Sometimes I go to bed
thinking of daytrips I want to do – just because I miss that particular place.
Other times, I am not thinking
of anything but finishing a chapter or two of a current novel; and catching
some uninterrupted zzz’s.
Last night I finished the
Stephen King novel, drank a mug of cocoa, and drifted off to sleep: no thoughts
at all of driving anywhere were entertained.
This morning, I woke up wheezing,
with Kalama on my mind: “Why not?” I thought … “I don’t have anything else to
do, but chase dust bunnies all day.” I could sip a latte, get fresh air into my struggling lungs, walk the paved trail
of Kalama’s Riverfront Park, and watch ships pass perilously close to the
shoreline – so close, your neck aches after they pass because you have been
staring up the side of the passing ship and thinking what a huge hulk of bulk
it is.
I changed the furnace filter
four days ago – and it’s a HEPA Purifying Filter that is supposed to reduce allergens
and irritants … but apparently some are fighting their way through, because
I have been needing to use my asthma inhaler just about every day since the
rain has kept me indoors; where forced air replaces fresh air.
I wake up wheezing.
A lot.
Fresh air sounded good to me.
My mind prompted me to “push
things a little further; how about Woodland?” There is a little sandwich shop I
like there – that could be fun. Eat lunch in Woodland. I haven’t done that
since I last did that with Bob, when we did a Bazaar in Woodland. Six years
ago. That could be fun 😉
I grabbed a towel and the
shampoo to wash my hair, and that pesky mind of mind urged me to “push things a
bit further: Battle Ground.”
That thought stopped me in my tracks!
Battle Ground is practically new territory.
I had been there
a handful of times with Bob … but
it was a quick drive-thru thing: we hadn’t actually spent any time to speak
of, there. It’s practically to Vancouver. Vancouver is a hop-skip & a
jump from Portland.
Mind! WHAT are you thinking of!
“You can do it”, my mind
said … and it prodded me forward.
Morning musings.
Morning thoughts lead to morning actions.
Pulling my Big Girls Pants on.
Hair washed, pj’s shucked
and body clothed for adventure (foregoing makeup - no time to waste time); I grabbed a new read (in case I get hungry
and stop for a bite 😉),
my heavy coat (‘just in case’: I’m going into unfamiliar territory – and I
haven’t forgotten my shredded tire incident not long ago).
I drove a short stretch of
the I-5 freeway from Longview to Woodland.
New Read.
Woodland from Longview; via I-5 - 21 mins.
I’m in the right lane,
driving the speed limit … and I happen to glance in the rear-view mirror, and
see the grill of an 18-wheeler bearing down on me. Seeing that grill, and
knowing the driver was climbing up the ass-end of my car, peeved me.
I’m doing the speed limit,
and that road jock cowboy is pushing my ass. So, I glared at him (even
though he couldn’t possibly see me – as all I could see of him was his truck grill)
… and thought, “Go ahead buddy: push my ass. I’ll tell you what – you bump
it, or dent it, and it’ll cost your ass big bucks to kiss the owie.” Behavior
like his is why I hate freeway driving. People lose their minds on the
freeway and start acting like jungle animals.
I was glad when my eyes saw
the off-ramp exit for Woodland.
I
drove the short drive through town, and aimed the nose of the Highlander for
the bridge that spans the Lewis River running through Woodland.
Lewis River (https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/giffordpinchot/recarea/?recid=70978)
As soon as I found a decent
place to pull over, I did – and punched in the navigational details that hopefully
would get me from A to B, with as little hassle as possible.
Straight off … there was a snafu.
GPS had brain freeze.
It was a good
thing I had taken the time, before leaving home, to write down route details to
keep me on track 😉
GPS didn't get up to speed until I entered Ridgefield.
Battleground from Woodland; via NW Pacific Hwy - 25 mins.
Backroads have GPS stumped; I've been having dreams about driving this road.
I set out with only my post-it-pad notations ...
For several miles, as that
old highway backroad climbed in steep elevation, I could clearly see the
freeway below: even though GPS was still telling me it could not calculate
a route. But I knew I was on the right track… and really wouldn’t need
GPS at all until I actually got to Ridgefield, where I’d be zig-zagging on
and off alternate route roads all the way to Battle Ground.
I remembered Battle Ground being
a pretty congested area – and probably would be more so now. Four years breeds
a lot of developments – even people who live there may find it hard to navigate
now and then with new construction, road reroutes, ect.
I
entered LaCenter at 12:20’noon … and when I got to Ridgefield, I pulled over
again to reset GPS: surely there was satellite connection by now.
There was 😊
GPS finally kicked in half an hour later ... and led me true the rest of the way.
I think I'll give this a try, next time I drive through; I always try to help the Mom & Pop businesses, whenever I can.
Ridgefield road is a mini-freeway: it was a snap. LOL
Spots of vibrant color in downtown Battleground - my eyes were happy.
I was so happy to have
reached my destination without losing track, losing heart, or losing my cool …
I just about did a happy dance and kissed the ground, when I reached my
destination 😉
I kicked around Battle
ground for two hours before calling it a day, and heading back home 😊
I stopped at a little County
Park – and I think I’ll go back in the coming Spring, to walk the trails: the
Lewis River runs through it.
Passing
through Woodland, I had to use two of those ridiculous round-abouts: total
waste of road space … and annoying as Hell.
And my brain prodded me to
take another side excursion (and reminded me of another one I’ll explore
this coming Summer) 😉
I can handle small-town cities. I'll definitely be going back.
I spotted this pit-stop Park on the way home. It's country cozy.
People were fishing in the background - the Park extends across the highway; with paved hiking trails.
Change of plans at Woodland's 3-way-junction.
I have always wanted to
visit the Cedar Creek Grist Mill, but we never did.
This afternoon, I made it a point to see it.
The Grist Mill was closed,
but it was nice to look at, and imagine what it must have been like long ago
when it was in full operation. I like History, and visiting historical sites 😊
There’s a river that runs
through the Mill building: and makes that place feel alive.
Cedar Creek (http://columbiariverimages.com/Regions/Places/cedar_creek.html#:~:text=The%20Columbia%20River%20%2D%20Cedar%20Creek%20Grist%20Mill%2C%20Washington)
I would have liked to walk
the trails both sides of the Mill … but it looked too slippery to try this time
of year. For younger people, it would be fun – for people my age, it would be
better to wait until the ground is drier.
I’ll be going back.
Cedar Creek Grist Mill from NW Pacific Hwy; via Jenny Creek Rd & NE Cedar Creek Rd - 15 mins.
Grist Mill Road Signs.
So cool ...
The waterfalls are LOUD, as soon as you step out of your vehicle. I like it 😊
I started back homeward on
the freeway … and veered off as soon as I reached Kalama; I had reached my
limit for freeway tolerance.
As I passed the Road Sign
for Todd Road, a memory was pricked: I remember that Todd Road leads to higher
elevation backroads that ties Kalama to Battle Ground – I’ll research the
routes and give ‘em a go in 2022 when the days are longer 😉
I enjoyed my adventure; it was a big step.
I know I’ll be doing it
again: with confidence, next time.
I was actually glad to be
home, when I touched down in Longview – I am “sinking roots” … I’ve never
really done that before.
I am open to whatever this
season births for 2022.
I am proud of my
accomplishments of the day (not
sinfully proud, but confident proud) … and I know Yeshua, and Bob,
are proud of me too 😊
Maxed out my freeway time this afternoon.
Heron Pointe from Kalama; via I-5 N & Old Pacific Hwy S (WA-432 W) - 25 mins.
Even following the slo-mo school bus along the Old Pacific Highway S. route, was way better than the freeway chaos.
Longview streets. Battle Ground has half as many people than Longview.
The leaf-shaking trees lining the Lake are starting to look daring 😉
The naked trees are showing their secret places.
Nature teaches us how life is rejuvenated from death.
