trip

the first night i slept on a boat.

1/6/09
i went to this place called glass beach today. i read about it and expected it to wind up being stupid and disappointing me after going almost 2 hours out of the way to see it. but it did not disappoint me. it wound up being amazing. it is a very small strip of beach in fort bragg, ca, that in 1949 was opened as a public dump site. until the late 60's people threw whatever junk they didn't want into the ocean here. there are still bits of rubber and old shoes and various things mixed in, but overwhelmingly what remains is glass. small bits of smooth, polished glass that, from a distance, just blend perfectly with the rest of the stones and sand on the beach. but up close, when you step onto the beach, suddenly you realize just how beautiful it is. all of the various sizes and colors all shiny and sparkling in the sun... it was a magical place for me. it reminded me that people can really fuck things up and make a total mess out of things, but somehow it can still turn into something beautiful.

















1/7/09
i wonder if tom brown would have known that i was pondering life's great questions by my sandy footprints in the dunes today.
















it was a crazy and dangerous venture today. after many perilous miles through fog and rain and blustery winds, 101 was closed in both directions so i took 26 into portland. only 10 miles outside of the city i learned that I-5 was also closed, meaning that i was stranded in portland.
(many warm and heartfelt thanks to brooke and gabe, who kindly received me and made the unexpeted time a whole crapload of fun. i owe you what is called a "life debt.")
















and so 2000 miles, 3 detours, and two extra days later, i finally arrived home.