I made it in one piece.

 Two days of hard driving has found me at my destination. It was difficult but definitely worth it. I think it would of been more fun if I wasn't on such a time constraint. Than I could of stopped at interesting places. But that is okay. I can always do it again sometime. I learned quite a few things and I share them with you here.

1.     Playing dodge the deer is not nearly as fun as it sounds. There are also three types of road deer. One is sheepish. Their like “I know, I know. I’m not supposed to be out here. I’ll just be leaving now.” The second type is disdainful. They look at you like you put the poop in pooper. The third stares you down and says, “I will cut a bitch,” before flicking their tail and sauntering back into the woods from whence they sprang.

2.     When a little bunny runs out in front of my speeding car, it causes me to let out a high-pitched squeal, slam brakes, and swerve the wheel wildly (the driving equivalent of arm flailing).  Luckily, this demonstration of driving excellence left all participants unharmed.

3.     When a huge white owl dive-bombs my windshield only to veer off at the last moment to fly away it causes me to yell loudly to no one “HOLY SHIT that was cool!!!

4.     If you ever find yourself driving through Mt. Shasta State Park between 10pm and midnight take time to stop and look at the stars. I turned off even though I was so tired I could barely stand and turned off my car and just stood in the dark. I could hear nothing but the secret night sounds of the forest and feel a soft breeze on my legs and I was in awe of the sky. There were so many stars there seemed to be ribbons of them weaving through the firmament. I stayed until I heard a car coming and I didn’t want anyone to stop and offer assistance.

5.     That the Travel Inn in Mt. Shasta has little people furniture, the dresser came to my knees and I am not tall. Additionally, I never knew how many businesses replace “ing” with “inn.” You got your Drive Inn, Eat Inn, Stay Inn, Drink Inn etcetera, ad naseum. I realize that I find that really Annoy Inn.

6.     2 straight days of driving for 10 hours has given my ass a serious case of Kim Kardashianitis.  I hope the swelling goes down by tomorrow.

7.     I need someone more eloquent than me to explain how rainy days and jazz make me feel. So saith Queen Latifah, “it gives me lady wood.”

8.     And, finally, driving through my city today it made me realize how much I fucking miss this place. I miss the trees, the rivers lakes ocean, wild flowers everywhere, the seasons, how pretty it is. I guess I am fortunate because when I am away I can make myself forget and downplay how much I love it.

All this and I get to repeat it in reverse again on Tuesday when I go home.