Fountain Display, Bellagio in Las Vegas
A few weeks ago, I was driving from my home in Portland, Oregon to the coastal town of Seaside and then on North to Astoria. I love adventures; I had not driven myself on an adventure road trip in way too long. In fact, I had forgotten how much joy I get from driving off into the relative unknown. My friend, who was visiting from New York City, had never driven this route and we explored together.
The trip was not a long vacation, but was a rather grand pause in the week’s activities. It was a relief from the battering of depressing news headlines. The sun was shining bright on this glorious day and it illuminated the beautiful greens as we drove over hills and through the forests. Dark green, medium greens, light greens, blue greens, yellow greens! What a beautiful blue, cloudless sky and stunning countryside. For one day we had respite from the world’s chaos as we enjoyed the pause and let our breath flow smoothly and with ease. Intoxicating sea air, wide open space, children and adults playing on the beach. Dogs running after balls and beach volleyball! All the games and play of summer.
While pausing and looking out at the majestic bridge crossing the mouth of the Columbia River, we could not help but be in awe. One day, on another adventure, I will drive across that bridge and explore the other side. In these moments it is easier to reclaim appreciation for our beautiful country.
This past weeks have been filled with a full spectrum of emotions, from elation over having a dear friend visit and the two positive decisions from the SCOTUS to grief at being reminded that my country is far from being “the land of the free”. Until the scourge of racism and inequality is erased America cannot boast as being “the land of the truly free”. But, this day I choose to not let this blog be a rant about the inequity of daily life for many. I prefer to extol, instead, the value of taking the time to stop our usual routines and open our eyes to the beauty surrounding us. We exhale, breathe, and renew ourselves to move forward with hope.