Looks quite terrifying...And your questions: What will take us home? That is way I study pilgrimages and have practiced pilgrimage. The journey is the main thing, not necessarily the goal. The journey can even BE home....
Fascinating! I’m now thinking about the path toward a healthier relationship with our environmental as a “pilgrimage.” There does seem to be a spiritual element to it, and the journey is the purpose. Thank you for introducing this perspective!!
I’d pondering what it looks like in more practical or concrete terms for the journey to be home. How do we practice that? Letting go of outcomes as a metric for success is one part, probably…
Definitely let go of outcomes...that way madness lies (evil laugh 😉). Have you read "Blue Highways"--I haven't in years but it's a pilgrimage on the road.....(though no fires threatening that I recall)....
I started feeling very nostalgic when I was reading this piece. Specifically for that experience that you describe of knowing a place so well but then being completely anonymous.
After volunteering out at Rowena Crest for nine years, I felt that way in Hood River, my stop of choice. For me, there is no going out that way without having lunch at NY City Sub Shop, which also carries its own nostalgia since there used to be a location in downtown Portland before the building was torn down.
How to cope with the fires. What a question. I think for me it’s the belief (delusional confidence) that we as a people will get our act together and it will all work out. Or not, and we can reincarnate as something new.
I’m so thrilled that you felt things while reading! You must know that stretch of 84 into the Gorge VERY well. I think of you and NY City Sub Shop whenever I drive past Hood River! 🥪 I’ve haven’t stopped there for lunch yet because I usually don’t get hungry until later in the drive, haha, but the Sub Shop very much on my radar.
And yes, hopefulness is a valuable attitude in all this!
Great list of questions in the last paragraph. Holding each other and these questions are certainly path markers toward the way home. Thanks for writing!
Looks quite terrifying...And your questions: What will take us home? That is way I study pilgrimages and have practiced pilgrimage. The journey is the main thing, not necessarily the goal. The journey can even BE home....
Fascinating! I’m now thinking about the path toward a healthier relationship with our environmental as a “pilgrimage.” There does seem to be a spiritual element to it, and the journey is the purpose. Thank you for introducing this perspective!!
I’d pondering what it looks like in more practical or concrete terms for the journey to be home. How do we practice that? Letting go of outcomes as a metric for success is one part, probably…
Definitely let go of outcomes...that way madness lies (evil laugh 😉). Have you read "Blue Highways"--I haven't in years but it's a pilgrimage on the road.....(though no fires threatening that I recall)....
I can confirm the madness from firsthand experience. 😵💫I haven’t read Blue Highways, but it looks intriguing. I’ll have to check it out!
Haha! Yes, Blue Highways is a great book...
I started feeling very nostalgic when I was reading this piece. Specifically for that experience that you describe of knowing a place so well but then being completely anonymous.
After volunteering out at Rowena Crest for nine years, I felt that way in Hood River, my stop of choice. For me, there is no going out that way without having lunch at NY City Sub Shop, which also carries its own nostalgia since there used to be a location in downtown Portland before the building was torn down.
How to cope with the fires. What a question. I think for me it’s the belief (delusional confidence) that we as a people will get our act together and it will all work out. Or not, and we can reincarnate as something new.
I’m so thrilled that you felt things while reading! You must know that stretch of 84 into the Gorge VERY well. I think of you and NY City Sub Shop whenever I drive past Hood River! 🥪 I’ve haven’t stopped there for lunch yet because I usually don’t get hungry until later in the drive, haha, but the Sub Shop very much on my radar.
And yes, hopefulness is a valuable attitude in all this!
If reincarnation, then I’m hoping for some version of extra large birds.
Next time, stop at NY City Sub Shop for my sake and save the sandwich for later when you’re in the middle of nowhere and relieved to have food!
Brilliant, yes, this is the new plan. Did you always get the same thing from there (& what is it…)?
Great list of questions in the last paragraph. Holding each other and these questions are certainly path markers toward the way home. Thanks for writing!
Thank you!! Lots of what you wrote in your piece resonated with me and got me thinking about my own experiences with fire & writing (hence the link 😊)
Currently driving that same route of Boise to Portland. Haze: worse than my drive down.
The haze seems omnipresent this time of year 🌫️