Passing Through

from Michigan to Oregon

*Written on Tuesday.

Since 4am yesterday I have passed the south west Michigan border into Indiana and Illinois and Iowa up to South Dakota and through it, those beautiful rolling black hills, into the corner of Wyoming and across eerie eastern Montana while the sky flashed with heat lightning. I’ve passed the hours oohing at floppy calfs diving through meadow and ahhing at ret tailed hawks swooping down like a good morning kiss. I could probably play Emmylou Harris or The Highwomen on repeat until the highway drops us off at home in 13 hours. We’ve covered a lot of land. 

Addie and I decided to drive from Michigan to Oregon in 2 day because the only time I could see my grandparents was Sunday and the only day I could get in for a massage is Wednesday. My neck is sore all over—when I touch it I think of those Crunch candy bars. I am hoping this could be a step in the direction of solving my migraines. (Update: the person giving me a massage reminded me that maybe I don’t take enough breaths.)

We’ve reached the point of the trip where it is pretty here on out. (Update: Eastern Washington made me lose my mind. Not pretty.) We are headed toward Missoula where we will stop and explore and then to Spokane, through the River Gorge, and then back down to Eugene. I spent 4 days in Michigan and on one of the most important nights, the one when my best friend got married, everyone in the wedding party jumped into a small lake surrounded by flat land and small trees. I’ve watched rivers dump themselves hundreds of feet below, I have climbed up snowy peaks, I have seen the Ocean gnaw at coastal towns. And yet the distance sound of loons and beige cattails and the sneaky voice of peepers at midnight is just as incredible to me. 

I’m coming to the realization that what I love has no ranking. It is all wild.  Everything that is good is just so and it touches me in different ways. To let it pass into me feels more productive than spending so much brain space longing for something else. 

*Written today

Keeping this as what it was from Tuesday to allow myself to catch up on other things that need my attention. I am now back home and nestled in that rainfall bungalow, Eugene. It is what it is right now and I will let it pass through me like that until I head somewhere new.

Jo