Yesterday morning I drove to Mt. Rainer: it wasn’t a planned trip. It was a spur-of-the-moment thing.
I didn’t waste
a lot of time: I washed my hair, got dressed, brushed my teeth, threw a heavy
coat in the car, stopped at the Bank … and boogied. Anything else the day may
have had slated, was scrapped. The timing felt right; so, I went.
If I
spent too much time thinking about it, I may have put it off again.
I turned off Jackson Highway, and onto Tucker Road. Driving along I could see Mt. St. Helens to the right … and the flanks of Mt. Rainer to the left; most of Mt. Rainier was swathed in clouds, so I was hoping I’d be able to enjoy my outing when I arrived at my destination.
Listening to the radio for company, I started getting peeved by what was being parroted by the political talking heads.
I know how DC treats our Vets (easily dispensable and recognized only during Election Season); this has been going on for decades. I know how DC treats protestors (unless they are pandering to demonrat/obamanite agendas). I know how DC uses the gullible (promises of free goodies – that are never ‘free’). I know that DC is only working to further the elites: they don’t care a rat’s ass for The People: The People are their enemy. DC has shown us, since 2009, what their true agenda is … and they are determined to implement it, using the dimwitted, gullible, rudderless sector of society – whose eyes are on the {goodies} that will cost them body and soul.
DC has weaponized freedom, and is trying to erase individual rights – you can only enjoy freedom, and have rights if you announce to the world you are racists/if you {willingly; by heavy handed political force} allow poisons to be injected into your bloodstream/if you renounce Almighty God and worship at the altar of science/if you pretend you don’t see or hear the ridiculousness of obama’s demented puppet, biden” …
I’m not one of them.
I will never bow to barak hussain obama’s agenda – never did during his fist and second coup: and I won’t now, during his third coup.
Loss of personal freedoms/choices is not okay; covid is just another cudgel the demonrats are employing to create societal division and global mind control – obama’s racebaiting tactics isn’t working with the rational minded … neither is the covid hysteria.
Bowing to islam child bride cultural differences is NOT okay; that the demonrats are allowing this to happen, clearly highlights their hypocrisy concerning their screams for women and child protective rights.
DC cannot have my body … nor my soul.
I don’t need to adhere to DC “if’s” and cultural blindness to live my life.
“Ohio”
Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCS-g3HwXdc
“Find the
Cost of Freedom” Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ycj-bQXWRrQ
I turned off the radio in Randle – it wasn’t being friendly company: I didn’t want to be peeved – I wanted to enjoy my day without DC craziness infringing on it.
Driving through Randle, I stopped at the Ranger Station to inquire about wildfires in the area/how harsh the smoky air would be on my lungs; given the “all clear” report, I continued on my drive, and spotted a cloud that resembled wings.
I felt that today’s drive was moving in the right direction 😉
A little
further up the road, I pulling in at the Bevin Lake Rest Area, and saw a couple,
who practice the Old Order Brethren religion (the cape on her dress set them
apart from Mennonite, Amish, or Quaker religions in WA State).
Old Order
Brethren Religion: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Order_River_Brethren
& https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Order_Movement
I usually like to take my time dinking around on road trips, but yesterday I didn’t lollygag long, or spend too much time parked off the road along the route; it was a 4 hour drive there and back, and between 2 to 3 hours to drive the small scenic loop I was focused on – I wanted to be home before nightfall.
Visiting
Mt. Rainier: https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/road-trip-around-the-mountain.htm
Driving into the Mt. Rainier National Park Entrance, I was hoping Bob’s Senior Lifetime Pass would work for me, too: it did 😊 Bob had bought the Pass when he retired because we were there 3 or 4 times every year. I was glad it worked yesterday.
I like the low architectural rock retaining walls along the roadsides … but some of the roadways had no pretty retaining walls, or modern guard rails – the lip of the roadways literally kissed the edge of sheer canyon drop-offs: those were scarry moments.
At those moments, I just crept forward. And I didn’t care what the drivers in the vehicles behind me were thinking. I was there to see the sights; and to stay alive while doing it 😉
I was learning to fly solo in my favorite place, in all of WA State.
I was earning my stripe; mile by mile.
I finally pulled in at Box Canyon; I love it here.
It has taken me 33 months, 2 hours, and 5 minutes to make it this far, alone. I’ve wanted to revisit, but I wasn’t yet strong enough to do it, until yesterday; my heart, and memories held me back.
I knew if and when I eventually returned, I’d see and feel Bob everywhere along the route.
I noticed
that the graffiti is getting worse; and the destroyers are getting bolder.
Walking this trail solo lobo for the first time since Bob’s spirit left Earth was a strange feeling. There is so much of us in this small corner of the world. As I walked forward, I could sense the essence of Bob in this place, encouraging me – and setting me free to soar on the updraft and enjoy life’s ride.
With every step. I could hear Bob whisper: “Go for it, Honey; you can do it.”
Not just for that day: but for the rest of my days.
With my senses I did see Bob, and feel him, everywhere I stepped and looked: but my heart wasn’t seized with pain, and my eyes didn’t swim with tears; I just felt a little lonesome in this place we had always walked side by side. Sometimes, we had our grandchildren with us – the last trip we took together to Box Canyon was the summer of 2017: we had our 4 y.o. grandson with us.
I’ll never see Bob, or Azariah, again in this lifetime.
But I will always have the memories.
And the missingness is not so hard on my heart, thoughts, or spirit anymore.
I am healing. I am moving forward freely. I am engaging in life again, on a deeper level than just simply moving through the days in survival mode.
Finishing the loop walk, and crossing the road to the parking lot, I stood still so as not to disturb the young woman taking a picture. While I stood still, she said (while still focusing her camera shot), “I’m going to trust you. I see you have a big stick, but I am going to trust you.”
She said it in friendly tone, so I chuckled.
When she completed her picture shot, she laughed turning, and said, “Hi: my name is Michelle, and I’m from Kansas. I’m always watching those ‘who-done-it’ murder-mystery shows, and the crime always seems to happen in National Parks, camp grounds, or other scenic places.”
I laughed, too; and told her that I watch the same shows sometimes, and Bob and I used to read Ann Rule novels that were real life crimes she, as a law officer and investigative officer was involved with. I laughed too, because when I had breakfast with a friend the other morning, it was suggested that I advertise for a traveling companion – and I quickly nixed the advertising thing, saying, “No! With my luck I’d get a Ted Bundy, or the Green River Killer. No, thank you!”
Ann Rule: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ann_Rule
We both laughed, and talked for about 20 minutes or so. It’s fun to meet new people; share bit of yourself, your stories/hopes/dreams – encouragements and travel information. I used to watch Bob do that … now, I’m doing that.
Michelle had a cute accent, a fun personality, and I was glad our paths crossed 😊
She asked me to take a selfie with her … and returned the favor 😉
Before I left Box Canyon, I filled my eyes with the remaining sights there, and touched on a few more memories before finishing the Scenic Loop on my way out of the Park, and back towards home.
Practically as soon as I left Box Canyon, I came to a spot in the road where traffic was backed up and stopped behind an automated stop signal.
There were a few scenic spots I skipped this trip – mostly because I was pressed for time before dusk arrived … and also because a few of the pretty sights are situated in tricky parking areas, where half the tire would be hanging into space. Bob could have done it – Bob has done it: I’m not Bob.
By the time I reached the lakes, the temperature was dropping and rain was beginning to fall. I was glad I had the foresight, at home, to grab my heavy coat and throw it in the car “just in case”. Mountains create their own weather: it can be blue skies and sunshine one minute, and angry gray clouds, with falling snow the next.
This is why it’s a good thing to have company along for the ride when heading into the mountains. But, I don’t have anyone to call when I want to see the mountains.
I have me, myself, and I.
I have Yeshua.
I had my heavy boots and coat … and, I prayed it would not snow. I like snow – but I don’t like to be stuck in it, in the mountains, solo lobo.
Reflection Lakes parking area is paved, with an edging of big boulders in the various types of rocks in the region. It’s striking to see when the sunlight highlights the different rock materials.
I skipped Paradise Lodge, and took the road to the Longmire Historic District (where Bob and I usually drove into the Park); it was a little after 4 PM, and I had a 2-hour drive back home. I breezed past Narada Falls, too.
Paradise
Inn: https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/paradise.htm
Narada Falls: https://www.nps.gov/mora/learn/photosmultimedia/narada-falls-wayside.htm
Didn’t have time to climb back up the mountain to see the Lodge.
Can’t do the steep hike to the bottom of Narada Falls anymore – even with my hiking stick to lean on … I just don’t have the lung power. Last time I did hiked into the hole to see the pretty rainbow at the end of the Fall’s water spray, I wasn’t sure I’d make it back up! I forced myself back up to the parking lot: Bob was up there. Now, Bob won’t be up there waiting for me anymore.
Nearing the bridge over the Nisqually River, traffic was stop and go: there was bridge work going on. I don’t know if the bridge was being repaired because of an earlier washout – or if struts needed reinforcing. But, I was thinking, “You really know how to pick traveling days, Val.”
Then I laughed, because that is what Bob would have voiced: and it is true 😉
Leaving the Park via Longmire, fed me into Skate Creek Road – which the gal at the Ranger Station had mentioned I take to the mountain earlier in the day, when I stopped at the Ranger Station.
Bob and I had never taken this road; Bob usually drove further along the Ashford route, and turned off somewhere in Morton – that was the road I had intended searching for, but Skate Creek Road interested me because it was something new.
My new life needs new things added to it.
I took a peek at the gas gauge … and moved into a new adventure 😊
The road was a skinny backcountry road, rough in places with heavy patchwork laid in places (new overlaid the old, so it was rough and humpy), but it is a heavily traveled road. At one point, there was a sign that said, ‘End of County Road’, which meant I was now traveling a forestry road; and those aren’t real well maintained. That was a little concerning.
I remember my ‘end of country road’ adventure, from last summer … I was thinking this trip may be a repeat of the same type of scenario.
Last year’s
mountain adventure (backside of Mt. St. Helens): https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2020/08/sundayfunday-16-ive-earned-my-wings.html
The directions I got this trip was kinda right – the road did drop me into Packwood … but I had to make a left turn, not a right turn. Aside from the rough and humpy patchwork, it was a real nice country drive; I kept thinking that it must look real pretty in the Spring time and Summer months, with life affirming greenery showing and wildflowers along the roadside. I might have to come back and drive it just to experience that 😉
I even drove past the Huff’n’Puff Drive-In Burger Shack (I say that lovingly; I like this place), passing through Randle on my way home; a juicy hamburger would have tasted great … but, I was running out of daylight.
I checked the hanging bluff in passing: sometimes a mountain goat will be spotted – but, they were not showing today.
Leaving Randle behind, something up on the hillside caught my eye – some kind of giant signboard. So, I pulled over, and using my old digital camera – zoomed in to see what was on the hillside.
I was washing bug guts off the car, gassing up (the locking gas cap is a bit of a hassle), and parked it the carport before full dark.
I enjoyed my Mt. Rainier Daytrip; and I brought a lot of sorted out feelings back home with me.
I’m glad I finally went 😊
** Sunday~Fundays ~ 2021:
#21/=1 for 2021 – https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2021/04/sundayfunday-21soul-food-clandestine.html
#22/= 2 for 2021 – https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2021/05/sundayfunday-22olympic-peninsula-loop.html
#20/2020 – The last of the 2020
Sunday~Funday’s – https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2020/09/sundayfunday-20-deep-river-eden-valley.html (plus 10th thru 19th
SUNDAY~FUNDAY links)
#9/2019 – https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2020_04_27_archive.html (plus 1st thru 8th 2019 SUNDAY~FUNDAY links)**
==Meaningful Mondays ~ 2021:
#1/2021
– https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2021/05/meaningful-monday-mccormick-park.html
==Try It Tuesdays ~ 2021:
#1/2021 – https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2021/09/wings-mt-rainier-solo-lobo-daytrip.html
==Wandering Wednesdays ~ 2021:
#1/2021 – https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2021/05/a-day-to-remember.html
==Traveling Thursdays ~ 2021:
#4/2021
– https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2021/08/traveling-thursday-lael-moon-nursery.html
#3/2021
– https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2021/06/lincoln-city-thursday-solo-lobo-daytrip.html
#2/2021
– https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2021/04/traveling-thursday-sulkum-huff-and-puff.html
#1/2021 – https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2021/04/traveling-thursday-3-county-hopscotch.html
==Freewheeling Fridays ~ 2021:
#1/2021
– https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2021/05/a-boarishboorish-day-centralia-daytrip.html
