Hey Northwest. How have you been?: February 2011

This is the beginning of my return to Trout Lake, WA for my second AmeriCorps service. I'm coming back as the Intern Program Leader and Outreach Coordinator and hope to pass on the life lessons and experiences that I was able to endure in 2009, onto the AmeriCorps class of 2011. For all of you who are wondering who McCullough is, he is my 1998 Subaru Forester and this was his first journey out West. We cruised steadily across the states and besides a slight burning up of oil he preformed flawlessly.

Sunset in Glenbeulah

Everything I need. Gooood Maisie

The journey began in Glenbeulah and I distracted Maisie, my parent's dog, to sneak out the door and hit the road. I made a quick stop in Chicago to see a friend and then escaped the nasty big city traffic for good. How does 6 lanes of cars fit in 5 marked lanes of traffic? Chicago rush hour is insane! The compass is now set to West and it will stay that way for four more days. A completely flat day of driving landed me in Lincoln, NE and I ended up staying in the same Motel 6 that I crashed in a couple years back. Still has the sleazy lingerie shop next door. Don't worry folks that isn't my cup of tea.

My next stop was the beautiful city of Denver, CO to visit my good ole' pal Patrick Brennan. Irish and brilliantly crafted in this red-bearded good man. Waiting for him to get out of work was the first time in months that I could comfortably walk around outside and not freeze. I explored downtown Denver for 45 minutes and then Pat and I wandered back to his place to watch American Idol at the Milwaukee Art Museum. We recognized the reggae singer that advanced to Hollywood because her band Urban Sol performs at the Up and Under on Brady St.

No look camera shot. Clouds were beautiful

Colorado is connected to Wyoming. Wyoming is connected to Utah. Utah is connected to Idaho. (Sing it in the "connecting bones" childhood song) Hitting the mountains of Wyoming made the brutal drive of 8 hours seem much more enjoyable. Once I crossed the border of Wyoming the hills began to steepen and the snow became deeper on both sides of the road. The size of the mountains crescendoed and it was a fresh sight to see the plateaus of Wyoming snow-covered.

Mountain drifts

Side-mirror shot

Into the Rockies

Beautiful shades of blue

Wyoming plateaus

Cruising through the gigantic peaks and ski slopes of Utah was mind blowing! I now understand why the Olympics came to Salt Lake City because these mountains and ski resorts were like nothing I have ever seen. I crashed in Salt Lake City for the night and prepared for my 11 hour drive to finish our westward journey the following day.

Unfortunately I kept my camera buried deep in the back seat but Idaho and Eastern Oregon were fantastic as well. Once I reached the Columbia River and the spectacular Gorge I was reassured why I came back to the Northwest. The natural features of this part of the country are like no other and after almost 2200 miles it felt good to be surrounded by this scenery again.

Sunrise from my backyard