"It is well to remember that the entire population of the universe, with one trifling exception, is composed of others." A.Holmes

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Freedom, Just A Drive Away

I and 2 of my younger sisters visited someone here we care about this past weekend. The trip was an 8 hour drive each way. The visit in between the driving left us with so much to think about and no adequate words. I might write about this later, much later, when I can put into careful words exactly what I want to say, what I need to say...but later, maybe. The drive home through the rugged, desolate, and beautiful country of eastern Oregon made us even more aware of the contrasts of closely supervised confinement without soon expectation of freedom to the vast and wild country in between prison and our home. There was a dark cloud behind us, sunshine in front of us and we came upon this vast plateau with a scenic viewpoint overlooking the countryside below. As my sister Joni and I took pictures the clouds rolled in and the shadows changed every few seconds it seemed. "This magnificent view is preserved and protected by the efforts of the Oregon Roadside Council which initiated and secured the passage of the Oregon Scenic ahead....3,585 scenic miles of highways were surveyed and selected by the council and adopted by the state scenic area board. More than 7.000 signs and billboards which distracted and obscured scenic vistas were removed." Since Oregon can remove the billboards to allow unobstructed viewing of her awe-inspiring beauty I am going to leave the pictures I took which come nowhere near to picturing it as beautiful and vast as it truly is, without words.
"Freedom:Quality or state of being free : Liberation from imprisonment." Webster's

18 comments:

Unknown said...

What stunning views. I am so sorry to read of your sombre visit and truly admire your 8 hour trip each way. A true expression of love I think

Farmgirl Cyn said...

Wow. Stunning pictures. And what a contrast to the prison you had just come from. We have not had prison visits, but plenty of jail visits. Consequences of a life lived without Jesus...
Blessings to you, dear Kathy.

LindaSue said...

beautiful views - my greatnephew broke probation(again) and is going back to prison - not sure where yet - I almost think I can hear the hearts break in our family - so much potential so wasted - but - thank you for sharing the beauty of your trip with us

A.K.W. said...

Nice pictures!

Amy

Pondside said...

Visiting someone in prison is a beautiful act of mercy - one of the things we're instructed to do. I can well imagine how much your visit meant - how it will be mulled over, enjoyed many times through the coming weeks.
Oregon is, indeed, a beautiful state. I think it's time for a mini-holiday down that way!

GardenOfDaisies said...

All that vast space is so beautiful and wild at the same time. Such a contrast, as you said, from the confines of a prison.
8 hours is a long way to go, which shows that you care about this person a lot. I hope you know that your bloggy friends are good listeners. So whatever you want to get off your chest....

Anonymous said...

Good Afternoon Kathy, I'm sorry it was a difficult trip. Thanks for sharing a part of the country I have never seen.
My nephew is getting married in Seattle this weekend. Hope they will have nice weather. We have been in the 90's this week.

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

It looks a lot like Eastern Washington that I drove through one year with my sister on the way to Spokane...so much wide open space in this country that we city dwellers have no concept of! I love the wide open vistas and the big skies.

Sounds like you both had a lot to ponder and I am sure you will find the right words for whatever it is you want to express.

joanne said...

Bless your sweet heart. You and your sisters did such a wonderful, unselfish thing, visiting that someone who is special in your life. Those photos show perfectly the contrast of your heart and mind as you traveled. take care dear one.

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Connie said...

Kathy, I'm so sorry to hear the reason for your trip. I know that can't have been an easy journey to make. I will keep you and your family and the one you visited in my prayers.

The views you photographed are quite stunning. What an amazingly beautiful part of the country.

Anonymous said...

I think it is one of those times that will remain in our hearts forever. Sometimes you just have to be all in.Thanks sisters.

Nancy M. said...

What beautiful views to get there! I visit someone regularly in prison and am thankful to not have to drive anywhere near that far to get there. How great of y'all to visit!

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Absolutely breathtakin' pictures sweetie.

There is such a fine line between confinement and freedom. I admire your for makin' this trip. I know it couldn't be easy.

Have yourself an awesomely blessed weekend sweetie!!!:o)

Judy said...

What wonderful views and you're right, it's quite a contrast from confinement to the wide open vista. I'm sorry that you had such a tough visit, but I bet you brightened the day for the person you were visiting.
Enjoy your weekend.

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy said...

Hi Kathy,

Your photos are so beautiful. Eastern Oregon is the one part that I haven't had the chance to explore very much.

I'm sure that your visit was greatly appreciated, and I am glad that you had a special time with your sisters.

God bless,

Kathy M.

A. Joy said...

Yep, this is exactly why when I arrived in Victoria, Australia I said it looked just like Oregon! Glad you all had a safe drive with good conversation.

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Once, I visited someone in city jail and said, "clean up your act; I'll never again visit you in jail." It was a horrible experience and I was on the "outside" although I had to go through 2 locked doors to get to the visitors glass.
I visited someone in county jail here in Tazewell and that's a lot easier and no locked doors to get to the glass wall to talk. At least, the doors weren't locked from the inside which made me feel a LOT better.
I am so sorry for the situation that had you visiting someone, Kathy. It's so sad.