Annual BFF Trip - Washington State
I recently flew to Seattle to meet my BFF Squad for a long weekend of adventure. Every year, we get together to take an adventure - a camping trip, a full on road trip, or destination adventure - to hang out and catch up. Seattle is one of my favorite places to go, mostly for the area around it, but also now for what the metro area has to offer. We explored, got the views, found the beers, and had a great time. Our Chrysler Pacifica minivan took us from the airport to a Mariners game and then onward to the Olympic Peninsula. Enjoy some photos from our trip. I already can’t wait to get back to my happy place in the northwest. This is my general take on the trip, with my views. My friends may have other opinions, which is okay.
Day 1: Seattle
I arrived a night earlier, because the flight was better so I settled in and got the rental minivan
Had a total Dad/Minivan vibe and I was okay with it
Our hotel for Night 1 was the Embassy Suites near T-Mobile Park
The hotel was perfectly located for easy food and access to the Mariners game
The prices were not bad, but parking is not included (pretty typical, really)
Tourist sites visited
Pike Place Market - the gum wall, various eats and drinks
Ghost Alley Espresso is pretty delicious for coffee
Discovery Park (lighthouse, beach views, and a view of Rainier)
Gas Works Park - very neat art and views of the city
Fremont Troll - classic little creeper under an overpass
Kerry Park - excellent views of the city and Rainier (cute neighborhood too)
Breweries Visited
Fremont Brewing - easily one of the group favorites for the trip with a wide variety and an amazing patio
Optimism Brewing - another instant favorite with a delicious variety and big, open space and the coolest gender neutral bathrooms I’ve ever seen
Had an excellent dinner at Two Doors Down (scrumptious burgers and great beers/ciders on draft) near the hotel/stadiums
Attended a Mariners game - was a bit sunny, but lovely
Ran in to my friend Fredi from Texas who was in town and spent a while catching up - such a nice surprise
The day was long - lots of driving, walking, drinking local beers, and sunshine so we hit the hay pretty early
Day 2: Our Venture to the Peninsula
We decided to find some lighthouses as part of our adventures which included beach visits to the kind of beaches that required sweatshirts (the best kind)
We hit up a few breweries and cider places as well
I shared my favorite cider place Finnriver Cidery & Farm with them and they loved it for the food and drink
Port Townsend Brewing for a brief sampler (excellent porter and stout)
Propolis Brewing was a different breed of beer and I was here for it - sours, fruity, spruce tips, SO GOOD (easily one of my new must-visists)
Discovery Bay Brewing - such a fun patio and tasty beers
We stayed in Port Angeles at the Olympic Lodge - fun story, Molly and I stayed there in 2009 with our friend Kevin on one of our road trips
We had dinner at the local pub Joshua’s (again, a revisit for Molly and I and pure nostalgia)
Definitely not as I remember it - less daylight next time
It was another long day of driving, beaches, beers, and sunshine
Day 3: Olympic Peninsula Exploration
We started the day with drive through coffee from a coffee hut - so good
This is an essential for coffee lovers when in the PNW
Iced coffee is better, always, fight me
Ventured around the peninsula through Forks
Stopped at the Tree of Life and soaked up the fog on the beach
Made our way to the Maple Glade Rain Forest to take in the greenery of the Quinault area
Had lunch at the Pacific Inn Pizza (another revisit after years)
I’ve not taken most of my besties here for mediocre food (at best)
Stopped out at Rialto Beach - nice and cold/windy!
Came back to town to have a beer at Barhop Brewing
Cheesy bread looks GOOD
Made the decision to go up to Hurricane Ridge
the views and sunset were phenomenal
Met some fun people who painted rocks and left them in public places
Dinner at McDonalds because everything was either over an hour wait or closed
My only gripe w/ Port Angeles
#ForestFriday - Northern California!
ALRIGHT, I have a few minutes so I thought I’d throw together some of my favorite photos from the 2009 road trip we had in Northern California. Now, I’ve revisited in 2016 and it’s still (or more) magical and again in 2017 with the same feelings. Enjoy some sun streaming through some big, green trees! Happy Friday, Happy Forest Friday, and just Happy Day. Find the joy, find the forest, and have a good one.
#WayBackWednesday - Olympic National Park
I’m working on being more positive and upbeat so here are some photos from my trip back in March to the beautiful Olympic National Park in Washington State. When I need a moment at work, or anywhere else, I just try to remember my three glorious days in the trees and on the beach in the Olympic Peninsula. What do you do to take mental breaks? Where does your mind wander in a daydream? Feel free to share your magical places. Have a great Wednesday and week ahead. You’ve got this!
This is currently the background on my work PC… Helps me stay calm! (Quinault)
Rialto Beach - a peaceful evening watching the sun set
In the Hoh Rain Forest… with the sun peaking through the mossy trees
At peace among the trees on the trail to Sol Duc Falls
#ForestFriday - Ossagon Trail (Redwood NP)
Today's Forest Friday is going to look at a trail I walked on 10 years ago vs. 1 year ago. Ossagon Trail is Redwood National & State Parks with the Prairie Creek State Park area. When I was looking through the photos I noticed a few things... Anyway, enjoy the forest and I hope you get outside this weekend if you want!
March 2008
March 2008
August 2017
August 2017
August 2017
#WayBackWednesday - My first visit to the Pacific Coast
In 2007, I saw the Atlantic Ocean for the first time. Two of my friends and I were on a road trip to see the country because we grew up in Northern Michigan without many trips out. When I tell stories about adventure or finding my passion for public lands, they all start with this road trip in 2007. I was 23 years old, didn't know what I wanted to do with myself, and was STILL in school because I was afraid to move on/got real lazy towards the end. The trip of 2007, that had me seeing mountains, deserts, and the ocean for the first time really did change my perspective on life.
Since the 2007 trip was adventurous and successful, we wanted more for 2008. In 2007 we planned a bit, but much of it was improvisation. For 2008, we planned a bit more and added thousands of miles to the itinerary to include a variety of landscapes. In 2008, I saw the Pacific Ocean for the first time. Ten years and one month ago, I was driving south on US-101 from Washington to Redwood National & State Parks. To this day, I can remember one of the morning drives and the smell of the sea air. My first visit to the Pacific Northwest/Pacific Coast was memorable to say the least. We stopped at many little beaches, got our feet wet, and watched the sun dance on the water. Here are a few photos from that time in 2008 that continued to change my outlook on life, one gorgeous rest stop after another. Is it any wonder why I've been obsessed with the Pacific Northwest since 2008?
