Day 8.

Chris and I had to take a day trip in order to register our new tow car (used/new to us, that is) in Ashland, Oregon.  

On our way up from Redding, we drove through Castle Crags State Park to see the rocky landscapes. At 8:30am, the lighting was perfect and there wasn't another person in sight.  

The trees were in full bloom, so it was hard to get a great photo of the crags themselves, but the surrounding beauty was enough for me. 

We passed quickly through Mt Shasta in order to get our stupid Oregon DMV crap done, ate a quick lunch and then headed back down to see the mountain.  

We drove up the steady incline of Everett Memorial Hwy that runs up to Bunny Flats, at an elevation of almost 7,000 feet.  

I was reminded today of the reasons I decided to take this trip in the first place. I'll be the first to admit that I am wrapped up in the material world. Our weird, capitalist society has made it easy for me to forget the humbling beauty of this planet. Seeing a 14,000 foot mountain reminds me of my small, ineffectual position in this existence. It reminds me that what so-and-so said or did to me however many months ago doesn't matter. It reminds me to forgive myself for the things I've done. 

A few years ago, I was lucky enough to be in an accident that woke me up to the real and true concept that life is short. You can say YOLO all you want (you stupid hipster kids) but to really and truly live a life for yourself is not easy. Since I walked out of the hospital I've been telling myself and everyone I know "I'm gonna do whatever I want." And now, I'm finally doing it.