Leaving Willows, California, northward on I-5, flatland tips
upward—farmland to mountainous forest—dry, dying grassland to wet, high cold. North to Corvallis, Oregon, rain falls and
green deciduous trees turn into yellow and orange spots on blankets of pines. Their colors are just beginning, but the
blackberries have already ripened and fallen, signaling the beginnings of winter. This trip will fall more and more toward
winter as elevations rise in Wyoming and days shorten in October.
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| Ammas Lodge, Dunsmuir |
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| Dunsmuir |
I could not resist a nostalgic stop at Dunsmuir, where in
June, 2012, I made an attempt at the summit of Mt. Shasta. Ammas Lodge, my base camp seems abandoned
now, and the café where locals talked of declining visitation is closed.
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| Mt. Shasta today |
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| Mt. Shasta as it was in June, 2012 |
The great mountain, shrouded in clouds today, bears much less
snow that it did in 2012, reduced too ten percent of its former white garment.
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| Michael and Michele |
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| Michael and Michele |
I drove nine hundred miles and crossed a hundred minor
mountains getting to Corvallis, most of it through rain. Now, happily I sit in the home of Michael and
Michele, enjoying a bike ride, a hike, and most of all, dinner and conversation
with old and new friends. I’ll be here
until Sunday.
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| Michele Godwin |
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| Michael Angerman |
.
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| Michele Godwin |
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| Michael Angerman |
.
Looks like you're having fun. Happy for you... and thanks for carting us behind ur bike on this trip. ;) Love the pics.
ReplyDeleteIt's a long rope, Mandy, pulling half way around the world, and a strong one. Nice to have you along.
DeleteI thought Michael Angerman was in South America. Enjoy your visit. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteHis mind still goes south sometimes, as does mine, Mina, but we are happily in Corvallis, Oregon.
DeleteDearest Sharon,
ReplyDeleteAh! Your adventure continues. You and Michele look like you could be sisters. Love the pictures of your visit, especially the endearing picture of this couple in their backyard pumpkin patch. I 'll bet Corvallis gets more rain then our parched and thirsty landscape.I am glad you are stopping for a rest and visit with friends.As you travel onward and Northeastward, we are all cheering you on. Love, Kathy
Kathy, It's so nice to be cheered on. Corvallis is not having the severe drought that we have, but the Willamette River flowing past us is much lower than normal. And Mt. Shasta is losing her white dress. I hope we all make it through this.
DeleteKathy, it is so good to see you here. Hpw fun it is to share the cheerings on!
DeleteKindred
ReplyDeleteMostly, even at a distance, through the years we keep going. We plant, weed, ride, go moonviewing, check the mountain in the morning. The pumpkins grow bigger, we cut the corn. In our imagination we see them where they were before, and how they were, but really, they've moved on, overcome difficulties, crossed oceans and back. The simple pleasures, the understandings settle in, change, develop all unseen but we still know them, those essential beings of our hearts, and it takes just a few moments to catch up.
saving some seeds f
for roasting, a few kernels
for popping
the sound of a campfire
with old friends in mind
Visiting old friends who have sought for and found a near-perfect small town in which to settle and grow food, meet friendly people, and welcome visitors. That's what I found in Corvallis.
DeleteWonderful! Thank you for sharing what blessings you found.
DeleteMu-Hsin
Yes, would love to be with you three, and so we are as always, essentially together! Good, Sharon that you are there. What could be better. Hugs and Kisses to Michael and Michele!
ReplyDeleteKathabela, You and Rick are here right now ! We love that we can share this beautiful moment together with Sharon and Liz... To more good times together... We are grateful to be able to share a moment of our life in Corvallis with you... Love, Michael
DeleteHi Sharon, Am already enjoying your blog and your insights about life. The two contrasting photos of Mt. Shasta are telling signs of climate change. How sad. Mary
ReplyDeleteNice to have you along, Mary. We all hope for more snow on Mt. Shasta this winter as El Nino rolls in from the Pacific.
DeleteIsn't it fun and isn't it funny how life expresses in so many ways! don't you just love how even the sad things make for the best of poetry? And, isn't it even more fun that the poetry we draw from the sad things makes everything the glad things?
ReplyDeleteGreat insight, Junnie
Delete