Wherein and herein, between us and near us, zero and zero, is nothing but zero...

Seattle was really everything I could have asked for. A tall, bright skyline, plenty of social activity, and things to look at. Not just big pretty displays, but stuff most people just kinda skim over now and then. The open air soup kitchen not three blocks from some of the tallest, flashiest buildings. Three middle aged men on the stoop of a closed down shop, passing a joint back and forth. A mass of holiday shoppers streaming into the crosswalks, hellbent on beating the traffic across. What’s the hurry? Take a hit, imagine how much you’d have to spend on Christmas presents or Hanukkah dreidels once you get the settlement. The terraced streets would put San Fran to shame, the close proximity each house is to the next, the steam rising from the sewers, the lavish Christmas lights decorating the shopping centers, the gleam of the streetlights radiating in through the windshield, the sheer activity of the entire city is…obscene, almost.

I love obscenities.

The things we turn a blind eye to, the things I’ve been looking for, I’ve found here in Seattle. I love this place. People are outwardly nice. But there’s an actual force behind it, there feels like there’s some truth. Sure, there’s a dick here and there, but for the most part, I’ve found genuinely good people in this city. The views from the top of the main streets is wonderful, the wharfs and the ports easily visible, the open air markets, the slackers sitting on the steps of their apartments having one last cigarette before they shuttle off to sleep, the hipsters in their uggs with their louis vuiton custom made handbags scurrying along to their next credit-crushing destination, businessmen standing around in their black felt trenches, cradling their gourmet coffee in genuine leather wrapped hands, the mothers and their children, the performers and their music, the boys and their girls. Actual people.

And us fiends with our dogs.

Feeling better about this already. Seattle is exactly what I’ve been looking for.

The Space Needle was a big disappointment. Never believe what you see on the T.V. because it’s tiny compared to the one in your mind. Ah well.



Freezing rain, have to keep the wipers going or else it starts to stack up, crystallizing my vision, but mainly, annoying the hell out of me. Back on the road out of Seattle the morning after with the snow piling up against the concrete barriers, rising well above my chest in certain places.



Eins was not amused with the pet area.



The mist started to fade slightly, but thankfully we were slammed right back into it near the north western corner of Oregon. A crystal white/slate grey world, visibility just at the right level to make you feel secure, restricted enough to make you feel important. Weiter.



Things flatten and clear, the night starts to fall as we creep along towards Idaho. Vast stretchs of white land, rolling hills, factories lighting up nowhere like a brand new sun.

We settle again for the night, a decent day of driving. Not enough pictures taken, but enough thoughts played out, situations assessed, processed, categorized, prioritized.

I like to be ready for whatever may come. Maybe someone will actually surprise me one day.

Heh.



We wake and zoom past Boise, snagging a few shots on our way in, and hit the highway north to Stanley. I’m not quite sure what to expect, except beauty. I am not disappointed as I gently guide my car through the winding base of the mountains, admiring the snow covered pines, and the semi-frozen river that seems to ebb and flow in time with my hands on the wheel.



This is peace.

I don’t have many pictures of my trip INTO Stanley. Why?



Idaho doesn’t believe in guard rails on mountains with a 15% grade and 120* turns. Talk about damn near crapping yourself. The view from the road on the way up and on the way down was astounding. One of those beauties that could captivate you, like the perfect set of eyes that you just can’t seem to stop looking at…

Of course, this beauty will send you flying off a god damn cliff and sure as shit end you quick. So we kept it to glances when we could.

We settled off the slopes and started cruising into the valley nestled in the sawtooths.


Wicked looking aren’t they?
Shortly after that nice little view we roll into…



Stanley.



Notice the population. Sounds like my kinda place some days. Quite beautiful, log cabins everywhere. We don’t stop, this is a rolling tour.



According to dad, this MOTEL is spelled out in dice. Jesus.



Guess who lived here!? It’s a historical site now, mom.



Lower Stanley, with lots of buildings from way back when.

After a few phone calls, and getting stuck in a driveway for a few minutes, we roll up Galena. I’ve got a nice big smile on my face as we start heading up, as I can’t wait to see the view coming off the other side of this beastie. I chuckle to myself as I ready my camera and look back to Eins when something catchs my eye.



GOD DAMN.



The summit view was nice, but jesus christ the sawtooths are beautiful.

Off to sun valley for the night, only to get pissed that every single slope in the area closes at 4. What a friggin jip.

More to come, no worries chittlin.