Day 3: From Forests to Friendships

Leaving Redding this morning, Ashley and I headed north with Max curled up in the back. The drive carried us past Mt. Shasta, its snow-capped peak towering against the sky. I couldn’t resist pulling over for a photo with Max—the mountain rising behind him, his ears alert as if he knew this was a moment worth remembering.

Crossing into Oregon, the landscape kept surprising me. The lower parts of the state were lush and green, then the skies shifted and a light drizzle fell across the windshield. By the time I reached Bend, the scenery had opened into stretches of high desert. It felt like watching the land breathe, changing with each mile.

The real highlight of the day wasn’t the road, though—it was reuniting with my childhood friend from middle school, Rusti. We hadn’t met for over ten years, and by chance, we’ve reconnected every ten years for the last 3 decades (WOW, I just aged myself). We decided to meet at a nearby park with trails so Piper, her German shepherd, and Max could meet on neutral ground. Piper wasn’t too sure about Max—being so small, he probably looked more like prey than a potential buddy—but with a little patience, they managed. Walking the dogs side by side felt like a sweet return to the rhythm of old friendship.

Since Rusti’s husband was away on a work trip, she welcomed me to stay over and crash on the couch. What was meant to be a quick evening visit turned into hours of conversation. We filled in the gaps of the past decade, traded memories, and laughed about things that still felt fresh despite the years. Before we knew it, the night had slipped away and neither of us had slept more than a few hours.

After days of driving, long silences, and fleeting interactions, that night of connection was exactly what I needed. It reminded me how much I’ve missed the comfort of talking late into the night with a friend who knows my history. Being with Rusti made me feel grounded, like I’d come home in the middle of my journey.