Into the Unknown: Of F.E.A.R. and Detours (pt1)

From awhile back---

so that I will remember.

We were headed up to one of my favorite areas in Oregon. I was anxious and not feeling well due to some stomach issues. We passed the area I hate, with no incident (of course); I began to relax and enjoy the scenery and then it happened...

A detour sign; road closed ahead...the familiar, the known was gone.

My hubby turned our car to the left and immediately (though there were no road signs), I knew where we were--it was the one road I feared and had always 'sworn' I would NEVER, ever go on. And we were now traveling up it.

My protests increased; my anxiety level did too as we continued upward on this twisty, narrow (one lane) road with no guardrails.  Yes, this road is meant for "the more adventurous" (really, that is the description for this road) and I wasn't feeling that way this day.  

Soon we were at the summit...of course my anxiety did not stop me from jumping out to take a photo or two.. The view, though pretty, was a bit disappointing in areas--I'll let you guess why...

but the beautiful outnumbered the not so pretty;

wildflowers being wonderful at this elevation this time of the year! 

  The curves continued--my hubby insisted we continue too (of course to turn around and go back now meant I would be on THAT side--something I didn't want to do either). The road really wasn't that bad--though very twisty and really, really narrow. To give credit to my husband, he was traveling SLOWLY (because of me, I'm sure) and we had enough room (though barely) to let the few oncoming vehicles, including a Sheriff, by. The road was in good shape too--it's surface smooth.

Just what was I afraid of? Ah, the unknown of course and the lack of control I had over this situation (reminiscent over some incidents in my past). And the road reports I had read...the questions not yet answered: Just what lay beyond the next curve; what dangers could we face here in the almost wilderness? What if we got stranded on this little traveled mountain road? Or accidently turned and got lost on one of the many unmarked, no cell service side roads?

So much beauty; so much fear in my heart...

To be continued...