Portland, OR

Living on the West side of the states for the first time in my life leaves me with the desire to drive, explore, and experience the Pacific Northwest. If only we had a little bit more time here. There is so much to see and despite how much I'm struggling with the political climate of America, it is a beautiful, diverse country. Landscapes, people, cities. It is full of beauty and difference. 

I knew I had to see Portland, Oregan. Home of one of my favorite writers/speakers, Cheryl Strayed. Known for its weirdness, quirks, and hipster vibe, I was excited to drive the eight hours to explore a new city.

I expected Oregan to be absolutely gorgeous but it wasn't until right outside Portland. At least coming from Idaho. It was the same brown, boring landscape I've gotten used to here in Southern Idaho.

Our trip to Portland was a lovely escape from the monotony of everyday life. We explored downtown, got drunk and danced the night away at a 90s bar, ate doughnuts at midnight at Voodoo Doughnuts,  and we traversed the eccentric Saturday Market with a trendy Stumptown coffee in hand before walking the many blocks to Powell's City of Books. 

I was simultaneously overwhelmed and awed by the biggest independent used and new bookstore in the world. We had to go back a second time before I could decide on a mug and a book to buy as a souvenir of our time. We ate food cart Indian, Greek, and Mexican. Although I was expecting amazing food from this foodie city, I can't say we were impressed by much. We ended our second evening in Portland at Salt and Straw where I got a bone marrow and smoked cherry scoop and a sea salt scoop on a fresh waffle cone. It was delectable.  

Our last day in Portland was reserved for nature, hiking, and outdoors. We stopped at Multnomah Falls which is very easily accessible from the highway before moving on to a seven-mile hike to Ramona Falls (which is a part of the PCT!). 

Reconnecting with a long weekend away to a new city is one of my favorite things to do and I hope Brandon and I continue taking the time to enjoy new places and one another. 

Oh, and keep Portland weird. 

Salt Lake City, UT

2018 was the year of road trips to explore different places in the states. Although we had stopped in Salt Lake City on our way to this duty station, we only spent the night and didn't do much exploring. So when Brandon had to be there for work and I had to be fingerprinted nearby, we took the opportunity to spend the weekend enjoying a bit of Salt Lake's magic. We visited the International Garden where we got to experience the magic of Japanese gardens again, announced our move to England to the Instagram world, and posed Luna with a mini Stonehenge. We ate delicious Korean Barbeque, Japanese sushi and ramen, and the best food truck burrito we've ever had. We will definitely hit that one up every single time we're in SLC. We spent the day wandering through the maze that is Ikea and the Natural History Museum of Utah which was a lot more impressive than I thought it would be. 

Before I left that Sunday, we decided we would take a hike to a waterfall. I'm not the most outdoorsy person nor in the best shape at the moment and wasn't prepared for a treacherous uphill hike that made me dusty, dirty, and grumpy. Until we finally got to the top and my soul felt calm and joyous at the sight of the waterfall and the cool shallow pool at its feet that made me feel alive again. Until we had to go back down. I understand so fully now why Cheryl Strayed calls hiking retroactive fun (or something like that. She mentioned it in Dear Sugars once) because you can't really enjoy the experience until you're past the grunt of it. That has to be one of the most truthful things I've ever heard. So a new pact was made with my husband, no more crazy hikes unless there is a waterfall at the end. It's just not worth it. 

So I'll end this with a quote from that amazing woman, Cheryl Strayed, "The best thing you can possibly do with your life is to tackle the motherfucking shit out of love."

That's the plan, Cheryl. 

Colorado & New Mexico

This Summer I drove eleven hours down to Southern Colorado to meet my family for a vacation. We visited and explored parts of Colorado and New Mexico. I didn't take as many pictures as I should have but we enjoyed historical landmarks, museums, shopping, and food while my little brother complained about not being home. I feel ya, kid. Home is the best. So here is a blog in pictures. As meager as they may be.