May 4, A little catch up

I arrived safe and sound at Carl G. Washburne State Park late Saturday afternoon. I had originally planned to be here early afternoon, but spontaneousness happened in the morning. I went out for a run up the campground road and saw signs for a fundraiser fun run, Homeless to Hopeful, sponsored by a local credit union. On my way back, one of the volunteers flagged me down and said I could still sign up! Registration is open! T-shirts and swag! It wasn’t going to get started until 10:00, a 10K, 5K and 1 mile walk/run. I thought, why not? Back to camp to have a light snack and get some money for registration. I didn’t quite have energy for more than another mile so that’s what I did, ran a mile. When I crossed the finish line, the volunteer was there with a big smile and a high five for me. Then on the road to the ocean.

 

Once off of the interstate, it was a two lane highway to the coast. The color of green is so intense, all of the new spring growth is vibrant, almost fluorescent in the way it shines and sparkles in the fractures of sunlight. I didn't stop to take pictures, this one on the left gives a good idea of the intensity of the color. Even under the gray clouds, the undergrowth seems to have its own illumination. Rhododendrons are beginning to open, some in full bloom already and showing off their pink ruffles. I have one next to my camper that’s just beginning to show some color, it will be nice to watch it open up. I'll be sure to post some pictures once it does.

home sweet home   

It took me four tries to get backed in to where I wanted to be. Even though I didn’t see them, I knew they were watching me. I had to tell myself, ‘no one’s watching, you’re fine. No one is going to come out and offer advice.’ And they didn’t. I just need to remember to start my turn sooner. The next day, Bob and Mike, a couple of the other volunteers, in a lighthearted way, let me know they were watching but had the wherewithal to not say anything.

one of the enchanted pathways

Sunday was sunny, a perfect day for a long walk on the beach. A light breeze, waves rolling in and out. A rocky lump, covered with life. Barnacles, mussels, anemones and little wiggly critters and bugs.

In the photo, on the left side, those little anemones are about the size of a dime in diameter. In the afternoon, clouds moved in and it began to rain. Then drizzle. Then rain. Then sprinkle. Renewing my vocabulary on all the different names for precipitation. And it rained most of the night and most of the next day. The cats and I stayed in mostly, I did venture out when it was just a light mist to walk the beach. The wind was up and so were the waves. 

The dampness is pervasive. Coming from 15% humidity to 98% is strange. I knew it would be like this, it’s just been a long time since I have experienced it. And it’s not warm, so the dampness gets even in to my bones. I don’t know if anything will ever get dry until I head south again. There’s limited internet service at the entrance station, none at my camp site. It makes me realize how much I rely on it for staying connected to friends and family. Whether it’s a phone call, text message, email or social media I feel disconnected. I have to go to a place where technology reaches. I write offline, then go find service to catch up and connect. So I’m sitting in my car in the Fred Meyer parking lot getting this out for you to enjoy. The sun doesn’t set here until about 8:15, not much of a sunset tonight as the clouds have rolled in to bring 1-2” of rain for the next couple of days. Then it will be back to 60 degrees and partly sunny.

Even though it's not poetry Monday, I thought I would share with you my latest that I wrote while at Lake Siskiyou.

I see the reflection of one I love 

shining back at me in the 

still waters of the lake.

The mountain with a white halo

greets the morning.

My heart longs for you like the

tall pines reaching to the sky.

Heart cracks open.

Beam of light escapes.

Illuminate your path to

Bring you to me.

To see your reflection

in the clear water

By my side.