Have you ever driven down the Covered Stretch of Highway 41 in the summer? I have been fortunate to not go to the Big Town for two weeks, so I haven't seen this stretch in its summer prime until today. Man, is it green!
Tall grass lines the edges of the asphalt. Bushy ferns, saplings, berry bushes and other shrubs fill the ditches. The forest floor is covered in foliage. The trees themselves are vibrant green -- making a green tunnel. It's like driving through the rain forest (though I’ve never done that). The last time I can remember driving through so much green was on our trip out west as we drove south on the west edge of Oregon. Sooo green and lush.
And dotting the sides of 41 today were yellow buttercups, orange hawkweed and daisies. As I approached Lake Medora, I came across the thick patches of pink and purple lupines too. They are so tall and graceful.
It’s funny because the ride to Houghton takes me an hour, and I always dread “wasting” that much time in a day. But in reality, it’s a good time to sort through my thoughts and take a few deep breaths. Plus I listened to some NPR (the only station that comes in in my car) and found out some of what is happening in the world. Wow. Ignorance is bliss, I tell you. I thanked my lucky stars today that I live where I live: in peace.
Other than that, we’re still waiting for summer weather up here. I just bought some sweaters for work today. Sweaters in June! Though the air is cool, the days are long. A few nights ago, I went for a jog after I got out of work at 10 pm. A lovely little twilight run!
Tomorrow is the longest day of the year. We’ll have light on the horizon of the lake until midnight. Well, woo hoo! Happy Solstice!
