e0nh tr\u00ecnh.<\/p>\n

Pensacola \u0111\u00f3n ch\u00fang t\u00f4i b\u1eb1ng m\u1ed9t th\u1ee9 kh\u00ed h\u1eadu r\u1ea5t kh\u00e1c. Kh\u00f4ng gay g\u1eaft nh\u01b0 Texas, m\u00e0 \u00eam \u0111\u1ec1m h\u01a1n nhi\u1ec1u, th\u00eam ti\u1ebfng s\u00f3ng v\u1ed7 v\u00e0 b\u1edd c\u00e1t tr\u1eafng tinh kh\u00f4i ch\u1ea1y d\u00e0i v\u00f4 t\u1eadn. <\/p>\n

C\u0103n nh\u00e0\u2026 v\u1eabn n\u1eb1m \u0111\u00f3 nh\u01b0 trong k\u00fd \u1ee9c. Nh\u01b0ng l\u1ea7n n\u00e0y, n\u00f3 c\u00f3 v\u1ebb \u201cg\u1ea7n g\u0169i\u201d h\u01a1n.<\/p>\n

H\u1eafn cho bi\u1ebft ng\u01b0\u1eddi ch\u1ee7 nh\u00e0 r\u1ea5t t\u1eed t\u1ebf v\u00e0 r\u1ed9ng l\u00f2ng cho ch\u00fang t\u00f4i \u1edf free<\/em> m\u1ea5y ng\u00e0y \u0111\u1ec3 t\u1ef1 do chi\u00eam nghi\u1ec7m, \u0111\u1ec3 feel c\u00e1i ownership<\/em>. Ch\u00fang t\u00f4i \u0111i t\u1eebng ph\u00f2ng. M\u1edf t\u1eebng c\u00e1nh c\u1eeda. Nh\u00ecn t\u1eebng g\u00f3c nh\u1ecf. Nh\u01b0ng th\u1eadt ra, ai c\u0169ng bi\u1ebft, quy\u1ebft \u0111\u1ecbnh \u0111\u00e3 g\u1ea7n nh\u01b0 c\u00f3 s\u1eb5n. Ch\u1ec9 l\u00e0 c\u1ea7n th\u00eam m\u1ed9t l\u1ea7n \u201cch\u1ea1m m\u1eb7t\u201d n\u1eefa \u0111\u1ec3 c\u00f3 quy\u1ebft \u0111\u1ecbnh \u0111\u00fang \u0111\u1eafn.<\/p>\n

Nh\u1eefng ng\u00e0y \u1edf \u0111\u00f3 tr\u00f4i qua nh\u1eb9 nh\u01b0 gi\u00f3. Bu\u1ed5i s\u00e1ng \u0111i tr\u00ean c\u00e1t m\u1ecbn. Bu\u1ed5i chi\u1ec1u ng\u1ed3i ng\u1eafm ho\u00e0ng h\u00f4n. Tr\u01b0a, t\u1ed1i \u0111i \u0103n\u2026 v\u00e0 th\u1eed \u201ccho bi\u1ebft\u201d h\u1ebft nh\u1eefng nh\u00e0 h\u00e0ng m\u00e0 d\u00e2n \u0111\u1ecba ph\u01b0\u01a1ng hay nh\u1eafc t\u1edbi. Cu\u1ed9c s\u1ed1ng b\u00ecnh th\u1ea3n, vui v\u1ebb, \u0111\u1ee7 \u0111\u1ec3 th\u1ea5y m\u00ecnh \u0111ang s\u1ed1ng nh\u1eefng chu\u1ed7i ng\u00e0y cu\u1ed1i \u0111\u1eddi th\u1eadt tuy\u1ec7t v\u1eddi.<\/p>\n

Trong th\u1eddi gian \u1edf \u0111\u00e2y, ch\u00fang t\u00f4i c\u0169ng xem \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c m\u1ed9t c\u0103n kh\u00e1c, gi\u00e1 ch\u1ec9 h\u01a1n c\u0103n hi\u1ec7n t\u1ea1i kh\u00f4ng nhi\u1ec1u l\u1eafm… nh\u01b0ng m\u1edbi v\u00e0o nh\u00e0, nh\u00ecn ngang ng\u00f3 d\u1ecdc ai c\u0169ng tr\u1ea7m tr\u1ed3, th\u00edch \u01a1i l\u00e0 th\u00edch! Th\u00edch gh\u00ea l\u1eafm! Ch\u1ec9 l\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 mua v\u00ec lu\u1eadt c\u1ea5m kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c cho thu\u00ea ng\u1eafn h\u1ea1n nh\u1eefng l\u00fac ch\u1ee7 nh\u00e2n kh\u00f4ng s\u1eed d\u1ee5ng. <\/p>\n

V\u1ee3 ch\u1ed3ng h\u1eafn t\u00ecm mua c\u0103n nh\u00e0 ngh\u1ec9 d\u01b0\u1ee1ng ch\u1ee9 kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i l\u00e0 n\u01a1i th\u01b0\u1eddng tr\u00fa. N\u1ebfu kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 cho thu\u00ea th\u00ec kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 \u0111\u1ee7 chi ph\u00ed v\u1eadn h\u00e0nh l\u00e2u d\u00e0i. Th\u1ebf n\u00ean, \u0111\u00e0nh xu\u00fdt xoa r\u1eddi \u0111i v\u00e0 quy\u1ebft \u0111\u1ecbnh kh\u00f4ng xem c\u0103n n\u00e0o th\u00eam. <\/p>\n

\u00dd \u0111\u00e3 quy\u1ebft mua nh\u01b0ng kh\u00f4ng v\u1ed9i. C\u00f2n c\u1ed1 g\u1eafng th\u01b0\u01a1ng l\u01b0\u1ee3ng th\u00eam v\u1ec1 nh\u1eefng s\u1eeda ch\u1eefa c\u1ea7n thi\u1ebft.<\/p>\n

V\u00e0 r\u1ed3i, s\u00e1ng Th\u1ee9 S\u00e1u ch\u00fang t\u00f4i l\u00ean \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng tr\u1edf l\u1ea1i Houston. Trong l\u00fac \u0111i \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng, ch\u00fang t\u00f4i cho h\u1eafn bi\u1ebft l\u00e0 s\u1ebd c\u00f9ng \u0111i v\u1edbi h\u1eafn l\u00ean n\u00fai Pagosa Springs \u2013 n\u01a1i m\u00e0 ch\u00fang t\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 b\u1ecf qua nhi\u1ec1u c\u01a1 h\u1ed9i. H\u1eafn n\u00f3i th\u00eam, \u0111\u00e2y l\u00e0 c\u01a1 h\u1ed9i cu\u1ed1i c\u00f9ng \u0111\u1ec3 ch\u00fang t\u00f4i c\u00f3 d\u1ecbp th\u0103m vi\u1ebfng n\u01a1i n\u1ea7y v\u00ec c\u0103n nh\u00e0 \u0111\u00e3 thu\u1eadn mua v\u1eeba b\u00e1n. <\/p>\n

L\u1ea1i th\u00eam m\u1ed9t road trip \u0111\u1ec3 v\u1eeba ng\u1eafm phong c\u1ea3nh v\u1eeba gi\u00fap h\u1eafn d\u1ecdn nh\u00e0.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/center><\/p>\n

Pagosa Springs \u2013 n\u01a1i k\u00fd \u1ee9c \u1edf l\u1ea1i<\/strong><\/p>\n

V\u00e0i ng\u00e0y sau, ch\u00fang t\u00f4i l\u1ea1i l\u00ean \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng v\u00e0o s\u00e1ng s\u1edbm Th\u1ee9 Hai. Th\u1eddi ti\u1ebft n\u01a1i \u0111\u1ebfn h\u00e3y c\u00f2n l\u1ea1nh. Ch\u00fang t\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 chu\u1ea9n b\u1ecb \u0111\u1ea7y \u0111\u1ee7 qu\u1ea7n \u00e1o \u1ea5m cho chuy\u1ebfn \u0111i. Chuy\u1ebfn \u0111i n\u1ea7y kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 v\u1ee3 h\u1eafn v\u00ec s\u1ee9c kho\u1ebb kh\u00f4ng cho ph\u00e9p n\u00e0ng tr\u1edf l\u1ea1i n\u00fai cao.<\/p>\n

Ch\u00fang t\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 ch\u1ea1y m\u1ed9t m\u1ea1ch 18 ti\u1ebfng v\u1ec1 ph\u00eda n\u00fai k\u1ec3 c\u1ea3 nh\u1eefng l\u1ea7n d\u1eebng l\u1ea1i \u0103n u\u1ed1ng v\u00e0 \u0111\u1ed5 x\u0103ng. <\/p>\n

Con \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng d\u00e0i nh\u01b0 k\u00e9o d\u00e3n th\u1eddi gian. C\u00e0ng \u0111i xa, c\u1ea3nh v\u1eadt c\u00e0ng \u0111\u1ed5i kh\u00e1c. T\u1eeb b\u1eb1ng ph\u1eb3ng sang l\u00ean \u0111\u00e8o xu\u1ed1ng d\u1ed1c. T\u1eeb \u1ed3n \u00e0o ph\u1ed1 th\u1ecb sang t\u0129nh l\u1eb7ng n\u00fai \u0111\u1ed3i. C\u00e0ng l\u00fac c\u00e0ng l\u00ean cao. H\u1eafn cho bi\u1ebft l\u00ean \u0111\u1ebfn \u0111\u1ec9nh s\u1ebd c\u00f3 \u0111\u1ed9 cao h\u01a1n t\u00e1m ng\u00e0n b\u1ed9 so v\u1edbi m\u1ef1c n\u01b0\u1edbc bi\u1ec3n.<\/p>\n

\u0110\u00eam \u0111\u1ebfn n\u01a1i, tr\u1eddi se l\u1ea1nh. Kh\u00f4ng kh\u00ed trong l\u00e0nh v\u00e0 c\u00f3 m\u00f9i c\u1ee7a c\u00e2y c\u1ecf, c\u1ee7a \u0111\u1ea5t, c\u1ee7a m\u1ed9t th\u1ee9 g\u00ec \u0111\u00f3 r\u1ea5t \u201cnguy\u00ean s\u01a1\u201d. B\u01b0\u1edbc v\u00e0o c\u0103n nh\u00e0 r\u1ed9ng r\u00e3i, tho\u00e1ng m\u00e1t, b\u00e0i tr\u00ed \u0111\u1eb9p \u0111\u1ebd, \u0111\u1ea7y \u0111\u1ee7 ti\u1ec7n nghi, n\u1eb1m tr\u00ean \u0111\u1ec9nh m\u1ed9t ng\u1ecdn n\u00fai kh\u00e1 cao v\u00f4 c\u00f9ng l\u00fd t\u01b0\u1edfng. Trong ngo\u00e0i im v\u1eafng – m\u1ed9t th\u1ee9 im v\u1eafng thi\u1ec1n \u0111\u1ea1o. L\u00f2ng t\u00f4i b\u1ed7ng c\u00f3 ch\u00fat b\u00e2ng khu\u00e2ng th\u1ea7m ngh\u0129, “Gi\u00e1 g\u00ec m\u00ecnh s\u1ed1ng lu\u00f4n \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c \u1edf \u0111\u00e2y!”<\/p>\n

Chia nhau ph\u00f2ng, n\u1ea5u m\u00ec \u0103n li\u1ec1n mang theo s\u1eb5n v\u00e0 chu\u1ea9n b\u1ecb x\u1ea3 c\u00e1i m\u1ec7t \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng d\u00e0i. C\u1ea3 ba ch\u00fang t\u00f4i c\u00f9ng th\u1ea5y h\u01a1i cho\u00e1ng v\u00e1ng v\u00ec thi\u1ebfu d\u01b0\u1ee1ng kh\u00ed. Nh\u01b0ng sau v\u00e0i gi\u1edd th\u00ec quen, tr\u1edf l\u1ea1i b\u00ecnh th\u01b0\u1eddng. \u0110\u00eam xu\u1ed1ng th\u1eadt y\u00ean l\u00e0nh, gi\u1ea5c ng\u1ee7 tr\u1ecdn v\u1eb9n trong gi\u1ea5c m\u01a1 th\u1ea7n ti\u00ean tho\u00e1t t\u1ee5c.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Ng\u00e0y h\u00f4m sau, ch\u00fang t\u00f4i \u0111i d\u1ea1o quanh v\u00f9ng. Nh\u1eefng \u0111\u1ed3i th\u00f4ng tr\u1ea3i d\u00e0i. Nh\u1eefng con \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng nh\u1ecf u\u1ed1n l\u01b0\u1ee3n. Nh\u1eefng c\u0103n nh\u00e0 n\u1eb1m r\u1ea3i r\u00e1c nh\u01b0 th\u1ec3 m\u1ed7i c\u0103n \u0111\u1ec1u gi\u1eef m\u1ed9t kho\u1ea3ng tr\u1eddi ri\u00eang cho m\u00ecnh.<\/p>\n

Ngo\u00e0i nh\u1eefng l\u00fac h\u1eafn li\u00ean l\u1ea1c v\u1edbi c\u00e1c v\u0103n ph\u00f2ng \u0111\u1ecba \u1ed1c, v\u1edbi ch\u1ee7 nh\u00e2n m\u1edbi c\u1ee7a c\u0103n nh\u00e0, ch\u00fang t\u00f4i \u0111i v\u1edbi h\u1eafn ch\u00e0o b\u1ea1n b\u00e8 h\u00e0ng x\u00f3m. \u0110i \u0111\u1ebfn \u0111\u00e2u h\u1eafn c\u0169ng c\u00f3 v\u1ebb h\u00e3nh di\u1ec7n gi\u1edbi thi\u1ec7u v\u1edbi b\u1ea1n b\u00e8 v\u1ec1 nh\u1eefng ng\u00e0y x\u01b0a th\u00e2n \u00e1i<\/em> c\u1ee7a ch\u00fang t\u00f4i \u2013 c\u00e1i th\u1eddi bay b\u1ed5ng. M\u01b0\u1eddi m\u1ed9t n\u0103m \u0111i, v\u1ec1 n\u01a1i \u0111\u00e2y c\u1ee7a v\u1ee3 ch\u1ed3ng h\u1eafn kh\u00f4ng d\u00e0i v\u1edbi \u0111\u1eddi ng\u01b0\u1eddi, nh\u01b0ng \u0111\u1ee7 d\u00e0i \u0111\u1ec3 tr\u1edf n\u00ean nu\u1ed1i ti\u1ebfc, th\u00e2n thi\u1ebft, tr\u1edf th\u00e0nh k\u00fd \u1ee9c.<\/p>\n

B\u1eaft \u0111\u1ea7u ng\u00e0y Th\u1ee9 T\u01b0, ch\u00fang t\u00f4i b\u1eaft tay v\u00e0o vi\u1ec7c thu d\u1ecdn. T\u01b0\u1edfng ch\u1ec9 c\u00f3 m\u1ed9t \u00edt \u0111\u1ed3 \u0111\u1ea1c nh\u01b0ng\u2026 th\u1ea5y c\u00e1i n\u00e0o c\u0169ng ti\u1ebfc, c\u00e1i n\u00e0o c\u0169ng th\u1ea5y k\u1ef7 ni\u1ec7m trong \u0111\u00f3. H\u1eafn v\u00e0 v\u1ee3 lu\u00f4n li\u00ean l\u1ea1c nhau b\u1eb1ng \u0111i\u1ec7n tho\u1ea1i \u0111\u1ec3 bi\u1ebft c\u00e1i g\u00ec c\u1ea7n l\u1ea5y. Ng\u00e0y Th\u1ee9 N\u0103m \u0111i m\u01b0\u1edbn Uhaul \u0111em v\u1ec1 ch\u1ea5t l\u00ean xe. Bu\u1ed5i chi\u1ec1u h\u1eafn n\u00f3i nh\u1ea5t \u0111\u1ecbnh ph\u1ea3i tr\u1ea3i nghi\u1ec7m Hot Spring n\u1ed5i ti\u1ebfng c\u1ee7a n\u01b0\u1edbc M\u1ef9. <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>C\u00f3 nhi\u1ec1u Hot Spring trong v\u00f9ng, nh\u01b0ng theo kinh nghi\u1ec7m c\u1ee7a h\u1eafn \u201cThe Healing Place\u201d l\u00e0 t\u1ed1t nh\u1ea5t, hi\u1ec7u qu\u1ea3 nh\u1ea5t, gi\u00e1 c\u1ea3 l\u1ea1i r\u1ebb h\u01a1n nhi\u1ec1u. T\u1ea1i \u0111\u00e2y, ch\u00fang t\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 ng\u00e2m m\u00ecnh trong h\u1ed3 n\u01b0\u1edbc n\u00f3ng g\u1ea7n hai ti\u1ebfng \u0111\u1ed3ng h\u1ed3 trong khi th\u1eddi ti\u1ebft v\u1eabn se se l\u1ea1nh. Bu\u1ed5i t\u1ed1i ph\u1ea3i v\u1ec1 nh\u00e0 thanh to\u00e1n nh\u1eefng m\u00f3n \u0103n c\u00f2n s\u00f3t l\u1ea1i sau m\u1ea5y ng\u00e0y t\u00edch tr\u1eef. M\u1ed9t v\u00e0i ti\u1ec7m qu\u00e1n c\u00f3 ti\u1ebfng h\u1eafn \u0111\u00e3 \u0111\u01b0a ch\u00fang t\u00f4i t\u1edbi th\u1eed cho bi\u1ebft. Th\u1ea5y h\u1eafn \u0103n g\u00ec c\u0169ng khen ngon, v\u00e0 l\u00fac n\u00e0o mu\u1ed1n ng\u1ee7 th\u00ec ng\u1ee7 ngon nh\u01b0 b\u00e9 th\u01a1. Ch\u00fang t\u00f4i m\u1eebng cho h\u1eafn.<\/p>\n

R\u1ea5t nhi\u1ec1u l\u1ea7n t\u00f4i nh\u00ecn h\u1eafn c\u1ea3m kh\u00e1i \u2013 cu\u1ed9c \u0111\u1eddi t\u00ecnh y\u00eau v\u00e0 s\u1ef1 nghi\u1ec7p c\u1ee7a h\u1eafn gi\u1ed1ng nh\u01b0 con ng\u1ef1a th\u1ed3 c\u1ee9 th\u1ebf \u0111i t\u1edbi m\u1ed9t \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng \u2013 m\u1ed9t t\u00ecnh y\u00eau b\u1ea5t di\u1ec7t, m\u1ed9t ngh\u1ec1 nghi\u1ec7p chuy\u00ean m\u00f4n, m\u1ed9t \u0111\u1eddi s\u1ed1ng \u0111\u1ea1o h\u1ea1nh, m\u1ef1c th\u01b0\u1edbc. Nh\u1eefng n\u0103m x\u01b0a h\u1eafn c\u00f2n h\u00fat thu\u1ed1c u\u1ed1ng r\u01b0\u1ee3u nh\u01b0 l\u0169 thanh ni\u00ean m\u1edbi v\u00e0o \u0111\u1eddi c\u1ee7a ch\u00fang t\u00f4i, b\u1ed7ng nhi\u00ean b\u1ecf t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3. Ch\u00fang t\u00f4i ph\u1ee5c l\u0103n v\u1edbi k\u1ef7 lu\u1eadt b\u1ea3n th\u00e2n, \u00fd ch\u00ed ki\u00ean c\u01b0\u1eddng c\u1ee7a h\u1eafn.<\/p>\n

Ng\u01b0\u1eddi x\u01b0a c\u00f3 c\u00e2u, \u201cnh\u1ea5t ngh\u1ec7 tinh, nh\u1ea5t th\u00e2n vinh.\u201d C\u00e2u n\u00f3i \u0111\u00fang m\u1ecdi th\u1eddi gian. Ch\u1ec9 nh\u00ecn v\u00e0o h\u1eafn, nh\u00ecn v\u00e0o t\u00f4i th\u00ec r\u00f5 nh\u01b0 ban ng\u00e0y. T\u00f4i m\u00e3i lau hau, c\u00e1i g\u00ec c\u0169ng mu\u1ed1n th\u1eed, ng\u00e0nh g\u00ec c\u0169ng mu\u1ed1n nh\u00e0o v\u00f4\u2026 c\u1ea3 tr\u0103m th\u1ee9\u2026 t\u1eeb \u0111\u1eddi s\u1ed1ng v\u1eadt ch\u1ea5t \u0111\u1ebfn tinh th\u1ea7n. <\/p>\n

Th\u1ebf nh\u01b0ng hai ch\u00fang t\u00f4i l\u1ea1i th\u00e2n nhau. C\u00f3 l\u1ebd hai th\u00e1i c\u1ef1c ng\u01b0\u1ee3c chi\u1ec1u l\u00f4i cu\u1ed1n nhau. G\u00f3c tr\u1eddi bi\u1ec3n n\u00e0o h\u1eafn c\u00f3 ch\u1ed7 \u1edf th\u00ec th\u1ebf n\u00e0o h\u1eafn c\u0169ng r\u1ee7 t\u00f4i t\u1edbi\u2026 cho bi\u1ebft. T\u1eeb \u0111\u1ea5t li\u1ec1n \u0111\u1ebfn bi\u1ec3n, r\u1ed3i b\u00e2y gi\u1edd \u0111\u1ebfn n\u00fai cao. T\u1eeb Pearland \u0111\u1ebfn v\u00e0i n\u01a1i \u1edf Galveston, r\u1ed3i \u0111\u1ebfn Pensacola, b\u00e2y gi\u1edd l\u00ean n\u00fai cao Pagosa Springs. C\u00f2n m\u1ed9t n\u01a1i n\u1eefa h\u1eafn n\u00f3i nh\u1ea5t \u0111\u1ecbnh ch\u00fang t\u00f4i s\u1ebd ph\u1ea3i n\u00ean t\u1edbi<\/em> – \u0111\u00f3 l\u00e0 c\u0103n nh\u00e0 h\u1eafn mua tr\u00ean n\u00fai, b\u00ean Costa Rica, trong v\u00f9ng Rainforest c\u00f9ng v\u1edbi s\u1ed1 ti\u1ec1n ch\u00ednh ph\u1ee7 \u0111\u1ec1n khi c\u1eaft m\u1ed9t ph\u1ea7n \u0111\u1ea5t c\u1ee7a h\u1eafn \u0111\u1ec3 l\u00e0m \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng l\u1ed9. L\u00fac n\u00e0o n\u00f3i chuy\u1ec7n du l\u1ecbch \u0111\u00e2y \u0111\u00f3 h\u1eafn c\u0169ng nh\u1eafc t\u00f4i v\u1ec1 n\u01a1i n\u1ea7y. H\u1eafn n\u00f3i s\u1ebd r\u1ea5t th\u00edch h\u1ee3p cho t\u00e2m h\u1ed3n th\u01a1 v\u0103n l\u00e3ng m\u1ea1n c\u1ee7a t\u00f4i. V\u00e0 h\u1eafn c\u0169ng \u0111\u00e3 ng\u1ecf l\u1eddi v\u00e0i ba l\u1ea7n r\u1ed3i nh\u01b0ng t\u00f4i v\u1eabn ch\u01b0a c\u00f3 d\u1ecbp.<\/p>\n

M\u1edf ngo\u1eb7c \u2013 xin nh\u1eafc l\u1ea1i nh\u1eefng nh\u00e2n duy\u00ean ly k\u1ef3 c\u1ee7a h\u1eafn m\u1ed9t ch\u00fat.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ti\u1ec1n mua c\u0103n nh\u00e0 \u1edf Pagosa Springs l\u00e0 ti\u1ec1n b\u00e1n mi\u1ebfng \u0111\u1ea5t \u1edf Chrystal Beach, ph\u00eda \u0111\u00f4ng Galveston sau khi tr\u1eadn b\u00e3o Sandy cu\u1ed1n m\u1ea5t c\u0103n nh\u00e0 ngh\u1ec9 d\u01b0\u1ee1ng s\u00e1t bi\u1ec3n c\u1ee7a h\u1eafn. B\u00e2y gi\u1edd c\u00f3 v\u1ebb ti\u1ec1n b\u00e1n c\u0103n nh\u00e0 \u1edf Pagosa s\u1ebd mua \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c c\u0103n nh\u00e0 \u1edf Perdido Key Beach (Pensacola). T\u1eeb bi\u1ec3n g\u1ea7n, l\u00ean n\u00fai cao, gi\u1edd v\u1ec1 l\u1ea1i bi\u1ec3n nh\u01b0ng xa h\u01a1n, \u0111\u1eb9p h\u01a1n. \u0110i\u1ec1u k\u1ef3 l\u1ea1 l\u00e0 l\u1ea7n mua b\u00e1n n\u1ea7y x\u1ea3y ra c\u00f9ng th\u1eddi \u0111i\u1ec3m, c\u00f9ng kho\u1ea3ng gi\u00e1 c\u1ea3 v\u00e0 ch\u1ec9 x\u1ea3y ra trong v\u00f2ng v\u00e0i tu\u1ea7n l\u1ec5. \u0110\u00f3ng ngo\u1eb7c.<\/em><\/p>\n

Amphitheater \u2013 s\u00e2n kh\u1ea5u c\u1ee7a thi\u00ean nhi\u00ean<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sau m\u1ed9t \u0111\u00eam ng\u1ee7 v\u00f9i, 7 gi\u1edd s\u00e1ng Th\u1ee9 S\u00e1u ch\u00fang t\u00f4i th\u1ee9c d\u1eady. Sau khi \u0103n s\u00e1ng v\u00e0 u\u1ed1ng c\u00e0 ph\u00ea, h\u1eafn xem x\u00e9t c\u1ea9n th\u1eadn th\u00eam l\u1ea7n cu\u1ed1i xe c\u1ed9, x\u0103ng nh\u1edbt r\u1ed3i l\u01b0u luy\u1ebfn r\u1eddi c\u0103n nh\u00e0 y\u00eau m\u1ebfn quay v\u1ec1 l\u1ea1i Houston. <\/p>\n

Ra kh\u1ecfi bi\u00ean gi\u1edbi Colorado Springs, \u0111\u1ebfn \u0111\u1ecba ph\u1eadn New Mexico. Khi \u0111i qua \u0111\u1ecba ph\u1eadn Carson National Forest, ch\u00fang t\u00f4i gh\u00e9 m\u1ed9t n\u01a1i m\u00e0 ban \u0111\u1ea7u ch\u1ec9 l\u00e0 \u201cti\u1ec7n \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng th\u00ec gh\u00e9\u201d. Nh\u01b0ng r\u1ed3i l\u1ea1i tr\u1edf th\u00e0nh m\u1ed9t trong hai \u0111\u1ecba \u0111i\u1ec3m \u0111\u00e1ng nh\u1edb nh\u1ea5t c\u1ee7a chuy\u1ebfn \u0111i.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>M\u1ed9t v\u00f9ng amphitheater n\u1eb1m trong Carson National Forest Park. Kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i amphitheater c\u1ee7a con ng\u01b0\u1eddi t\u1ea1o n\u00ean; n\u00f3 kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 gh\u1ebf, kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 s\u00e2n kh\u1ea5u d\u1ef1ng s\u1eb5n m\u00e0 l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t l\u00f2ng ch\u1ea3o kh\u1ed5ng l\u1ed3 do thi\u00ean nhi\u00ean t\u1ea1o n\u00ean qua h\u00e0ng tri\u1ec7u n\u0103m. Ch\u00fang t\u00f4i \u0111i quanh, \u0111i s\u00e2u theo nh\u1eefng con \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng tr\u00e1ng nh\u1ef1a nh\u1ecf d\u1eabn \u0111\u1ebfn t\u1eadn ch\u00e2n v\u00f2m. Nh\u00ecn nh\u1eefng c\u1ea5u t\u1ea1o thi\u00ean nhi\u00ean qu\u00e1 h\u00f9ng v\u0129 khi\u1ebfn c\u00f5i l\u00f2ng nao nao. \u0110\u1ee9ng tr\u00ean cao nh\u00ecn xu\u1ed1ng, t\u00f4i c\u00f3 c\u1ea3m gi\u00e1c nh\u01b0 \u0111ang nh\u00ecn v\u00e0o m\u1ed9t s\u00e2n kh\u1ea5u c\u1ee7a \u0111\u1ea5t tr\u1eddi.<\/p>\n

Nh\u1eefng l\u1edbp \u0111\u00e1 x\u1ebfp ch\u1ed3ng l\u00ean nhau, u\u1ed1n cong nh\u01b0 nh\u1eefng b\u1eadc thang kh\u1ed5ng l\u1ed3. M\u00e0u s\u1eafc thay \u0111\u1ed5i theo \u00e1nh s\u00e1ng; l\u00fac th\u00ec \u0111\u1ecf nh\u1ea1t, l\u00fac th\u00ec n\u00e2u s\u1eabm, l\u00fac l\u1ea1i \u00e1nh l\u00ean ch\u00fat v\u00e0ng v\u1edbi \u00e1nh n\u1eafng chi\u1ebfu v\u00e0o. Gi\u00f3 th\u1ed5i qua, mang theo m\u1ed9t th\u1ee9 \u00e2m thanh r\u1ea5t l\u1ea1. Kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i ti\u1ebfng gi\u00f3 b\u00ecnh th\u01b0\u1eddng. M\u00e0 nh\u01b0 ti\u1ebfng v\u1ecdng. Ti\u1ebfng c\u1ee7a th\u1eddi gian. Hai ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111\u00e0n \u00f4ng ch\u00fang t\u00f4i c\u0169ng h\u00fa l\u00ean t\u1eebng h\u1ed3i nghe v\u1ecdng \u0111i r\u1ea5t xa. Ch\u00fang t\u00f4i loanh quanh m\u1ed9t l\u00fac kh\u00e1 l\u00e2u, chi\u00eam ng\u01b0\u1ee1ng no m\u1eaft v\u1ebb \u0111\u1eb9p thi\u00ean nhi\u00ean, kh\u00f4ng ai c\u1ea7n n\u00f3i v\u1edbi ai nhi\u1ec1u.<\/p>\n

Tu Vi\u1ec7n Monastery of Christ in the Desert \u2013 n\u01a1i th\u1eddi gian th\u1eadt s\u1ef1 d\u1eebng l\u1ea1i<\/strong><\/p>\n

R\u1eddi amphitheater, ch\u00fang t\u00f4i ti\u1ebfp t\u1ee5c \u0111i \u0111\u1ebfn m\u1ed9t n\u01a1i kh\u00e1c. M\u1ed9t n\u01a1i c\u0169ng kh\u00f4ng h\u1ec1 \u0111\u1ecbnh tr\u01b0\u1edbc.
\nXe \u0111ang ch\u1ea1y ngon tr\u1edbn, h\u1eafn n\u00f3i, <\/p>\n

–\tCh\u00fang ta s\u1eafp di ngang m\u1ed9t n\u01a1i r\u1ea5t l\u00e0 \u0111\u1eb7c bi\u1ec7t. \u0110\u00f3 l\u00e0 Monastery of Christ in the Desert. Ch\u00ednh n\u01a1i n\u1ea7y \u0111\u00e3 cho v\u1ee3 ch\u1ed3ng m\u00ecnh quy\u1ebft t\u00e2m mua nh\u00e0 tr\u00ean n\u00fai Pagosa Springs \u0111\u1ec3 v\u1eeba \u0111\u1ed5i gi\u00f3 v\u1eeba c\u00f3 d\u1ecbp t\u1edbi \u0111\u00e2y tu h\u1ecdc.<\/p>\n

Nghe h\u1ea5p d\u1eabn t\u00f4i h\u1ecfi d\u1ed3n. H\u1eafn k\u1ec3 ti\u1ebfp,
\n\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

–\t\u0110\u00e2y l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t Tu Vi\u1ec7n ho\u00e0n to\u00e0n r\u1eddi xa th\u1ebf t\u1ee5c, r\u1ea5t s\u00e2u trong sa m\u1ea1c, \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng g\u1eadp gh\u1ec1nh, ngo\u1eb1n ngo\u00e8o r\u1ea5t kh\u00f3 \u0111i, d\u00e0i 13 d\u1eb7m k\u1ec3 t\u1eeb xa l\u1ed9 n\u1ea7y. T\u1ee5i m\u00ecnh \u0111\u00e3 v\u00e0o \u0111\u00f3 \u1edf l\u1ea1i v\u00e0i ba l\u1ea7n r\u1ed3i, v\u00e0 t\u1ee5i m\u00ecnh c\u0169ng \u0111\u00e3 nhi\u1ec1u l\u1ea7n \u0111\u00f3ng g\u00f3p gi\u00fap \u0111\u1ee1 n\u00ean c\u0169ng c\u00f3 quen bi\u1ebft m\u1ed9t s\u1ed1 Cha, Th\u1ea7y k\u1ec3 c\u1ea3 nh\u1eefng nh\u00e0 s\u01b0 b\u00ean Ph\u1eadt Gi\u00e1o.<\/p>\n

\u0110i\u1ec1u h\u1eafn n\u00f3i g\u1ee3i s\u1ef1 t\u00f2 m\u00f2 ph\u1ea5n kh\u00edch trong t\u00f4i.<\/p>\n

–\tV\u1eady th\u00ec ch\u00fang ta c\u0169ng n\u00ean \u0111i th\u0103m cho bi\u1ebft, \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c kh\u00f4ng?<\/p>\n

–\t\u1eea \u0111i th\u00ec \u0111i!<\/p>\n

V\u1eeba n\u00f3i t\u1edbi \u0111\u00e2y th\u00ec v\u1eeba th\u1ea5y b\u1ea3ng ch\u1ec9 \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng v\u00e0o Tu Vi\u1ec7n. Nh\u00ecn v\u00e0o sa m\u1ea1c m\u00eanh m\u00f4ng tr\u00f4ng hoang s\u01a1, t\u0129nh l\u1eb7ng \u0111\u1ebfn l\u1ea1 l\u00f9ng. H\u1eafn qu\u1eb9o xe v\u00e0o con \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng \u0111\u1ea5t \u0111\u1ecf. M\u1edbi b\u1eaft \u0111\u1ea7u m\u00e0 \u0111\u00e3 g\u1eadp gh\u1ec1nh. Trong l\u00f2ng t\u00f4i h\u01a1i e ng\u1ea1i m\u1ed9t ch\u00fat v\u00ec \u0111ang k\u00e9o \u0111\u1eb1ng sau m\u1ed9t th\u00f9ng Uhaul kh\u00e1 l\u1edbn, kh\u00e1 n\u1eb7ng. Nh\u01b0ng th\u1ea5y h\u1eafn t\u1ec9nh b\u01a1 l\u00e1i xe n\u00ean t\u00f4i c\u0169ng c\u00f3 ch\u00fat y\u00ean t\u00e2m.<\/p>\n

Con \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng d\u00e0i ch\u1eebng m\u01b0\u1eddi ba d\u1eb7m, nh\u01b0ng l\u00e0 m\u01b0\u1eddi ba d\u1eb7m c\u1ee7a \u0111\u1ea5t \u0111\u1ecf, \u0111\u00e1 s\u1ecfi v\u00e0 c\u00e1t b\u1ee5i sa m\u1ea1c. Xe kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 ch\u1ea1y nhanh. B\u00e1nh xe c\u1ee9 ch\u1ed3m l\u00ean h\u1ee5p xu\u1ed1ng theo nh\u1eefng \u1ed5 g\u00e0, nh\u1eefng \u0111o\u1ea1n \u0111\u00e1 l\u1edfm ch\u1edfm, nh\u1eefng \u0111\u1ed9 cong g\u1eaft khi\u1ebfn ng\u01b0\u1eddi ng\u1ed3i b\u00ean trong c\u0169ng l\u1eafc l\u01b0 theo nh\u1ecbp \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng n\u00fai. H\u1ebft l\u00ean \u0111\u00e8o l\u1ea1i xu\u1ed1ng d\u1ed1c… li\u00ean t\u1ee5c. C\u00f3 l\u00fac t\u00f4i t\u01b0\u1edfng nh\u01b0 m\u00ecnh \u0111ang ng\u1ed3i tr\u00ean m\u1ed9t chi\u1ebfc xe jeep qu\u00e2n \u0111\u1ed9i ng\u00e0y x\u01b0a ch\u1ea1y v\u00e0o v\u00f9ng h\u00e0nh qu\u00e2n h\u01a1n l\u00e0 tr\u00ean chi\u1ebfc SUV \u0111ang k\u00e9o theo th\u00f9ng h\u00e0ng n\u1eb7ng tr\u0129u.<\/p>\n

Nh\u00ecn chung quanh l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t v\u00f9ng \u0111\u1ea5t hoang vu tuy\u1ec7t \u0111\u1ed1i \u2013 kh\u00f4ng m\u1ed9t b\u00f3ng ng\u01b0\u1eddi, kh\u00f4ng m\u1ed9t chi\u1ebfc xe n\u00e0o kh\u00e1c. Ngay c\u1ea3 c\u1ed9t \u0111i\u1ec7n c\u0169ng kh\u00f4ng th\u1ea5y. Ch\u1ec9 c\u00f3 \u0111\u1ea5t \u0111\u00e1 v\u00e0 tr\u1eddi m\u00e2y – m\u00e0 tr\u1eddi m\u00e2y h\u00f4m nay cao v\u00fat.<\/p>\n

Nh\u1eefng v\u00e1ch n\u00fai m\u00e0u n\u00e2u \u0111\u1ecf d\u1ef1ng \u0111\u1ee9ng t\u1eebng \u0111o\u1ea1n, tr\u00f4ng nh\u01b0 nh\u1eefng b\u1ee9c t\u01b0\u1eddng th\u00e0nh kh\u1ed5ng l\u1ed3 do thi\u00ean nhi\u00ean \u0111\u1ebdo g\u1ecdt qua h\u00e0ng tri\u1ec7u n\u0103m. D\u01b0\u1edbi \u00e1nh n\u1eafng v\u00f9ng New Mexico, m\u00e0u \u0111\u00e1 v\u00e0ng s\u1eabm nh\u01b0 m\u00e0u \u0111\u1ea5t nung c\u0169 k\u1ef9.<\/p>\n

Xa xa l\u00e0 nh\u1eefng tri\u1ec1n \u0111\u1ed3i tr\u1ecdc l\u01b0a th\u01b0a b\u1ee5i sagebrush<\/em> v\u00e0 v\u00e0i c\u1ee5m juniper<\/em> th\u1ea5p b\u00e9 c\u1eb1n c\u1ed7i, c\u1ed1 b\u00e1m v\u00edu v\u00e0o v\u00f9ng \u0111\u1ea5t kh\u00f4 c\u1eb1n \u0111\u1ea7y gi\u00f3 b\u1ee5i. Th\u1ec9nh tho\u1ea3ng m\u1edbi th\u1ea5y v\u00e0i c\u00e2y cottonwood<\/em> \u0111\u1ee9ng \u0111\u01a1n \u0111\u1ed9c b\u00ean d\u00f2ng n\u01b0\u1edbc c\u1ea1n, l\u00e1 rung nh\u1eb9 trong gi\u00f3 nh\u01b0 nh\u1eefng t\u00edn hi\u1ec7u mong manh c\u1ee7a s\u1ef1 s\u1ed1ng.<\/p>\n

Con \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng c\u1ee9 v\u00f2ng v\u00e8o men theo nh\u1eefng v\u00e1ch \u0111\u00e1 v\u00e0 nh\u1eefng kh\u00fac quanh b\u1ea5t t\u1eadn. C\u00f3 nhi\u1ec1u \u0111o\u1ea1n h\u1eb9p \u0111\u1ebfn m\u1ee9c t\u01b0\u1edfng nh\u01b0 ch\u1ec9 c\u1ea7n l\u1ea1c tay l\u00e1i m\u1ed9t ch\u00fat l\u00e0 xe c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 tr\u01b0\u1ee3t xu\u1ed1ng l\u00f2ng v\u1ef1c b\u00ean d\u01b0\u1edbi. Nh\u01b0ng k\u1ef3 l\u1ea1 thay, c\u00e0ng \u0111i s\u00e2u, ng\u01b0\u1eddi ta c\u00e0ng th\u1ea5y l\u00f2ng m\u00ecnh thanh th\u1ea3n, s\u1ea3ng kho\u00e1i l\u1ea1 l\u00f9ng. Kh\u00f4ng c\u00f2n \u00fd ni\u1ec7m th\u1eddi gian. Ch\u1ec9 c\u00f2n ti\u1ebfng b\u00e1nh xe nghi\u1ebfn tr\u00ean s\u1ecfi \u0111\u00e1. Ti\u1ebfng gi\u00f3 th\u1ed5i qua khe n\u00fai. V\u00e0 m\u1ed9t kho\u1ea3ng kh\u00f4ng t\u0129nh l\u1eb7ng m\u00eanh m\u00f4ng nh\u01b0 ph\u1ee7 k\u00edn c\u1ea3 \u0111\u1ea5t tr\u1eddi.<\/p>\n

R\u1ed3i b\u1ea5t ng\u1edd, sau m\u1ed9t kh\u00fac cua d\u00e0i, d\u00f2ng Rio Chama hi\u1ec7n ra ph\u00eda d\u01b0\u1edbi. M\u1ed9t d\u1ea3i n\u01b0\u1edbc xanh m\u1ec1m m\u1ea1i len gi\u1eefa v\u00f9ng \u0111\u1ea5t \u0111\u1ecf kh\u00f4 c\u1eb1n sa m\u1ea1c. D\u00f2ng s\u00f4ng kh\u00f4ng r\u1ed9ng, kh\u00f4ng cu\u1ed3n cu\u1ed9n, ch\u1ec9 l\u1eb7ng l\u1ebd ch\u1ea3y, ph\u1ea3n chi\u1ebfu b\u1ea7u tr\u1eddi xanh nh\u1ea1t c\u1ee7a mi\u1ec1n T\u00e2y Nam n\u01b0\u1edbc M\u1ef9. H\u1eafn d\u1eebng xe l\u1ea1i, k\u1ec3 chuy\u1ec7n m\u1ed9t \u00f4ng Cha \u0111\u00e3 kh\u00f4ng may b\u1ecb r\u01a1i xu\u1ed1ng v\u1ef1c s\u00e2u t\u1ea1i n\u01a1i n\u1ea7y. Ng\u01b0\u1eddi ta \u0111\u1eb7t m\u1ed9t c\u00e2y Th\u00e1nh Gi\u00e1 b\u00ean l\u1ec1 \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng, s\u00e1t v\u1ef1c s\u00e2u \u0111\u1ec3 t\u01b0\u1edfng nh\u1edb ng\u00e0i. H\u1eafn ng\u1ed3i xu\u1ed1ng c\u1ea7u nguy\u1ec7n m\u1ed9t l\u00fac kh\u00e1 l\u00e2u.<\/p>\n

Ch\u1ea1y th\u00eam m\u1ed9t l\u00fac n\u1eefa th\u00ec th\u1ea5y ph\u00eda ph\u00eda tr\u01b0\u1edbc m\u1eb7t, th\u1ea5p tho\u00e1ng gi\u1eefa nh\u1eefng v\u00e1ch n\u00fai v\u00e0 h\u00e0ng c\u00e2y cottonwood<\/em>, tu vi\u1ec7n hi\u1ec7n ra. Kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u1ed3 s\u1ed9. Kh\u00f4ng nguy nga. Ch\u1ec9 l\u00e0 nh\u1eefng kh\u1ed1i nh\u00e0 m\u00e0u \u0111\u1ea5t n\u1eb1m n\u00e9p m\u00ecnh gi\u1eefa thi\u00ean nhi\u00ean, y\u00ean t\u0129nh \u0111\u1ebfn m\u1ee9c t\u01b0\u1edfng nh\u01b0 \u0111\u00e3 \u1edf \u0111\u00f3 t\u1eeb nhi\u1ec1u th\u1ebf k\u1ef7 tr\u01b0\u1edbc.<\/p>\n

Kh\u00f4ng hi\u1ec3u sao l\u00fac \u1ea5y t\u00f4i ch\u1ee3t c\u00f3 c\u1ea3m gi\u00e1c n\u01a1i n\u00e0y kh\u00f4ng ph\u1ea3i \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c \u201cx\u00e2y l\u00ean\u201d, m\u00e0 nh\u01b0 \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c \u201cm\u1ecdc ra\u201d t\u1eeb ch\u00ednh v\u00f9ng \u0111\u1ea5t c\u00f4 t\u1ecbch \u1ea5y. Chi\u1ebfc xe ch\u1eadm r\u00e3i ti\u1ebfn v\u00e0o m\u1ed9t cul de sac<\/em> tr\u01b0\u1edbc khu\u00f4n vi\u00ean tu vi\u1ec7n. Ch\u00fang t\u00f4i b\u01b0\u1edbc ra xe, kh\u00f4ng ai n\u00f3i g\u00ec th\u00eam, s\u1ee3 l\u00e0m \u0111\u1ed9ng gi\u1ea5c ng\u1ee7 c\u1ee7a n\u00fai r\u1eebng v\u00e0 sa m\u1ea1c. Ch\u1ec9 l\u1eb7ng l\u1ebd chi\u00eam ng\u01b0\u1ee1ng\u2026<\/p>\n

T\u1eeb xa l\u1ed9 84 v\u00e0o tu vi\u1ec7n l\u00e0 13 miles \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng \u0111\u1ea5t \u0111\u1ecf. Nh\u01b0ng ph\u1ea3i m\u1ea5t g\u1ea7n m\u1ed9t ti\u1ebfng \u0111\u1ed3ng h\u1ed3 \u0111\u1ec3 \u0111i h\u1ebft \u0111o\u1ea1n \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng ngo\u1eb1n ngo\u00e8o, \u0111\u1ed3i d\u1ed1c ch\u00f4ng ch\u00eanh v\u1edbi b\u1ee5i \u0111\u1ea5t \u0111\u1ecf bay m\u00f9 m\u1ecbt ph\u00eda sau chi\u1ebfc xe. D\u1ecdc \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng c\u0169ng c\u00f3 g\u1eb7p v\u00e0i chi\u1ebfc xe ng\u01b0\u1ee3c chi\u1ec1u, ph\u1ea3i v\u1ea5t v\u00e3 chen nhau tr\u00ean con \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng h\u1eb9p. G\u1eb7p m\u1ed9t ng\u01b0\u1eddi c\u00f9ng m\u1ed9t chi\u1ebfc xe c\u00f4 \u0111\u01a1n, ng\u1ed3i v\u1ebd tranh gi\u1eefa thi\u00ean nhi\u00ean v\u1edbi th\u1ea7n th\u00e1i xu\u1ea5t tr\u1ea7n, ti\u00ean phong \u0111\u1ea1o c\u1ed1t.<\/p>\n

Chung quanh tu vi\u1ec7n ho\u00e0n to\u00e0n v\u1eafng b\u00f3ng ng\u01b0\u1eddi. Kh\u00f4ng kh\u00e1ch du l\u1ecbch. Ch\u1ec9 c\u00f3 s\u1ef1 y\u00ean t\u0129nh g\u1ea7n nh\u01b0 tuy\u1ec7t \u0111\u1ed1i.<\/p>\n

Ch\u00fang t\u00f4i theo h\u1eafn m\u1edf c\u1eeda th\u00e1nh \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng v\u00e0o c\u1ea7u nguy\u1ec7n. Xong c\u00f9ng \u0111i ra. M\u00e3i ng\u1eafm c\u1ea3nh v\u1eadt chung quanh, khi ng\u00f3 l\u1ea1i th\u00ec h\u1eafn \u0111\u00e3 bi\u1ebfn m\u1ea5t sau m\u1ed9t khung c\u1eeda \u0111\u00f3ng k\u00edn kh\u00e1c. Ch\u00fang t\u00f4i v\u00e0o th\u01b0 vi\u1ec7n, v\u00e0o ph\u00f2ng b\u00e1n \u0111\u1ed3 l\u01b0u ni\u1ec7m. Khi b\u01b0\u1edbc ra ngo\u00e0i, th\u1ea5y h\u1eafn \u0111i c\u00f9ng m\u1ed9t Linh M\u1ee5c, hai ng\u01b0\u1eddi v\u1eeba \u0111i v\u1eeba chuy\u1ec7n tr\u00f2 c\u00f3 v\u1ebb t\u00e2m \u0111\u1eafc. H\u1eafn gi\u1edbi thi\u1ec7u ch\u00fang t\u00f4i v\u1edbi Cha, l\u1ea1i n\u00f3i v\u1edbi Cha v\u1ec1 nh\u1eefng ng\u00e0y x\u01b0a th\u00e2n \u00e1i<\/em>. Cha \u00e2n c\u1ea7n b\u1eaft tay, tr\u00f2 chuy\u1ec7n m\u1ed9t l\u00fac. Cha n\u00f3i v\u1edbi h\u1eafn ng\u00e0y mai Cha s\u1ebd l\u00e0m l\u1ec5 kh\u1ea5n tr\u1ecdn \u0111\u1eddi \u1edf \u0111\u00e2y v\u00e0 s\u1ebd d\u00e2ng l\u1eddi c\u1ea7u nguy\u1ec7n cho v\u1ee3 ch\u1ed3ng h\u1eafn.<\/p>\n

Tr\u1edf v\u1ec1 \u2013 v\u00e0 nh\u1eefng \u0111i\u1ec1u c\u00f2n l\u1ea1i<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u0110\u00eam \u0111\u00f3, ch\u00fang t\u00f4i kh\u00f4ng t\u00ecm \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c kh\u00e1ch s\u1ea1n. Ch\u00fang t\u00f4i gh\u00e9 v\u00e0o m\u1ed9t truck stop<\/em> mua th\u1ee9c \u0103n nhanh. \u0110\u1eadu xe ch\u1ed7 khu\u1ea5t \u00e1nh s\u00e1ng v\u00e0 c\u1ed1 d\u1ed7 gi\u1ea5c ng\u1ee7 sau m\u1ed9t ng\u00e0y d\u00e0i m\u1ecfi m\u1ec7t. T\u00f4i kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 ch\u1ee3p m\u1eaft trong khi h\u1eafn v\u1eeba ng\u1ea3 gh\u1ebf xu\u1ed1ng th\u1ea5p \u0111\u00e3 th\u1ea5y k\u00e9o g\u1ed7. \u0110\u00fang l\u00e0 v\u00f4 t\u01b0. Nh\u00e0 t\u00f4i c\u0169ng ch\u1eadp ch\u1eddn \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c m\u1ed9t l\u00fac. Sau n\u0103m ti\u1ebfng ng\u1ee7 ch\u1eadp ch\u1eddn. S\u00e1ng s\u1edbm d\u1eady, mua c\u00e0 ph\u00ea v\u00e0 ti\u1ebfp t\u1ee5c l\u00ean \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng. <\/p>\n

Ch\u00fang t\u00f4i d\u1eebng l\u1ea1i m\u1ed9t ti\u1ec7m Ph\u1edf c\u1ee7a ng\u01b0\u1eddi Vi\u1ec7t r\u1ed3i ti\u1ebfp t\u1ee5c l\u00ean \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng v\u1ec1 l\u1ea1i Houston ngo\u1ea1i tr\u1eeb v\u00e0i l\u1ea7n d\u1eebng l\u1ea1i \u0111\u1ed5 x\u0103ng v\u00e0 \u0111i v\u1ec7 sinh.<\/p>\n

C\u00f3 l\u1ebd v\u00ec ai c\u0169ng bi\u1ebft, nh\u1eefng chuy\u1ebfn \u0111i nh\u01b0 v\u1ea7y d\u00f9 m\u1ec7t nh\u01b0ng kh\u00f4ng m\u1ea5t ni\u1ec1m vui. Chi\u1ec1u v\u1ec1 t\u1edbi nh\u00e0. V\u1ee3 h\u1eafn s\u0103n \u0111\u00f3n, \u0111\u00e3 n\u1ea5u s\u1eb5n cho m\u1ed7i ng\u01b0\u1eddi m\u1ed9t b\u00e1t m\u00ec n\u00f3ng h\u1ed5i. \u0102n xong, ch\u00fang t\u00f4i ra v\u1ec1 ngay v\u00ec th\u1ef1c t\u00ecnh t\u00f4i thi\u1ebfu ng\u1ee7 tr\u1ea7m tr\u1ecdng.<\/p>\n

L\u00fac n\u1ea7y ng\u1ed3i l\u1ea1i ngh\u0129 v\u1ec1 chuy\u1ebfn \u0111i. H\u1eafn vui v\u00ec \u0111\u00e3 xong m\u1ed9t ch\u01b0\u01a1ng c\u1ee7a \u0111\u1eddi m\u00ecnh. B\u00e1n c\u0103n nh\u00e0 c\u0169. Mua c\u0103n nh\u00e0 m\u1edbi. Kh\u00e9p l\u1ea1i m\u1ed9t \u0111o\u1ea1n, m\u1edf ra m\u1ed9t \u0111o\u1ea1n kh\u00e1c. C\u00f2n t\u00f4i\u2026 T\u00f4i vui cho h\u1eafn. Vui c\u00f3 h\u1eafn trong \u0111\u1eddi. Vui v\u00ec \u0111\u00e3 \u0111i \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c \u0111\u1ebfn ch\u1ed7 h\u1eb1ng mong \u01b0\u1edbc. V\u00ec c\u00f3 nh\u1eefng n\u01a1i n\u1ebfu kh\u00f4ng \u0111i, s\u1ebd kh\u00f4ng bao gi\u1edd hi\u1ec3u \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c c\u1ea3m gi\u00e1c c\u1ee7a n\u00f3. Kho\u1ea3nh kh\u1eafc – \u0111\u1ee9ng gi\u1eefa amphitheater, hay ng\u1ed3i trong tu vi\u1ec7n – kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 t\u00ecm th\u1ea5y trong b\u1ea5t c\u1ee9 k\u1ebf ho\u1ea1ch n\u00e0o. V\u00e0 chuy\u1ebfn \u0111i th\u1eadt b\u1ea5t ng\u1edd, th\u1eadt t\u00ecnh c\u1edd, b\u1eaft \u0111\u1ea7u ch\u1ec9 b\u1eb1ng m\u1ed9t c\u00fa \u0111i\u1ec7n tho\u1ea1i v\u1edbi c\u00e2u h\u1ecfi r\u1ea5t \u0111\u01a1n gi\u1ea3n c\u1ee7a h\u1eafn, \u201c\u00ca T., \u0111i Pensacola ch\u01a1i kh\u00f4ng? <\/p>\n

Kingwood, cu\u1ed1i th\u00e1ng T\u01b0 2026<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/br><\/p>\n

He and I\u2026 Another Chapter<\/strong>
\nA Journey, Two Landscapes of Memory<\/em><\/p>\n

Around noon on a Friday, as on most days, I was \u201cmeditating on the internet\u201d \u2014 a modern form of contemplation in which the noise of life briefly subsides, the tempo slows, and one assumes, almost ceremonially, the role of a quiet observer.<\/p>\n

Across from me, in the kitchen, my wife was absorbed in her work. Her workstation faced two large glass windows that opened onto a lush green backyard. It was a space where she could pause, stretch, and sometimes\u2014when fatigue or pressure crept in\u2014bake something small for me to taste, as though kindness could be measured in warm, fragrant portions.<\/p>\n

The house was calm. Familiar. So familiar that, had nothing interrupted it, the day would have passed like any other\u2014softly, almost unnoticed.<\/p>\n

Then the phone rang. His name lit up the screen. I answered.<\/p>\n

His voice, still carrying that unmistakable Hu\u1ebf accent softened by years abroad, came through immediately:<\/p>\n

\u201cHey T., want to go to Pensacola?\u201d<\/p>\n

The question arrived like a sudden breeze in the still heat of midday.<\/p>\n

Before I could respond, he continued \u2014 half explanation, half persuasion:<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re heading down Monday for a few days. You and your wife can help us take another look at that house we all liked last time\u2014you remember, the one just across the road from the beach? The owner\u2019s ready to sell now\u2026 at a very reasonable price.\u201d<\/p>\n

I paused. And in that brief silence, January returned.<\/p>\n

The four of us wandering through Perdido Key, drifting from one house to another like people quietly searching for a second dream.<\/p>\n

There had been many beautiful homes. But one\u2026 one had held us longer than the rest.<\/p>\n

A spacious two-story house at the end of a cul-de-sac. A sturdy metal roof, weather-resistant. Behind it, a gentle dip in the land leading to a low ridge. From the upper floor, the sea unfolded\u2014blue, vast, alive. Waves cresting in white lines beneath the sun. The beach was only a short walk away, just across a narrow road. Close enough for morning walks on soft sand. Close enough for evenings spent watching the sun dissolve into the horizon. A house not meant for display\u2014 but for living. For belonging.<\/p>\n

He had told me then that they needed to leave the mountains. His wife could no longer tolerate the altitude. The sea, he said, was now a necessity.<\/p>\n

I had smiled quietly to myself, “Well\u2026 that\u2019s quite a luxurious condition to have.”<\/p>\n

After hanging up, I turned to my wife.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re asking if we can go down to Perdido Key Monday\u2026 take another look at the house. Then next week, maybe drive up to Pagosa Springs to help close the deal and move out. Can we go?\u201d<\/p>\n

Her answer was immediate. Practical. As always.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can go with them both. I’m working.\u201d<\/p>\n

I smiled. I knew this would take time.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can work remotely. Just a few days\u2026 a change of air.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do I just disappear like that? Pagosa, maybe. Not this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI really want to go\u2026 but I don\u2019t want to go alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

That line may have sounded sentimental, but it was simply true. Some journeys lose half their meaning when taken alone.<\/p>\n

After a few rounds of gentle negotiation, something shifted. A compromise formed, “We would leave Tuesday afternoon, after my workday.”<\/p>\n

I called him back. He sounded almost surprised and genuinely pleased.<\/p>\n

Plans adjusted. The journey had begun.<\/p>\n

The Sea \u2014 Where Time Softens<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

Tuesday, 2 p.m.<\/p>\n

I picked my wife up from work. We drove straight to his house. Four of us, one car, no elaborate plan, just the quiet promise of a road trip.<\/p>\n

That night, we stopped in Lake Charles and stayed at L\u2019Auberge. None of us had any interest in gambling. We ate well, walked a little, then slept.<\/p>\n

Morning came. The road resumed.<\/p>\n

Pensacola greeted us with a gentler climate\u2014softer than Texas. The air carried salt and wind. The sand stretched white and endless.<\/p>\n

house was still there. But this time, it felt closer.<\/p>\n

The owner had generously allowed us to stay a few days\u2014to experience it, to feel ownership.<\/p>\n

We walked through each room. Opened doors. Looked into corners.<\/p>\n

But truthfully, the decision had already taken shape within all of us. This visit was merely confirmation.<\/p>\n

The days passed lightly.<\/p>\n

Morning walks along the shore. Afternoons watching the tide breathe in and out. Evenings exploring local restaurants, tasting what the locals loved. Life felt\u2026 sufficient. Whole.<\/p>\n

We even visited another house. A newer, slightly more expensive, undeniably beautiful. For a moment, all four of us were captivated. We’re all in love. But it came with restrictions – no short-term rentals allowed. And that changed everything. This was meant to be a vacation home, not a financial burden. So we let it go. Reluctantly. And returned, quietly, to the first.<\/p>\n

By Friday morning, we were already on the road back to Houston. But something had shifted. Another journey was waiting.<\/p>\n

Pagosa Springs \u2014 Where Memory Settles<\/strong><\/p>\n

A few days later, we set out again before dawn on a Monday morning. The weather in the mountains was still cold, so we packed plenty of warm clothes for the trip. This time, his wife could not come along; her health no longer allowed her to return to high elevations.<\/p>\n

We drove almost eighteen straight hours toward the mountains, stopping only for gas, coffee, and hurried meals along the way. The long road seemed to stretch time itself.<\/p>\n

The farther we traveled, the more the landscape changed. Flat land slowly gave way to winding grades and mountain passes. The noise of the city faded into the stillness of hills and forests. Mile after mile, we climbed higher into the sky. He told us the house sat at more than eight thousand feet above sea level.<\/p>\n

the time we arrived, night had already fallen. The air was cold and wonderfully clean, carrying the scent of pine, damp earth, and something ancient and untouched. The house stood on the crest of a high mountain \u2014 spacious, beautifully arranged, fully equipped, and surrounded by silence. Not the lonely kind of silence. A meditative silence. The kind that settles not only around you, but within you. <\/p>\n

Standing there in the stillness, I suddenly found myself thinking, “If only I could live here forever.”<\/p>\n

We chose our own rooms, cooked instant noodles we had brought from home, and tried to wash away the exhaustion of the long drive. All three of us felt slightly lightheaded from the thin mountain air, but after a few hours our bodies adjusted. That night, sleep came peacefully, wrapped in the strange serenity of the mountains, as though the world below had vanished completely.<\/p>\n

The next day, we wandered through the area. Endless pine-covered hills rolled into the distance. Narrow roads curved gently through forests and slopes. Scattered homes rested quietly among the trees, each seeming to possess its own private patch of sky.<\/p>\n

Whenever he was not speaking with real estate offices or coordinating details with the new owners of the house, he drove us around visiting neighbors and old friends. Everywhere we went, he introduced us with a kind of quiet pride, speaking warmly about our younger days together \u2014 those years of flying, dreaming, and living recklessly beneath enormous skies.<\/p>\n

Eleven years of coming and going to Pagosa Springs may not seem long in the measure of a lifetime, but it was long enough for the place to become part of him. Long enough for memories to grow roots.<\/p>\n

By Wednesday, we began packing.<\/p>\n

At first, we thought there were only a few belongings left behind. But once we started sorting through everything, each object seemed attached to a story, a season, or a forgotten moment. He stayed constantly on the phone with his wife, asking what should be kept, what should be moved, and what should remain.<\/p>\n

On Thursday, we rented a U-Haul and loaded everything into it.<\/p>\n

That afternoon, he insisted that we experience the famous hot springs for which Pagosa is known throughout America.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are many hot springs around here,\u201d he explained, \u201cbut The Healing Place is the best \u2014 more effective, less commercial, and much cheaper too.\u201d<\/p>\n

So we went.<\/p>\n

For nearly two hours, we soaked in steaming mineral water while the mountain air remained cool and crisp around us. The warmth seeped slowly into our tired bones. Above us, the sky drifted quietly toward evening.<\/p>\n

That night, we returned home and finished whatever food remained from the past several days. Along the way, he also took us to a few local restaurants he loved. What amused me most was how easily content he had become. Whatever he ate, he praised as delicious. Whenever he wished to sleep, he slept peacefully \u2014 deeply, almost like a child.<\/p>\n

We were happy for him.<\/p>\n

Many times during that trip, I found myself quietly reflecting on his life.<\/p>\n

His journey in love and career had always seemed remarkably straight and unwavering \u2014 like a workhorse steadily moving forward on a single road. One enduring love. One profession mastered through discipline and devotion. One measured, principled life rooted deeply in faith.<\/p>\n

Years ago, he smoked and drank just like the rest of us reckless young men stepping into adulthood. Then one day, he simply stopped \u2014 completely. No drama. No relapse. No excuses.<\/p>\n

We admired him for that. For his discipline. For his iron will.<\/p>\n

The old saying is always true, \u201cMaster one craft, and honor will follow for life.\u201d Looking at him, then looking at myself, the truth of that saying became painfully obvious.<\/p>\n

I, on the other hand, had always wandered from one passion to another. I wanted to try everything \u2014 every field, every dream, every adventure \u2014 whether material or spiritual. My life scattered itself in a hundred directions.<\/p>\n

And yet somehow, perhaps because opposites attract, we remained close through all these years.<\/p>\n

Wherever he found a corner of the world to call home, he always wanted me to see it too. From mainland towns to seaside escapes. From Pearland to Galveston. From Pensacola to the mountains of Pagosa Springs. And now, there was yet another place he insisted we must someday visit \u2014 a house he had purchased high in the rainforests of Costa Rica, partly with compensation money after the government took a portion of his land to build a highway.<\/p>\n

Whenever the subject of travel came up, he would always mention that place. \u201cYou would love it there,\u201d he would say. \u201cIt\u2019s perfect for your romantic poet\u2019s soul.\u201d<\/p>\n

He had invited us several times already. But somehow, life had not yet allowed the journey to happen.<\/p>\n

A small parenthesis here \u2014 because his life has always carried strange turns of fate.<\/p>\n

The money used to purchase the house in Pagosa Springs had come from selling property at Crystal Beach, east of Galveston, after Hurricane Sandy swept away his vacation home near the sea.<\/p>\n

And now, it seemed the sale of the Pagosa house would fund yet another home near the ocean \u2014 this time in Perdido Key, Pensacola.<\/p>\n

From the nearby sea\u2026 to the high mountains\u2026 and now back again to the sea \u2014 farther away, yet perhaps even more beautiful. The strange thing was how perfectly timed it all seemed.<\/p>\n

The sale and purchase happened almost simultaneously, at nearly the same price range, within only a matter of weeks. As though life itself had quietly arranged the transition for him long before he understood it.<\/p>\n

Amphitheater \u2014 A Theater of Earth and Time<\/strong><\/p>\n

After a night of deep sleep, at 7:00 AM on Friday, we woke up. After having breakfast and coffee, he carefully checked the car \u2014 the fuel and fluids \u2014 one last time; then, with a sense of reluctance, he farewell his beloved home and headed back to Houston.<\/p>\n

Crossing into New Mexico, we stopped at a place that had not been planned.<\/p>\n

An amphitheater carved not by human hands, but by time itself. A vast natural bowl. Layers of rock folding into one another like ancient steps. Colors shifting with light\u2014rust, ochre, gold. Wind moved through it like a voice. Not loud but resonant.<\/p>\n

We stood there, two of us grown men, shouting into the emptiness just to hear the echo return. And when it did, it was not merely sound. It was time answering back.<\/p>\n

The Road to the Monastery of Christ in the Desert<\/strong><\/p>\n

Leaving the amphitheater behind, we continued on toward another destination \u2014 one that had never been part of the original plan.<\/p>\n

The car was gliding smoothly along the highway when he suddenly said, \u201cWe\u2019re about to pass a very special place \u2014 the Monastery of Christ in the Desert. It was this very place that convinced my wife and me to buy a home up in Pagosa Springs, so we could escape the world once in a while and come here for retreat and contemplation.\u201d<\/p>\n

The way he said it immediately caught my attention. I began asking questions, and he continued,<\/p>\n

\u201cThis monastery is completely removed from worldly life, hidden deep in the desert. The road in is rough, winding, and difficult \u2014 thirteen miles from the highway alone. We\u2019ve stayed there several times before, and over the years we\u2019ve also helped support the monastery, so we\u2019ve come to know a few of the priests and brothers there \u2014 even some Buddhist monks who visit.\u201d<\/p>\n

What he described stirred something inside me \u2014 curiosity mixed with excitement. \u201cThen we should go see it,\u201d I said. \u201cCan we?\u201d<\/p>\n

He shrugged casually.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure. Why not?\u201d<\/p>\n

Almost at that exact moment, we saw the sign pointing toward the monastery.<\/p>\n

Beyond it stretched an immense desert landscape \u2014 wild, empty, and strangely silent. He turned the wheel onto a narrow red dirt road. The roughness began immediately.<\/p>\n

I felt a slight uneasiness, knowing we were towing a large, heavily loaded U-Haul trailer behind us. But he remained completely calm at the wheel, as if he had driven this road a hundred times before, and somehow that steadied me too.<\/p>\n

The road was only thirteen miles long, yet it was thirteen miles of red earth, loose gravel, jagged rock, and desert dust. There was no possibility of driving fast. The vehicle lurched and dipped constantly through potholes, over uneven stone, around sharp bends that tossed all of us side to side with the rhythm of the mountain road. Uphill, downhill\u2026 over and over again without pause.<\/p>\n

At times I felt less like a passenger in an SUV towing a heavy trailer and more like a young soldier again, riding in an old military jeep into some distant combat zone.<\/p>\n

At times, the path narrowed so much that one wrong move could send the vehicle slipping into the canyon below. Around us\u2014nothing. No power lines. No buildings. No signs of human presence. Only desert. Color stones and blue sky…<\/p>\n

The mountains rose like ancient walls, their surfaces carved by centuries of wind and silence. Vegetation was sparse\u2014low shrubs clinging stubbornly to dry soil. Occasional cottonwood trees stood near hidden traces of water, their leaves trembling in the wind.<\/p>\n

Then, suddenly at the sharp curve, the Rio Chama. A ribbon of blue cutting through the red earth. Calm. Quiet. Enduring. We stopped. He told us of a priest who had once fallen there. A cross stood by the roadside. He bowed his head in praying for a while. We waited. And somehow, the silence deepened.<\/p>\n

The Monastery \u2014 Where Time Ceases<\/strong><\/p>\n

And then, after another bend, It appeared. Not grand. Not imposing. But\u2026 present. As if it had not been built, but grown out of the land itself.<\/p>\n

We stepped out of the car. No one spoke. Even sound felt intrusive. Inside the chapel, we prayed.<\/p>\n

Outside, time no longer mattered.<\/p>\n

He disappeared briefly then returning with a priest who greeted us warmly. They spoke like old friends.<\/p>\n

The priest told him, \u201cTomorrow, I take my final vows to stay here for good. I will pray for you and your wife.\u201d<\/p>\n

Simple words. Yet they lingered.<\/p>\n

Return \u2014 What Remains<\/strong><\/p>\n

That night, we slept in the car at a truck stop. I could sleep at all while my wife got some naps. He lowered his seat and slept like a baby with snoring! That’s good for him.<\/p>\n

Five hours with broken sleep, we woke up, got the morning coffee and back on the road. We stopped at one Vietnamese restaurant along the road for a bowl of Ph\u1edf then drove straight home with couple more stops for gas and restroom.<\/p>\n

By evening, we were home. His wife welcomed us with warm noodles. We ate quickly then headed home for needed rest.<\/p>\n

Now, sitting quietly, I think back. He had closed a chapter of his life. Sold one home. Bought another. Moved forward.<\/p>\n

As for me, I carried something else. Gratitude. For friendship. For the journey. For those moments that cannot be planned – Standing inside a cathedral of stone. Sitting within a monastery of silence – Some places are not destinations.<\/p>\n

The unprepared but experienced road trips had begun with a simple question, \u201cHey T., want to go to Pensacola?\u201d<\/p>\n

Kingwood, late April 2026<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

(M\u1ed9t chuy\u1ebfn \u0111i, hai mi\u1ec1n k\u00fd \u1ee9c) Kho\u1ea3ng tr\u01b0a Th\u1ee9 S\u00e1u, v\u1eabn nh\u01b0 m\u1ecdi ng\u00e0y, t\u00f4i \u201cthi\u1ec1n internet\u201d \u2013 m\u1ed9t ki\u1ec3u thi\u1ec1n c\u1ee7a th\u1eddi \u0111\u1ea1i khi m\u00e0 cu\u1ed9c bon chen \u0111\u00e3 ng\u1eebng l\u1ea1i, nh\u1ecbp s\u1ed1ng ch\u1eadm l\u1ea1i v\u00e0 \u0111\u01b0\u01a1ng nhi\u1ec7m ch\u1ee9c Ch\u1ee7 T\u1ecbch Nh\u00e0 B\u00e1o. Trong l\u00fac \u0111\u00f3, nh\u00e0 t\u00f4i c\u0169ng \u0111ang mi\u1ec7t m\u00e0i v\u1edbi […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,23,17],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thovanyenson.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19172"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thovanyenson.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thovanyenson.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thovanyenson.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thovanyenson.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=19172"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/thovanyenson.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19172\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19185,"href":"https:\/\/thovanyenson.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19172\/revisions\/19185"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thovanyenson.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=19172"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thovanyenson.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=19172"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thovanyenson.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=19172"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}