​Everyone who lives in California knows—there’s too many people. Sure, there are beautiful remote parts of the state that feed the soul. However, it’s a challenge to find freedom, quiet, and space among a population of 39 million. After months of social interaction as a park docent and guide, I needed to recharge my batteries, and get the hell out of California.

Hubby and I hit the road, and over three weeks, and 6 states, we built memories of sunsets, scenery, wildlife, and grandkids (the other type of wildlife). The experience fulfilled an urge to connect with nature, and play.  Surprisingly, it was exhilarating when some highways were devoid of cars for miles!

​Below is a series of photos taken mostly in Montana, with no humans, cars, or buildings. Animal pics taken safely from the car. 

A quick camping trip to Seacliff Beach State Park turned out to be rather exciting. Our campsite neighbors spotted a buoy slowly moving in the water just yards offshore. It turned out to be a great white shark (most likely a juvenile) tangled in a piece of crab net and buoy rope. They used 4 fishing lures to snag the buoy and tease it into shore. Two "Dads" cut the rope and netting off. It took time to get the shark turned around. It was obviously distressed and its large muscular body was hard to maneuver. Avoiding the teeth was probably a concern. The shark swam away. Warning, one image shows some nasty rope burns on its underside. Hopefully it will live to bite another day.

Like the rest of nature, humans answered the distinctive songs of spring—longer days, warmer nights, and increased activity. Emerging from more than a year of uncertainty, people are overwhelmingly getting outdoors and enjoying interacting with each other. Activities range from small picnics in a park, to the great western migration of RVs and minivans filling National Parks and state campsites.

We were no exception. Our last trip out of state was in January to visit family. Mountain tops reflected the light in coral and blue, and the roads were snowy.

These past few weeks, nature decided to give us bonus points on our travel stops, and the mass of humans in National Parks gave us an opportunity to explore lesser known spots, which was rewarding.

That girl's got her eyes on a fadin' horizon
Here come the last line of our favorite song
It's the end of an era
She's gonna tear up
That interstate on her way to Charleston

That Logan Mize song is stuck in my head. The interstate I'm interested in is 80, then on to HWY 93 up the Bitterroot Valley into Montana, cruising in between the Bitterroot Range and the Sapphire Mountains. It's where the river runs, the small towns welcome guests in quaint diners, and wildlife and wildflowers abound.

It's been a heck of a ride Cabrillo College. You nurtured me as a student, a part time faculty member for four years, and ultimately twenty-four years as a tenured faculty member. I will miss this amazing higher ed community, and the friendships made along the way, both at Cabrillo and the California Community Colleges Distance Ed Coordinator Organization.

It's time to step into a life that honors the immense love I have for my family, and to support their future by being present for them forever and always.

Daughter-in-law Jessie and I are just off a trail used by Louis and Clark outside Traveller's Rest. Tasty grass for the horses.