G.A.S.P.

On August 27, I left the solitude of the mountain lakes and rode west to Woodland, then north to Longview. I passed by the Swift Reservoir and two others on my way to Woodland. From Woodland, I rode 16 miles on Interstate 5 (only way I could go) to Longview. It was very disturbing to the senses. It smelled bad. It was visually upsetting, as the speed of the cars and trucks served to remind me of the pace of "normal" life. Worst of all, however, was the noise. I find plenty of time along secluded mountain roads to listen to the sounds around me – wind, water, birds, grasshoppers, even an occasional log truck straining up the same mountain that I’m climbing. But on the Interstate, all you can hear are the whizzing noises of speeding cars and trucks. It’s so disturbing that you can’t even think pleasant thoughts.