Travel Camp Day 2

This blog is a little delayed in being posted, but, that's okay!!   Here's the update from Travel Camp Day 2!


Yesterday Cloud and I met Max, Jose, Shannon, Daron, and Gabe at PCC Sylvania. Everyone was in good spirits and looking excitedly towards the trip. After leaving PCC, we drove to Wilsonville to pick up Milleena, stopped to get food at Fred Meyers, and then hit the road towards Maupin.

On the way, we did introductions, and even though we had only been in the car together for a short time, it felt as if we had been traveling for much longer! Upon reaching the small, outdoor-focused town of Maupin, we met up with Courtney, an old friend of mine and our raft guide! Courtney also took us rafting last year and we knew we'd be in good hands; his experience and hilarity are unique and enjoyable. He also has a connection to Westwind through Link – Courtney is Link's older brother!

Rafting was great. It was a hot day so being out in the sun but getting splashed by the cool Deschutes River was refreshing. Everyone had fun – Milleena and Gabe were particularly enthused and were in the water every chance they got. Daron also took a big leap of faith and jumped off a rock into the water, despite his “irrational” fear. Not irrational, Daron! But he did awesome job overcoming his fear!

Once done and changed out of our soggy clothes, we ate a pizza dinner and then hit the road to the BEAUTIFUL Smith Rock State Park, located between Madras and Redmond. Last year we camped at Smith Rock but had arrived so late, we didn't have much opportunity to look around. This year it was still light out so we were able to walk around and get a good tent spot. We even saw a guy slack-lining at the very top of Smith Rock!!

We set up camp before dark and enjoyed the laid-back back-country outdoor-adventurer setting. Before sleep, we went over guidelines, expectations, and personal goals for this trip. Everyone's goals were insightful, achievable, honest, and real. Hearing them only further ignited my appreciation for this group and the excitement for the days ahead. Sleeping under a full night of stars, we closed our first day with high hopes and delight for this profound experience.
Today we stopped at the Painted Hills outside of Mitchell, OR. What clandestine, desolate, and simple beauty! We were taken with the layers of sand (dirt?) that have created these picturesque fossilized monuments. Although it was hot hot hot, something about the exquisite, yet remote hills drew us in and we felt like we were in another land.

We ate lunch at the hills and enjoyed the isolation. Now we are back on the road towards John Day, engulfed in a scenery that is somehow bleak yet fascinating. The grass around us is almost colorless with trees that are sparse and therefore important. But the hills that roll and roll almost seem like a smooth, dry sea, uninterrupted by the coarse presence of humanity.

Central and Eastern Oregon are climates all of their own. Ochoco National Forest was like a natural compromise between the high desert and a forest; beautiful pine trees among the sage brush, expanding for miles and miles and covering unusual canyons, rock formations, and mountains.
So far we haven't seen much wildlife. Only snakes, lizards, and international rock climbers... We're hoping for some goats and bears in the upcoming days!!

Tonight we camp near John Day and tomorrow we head towards Boise, slowly winding towards Yellowstone, and soon, Glacier National Parks. The energy in the car is electric; everyone is reacting strongly to the beautiful landscapes that we have been so fortunate to already see. The enthusiasm is spreading like the wildfires that threaten these fragile Eastern Oregon ecosystems.

To pass the time in the car, we have been playing “Contact,” a word-guessing game that has expanded the vocabulary of just about everyone in the car. I also brought a book of 101 questions to “tickle the mind.” Some of these questions have rendered eloquent responses. Examples:

Q: If you could learn only one fact about every person that you meet, what would be?
Gabe: I would want to know what, in their opinion, is the most beautiful thing (anything) and why. This is a window into who they are and provides more facts into their person than just the obvious.
Cloud: I would want to know what their passion was in life. What are they seeking? What are they looking for? What do they want with life, in life?

Q: What is the greatest lesson in life you've ever learned (so far)?
Jose: Sacrificing something so something greater will come from that... and being able to do that.
Gabe: To never underestimate anything or anyone.

Man, these kids rock!

Cloud and I are so excited to be here with such amazing young adults exploring such exquisite countryside.

More stories to come!
-Platy