Published September 25, 2024

My errands Monday took me to Oregon. On a map, that’s not much of a leap. As the crow flies, I live about a mile away, if that. When there is a bridge lift that halts traffic on the Interstate 5 spans that connect Washington and Oregon, the silence sings. Sometimes I think I can hear the mechanical parts creaking when they raise that big green thing.

To the east is the Interstate 205 Bridge, which you can see in this gorgeous photo showing the Columbia River and Mount Hood at sunset.

I crossed it twice Monday, on my way to and from Oregon.

When I returned, I was using one of the navigation apps on my phone. I wanted to see how it would route me to a place I don’t go to often. There was no chance I’d be unable to find it, but it was my day off, and I wanted to let someone else choose my path.

“Welcome to Washington,” a voice said as I crossed the line dividing the states’ sides of the Columbia. It was a simple thing, and it shouldn’t have taken me by surprise, but it did. Part of that was how it reminded me that I live in Washington. I can easily travel to Oregon and return to Washington.

I live in the Pacific Northwest.

I’ve been mostly hiding in my little apartment for 4 1/2 years, and it’s easy to forget that I live in one of the most beautiful regions of the world. I vowed not to let that happen when I moved up here 14 years ago, and it happened anyway.

“Welcome to Washington” may have been my reminder that it’s not too late.

I’m still here.

Sign photo by smodj via iStock.
Photo of Mount Hood and Columbia River by Nicholas Steven via Shutterstock.

Someday I’ll take my own and share them with you.