an open space

road trip : washifornia

Today, I ripped a hole in my favorite black dress. I was climbing over the fence by the highway, and the edge got caught on the barb of the wire. We climbed over to take pictures of an abandoned yellow train car in an empty field, and Emily and Jacob both had the courage to pick cow pies up off the ground with their bare hands and throw them at both me and each other. I sort of have a phobia of feces, so to me, this was pretty horrifying.

Last night we left College Place around 5pm, and stayed in Roseburg with Neil, whose family manages a hotel in town. They are some of the most hospitable people I’ve ever met, and after arriving after midnight, they let us stay free of charge in a vacant room, and even woke up early to cook us an authentic Indian breakfast.

I am home at last. My house was full when I arrived, with family and old friends who brought trays of sweets, gallons of ice cream, laughter and hands for playing cards. I am exhausted, and in my room with the door shut tight with Emily. The walls are thin and I can hear their voices loud and clear in the next room, but despite the noise, I feel wonderful and warm, like I can finally rest for the first time in awhile.