Outside With Coco

This weekend was the Oregon Trail Rally in Dufur, Oregon. It’s only my second time spectating out there, but it is one of my favorite spots because I love the rolling hills and wide open sky to showcase the clouds blowing through. This area of Oregon reminds me of my hometown, Benicia, California. Maybe that is why I like it so much.

As per usual, we start the day strolling through Parc Expose in downtown Dufur, and then we drive to different spectating areas close by to watch a visible section of a few stages. Wildflower season is holding on for dear life, so the hills were peppered with little yellow and purple wildflowers, which always makes me happy. The spot we picked this year was a great vantage point to watch the cars, and although it was dusty, the wind was pretty strong and helped blow it away quickly. I’m kinda a rally race poser. I don’t really know the racers or their cars. Actually, I don’t really know shit about race cars, haha. But I love spectating, seeing my husband’s face light up (he knows a lot about the races, the drivers, the cars, etc.), hanging with our friends, snapping photos, and being outside.

After getting a good layer of dust from the cars, we headed up a short 1.4-mile trail right on the outskirts of Dufur that took us up a steep hill to the radio tower. On the way up, we were periodically greeted by some (giant) cows that lazily glanced our way while munching away at their grass. Once at the top, the views were so pretty. You could see so far. Hills were different shades of green, depending on the agriculture growing on them. You could see a design of lines from tractors and other farm equipment, as well as some cool-looking caves off in the distance down below. There was some cloud cover, so we weren’t able to see Mt. Hood, which I was most looking forward to seeing, but it was still breathtaking nonetheless.

On another note, I haven’t been able to get out and hike as much as I want to. Life has been quite busy as of late. There is so much happening with work, family, and just life in general that I have been struggling to peel myself away and head up to the mountain or to the Gorge. And I think now, more than ever, I could use some nature.

I have found myself totally overwhelmed most days in the last few weeks. My anxiety has returned, and I’ve had a few mild panic attacks. I find myself on the verge of tears more often, and my patience seems to be hiding somewhere I cannot seem to locate most days. I keep reminding myself that this is temporary, and in the scheme of things, it’s really not that insane. I’ve been through tougher things and crazier times. But in this moment, it feels really intense.

I do have some things to look forward to, though! We go to BottleRock in Napa, CA, this weekend, and then my daughter graduates from college with her nursing degree the week after that! (Maybe that is what is making me want to cry all the time.) So there are positive and exciting things to focus on; I just have to keep reminding myself of those things.

I am not sure who’s reading this (maybe no one and I am just typing into the ether) but if you are feeling the same or have in the recent past, just know I am here with you. I feel you. We will dust ourselves off and get through this.