{ two weeks ago at this time 6.16.12 }

:: Saturday, June 16th :: 

We had an early morning wake up call to see off Hunter's dad on Saturday morning.  It was so bittersweet saying bye to him - I really wasn't ready for him to leave, but him leaving also meant Hunter and my adventure was just beginning!  Hunter had 2 friends who also happened to be in Seattle that weekend, so after lazing around the hotel for a while - we walked downtown and met them for brunch!

We did end up at Bacco again and enjoyed more fresh seafood, more coffee and more Bloody Mary's. 

{ this would be the time where I should talk about how I spilled my Bloody Mary all. over. my crab croissant brunch, but I'm denying it ever happened so therefore I won't talk about it. } After brunch, we strolled along Pikes Place, the water front, visited the ferries, and did a little shopping.  After we bid these two adieu, I told Hunter how the morning felt so very much as if both of us couples lived in Seattle and called each other up saying "HEY! Let's brunch Friday morning!"  I loved it.  

It was time for us to catch our 12:30p ferry to Baimbridge, so we had to say bye to Seattle and thank it 100 times over for the wonderful memories and great times.  Okay - maybe I was the only one who had an out loud letter of thanks to Seattle { and later to each and every campsite we visited. }, but I can't just leave a place without reflecting on how much fun we had there.

I swear Hunter and I were not destined to have a good photograph on our ferry ride over.  We had to ask 3 people to take 3 different pictures for us, and the one above was the best that it got.  The original photograph was too dark to edit with the same filters as the other ones in these series Don't think for a second that my inner OCD of a graphic designer isn't coming out and freaking out about the change in filter.  It took me about 12 hours to come to terms with this.  

We had such a yummy lunch once in Baimbridge and so much fun.  Even though we only visited a little teeny corner of this town, I could for shore { bwhahahaa get it?  Sure/Shore.  Because it's on the shore.  LAUGH. }  picture living there!

I love the above photo, because this is how we mapped out our trip.  On a napkin.  Does it get any better than that?  Nooooooope.  Though we ended up organically finding our campsites and didn't actually visit any of the ones above - it is still fun for me to see this picture.  

This photo falls under my top 3 favorite pictures taken of the trip.  It sums us/the trip up perfectly.  We got everywhere with that road atlas, and always hand in hand.  ::swoon::

Driving through Washington and most of Oregon, there were these vibrant yellow wildflowers alongside the roads.  They added such a great pop of color to our days! 

And now, I present to you our first home of the trip!

I really loved this campsite.  Though it ended up being the busiest campsite we had of the trip { read: lots of screaming kids } a mere 15 steps away was....

.

..

.

.

.

..

...

.

.

.

......

.

wait for it

.

.

.

...

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

This.

Enter in the classic line of  "These pictures don't even do it justice!" but fur realz, these pictures don't even do it justice.  We couldn't believe it when we walked through our little tree hallway and stumbled upon this view.  If you look in the top picture, where the clouds meet the water is actually Victoria Canada! At risk of sounding dramatic - the view was one of the best I'd ever seen.  As farrrrrrr left, right and straight as you could see...........water.  Water, water, water.  Once the clouds split and started drifting, you could really see the land of Canada a little bit better.  Then once the sun started to set - it looked like Canada was glowing.  No joke.  We have way better pix of this from the Mack Daddy Camera....so stay tuned.

We cooked ourselves up a littlemMediterranean curry couscous, which we ate in our living room { where the above water photos were taken, there was a bench overlooking it all. }  We sat there with our dinner, and then later watching the sunset.  We called it our "living room", and got awfully offended when people would ride their bikes through our living room - and even worse yet?  TAKE PICTURES of our living room.

How rude.



Sheesh.


; >

{ two weeks ago at this time 6.15.12 }

:: Friday, June 16th ::

You guys already know what my morning looked like { I'll spare you how I thought the shuttle bus I was taking to the airport which turned out to be a town car was staging a murder/placement of body on Hunter's block before it came to pick me up.  To say my mind was over thinking and on overdrive is a gross understatement. }

Made it to DIA in no time which allowed me to treat myself to an iced McDonalds coffee { my true guilty pleasure } and boarded up the plane.  A 2'ish hours fly by { pun intended }, and next thing I know I'm meeting Hunter's dad at Baggage Carousel 7 { don't ask why I remember that exact number two weeks later... } and quick walk outside to see Hunter and his truck waiting for us!  I was so excited to see my Hunt - it had only been a week and a few days, but with as sick as I was during that time, it felt like months.  We made our way to the hotel pretty quick and easily, and immediately headed to brunch, per the hotel's recommendation.  Because our hotel was downtown, it made it so easy for us to just foot it mostly everywhere we went.  Off to Bacco Cafe we went, and snagged an outside table.  All three of us gorged ourselves with fresh fish brunches, coffee and I snuck the last Bloody Mary they had!  { It's okay - Hunter and I actually went back the next morning and they had replenished their supply. }

We walked off our brunch by pursuing through Pikes Place { one of my favorite places on earth.  I swear it's like Disneyland for adults.  And by adults, I mean Beth. } and up and down the waterfront.

At this point, I had been up since 2am Seattle time, and the boys since 4am Seattle time - so back to the hotel for a nap it was.  After nap time, was the start of easily one of the biggest highlights of the trip.  Hunter's family has some great friends from Steamboat who own this one of a kind, 1960, 55 foot wooden yacht that they often dock in Seattle.  { let's just take a second to let that sink in, shall we? }  I had met the misses once in Steamboat, but had yet to meet the mister behind this beauty.  The three of us loaded into H's truck and navigated our way to their dock, and all three of us fell in love.  Instantly.  { okay well I did - let's just say they did, too. }

This couple is just so funny, generous, full of stories, laughs and wisdom.  We sat around and chatted while lounging around with their dog Cheyenne, when they suggested we take the boat for a spin.  My eyes nearly popped out of my head and I had to resist screaming "I THOUGHT YOU'D NEVER ASK." before they even finished their sentence.  Hunter and Bob cracked a few beers, a glass of wine for me - and we were off.  I think we were on that boat for the better part of 2 hours?  3 hours?  Wind in our hair, camera on hand, sometimes talking and contemplating life, sometimes listening to gut busting hilarious stories, sometimes sitting in complete silence.  I loved every. single. minute on that boat, and am so thankful to the D family for letting us explore Seattle in a way that not many are fortunate enough to!  After our dance in the water, we sat on the back of the boat and were then able to enjoying some adult beverages for our captain and co-captain in addition to some cheese, delicious summer sausage and crackers.  After a while - they suggested a local fresh fish restaurant to dine at that evening, and off we went.  I wish I could remember the name of this restaurant, but it was, yet again, water facing to the floating sailboats, and fish catching boats { I'm certain there is a technical term for those boats, but for today - fish catching boats it is. }

We had a few rounds of fresh oysters that put any of the others I've ever had to shame, a couple rounds of wine, and 5 entree plates of the freshest fish, crispiest green beans and most enjoyable potatoes.  I was so sad when dinner came to an end and we had to say goodbye to these two.

Seattle will always be the city that has captured my heart long ago.  Whenever I'm there - it just feels right.  This was such a beautiful day - I'm so thrilled I was able to tag along on the tail end of Hunter and Bob's portion of the trip!

Trip deets!

On any given morning, lunch time, dinner time, happy hour time - you name it - I'm constantly thinking "Hum, what did I wear to work yesterday?  A week ago today?  What was I having for lunch last week on Monday?  Last week Friday, what did I do after work?"  It's so strange, and I wish I could explain why I do it, but I can't.  I applies to daily activities, weekly, monthly and even yearly.  Holidays especially.  When I caught myself day dreaming a few days ago about what I was up to last week, it hit me that it would be the perfect way to break down the days of our road trip.

*from CO to Seattle was Hunter and his dad's leg of the trip, and I started tagging along in WA!  Thanks for sending me this detailed Google Map, Hunt!

So starting tomorrow, look for blog posts dating back up to 2 weeks ago following along what sort of festivities and shenanigans we got ourselves into!  They will probably be at much greater depth than any of you care to read - but guess what?  My blog.  My long boring posts.  All the photos you will see in these particular posts were random ones taken with my iPhone.  We had Hunter's Mac Daddy Camera along, and we are working on uploading those as we speak!  I'll pick out a few favorites of those to share later.

I hope you enjoy following along, and also get inspired to spend a few nights (or even just one) in a tent.  You won't regret it!  I know I didn't...

And just like that...

...we're home.

I won't lie - I went through quite the Susan Sad Face, Debbie Depression (no clue where those two phrases came from) the past few days knowing I'd have to be back in CO, at work today.  But contrary to my own belief, it actually isn't as bad as I thought it would be.  Or really bad at all.  Don't get me wrong, I'll take the rain-forest and beach dinners ANYYYYYYYYYYday of the week over this, but I've loved hugging, catching up and laughing with my favorite people.  It's going to take me a while to write out a blog post of our 1.5 week trip, but I'm dead and determined to do it.  Until then, you get to put up with my rambles of life combined with 5:30am wake up call, venti coffee and 3 hours in the car already today.  LUCKY BITCHES.

Random facts you didn't know, and probably wish you still didn't know:
I'm more concerned with my 650+ unread blog posts than I am my unread work emails.
I have 2 packets of tuna at my desk for lunch, which I was over the moon thrilled with cus'because I didn't think I had anything.
I won't lie; I missed Daily Grace.
Raise your hand if you are excited to see how hot my attic apartment will be tonight after the past week of temps in the 100's!  { crickets  }  { crickets don't raise their hands, btw }  { neither does this girl }

TGIF!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Dreamland :: Backyard parties!

Along with my food bucket list for when I return, I have a few crafting DIY's that are at the top of my list, too!

Mary and I swoon over Everyday Musing's photos nearly everyday (pun intended).  Their brunch parties, and backyard gatherings have me (us) green with envy.  Though I don't have a backyard to call my own yet, I do have Hunter's!  Here is my list of backyard party DIY's that are blowing my skirt up right now.

:: via ::

DIY Mason Jar Lanterns!  Such a simple project that I think would really add so much flair to a backyard.

:: via ::

The cutest idea for chalkboard wine glasses!  Wine glasses can be so inexpensive to come by, and I think this would give them the most perfect facelift. I already have some stemless chalkboard wine glasses now, so I love the idea of adding more to the mix!

:: via ::

This DIY crepe paper garland seems so cute, fresh and my favorite part - inexpensive!!  Imagine the color combinations you could come up with.  Swoonnnnnnn

Soundtrack of our days.

No, no. Not from the radio, but a wonderful mix of songs I've had stuck in my head since we hit the road. And lucky Hunter, belt out for days.

Rockin' Robin
God Bless America
Baby Got Back
Who Stole the Cookie from the Cookie Jar
Don't be Stupid You Know I Love You
Don't Go Breaking my Heart - I Couldn't if I Tried

Mary has been lucky enough to be in my presence when I've had America the Beautiful stuck in my head for days and weeks, so I know she's real jealous of H right now....

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Failed Instagrams.

We had awesome luck the first day of vacation with cell reception. Now however, it's terribly spotty. Here are a few that didn't post successfully!


Colorful and wonderfully overcast start to our day.




Yellow wildflowers everywhere you look.




Good morning! Cheers from our rainforest to yours!




And my all time favorite?

Hammock. Water crashing. Quilt. Book. Complete peace.




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

six

I went to write a check out the other day, and couldn't believe it when I wrote 6 for the month!  That means the year is half over, you guys.

Hakuna Matata - always bringing you the latest and freshest news.

Anyway, I thought it might be fun to do my favorite 6 blog posts from this year so far.

:: January ::  Though H and I had the best time in Central City, and I loved rereading the post from that, I've gotta say this one takes the cake.  I love rereading posts like this one to remind me what was so inspiring to me during a particularly bad day, or difficult time.  what if, instead of reacting......we stopped and took a deep breath.  Man alive, I love that line.

:: February ::  Gotta give it to Christmas Night.  Heading back to North Dakota for Becky's wedding was truly the highlight of the month.  I remember laying in my Grandma's basement the night I wrote that post, feeling so completely, and utterly fulfilled.  I can't wait to get together with my crazy, loud, and loving family again.

:: March ::  March always means one thing to me, and one thing only - my beautiful sister's birthday!  I love looking back on pix of us two, and really enjoyed rereading that post.

:: April :: Oh April.  You were so kind, yet so difficult for me.  I can't pick a particular post, so I'm going to go with this one; because I love the love and raw sincerity behind the words, this one; because that is a night I will cherish ALWAYS, and this one; because that magical night in the mountains was just that...magical.

:: May :: Gotta give it to these two, because I just love them so stinking much.

:: June :: This one is a close draw between my favorite friends sending their love via the DS, but ultimately, I'm a veggie lover at heart.

I can't wait to see what the next six months have in store - I have a feeling it's going to be all up from here...

Our bedroom for the night.

So insanely beautiful.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Life lately, via Instagramawesomeness.