Week 6 BONUS: An Apology Letter to Oregon— no more buts

Dear Oregon,

I need your attention real quick. I am on my knees asking for your forgiveness! I said “but” after uttering the four letter word that some find so hard say without adding an asterisk. I fell into the trap of letting some of the hurt of losing my partner shadow my love for you. Walking through your wondrous landscape to the Washington border I realized what a mistake I had made to ever question your beauty. You tried to show me everything you had to offer and like a young teenager experiencing love for the first time, I only wanted the honeymoon phase.

As I look across the Columbia River I feel you, too, are wishing things could have ended differently between us. I sense your smoky dismay that I missed a part of you and I want you to know, I do NOT blame you! Our relationship was filled with passionate emotions and I let the first sign of trouble get to me. I wanted to sprint to Washington, but thank you for slowing me down my final 20 miles.

I hope we can still be friends and I believe you are hoping the same thing otherwise you would not have ended us on such a high note. When all I wanted was to run to Cascade Locks you held on to me a little tighter with cool weather and views of thundering cascades encapsulating my very being. Every mile came easy, yet I didn’t want to leave you.

As you and I say goodbye just know I only look upon my love for you fondly. I am thankful for all your lakes, waterfalls, streams, and snowy mountain tops.

I hope you accept my apology. There are no more buts. I love you, Oregon.

Goodbye,

Neptune