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When I was 18, I took my first by-myself vacation to Portland, Oregon, and I fell deeply in love with a city that fit me like a glove. It was that moment when you try on a new pair of jeans, right before you zip them up where you realize that it’s snug in all the right places, and you know that this… is the one.

I felt that way about a man, and I felt that way about Portland, Oregon. And so when it was presented that we might take a road trip - I suggested we start off in the best city I know. Portland. And drive south along the coast, the long way. And wow. Wow.

Just wow.

Oregon is the most beautiful place in the world. No. California is… I can’t decide? What could sway my decision? Smooth and rocky beaches along the shore? Epic crags and gorges? Black sand beaches? Giant trees (older than Jesus!?). Emerald blue rivers, or moss growing on everything.

I. Love. The Pacific Northwest. And I very much enjoy the crazy ladies I’ve the fortune to be traveling with:

Julia Newman:

Jennifer Davis:

(who oddly enough I found soundly sleeping in the redwood forest, looking very irish with her red hair (I’m told), among the three leaf clovers)

Ok, I told her to look like she was sleeping, but then she gave me a time out. I am waiting patiently. It’s patience time.

Ok. California is my home state. So, why did NO ONE tell me we had black sand beaches?! Peppering the coast, epic and frequent and EMPTY!

I think faeries live here.

Ok, seriously? I am stunned. my mind body and soul are just so aching with joy about new discoveries. What an amazing planet we live in, what an amazing country, that you can pull over on a street, aptly named Avenue of the Giants, and walk into a SILENT wilderness like this, and just

silence

the brushing of your pant legs. breathing. hair settling. not. a. sound.

and green.

You know what this forest says? Who needs grass. Who needs grass when you have an endless forest floor of GIGANTIC three leave clovers. (and poison ivy - oops!)

And, of course, for Husbone, on travels of his own. I long for you, and.

And so, our lovely trip had come to an end. We’ve frolicked through the most foresty of forests, we drove through clouds, we fell in snow, we panicked in dark corners, we were amazed at everything, and we discovered new climates at every turn.

And there was snow? In Lake Tahoe? Who knew! Piles and piles of snow! Snow banks bigger than I’ve ever seen them - houses buried in snow so as not to allow the escape of their inhabitants. And all for what?

Ladies and Gentlemen, this is what is called yummy yummy light…

Yummy.

Oh, and let’s not forget the drive up to Lake Tahoe: (driving through clouds part)

Then there was A LOT of driving in darkness, only to emerge here…

and here:

and here:

and so forth…

We were many moons away at these points, and suddenly as we approached, there was a choice to be made at Death Valley Junction. Turn left and follow the GPS, or turn right and follow the sign. Or how about, whoah! What on earth is going on with Death Valley Junction?! Have you seen this place? It’s completely abandoned except for an opera house. I did some googling on the matter and it turns out that a young woman was driving through in 1967 when the place was a thriving town and she blew a tire, and never left. She was a dancer, and her husband was the comic relief, and they opened a theatre in the town. But before we saw the theatre, we saw a collection of old, not too long ago abandoned homes and a shop. We poked in a few windows, and there were plastic bags filled with stuff, cleaning supplies, bedroom furniture, all in disarray as if these people left in a hurry. There was even a shop, where all the products had been torn from their shelves and the whole place was just super creepy.

Lots of buildings like this:

And little pueblo type things like this (minus Julia)

Well folks the trip has come to an end, but tune in tomorrow for a fabulous engagement session at Red Rock Canyon with Corinne and Colin!