Franklin insisted I write our first post on the road, primarily because after a long hike around and up and over Smith Rock this morning, he is sound asleep in the car.

It’s been an interesting start to our adventure, not short of technology malfunctions (phone battery charger broke off in the phone) and camping equipment failures (stove wouldn’t ignite) but all of that seems inconsequential when surrounded by the beauty of Central Oregon. The weather cleared once we were up an over Mt. Hood and revealed the bluest skies behind a horizon littered with snowcapped mountains.

The feeling of checking my email, the feeling of having to be somewhere at a certain time, or the feeling of obligation in general looms overhead. I’m sure this will fade in time and thankfully on our first night I was submerged into our new life by having every electronic item’s battery die, which allowed me…forced me, to put the phone away and enjoy my surroundings.

We stumbled upon our first camp site at Haystack Reservoir. After circling Lake Billy Chinook and driving to a few closed campgrounds, we found our first little slice of heaven.  It was just as you imagine, on the banks of a gorgeous reservoir, hills in the background, Mt. Hood peaking out from time to time and only the sound of a gaggle of geese and the cows across the field. I got everything out of the car, setup a hammock, gathered some firewood, and took a walk with Franklin.  It was only 5pm by this point, the wind was blowing fiercely and I hit my first mini speed bump. What should I do now, how do you change your mindset from our normal fast pace, technology reliant world to sitting in nature’s most beautiful place with no responsibility, no obligations, nothing? I’m sure this will come in time, so I’m not too worried about it and in the meantime I will pick up a book, my ukulele or simply sit and enjoy the quiet.

After hiking Smith Rock this morning (check out a few photos here) and our current brief stop at Starbucks, we will head toward the Painted Hills and find a campground for the night.  So far so good, thanks for all the well wishes!