Day 32

 

 July 18 - Lassen Volcanic National Park, CA

Waking up without having to make plans for the evening was so refreshing and clarifying. I felt no rush to do or pull toward anything today, which was a pleasant return to my feelings earlier in this trip (when all we had to do was figure out plans for the day). It was a sunny and blustery morning. I decided to finish Into the Wild today and committed myself to it. We spent a lazy morning around the campsite until Cassandra went back to the lake to finish her painting. During this time, I noticed a couple people chatting with Cassandra and learned that they were National Park employees who interviewed and videorecorded Cassandra painting for a film about artists' use of the park! They chatted about the park's push to include more arts in the park (we'd seen this in Grand Teton, Crater Lake, and the Badlands with artists-in-residence at these places). It was neat because Cassandra was particularly inspired by these purple wildflowers that we all over the place here, and it turns out that, according to the NPS employees, they had never been this prevalent in memory and that they seem to be around due to the wildfires last year - which was another reminder of the power and creative importance of fire (even through its utter devastation). The NPS employees and Cassandra we both inspired and motivated by these purple flowers…

 

Eventually, the kids asked to tube across the lake by themselves. I confidently consented, then immediately questioned the propriety of this, parent wise (but I trusted my gut and went with it). I had some anxiety watching Ev and Til traveling all by themselves, yet the experience was affirming and purely exciting. I sat by the lake's edge all afternoon, reading Krakauer's Into The Wild and watching them hike, and eventually drop into the lake.

 

Reading this book while on the road has been interesting and brought me into myself - what am I hoping for/seeking to get out of this trip? In some ways, I know I'm seeking removal from daily life and a reconnection with nature, but to what end? Does there even need to be an end? This I didn't plan this trip to be a revolutionary for us, but I did want it to be a pivot point, especially for the children - a pivot from mainstream, dominant culture, social expectations, etc. What unexpected lessons and outcomes (often the most impactful and profound) will we encounter on our way; takeaways that we won't always discern in real time, but upon reflection? What will become our "spots of time?"

Cassandra finished her painting after lunch (which is awesome!) and celebrated by tubing across the lake with Evelyn and Tilda (for them, one more time!). She was hoping to do it solo, but who could say no to these two sweet little ones? Evelyn strapped her tube to Cassandra and Tilda's, and it was beautiful watching my family gently float across the lovely lake (right back to where I was sitting) on the lake's edge. 

After they returned, I turned to some Walt Whitman (in a Chris McCandless tribute) and chilled out for the rest of the evening. This was a wonderfully mellow, domestic day. Cassandra convinced me to sleep in the camper, and Tilda jumped at the chance to join me, so Evelyn and Cassandra slept in the tent. I was excited to get great rest that night!

This place has been such a great, needed refuge for these last few days. This place wasn't even on our radar while planning this trip, and it will likely be one of the children's favorite locations. I'm so excited to be continuing to move eastward, but am bummed to leave this gem behind. We hope to get a hike or two in tomorrow to explore what we can before we leave.