There are so many reasons that I love to travel. Seeing new sights and experiencing different cultures, meeting people, eating good food, and getting out of my comfort zone and the routine of everyday life all feel like deeply important aspects of cultivating and growing the Who that I am, but also because seeing more of the world is a beautiful reminder of how very blessed we are to be alive and well on planet earth.
I try to get out and find a new adventure somewhere within a few hours of where I live at least a couple of times each month, but I also take longer trips several times per year. I haven’t had much opportunity for international travel since Covid, but I have had taken every chance to get out of town that I can get in spite of this, and road trips are the perfect example of the truth of the saying “it’s not the destination, it is the journey.” We in the Pacific Northwest are incredibly fortunate to live in an area of breathtaking beauty, but it can be easy to forget that there is so much more to see in the world.
One of the things that I particularly enjoy about road trips is just how diverse our country is, from the landscape to the people and cultures. I would imagine for someone from another country, spending time in Louisiana, Montana and DC would be much like visiting very different countries where the people spoke the same language. Ish. (To a non-native, the slow southern drawl of NewAwlins’ is basically a different dialect from let’s say, the clipped, rapid-fire, speech of a Bostonian.
The dry landscape of Southern Utah and parts of Arizona; Sedona, in particular; where towering, castle-like red rock formations flow into deep desert often feel otherworldly to me – like being on another planet entirely.
My daughter lives in Arizona and I have friends sprinkled throughout the Southwest, so have been fortunate that I have extra reason to travel as often as possible. This past week, I left the snow and wet cold weather of Washington to drive through Idaho and Utah; on my way to spend a few days with my daughter soaking up the sun, shopping, spaa-ing, and finding fun activities to do with her, her boyfriend, and her BFF.
The drive through Utah especially is always spectacular, regardless of the season. This trip was a winter wonderland; steeply pointed, snow-covered mountains rising majestically from sloping valleys, picturesque farmlands, and clean, old-western-feeling towns and cities. The first time I visited Utah, I had expected backward, highly dogmatic communities with little to offer but I have found the opposite to be true, at least in the towns and cities I have been through. I love the hippy-alternative-outdoorsy-coffeeshop vibe of Ogden so much that I have considered moving there.
One of my favorite things about visiting the Phoenix area in particular is the ability to find pretty much anything I could want at just about any time.
As an example, one of the days I began with a desert hike and green juice. At noon, we had a fabulous mimosa brunch followed by shopping in the afternoon, hitting the Asian market, pedicures, Lebanese food for dinner then neon-light night bowling, complete with fruity cocktails and a dance-club atmosphere. And yes, there was dancing between sets.😁
I drove up the 1-5 corridor on the way home; typically my least favorite route as it is pretty much always miles upon miles of brown. Brown hills, brown fields, brownish roads. Boring.
This journey was an amazing exception. This year has brought nearly unprecedented rain and snow to Southern California. As a result, the normally dry, lifeless low mountains and hills that perimeter the highway were vibrantly, verdantly green with patches of yellow and violet wildflowers just beginning to bloom. It was breathtaking; like driving through the Scottish Highlands or the Big Island of Hawaii rather than California. As I crossed from Northern California into Oregon, the feeling of awe continued as the softly rolling hills changed to craggy, pine-covered mountains rising dramatically in the distance. Driving along the Umpqua river, a flock of doves rose from a stand of Madronas growing above the river, drawing my attention to a picturesque, rust-colored railroad bridge crossing the sun-dappled water.
I found myself thinking that I wished I could send everyone back home a mental video of all that I see when I am on the road, but that moment was particularly poignant.
As I continued North, the area of Roseburg and Douglas feels much like a modern-day Shire; softy rolling hills covered with homes, businesses, and churches built right into the hillside; sleek black cattle and cotton-ball sheep grazing contentedly on veridian slopes.
I managed to hit the city of Portland right at rush hour. Portland has been called the “City of Bridges”, with good reason. 12 different bridges span the wide Willamette river in the city proper and sitting in my tiny fiat on one of these bridges hundreds of feet above the water with a thousand or so other cars is both fun and a little scary.
Driving anytime is a faith walk, isn’t it?
But being so high above the river for prolonged periods, enjoying the panoramic views of the river, other bridges, and the city while praying that we don’t have an earthquake or engineering failure makes the whole experience just a little more illuminated.
Incidentally, if you happen to be planning a trip to Portland and are, like me, a bit of a bibliophile, Powell’s City of Books is one of my absolute favorite places in the world. Possibly just behind the Louvre and the Musèe d’Orsay in Paris. The fun vibe of #dragonflycoffee is worth a stop for a honey-lavender latte and delicious baked goods, as well.
Most of the I-5 corridor between Portland and Seattle is pretty, but the skyline of Seattle is breathtaking. I’ve driven through many cities and it still gets me every.single.time. It really is that beautiful; well designed with Lake Washington, the Puget Sound, and the Olympic mountains framing the unique architecture of the highrises, sculptural buildings, coliseums, and of course, the quintessential Space Needle.
I lived on the east coast for several years in my late teens and early twenties. When I would come home for a visit, driving through the pines along the pass from Skagit to Whatcom county always felt like the symbol of being home. We really are so fortunate to live in an area of such beauty – there aren’t many places where someone can snowshoe or hike mountains in the morning and be enjoying a sandwich from the East Sound Deli on the sun-drenched Orcas island by the late afternoon.
If I can’t get out of town for a trip somewhere, there are so many quaint cafes, good restaurants, unique shops, and cool spots in Whatcom County that virtually anywhere can feel like a mini vacation.
Whether traveling or at home, I love combining natural beauty, exercise, and fresh air with good food and exploring local shops. A few of my local favorites are walking Boulevard Park in Fairhaven followed by pizza at Ovn and a delicious gf dessert at my all-time favorite Evolve Chocolate Cafe in Village Books 📖📚(or a glass or three of wine at The Black Cat).
Sampling fresh raw oysters at the Drayton Harbor Oyster Company in Blaine followed by a walk along the harbor or a beach walk at Semiahmoo – and a glass of local cider or wine at Packers on the beach – is the perfect way to spend a warm spring or summer day.
Northshore Lake Whatcom is a treasure that I am reluctant to share but if you haven’t been on the trail for a walk along the lake, you are missing something special. The Fork At Agate Bay is a foodie’s paradise for dinner afterward. This would be a great date day experience for something a little extra special.
Lynden in North Whatcom county is a fun place to spend an afternoon if you love a Dutch vibe and good pastries. The Lynden Music Festival in the fall is wonderful and well worth checking out, but there are often weekend musical events at bar and restaurant venues in this quaint town.
Another important aspect of finding the smaller cafés, shops, and restaurants, no matter where you go, means you are supporting local businesses. If I like the vibe at a shop I will buy at least one thing, usually as a gift for a friend or loved one. Small gestures really can make a difference. 😊
There are a thousand and one other amazing places I would love to share and possibly will at some point, but the point is, just get out there and explore.
Find your own sense of awe and wonder in Discovery. Find one thing new to see or do every single day, if you can. It will not only make you a better person, but it will help to grow a bigger, better brain, regardless of your age or education. New experiences=New neural connections. Win-Win-Win situation.
If you are looking for a particular adventure, feel free to PM me. If I can help someone find experiences that will feed the soul, I am all in.✨
Much love and big hugs💖
- Terah
This Blessed Sacred Life 