Journey

Me and Madhubala set off on a long journey on Saturday early morning. It was still dark when we left the house. I saw the most beautiful shade of blue between the San Jose hills on 680N. It was the blue before the sunrise, mild and soothing. The drive was through some very beautiful places. The tiny dunes covered by luminous brown grass on both sides of the highway was followed by the green Shasta County. There was the blue Shasta lake, tall pine trees and the gigantic Shasta mountain. Shasta peak is so fascinating that i could have spent hours just staring at it in awe. Highway 97 goes all around the Shasta exposing 180 degrees view of the mountain. As soon as i crossed into Oregon, i was welcomed by the huge Klamath Lake along the highway. The view was simply breathtaking. After a long but exciting drive of over 8 hours i reached my final destination, Crater Lake National Park. Crater Lake was formed several thousand years ago when Mount Mazma collapsed after a volcanic eruption, into a crater. Over years, rainwater, melted snow accumulated in this crater, forming the deepest lake in United States, Crater Lake. I was stunned by the "bluishness" of the lake. A 33 mile rim drive that goes around the lake shows you the lake from every angle. I did the rim drive and was patiently waiting for the Sunset at Watchman Point that overlooks the Wizard Island , when black clouds gradually started flooding the sky. I had to drive another one hour from there to get to Prospect where i was staying for the night.
I had a spooky experience at the hotel restaurant where i was the only person by myself, and either i was over conscious or many people were really looking at me strangely. I had the most delicious hot chocolate and the most distasteful salad in dinner which happened to be the only vegetarian item on the menu.
Next morning, i got up and drove to the lake to see the sunrise from the crater lake lodge, and did the rim drive loop one more time through moist woods, fragrant air, and splendid views of the lake. The return drive was equally beautiful, although i was quite tired as it was a long 500 mile drive back home. But overall a great experience, and a nice time to just go and explore a place on my own. For those of you who are wondering about Madhubala, that happens to be the means to go on the road, the car :-)

Idle Saturday Morning

Most of the past weekends, I have been upto something. Usually something outdoors on atleast one of the days. The previous one being a long weekend was fun with some hikes, food and sightseeing. But time just flies! Before i know it would be the end of 2009 and time to wish happy new year 2010. Last night was a relaxed Friday night by myself, i read for a while and then caught a flick on Netflix. Sometimes doing things without any aim, hurry or plan is kind of fun, although i am not used to it. How much ever we plan and try to squeeze out of life on a day to day basis, life is so dynamic, keeps running out of our hands.. That is what is beautiful about life, each moment of it forming memories....Don't you agree? This reminds me something i came across in the novel i was reading last night, definitely worth a mention and a moment to ponder over, some food for thought:

"In order for the true energy of love and life to penetrate your soul, your soul must be as if you had just been born. You should not try to imprison that energy. Its difficult to do because that energy gets blocked by all kinds of things: commitments, children, social situation..."