Moving to the Northwest has become an adventure in itself for me. I am learning all the ways to stay warm in the cold and damp. And I have to tell you I am not bad at it. For the most part I like it. I can bundle up and I can go inside if it gets too cold. I have always loved rain and storms as long as I didn't have to drive in them. Well, now I get to learn that too. I only work about 10 miles from my house and most of it is driving through town so it isn't bad. I only have to get on Highway 101 which is about three blocks from my street and follow it to the turnoff for my work and I am there. There is a stretch that takes me over the Seiletz River and Bay. Now, I used to commute to San Francisco every day over the Bay Bridge, so going over two very small bridges shouldn't be any problem right? But I have always had an overwhelming fear of drowning or being trapped in a car in the water. So, of course, for those that know me well, I learned to sail, and love to be on the water in a boat. Am I a good swimmer? No. Am I strong? No. But I keep putting myself out there subconsciously I think to do those things that I fear most. Like crossing bridges every day. Living at the ocean. So, now I am reading up on all the defensive driving techniques when driving in the rain. I must admit, at 6:30-7am in the morning there is very little traffic to worry about here. In fact, before 7am, the only place to get coffee is at the 24 hour Safeway that has a Starbucks, every other coffee drivethru place doesn't open until 7 or after.
So, I try not to get distracted when driving in to work first thing in the morning. But some mornings it is hard when the fog or clouds begin to dissipate and the pinks and mauves and orange begins to blur together to make this collage of colors that light up the sky and the calm straits by the bay reflects it while the drift wood creates this drama of textures. I had to pull over and watch a group of migrating birds come together in a V shape and head south over the water while the reflections of colors changed from pinks and purples to firery reds and ocher smudged with brilliant coppers as the sun made its debut. The waves in the distance began to come alive from just light shadows to white flashes that caught a bit of color themselves as if hearlding the coming day. I sat there watching without thought of anything but to remember how vivid it all was at that single moment. If I had spent the time pulling out the camera and adjusting the lens, I would have missed the play of colors as they quickly changed from one to another.
I am sure that people passing by me wondered at what I was doing at the side of the road, but sometimes, that is where the magic is. It isn't always on the rim of the Grand Canyon, or standing in a forest of ancient trees. Sometimes it is in a moment of time that comes from nowhere and leaves just as fast. Sometimes you are the only one to see it. Doesn't matter if no one else does, it just matters if you feel it in your soul. Something clicks and it feels right. I know that I have always found that even the smallest of drives have divulged some great wonders and there is always something to be seen and learned and be in awe of if only we take the time to look. So stretch out your wings, your feet, and your tires and see whats in your neighborhood, or around the next block from you. I would love to know what you have found.
I once found a big purple house when I was driving around. I was amazed at how very big and very purple (I mean grape colored purple) this house was! Then there was a time when we (Cal and I) got lost and found a great craft fair in a tiny little town in Nevada. Cal still doesn't let me live it down, but we bought some wonderful handmade Christmas ornaments. We also took the loneliest highway in the US. Highway 50 I think it was across Nevada to Ely. We learned that the trantualas were giving birth and that they then migrated to somewhere(That's another story!). They were crossing the road by the thousands as we were driving over them! Yuk! But it was very interesting at the time that we found out. So, there can always be an up side to driving to your destination.
I truly believe the old saying, It isn't the destination it is the journey that makes you wise.
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