Mt Shasta - 'God's Country'

I have arrived in Mt Shasta, the town I grew up in until I was 8 years old on Friday. The beauty of this area of Northern California still blows my mind and can be quoted as 'God's Country.' However it doesn't take long before my family and all their drama start to take the edge off for me.

My brother was very surprised to see me ("What the fuck!") and even though the secret was blown for my Mom she was still happy to see me and gave me a big hug. Her first words were,"Well if you are home for three months when are you going to come to Oregon and see me?!" (The answer is never or hardly at all, but I had to appease her with by being flexible.)
Saturday was my step sisters wedding at the Mt Shasta Resort. My brother was one of the best men and my step Dad naturally walked her down the isle. It was a beautiful afternoon with the Mt Shasta mountain as the back drop complimented with bright blue sky. The weather here is unreal at the moment. It's a combination of being at almost 5,000 ft in elevation, little pollution and the bright sunshine.

Yesterday a touching moment occurred at the wedding between my brother and I. He explained he loves me more than his own life. He clearly had to much to drink but still warned me that he will 'kill any motherfucker that ever hurts me' past or present. His behavior over the two days he was in California was pretty bad. He drank too much and got in trouble with a couple guests at the wedding and at the local bar in mt Shasta. He is currently on probation and has several legal restrictions for him to enjoy himself that way. I think being out of state and a part of the wedding gave him an urge to enjoy himself...even if it was too much. I am thankful he is back in Oregon under the supervision of his parents and parole officer now.

Currently I am nerding out on my computer via WiFi in the local bar that has been here for years now called, 'Roxy's Vets Club.' I have hooked up with my best childhood friend who is the head bar tender here and everyone is yelling at the TVs because there are two US football games currently on: San Diego Chargers v Baltimore Ravens and the San Fransisco 49ers v Seattle Seahawks. I am so out of touch with US sports. I am having a hard time getting into it.