driving

Today, I find myself drinking Stumptown coffee in a small coastal town. My brother had a business meeting in Astoria and I opted to be his travel buddy.

There's something beautiful about driving into the daylight. We left when it was still dark out. We twisted and curved away from Portland's sleepy city lights until we found ourselves in a different world. The world that in actuallity makes up the majority of the American population. Rolling hills sequestering valleys that are green and coated in the moist morning rain. Bridges arch over winding rivers. Factories and lumber mills flock around these areas. Large cargo ships slowly march towards the shores. Before the car stand beautiful, live trees densely packed near one another. But beside us are the remains of yesterday's industry. Dark logs stacked in enormous piles, nearly carpeting the entire valley. Smoke rises from the factories, patching the dark morning sky and we drive on.
Within the shelter of the car, Band of Horses plays, "I could sleep...I could sleep," as the sky begins to lighten and the sun fights the low clouds to wake up the world. Morning arrives and soon we had arrived in small town Astoria.

I'm always amazed when i realize what a small representation the city is of the state. Portland, or whatever city one lives in, can seem like the world until you drive away from its borders. Than you realize that run-down factories, trailer parks, and towns that can be driven through in 5 minutes are really what make up the state.

Yet even in Astoria, Ive found a cup of Stumptown and a window from which I can watch the rain. Here the customers are older, retired couples reading the morning paper and drinking bold coffee instead of hip, young adults drinking rice milk lattes and discussing the latest trends. It's a contrast reminds me how much I take for granted the rhythms of my life.
The shop has already emptied out so, I think I'll leave the baristas an empty place and venture into the misty rain. A used bookstore down the road is calling my name!