I took off monday morning, took my national exam in missoula tuesday, hugged some friends and headed west. I pulled off the road somewhere north of La Pine to sleep. kissed my boyfriend by noon on 4th of July.

spent a few days camping, enjoying mountain lakes, lazy rivers. enjoying the company of my best friend. it looks like now it’s time to move on and see more of these states. I’ve been bumming around for a week, time to get on with it. looking at shasta, thinking of a ski tomorrow or in a couple days. might head north to mackenzie river trail. want to bike around crater lake. those things this week. raft the deschutes next week.

I’ve never really spent much time on the east side of the cascades this far south. I have to say, that it’s a bit depressing. it’s impoverished waste land. not a single nicer house anywhere, most resemble shanties or dilapidated shacks with piles of old cars, metal and other junk in the yard. lots forest service compounds or mexicans who seem to ride 5 to a car, sedan or truck, no matter. it’s sad to see, but I appreciate that perspective. coming out this way really makes me appreciate montana’s beauty. how peaceful it is and even in it’s rugged redneck-ness—quite clean.

I’m sitting in a coffee shop in shasta, trying to focus on work, but I have too much on my mind, so many things to do, so little time. found out last night I passed my national exam, and officially became an EMT-B. just like that.

might go for a swim with moose in the afternoon.