Escape
[ih-skeyp] - To slip or get away, as from confinement or restraint; gain or regain liberty
Everyone needs to escape, and I feel we don't do it enough.
Escaping from the confines of daily life is beneficial for the mind, body, and soul. It gives you time to step back and reflect, to reform or change perspectives on events and actions within our lives, and to set our sites on goals that are important to us. We have to set aside time for our escape.
Escape sometimes involves spending time alone. Being alone can be good, let your mind wander and it will begin to think freely. Our thoughts are constantly controlled by our external environment, giving us little time to think independently. Escaping allows time to reconnect with yourself. It allows you to
tweak or twist the paths in life path to follow the one that you deem correct. It gives you the chance to reflect on the past and grow from your experiences. I enjoy my escape time, it tends to keep me grounded.
Life, for me, has been incredibly hectic for the past month. School came to a close, right after my last final I packed up everything from my dorm room to head for home. The
monotonous I-90 drive across Washington provided some much needed alone time to decompress from my chaotic freshman year of college. It gave me time to reflect on the unforgettable times and life lessons learned throughout the year. I made friendships that will last a lifetime and learned more about myself than any year prior.
My time at home came and went in a blink of an eye. I only had a few days to reconnect with my family and friends, but I made them count. I was able to spend some quality time with my Grandparents in Spokane, which helped me place a few missing pieces to my life:
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| Grandma, Diana Moberly |
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| Grandpa, Merle Moberly |
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| Rufus |
While I was in Spokane I also broke away from my usual style of
photography by taking some abstracts around downtown:
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| Parkade creature |
I left home refreshed and open minded
Six days after my arrival in Sandpoint,
I set off for Ashland, Oregon, where I will be working this summer as a wildland firefighter. Ashland has been liberating. It is the most eclectic place I have ever been. The people here are unique and they all have something to offer. My new friends have been incredibly open and accepting, I feel as if I have known them for years. When I wasn't in my wildfire certification course I was hiking around and getting to know my new home and friends:
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| Pilot Rock, Ashland, Oregon |
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| Mt. Shasta from Pilot Rock |
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| The gang on Pilot Rock |
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| Mt. Shasta |
On Thursday I made the trip up to central Washington by my lonesome to pick up my car and attend to some business. The trip turned out to be a great escape for me. I was finally alone, lost in my thoughts and the music pumping through my speakers....
Central Washington and Oregon have some spectacular scenery. The drive reminded me why I live in the Northwest, it is home to the most beautiful places I have ever seen:
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| Columbia River, Cape Horn |
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| US Highway 14 |
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| The Gorge |
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| Mt. Adams |
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| Mt. Hood |
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| Mt. Adams |
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| North central Oregon |
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| Mt. Hood, Or |
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| Mt. Hood, Or |
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| Mt. Hood, Or |
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| Crater Lake, Or |
