Standing on Giants: Finding Freedom on Mount Jefferson

The Majesty of Mount Jefferson

The crisp Oregon air bit gently at my cheeks, a stark contrast to the stale, recycled air that once filled my days. From my vantage point high on the slopes of Mount Jefferson, the world stretched out in a panorama of breathtaking scale. Jagged peaks pierced the sky, their snow-capped summits gleaming under a brilliant sun. Emerald forests carpeted the valleys below, giving way to the shimmering expanse of distant lakes. It was a view that stole your breath and filled your lungs with a sense of limitless possibility.

Just weeks ago, I was in the quietude of small-town, Indiana, the starting point of this leg of my RC Journey. The gentle landscapes of the Midwest offer their own kind of peace, but standing here, on this volcanic giant in the Cascade Range, was a different kind of experience altogether. It was raw, untamed, a powerful reminder of the vastness and resilience of nature.

Walls vs. Wilderness: A Profound Contrast

And as I soaked in this majestic scene, the memories, as they often do, began to surface. The concrete walls that once defined my world, the echoing clang of steel doors, the suffocating lack of personal space – these stark images flashed through my mind. It’s a reflex now, this involuntary comparison between the freedom I now experience and the confinement that was once my reality.

Here, on the open mountainside, there were no walls. The only boundaries were the horizon itself, stretching out in an invitation to explore. The wind whispered secrets through the pines, a far cry from the muffled conversations and regulated sounds of prison life. The sheer scale of the wilderness dwarfed any sense of constraint, replacing it with an overwhelming feeling of openness.

Reclaimed Freedom, Lingering Realities

It’s a strange dichotomy, this journey. I seek out these places of immense natural beauty, in part, I think, as a testament to the freedom I’ve reclaimed. Each vista, each towering tree, each rushing stream feels like a tangible representation of the life that stretches out before me now – a life unconfined, full of potential, and shaped by my own choices.

But the contrast also serves as a stark reminder. It underscores just how much is lost when a person is stripped of their liberty. The simple act of breathing fresh, uncirculated air, of feeling the sun on my skin without a layer of glass and barbed wire in between, is a profound privilege that I don’t take for granted.

Purpose in the Panorama: RC Journey’s Mission

Gazing out at the seemingly endless landscape, I thought about the countless individuals still within those walls, their views limited to concrete and steel. I thought about the immense challenges they will face upon their release, the uphill battle to reintegrate into a world that may view them with suspicion and judgment.

This is why RC Journey exists. It’s not just about showcasing beautiful places; it’s about using these moments of expansive freedom to reflect on the often-narrow pathways of reentry. It’s about acknowledging the stark differences between the natural world’s boundless opportunities and the very real limitations faced by returning citizens.

A View Towards True Freedom

The beauty of Mount Jefferson is undeniable. It’s a place that inspires awe and a sense of wonder. But as I descend from these heights, I carry with me not only the memory of this breathtaking view but also a renewed sense of purpose. A purpose to continue sharing stories, to advocate for a more just and equitable system, and to remind us all that the journey back home, while often challenging, is a journey worth taking – a journey towards a future as open and limitless as the landscapes that inspire us.