Lots of big emotions in visiting the town where I grew up. It was the first time in decades I had been back. This is the house I lived in from the time I was born until I left for college. My dad always took pride in a tidy lawn and kept up with landscaping, so it was sad to see it so overgrown. I don't think anyone is actually living there right now. But so many memories.

I just happened to arrive in town the night of a concert in the park along the Umpqua River. My dad nearly single-handedly laid the cables for the sound for the venue and was on the committee that started the concert series back in the day.

I stopped by my old elementary school, the Arts Association, the Douglas County Museum, River Forks Park, and the church I grew up in. It was really weird how quickly the familiar surroundings felt like it was what I see every day and that I hadn't been gone at all. At the same time, visiting as an adult that has grown and changed helped me lay to rest and leave behind some of the childhood issues God has been walking me through.

Gallery

Camping Must-Haves of the Day

Day Pack

This was the perfect size for carrying my water bottle and sunscreen and snack and stool or whatever else I needed when I wanted to hike a trail or have another adventure away from the car for a bit. Bonus: it folds up into its own pocket for easy storage when not in use!

Car Garbage Bag

This was super handy hanging from my passenger headrest just above the stuff I stored in the bin on the seat. Grocery bags were perfect liners too that I was able to swap out whenever I stopped for gas.

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