A short re-cap and highlights:
After arriving in Seattle last Saturday, we checked into the Green Tortoise hostel. I don't mind community living and sharing space, but I've outgrown sharing a BEDROOM with someone - let alone strangers. We made due, however, and even got to know our bed mates some (many slept during the day and went out at night, as you might imagine, we did the opposite). Our hostel was located right across the street from Pike's Public Market which was absolutely outstanding. So much FRESH fish, meats, and produce. We ventured to the Seattle underground tour later that night and looked at all the "underground paths" that made up Seattle during various infrastructure building (we got the FULL history of the crapper and how - literally - people were blown off their crapper by an influx in water pressure coming UP the toilet). With the ocean bank literally right there, and Seattle notoriously poor at planning, we heard many stories of mishap with regards to sanitation, sewer, and ancient living. The tour is amazing; I highly recommend this!
The next two days were spent camping at Mt. Rainier. The weather wasn't great for viewing the peak, but on the last day it came out and we could see the entire mount. We drove up and down the winding roads, stopping at vistas and pull-outs to get pictures of the natural world located around the park. I can't describe Mt. Rainier ... as the video we watched at the information center pointed out, it does have a way of making you speechless with its massive body. It does control the weather in the area, stopping storm systems and altering weather patterns. If you get a chance to do Mt. Rainier I recommend it - it's something unlike anything you'll ever see. The camping was great, although, as you might suspect, a hot shower was VERY welcomed after a few days of roughing it. We did have flush-able toilets and running water, but that was a hike and not that conducive to cleaning. For those who know me this was a challenge. :)
After some camping, the next two days consisted of driving the coast in Oregon and California. This was perhaps my favorite part of the trip. We took the beautiful coastal highway and got to pull in the many nooks and crannies along the way, taking in the ocean sights. We managed to see Haystack Rock and stayed at an awesome hotel overlooking the ocean (our balcony literally looked out to the water). We took some time away from the natural scene to visit an arcade and have pizza one night. After Jeb managed to win a Green Bay Packets football (I was pissed!) I made him win the Chicago Bears one before we left. Check! We had the two footballs on the dash of our rental Jeep the entire time (this was especially fun after hearing of the BEARS victory on Monday night football over the Packers). While internet and phone access was spotty along the coast we were just grateful to be connected to the world again after absolutely no service at Mt. Rainier.
After making our way down the coast and stopping to see the sights, we finally ended up in San Francisco. I could live in SF! The city is absolutely amazing with great culture and history. Our "SF in one day" tour took us to the SF Museum of Modern Art, Fisherman's Wharf, Ferry Building and Markets, Alamo Square (Full House Painted Ladies), Haight Street (where the hippie movement started), and of course China town and Little Italy. We also found the Cathedral in SF and spent some time in there looking at the stellar modern architecture and the beautifully displayed stations of the cross. It was good, too, to just spend some time in quiet as the city all around is hustling and bustling. SF is simply electric.
While a bit exhausted from the trip, I feel renewed for what the fall has in store. I feel blessed for this time and adventure. I am grateful for the many wonderful gifts the Northwest has to offer the world!
Enjoy the pictures. Peace always.
Gorgeous photos!
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