SHIFTING

The week of March 21st I began sensing a shift coming. It’s a feeling that just washes over me and its one that I cannot easily describe. However, I have experienced it enough times to know to pay attention and patiently wait, knowing all would be revealed in its most perfect timing.

The following week I was guided to head back to Park City Utah. My initial response was what? Not that I was ever unhappy in Park City, but honestly, I never thought to go back. Of course looking back, when I was saying my goodbyes, people would ask “so how long are you going be gone?” My reply, “You just never know”.

My rent was due on the 7th of April and the 7th was fast approaching. There was no time to make a plan. I knew I wasn’t meant to stay another month in Bellingham, so I would have to leave the following week before the rent came due. Upon realizing this I shout, “You’ve got to be kidding me!”

So I spent all day Tuesday cleaning the condo and packing my car. I woke up at 4:30 a.m. Wednesday morning and I hit the road at 5:30 a.m. in an attempt to miss rush-hour traffic in Seattle/Bellevue. My route, by Google, would take me on Interstate 90 across several high mountain passes as I traveled through Washington, Idaho and Montana.

The first pass was Snoqualmie (sno-KWAHL-mee) Pass. The warning signs displayed the need for chains or snow tires on an AWD as I approached the base of the pass. Chloe and I were covered. There were semis lined up on the side of the road as I headed up the pass at a snails pace of 30 mph. The road was winding and steep and covered in snow and ice and the snow was coming down hard. It looked like a winter wonderland and I wanted to stop and take pictures to share the beauty, but there was no place to pull over as the snow was piled high from the plows.

All and all, that first day, I would go over 7 passes Snoqualmie, Fourth of July, Lookout, Lolo (low low), Lost Trail, Bannock, Gilmore. Yes, snowing all the way.


Side note:

When Phil made his prediction of an early spring, I sensed he was off and the country would endure several more weeks of winter. Those of you who are driven by the seasons for your fashion; my thoughts on the subject, you are going to miss out on your spring wardrobe and will be jumping straight into your summer wardrobe, so get ready.

To say it was intense, is putting it mildly. Blessedly, other than fatigue, there were no unwelcomed surprises and I made it as far as Missoula Montana the first day. Yes, 11 hours of driving.

I had never been to Missoula Montana. It’s actually quite lovely. It’s the land of cattle and cowboys. The area is beginning to see peeks of green here and there and its surrounding mountains were snow covered, making for a nice contrast. The people were very friendly too. Did I mention the cowboys? (Smile)

The next morning I got up feeling a bit worse for wear and was enjoying my first cup of Jo, and seriously considered the idea of resting a day and exploring the area before hitting the road again. I mean, why not? “No!” came in loud and clear from my guides, “You need to leave for Park City today.” Great!

Of course the whole trip I’m thinking, what’s the plan? There is no stinking plan. Great!

I got off to a late start Thursday leaving at 8:30 a.m. Really not too much to share about the drive that day. It was snowing and snowing and snowing. After 9 hours on the road and enjoying Monida Pass and the Continental Divide in a raging snow storm, I finally arrived in Park City. As I got out of the car I had to resist the urge to get down on all fours and kiss the ground. I was that grateful to have made it safely and I couldn’t wait to lay prone on a comfy bed.

I stayed Thursday through Sunday in the local HI. All I wanted to do was sleep. After 4 days of quiet and solitude I realized just how big an energetic hit I had taken over the last eight months, but I will leave that dissection for another post.

People I have reunited with since coming back to Park City have all asked me if I regret having left Park City in the first place. My answer is definitely not. I had a journey to complete and now that it’s done I feel free to begin anew without anything hanging unfinished out there.

I was on a hike in a beautiful area called Red Rock a couple of days ago. I have attached some pictures. While immersing myself in the energy that nature provides, I was struck by the similarity of my travels to Dorothy’s travels to OZ.

Like Dorothy, I clicked my ruby slippers and repeated, “There is no place like home… There is no place like home”.

Blessings & Love,

Kate