Tag: Washington

• Kendall Katwalk Thoughts

  Posted at 5:00 AM by Brittany, on September 27, 2021

  I seem to have developed a backwards case of writers block. Instead of having a lack of words to write, I am finding myself with so much to say I don’t know where to begin. So many thoughts, feelings, and emotions have been swirling inside my head lately, but the overwhelm of it all leaves me with a blank page and an overstimulated mind.

  This seems to be the norm for me, especially when in my luteal phase. I feel things stronger, I love things harder, and I overthink things longer. I have been challenged multiple times the last few months, but despite these challenges I know all of the times I am pushed to a zone of discomfort, I am pushed to a zone of growth.

  Human beings are unique, and we each have our own trials. As I continue to grow I continue to seek those who are willing to grow with me.

  

  

  I’ve been thinking a lot about all the people I have met throughout my life, and some of the adventures I have embarked on with these people. Some people I will never see again, and yet their presence in my life served a purpose I may never fully understand. We learn from people, and often times their personalities can serve as a type of mirror for us to see our own strengths and weaknesses.

  A normal part of life is spending time with those who are in close proximity to us. For me, I find I bond quickly with likeminded people I work with. I’ve been enjoying spending time with some of my coworkers, but I know eventually some of us will loose touch. Just like those I’ve lost touch with who I worked with prior.

  The natural ebb and flow of seasonal friendships can be painful, but there is always an open door for new relationships to be made.

  

  

  I’ve been hiking with a few pals I work with lately, and I am reminded why I chose to work at REI. I knew I needed to find some kind of community when I moved back to Washington, a community of people who share my common interests and hobbies. These moments in the mountains are therapeutic for me, and sometimes we share conversations that fuel my soul in a way that cannot be done by simply sitting in a coffee shop chatting.

  I once thought I preferred to be alone, but I’ve learned that it’s not as simple as a black and white equation. What I prefer is to be understood. To be heard, and to have others ask me how I’m doing from a place of genuine interest. To share my dreams and feelings from a place of true vulnerability. The older I get the stronger my desire to share the penetralia of my heart.

  These moments are rare, and the people with which I have these moments are hard to find. There are few feelings in life comparable to connecting with another person on a level where our scars live.

  

  

  The hike in this post is a hike I had done once before in 2014, and I couldn’t help but think about the last time I had hiked this. While I don’t remember much, it got me thinking about friends I hiked with in my early 20’s. 2014 was the beginning of discovering who I was, and hiking was a catalyst in this self discovery. So much time has passed, and I have morphed into an entirely new person.

  The beauty of life is that we are always evolving.

  On this recent hike my friends and I trekked 13 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail to the Kendall Katwalk. This day, along with many other days, will be etched into my memories as a positive moment amid times of chaos and convolution. The world is being torn in two right now and it’s messy and unsettling. I’m reminded in these times there are few things more important to me than my people.

  

  

  I think my hesitation in writing this post was a fear of getting “too deep.” I have a tendency to write from the depths of my heart, and while I regret none of those posts, I am trying to be mindful of what I put out into the world. This post is meant to be more of an appreciation post for human connection.

  I have learned to lean into my sensitive humanity, and I know only those who want the best for me will lean in too. Tell your friends how much you appreciate them, tell your partner how much you love them, tell your family (this doesn’t have to be a biological family) how thankful you are to have their support. Tell people their value, because you never know the impact your words may have on someone else.

  Q: Do you have an easy time being vulnerable with others?

  

  | 14 Comments Tagged Hiking, Kendall Katwalk, Life, PNW, Washington

• Leavenworth, Washington

  Posted at 1:38 PM by Brittany, on June 7, 2021

  It’s no secret I miss Bavaria. Sure – I miss the landscape, and the ease of access to endless adventures, but I also have a soul tie to this state. I worked through a lot of self discovery and growth during my time living in Bavaria, and Germany as a whole is more than just a travel destination for me. I don’t think anyone truly understands how moving to another country changes you unless they’ve experienced it for themselves.

  Needless to say, when a weekend trip to Leavenworth was suggested to me (aka the Bavaria of Washington) I said yes quicker than the blink of an eye.

  

  

  

  Upon arrival we snagged a coffee at the Bavarian themed Starbucks before having a sit by the river behind our hotel.

  

  

  I was immediately transported to the Loisach while sitting here, a river I spent so many hours biking next to, and I can’t describe how wholesome this moment felt for me. I often told people in Germany how similar Washington was to the landscape and climate of Bavaria, and Leavenworth really seals the deal with that.

  I could have sat by this river for hours, and that’s exactly what we did.

  

  

  After spending ample time by the river, and exploring a bit around town, it was time to check into the hotel. While perusing options for places to stay in Leavenworth, my initial instinct was an Air B&B. When I discovered most of the Air B&B’s were within the $200-$400 a night price range, I redirected my search. I don’t love staying in hotels, because I like having a kitchen to make my own meals, but after stumbling onto LOGE hotel I quickly made an exception.

  When you read a review that says: “if REI created a hotel”, you know you’re in for a treat.

  

  

  For starters, the staff at LOGE were all incredibly welcoming, friendly, upbeat, and I immediately envisioned myself working with them. The hotel cafe (which doubled as the front desk) was completely my speed, and I would happily pick up my barista apron to peddle lattes in Leavenworth all day. The ambiance of the lobby was adorable, and I immediately knew I was going to enjoy my stay.

  This hotel has the communal atmosphere of a hostel, but with the class and privacy of a hotel.

  The rooms come equipped with gear for guests to use (at no charge), and this gear can also be purchased if guests decide they like the product. What an excellent marketing technique. Our room had a hammock, headlamp, hats, a cooler, snacks, games, a Rumpl blanket, and more. If you’re a lover of the outdoors and appreciate more of a simplistic sleep environment, this is the hotel for you.

  

  

  Side note: I didn’t notice the hammock wasn’t locked into place, and I definitely face planted after attempting to climb into it. Thankfully it was over the bed.

  This hotel also had the nicest communal showers I have ever seen in all my years of travel. I paid more to have a private shower, but had I been alone I would have gone for the cheaper room and used these communal showers.

  

  Check in complete, it was time for an evening hike. When choosing hikes for this quick weekend getaway, I was mindful of a few things: time, location, popularity, and elevation. I wanted to experience the mountains, but I didn’t want hiking to suck up the entirety of the trip. I chose two relatively popular trails, but we hiked them during “off times” to ensure minimal human contact.

  First up: Icicle Ridge Trail – a five and a half mile round trip hike, with an elevation gain of 1870 feet. I haven’t don’t many hikes lately with elevation, and despite the fatigue I had the view at the top was well worth the climb. This trail is popular for its wildflowers, and it’s close proximity to the city center. We saw a total of around nine people the entire two hours it took to hike, and for a popular hike I would call that win.

  

  

  This hike knocked the life out of me and I was hopeful for a good nights sleep, but I had no such luck. Dehydration, too much sun exposure, and a room that was too hot made for a very poor nights sleep. Nothing a coffee can’t (temporarily) fix. After lying awake for hours, having a casual morning, we payed visit to Starbucks again around 0700 before walking through the city center in the early morning light.

  The day we arrived we walked around in the early afternoon, and the town was bustling with people. I adore waking up in a new city earlier than most to experience the town before it comes to life.

  

  

  

  What I love most about this city center is how authentic it feels. Traditional German towns are small, with a pedestrian only zone, filled with random shops, bakeries, eateries, and a park if you’re lucky. The small park in Leavenworth was adorable, and had me remising on all the summer nights I’d spent listening to Musik im Park (free park concerts) in Garmisch.

  

  Once the world started coming back to life, we packed up our things, checked out of our hotel, and headed on one more hike before making the trek back home. Hike number two had a similar name, but with a very different trail. Icicle Gorge Trail is a 4.5 mile loop with only 387′ elevation. This trail was about a 30 minute drive from the city, with some of the most beautiful driving views I have seen in a long time.

  The trail was very mild, a welcomed reprieve from the previous hike. Had I slept better I think I would have enjoyed myself more, but I was so unbelievably tired on this hike. Thankfully I was still able to appreciate the views, and I can see why this is an equally popular trail. Accessible for anyone, this trail hugs the river weaving in and out of tree covered woods to open fields.

  

  

  

  This hike took us equally as long to complete (granted we ran down most of the previous trail), despite being a mile shorter with little to no elevation. I was wrecked by the end of this hike, but I would do it all over again. I have become much more mindful of my physical activity as I have gotten older, something I have to do in order to keep my Sjogrens at bay, but sometimes the discomfort is worth the temporary joy. I no longer spiral when I feel a flare up coming, and I no longer avoid the things that cause them (except food, I try to avoid those triggers 90% of my days.)

  I cannot avoid life just to keep my body in its happy place.

  

  

  And just like that, the quick and somewhat last minute trip to Leavenworth had come to an end. I plan to revisit again this summer, hopefully with more hikes and more nostalgia. I had been to Leavenworth before, and I knew I would want to revisit after living in Bavaria, but I had no idea how connected I would feel to this tiny town this time around.

  Oh, but I do have one complaint…how the hell can you justify having ONE restaurant with half of a chicken on the menu, and sell it for $20. Absolutely erroneous.

  Gone are my days of eating half chickens, roasted Bavarian style, for €3.50.

  

  Q: Are there any towns you have visited that left you wanting more?

  

  | 31 Comments Tagged Bavaria, Hiking, Leavenworth, PNW, Travel, Washington

• Ozette Triangle Loop

  Posted at 5:00 AM by Brittany, on May 10, 2021

  When I was 25 I got lost while hiking. Like…legitimately lost. I will never forget this hike, as it was the catalyst to being more prepared when I venture into the woods. When I was 29 I got lost again. I embarked on a 20 mile hike from the east to the west of Yellowstone National Park. This time it was slightly less intense, but equally frightening. It was inevitable for this Yellowstone hike, the trail was not well trafficked (very few tourists show up to YNP wanting to hike 20 miles into the backcountry), and there were endless bison paths deviating from the actual trail.

  It was a real mind game completing Mary Mountain.

  The point of these two stories is that I don’t like getting lost. I don’t reckon anyone really enjoys getting lost, but I really, truly, hate it. I panic quickly and my mind goes to the worst possible scenarios. I recently went for a hike on the coast that I anticipated would be as chill as an ice cream fresh from the ice cream man. The trail was easy – 9 miles all together on flat terrain forming a triangle with 3 miles in the forest, 3 miles on the beach, and 3 miles back in the forest.

  What could possibly go wrong?

  

  My first mistake of the day was buying a coffee from Starbucks without the ability to control how strong it was. I have perfected the science of a proper coffee to water ratio in order to ensure my blood sugar and my anxiety are both kept under control. I thought asking the barista to cut the coffee with half water would be enough, but let me tell you…it was not.

  4 miles into the hike my blood sugar plummeted so far down I’m convinced Hades felt it all the way in the underworld.

  My second mistake was overdoing my physical activity the days prior to this hike. I was cocky and anticipated it would be incredibly easy, but my goodness, walking 3 miles on loose sand is unbelievably annoying. If it weren’t for my exceptional hiking partner I would have lost my marbles. Low blood sugar, fatigue from too much prior activity, and unstable terrain set the foundation for an inexorable panic when we missed the last corner connecting the triangle from the beach back into the forest towards the parking lot.

  

  But wait, there’s more…

  Mistake number three was not downloading a map ahead of time, and neither of us had cell reception. The 3 miles of beach were hard to quantify because our pace was so slow from the sand. There was no clear indication of where to enter back into the forest, so we continued on the beach despite the fact it felt like we were literally walking for hours. (Spoiler: we WERE walking for hours.)

  By this time trepidation set in. My excess caffeine consumption had induced full blown anxiety that I tried to hide with my deafening silence.

  Logically my brain knew my life was not in danger (which I cannot say the same for on the aforementioned hikes I was lost on.) The problem with getting “lost” on this hike was the idea of having to walk the entirety of the beach all over again, back to where we started. This thought literally made me want to cease to exist. #dramatic.

  

  The tide was slowly starting to come back in, so naturally my mind envisioned being swept out to sea while on this endeavor to find the trail. We eventually took a moment to pause, eat something, and reevaluate where we might be. I had a divine intervention moment and decided to check my map app because I remembered that it still showed the blue dot location even without service. To my surprise I was also able to see the outline of the triangle and suddenly the heavens opened up.

  My cortisol levels were still on high alert, until by the grace of God we found the trail. What was meant to be 9 miles, turned into 14.5, and what was meant to be a triangle turned into…a kite.

  

  We had walked an extra 2.5 or so miles off track, away from the trail.

  Once we found the trail it was smooth sailing. I had a pep in my step again, and the second half of the woods were just as beautiful as the first. I don’t know what it is about loosing the trail, but it instills a sense of control loss for me, and I am a control f r e a k. At the end of the day the hike was mostly enjoyable, the weather was perfect, and I developed an unexpected bond with my hiking partner.

  Nothing brings two people together like fear. #dramaticagain

  

  

  I probably won’t be doing this hike again…ever, but now that I am safe in the confines of my home I can say I had a good time. I cannot deny my crippling overthinking at times, but I will say my trust has gotten better as I have gotten older. In these moments of fear I pray like I’ve never prayed before, and somehow that helps.

  Getting lost is sometimes inescapable. Whether it be on a hike, while driving around a new city, or while navigating life.

  

  Morals of the story: always have a map for trails that are not well marked, trust your gut when you think you’ve walked too far, don’t aggravate your anxiety with stimulants, don’t hike with people whose name start with the letter D (all three of these hikes I got lost on I was with one other person whose name started with a D.)

  Q: What’s your wildest “oh sh!t, I’m lost” story?? I can only hope I never have any crazier than this. I’ve been lost in other countries before, but somehow I don’t panic nearly as much as I do when I am lost in the woods.

  

  | 37 Comments Tagged Hiking, PNW, Washington

• Washington Beaches

  Posted at 5:00 AM by Brittany, on May 3, 2021

  All my life I have never been much of a “beach person.” If you were to ask me whether I prefer the beach or the mountains, my answer without hesitation has been and always will be the mountains. When I think about the beach I think of hot, overcrowded tourist spots filled with obnoxious humans who don’t understand the concept of personal space. There is however an exception to this rule, and that is a Pacific Northwest beach.

  More specifically, a Washington beach.

  

  A Washington beach has people, and they might even become overcrowded, but something about their rocky shores and cooler temperatures make them feel a bit less…overwhelming. When I think of a Washington beach I think of an overcast day with waves crashing dramatically onto giant beached logs or rocks. A Washington beach is enjoyable during all seasons, but I love the tranquility during the cooler months when less people come out to play.

  I also adore bundling up with a jacket, a blanket, or another person.

  

  I’ve been spending more time on the beach lately, and while initially I thought I wouldn’t enjoy spending a full day lying around doing mostly nothing, these beach days have become a highlight of my week. For the majority of my life I have struggled doing “nothing.” I always needed something to fill my time, and the busy “go, go, go” way of life was ingrained into my system.

  These days I am much better at sitting with stillness and allowing myself to just be.

  The fact of the matter is, when we think we are doing “nothing” we are doing more than we realize. On these beach days I am actively resting after a week of too much human interaction, substantial physical activity, and the inevitable stressors that come with being alive. Most beach days I do try to stay active for a few hours in the morning, but the remainder of the day is lounge city.

  One of my favorite beach days last month was a trip to Fort Worden, an old military establishment with bunkers dating back to WWI.

  

  

  If walking around old, dark military forts doesn’t tickle your fancy, there is a beautiful light house from 1913 at the tip of the beach. I can only imagine the stories this lighthouse holds. I don’t know what it is about lighthouses, but I find them oddly mysterious. Perhaps it’s because they are rare these days, and their origins often date back further than three of my lifetimes, or perhaps I have watched too many movies with old abandoned lighthouses.

  Either way, I find them fascinating and my imagination runs wild with the possibilities.

  

  

  One of the many things I love about Washington is the ease of accessibility to the coast in multiple directions. Each beach is similar for the reasons I listed above, yet slightly different from one another. With each beach you can expect to find a different view, a different type of sand, less or more beach glass, and better or worse hidden nooks to sprawl out while fighting with the sand fleas for a spot on the beach blanket.

  As summer gets closer I look forward to beach days turning into beach nights with some camping adventures. Now if only I could figure out how to include my cat on these beach outings…

  Q: Are you a beach person, or a mountain person?

  

  | 35 Comments Tagged Beach, PNW, Washington

• Duckabush River Trail

  Posted at 5:00 AM by Brittany, on March 1, 2021

  When I first started hiking more consistently in 2014, I spent most of my time exploring the Cascades of Washington State. I dabbled a bit in the Olympics, but not nearly as much as the Cascades. My first consistent hiking partner lived in Seattle, an area much closer to the Cascades, so I would meet him in the city and we would go from there.

  Occasionally he would come to my side of the water where the Olympics are, but we both felt more of a draw towards the Cascades.

  Then my hiking partner moved, I couldn’t find any other willing participants, and I began hiking alone. My mountain range of choice was still the Cascades, because somehow I felt more comfortable hiking there alone. In the beginning of my solo hiking endeavors I spent a lot of time on trails I was already familiar with, but eventually explored some new to me trails as well.

  Fast forward many years, and I have spent more time in the Olympics this past month than I did in all of 2014.

  

  I have managed to weasel my way into a somewhat consistent group of hiking pals, and these adventures have quickly become a highlight of my week. I have recently seen three new areas of the Olympics, places I would never go if I were alone. There is something deep, and vast about the Olympics.

  This isn’t a bad thing, but there is an eerie energy about these mossy trees and muddy trails that give the feeling of complete isolation.

  

  In a group setting the strong sound of a raging river, or the absolute silence of wide open woods is welcomed. Alone, these auditory stimulations are a quick reminder of just how small we are in these endless mountains of trees and terrain. I have shared a few photos from my hikes the last month in previous posts, but today I share a proper trail report.

  The latest mountain adventure took my pals and I to the Duckabush River Trail, a 10.5 mile moderately rated hike deep in the heart of the Olympics. The early bird not only catches the worm, but also catches a good parking spot. Although hiking in the winter months on less populated trails will also help with that. All of the hikes I’ve done the last month have had little to no other humans around for miles.

  I’m stoked to have friends who also believe in the power of an early start, it can be like pulling an abscessed tooth with some people convincing them to get a head start.

  

  

  This trail starts out mostly flat with a bit of a down hill grade, weaving in and out of large lichen covered trees and a few small stream crossings. Despite the fact we were hiking in February, the trail conditions were excellent. Nothing a good pair of waterproof shoes cannot combat. It’s somewhat comical to think I have been hiking for as long as I have, and only recently purchased a pair of waterproof shoes.

  I still wear trail runners though, because I am adamantine with footwear and cannot commit to the extreme discomfort of a hiking boot.

  The weather was moody and wet for the first half of our hike, and despite the trail name there was only a small section that hugged parallel with the river. The terrain was ever-changing and the cooler temps were a welcomed reprieve when we reached some quick, but steep switchbacks bringing us to an expansive view of the valley below.

  I’m much quicker when the external temperature is cold, I give off heat like a personal portable furnace.

  

  

  Our first vantage point was a large rock fit for baby Simba, and we stopped to appreciate the view. After the switchbacks to this rock the trail is moderate again, moving onto the backside of the mountain we had just climbed. Endless rows of burned trees guided us down towards our destination next to the river. We encountered a small amount of snow on the backside of the hike, but nothing my Salomon trail runners couldn’t handle.

  Upon arrival at the river we sat and savored a snack before making the trek back to the car.

  The sit at the river brought my core temperature lower than comfortable, and I was quite chilly as we ate our snacks. As if by the Grace of God when we started our walk back the clouds dispersed and the sun came out to play. We were much quicker on the way back, per usual, and managed to finish the hike in a little over six hours. I appreciate the desire to stop and savor the views along the way, as well as the focus to get back to the car after we’ve seen all there is to see.

  

  

  This group of pals reminds me of the three solid guy friends I hiked with regularly while I was living in Yellowstone, one of which was my absolute savior during those intense but amazing months in the wilderness.

  When the spring and summer months arrive, I plan to spend more time in the Cascades. The sweeping peaks of those mountains are a welcomed challenge, one that will remind me of how fortunate I am to have found a balance in living life with an autoimmune disease. Each day brings forth new challenges, but I have dialed down what I need in order to keep up with these three hooligans, or any others I embark into the mountains with.

  Until then, I will relish in these lowland hikes through the woods of the Olympics. A forest unlike any other I have seen.

  

  Q: Are you a fan of winter hiking?

  

  | 27 Comments Tagged Hiking, Olympic Mountains, PNW, Washington

• Early Morning Confessions

  Posted at 5:00 AM by Brittany, on December 29, 2020

  1. I have been struggling to write here for two months. Not because I don’t want to write, but rather everything I want to say feels a bit…heavy. I have instead been spewing these thoughts into my journal and avoiding this space. An Early Morning Confessions post feels an appropriate way to ease back into writing here, while sharing a bit of what’s been going on in my world.

  2. My anxiety lately has been through the roof. I have become quite good at accepting my emotions for what they are instead of trying to “fix” them, but right now I feel like I’m drowning. I am a firm believer that depression and anxiety are simply a way for our body to physically tell us something is out of alignment. I know moving back to my hometown is a large part of this anxiety, but for now I feel the need to sit with it.

  

  3. It has taken me years, and I mean YEARS to get to a place in my life where exercise is no longer a punishment for something I have eaten. I am not perfect in this, and I still have moments of “relapse” with the unhealthy way of thinking, but I have finally begun a morning routine that is almost strictly to manage my anxiety. It’s a wonderful place to be. I have been jogging, and after years of avoiding this activity because of my autoimmune disease it feels good.

  4. I am thankful for my job, and I work for an incredible company, but I grapple with my mind almost everyday before work. I am in an entirely new to me field, and the lack of intuitive knowledge I have makes me extremely uncomfortable. My perfectionism continues to literally kill me. Somehow over the years my ability to work with people has diminished. You would never know if you were to work with me, I am great at wearing a mask, but I long for a job that allows me to work more behind the scenes. Give me a task, and set me free to work on it…alone. 

  

  5. I have been back in Washington for three months, and I miss Germany every single day. The hardest part is that my life in Germany feels like a distant memory, like a foggy dream. I often feel like it never really happened. I didn’t expect to come “home” and talk about this experience 24/7, but I did expect to talk about it. I have talked very little about my life the last two years, and this has left a gaping hole in my soul. The worst part is that even if I were to talk about it, only someone who has experienced a similar cultural shift would truly understand. 

  6. I haven’t ridden my bike since October 20th. A combination of weather and the lack of places to ride near by have given me little to no motivation. I would give anything for one more day on those Bavarian bike paths…

  

  7. In January of 2014 I lost my menstrual cycle. It took me five years of obsessive reading, experimenting, and self discovery to finally put in the work and restore this problem. In December of 2019, after committing to eating more and gaining (a lot) of weight, my cycle returned. This month marks one FULL YEAR of healthy, clockwork consistent cycles. It hasn’t been easy, and my hormones have been WILD, but this process is showing me just how resilient I am.

  8. I bought an advent calendar from Starbucks back in the day, one that could be reused, any my mom refilled it this year. I had something to open everyday and it brought such joy to my days.

  

  9. One of the main reasons I decided to stay with my family for a bit was to finally take the time to be still. I needed to allow residual trauma to work its way though my body, find a therapist to have consistent conversations with, and discover what I truly want in my life. I do believe a lot of my anxiety and depression is stemming from this trauma moving around, but I haven’t been diligent in finding a therapist. While this is still an important part of my journey, sitting with the discomfort alone is also necessary. 

  10. Despite everything I have shared in this post, I am doing ok. I am blessed with an amazing family, I have a cat best friend who is glued to my hip, and I have faith that I will continue to walk through this season of life with my head held high. To feel pain is to be human, and running from these emotions only prolongs the healing process. I know a lot of us are struggling more than usual right now with all the chaos of the world, but I hope you find comfort in knowing you’re not alone.

  

  Q: What’s your confession?

  | 33 Comments Tagged Early Morning Confessions, Life, Little, Washington

• Glamping on Herron Island, WA

  Posted at 5:00 AM by Brittany, on December 22, 2016

  Those who know me know I will happily sleep outside in the middle of the woods with nothing but a hole I dig with my bare hands as a bathroom. I find this style of camping to be an adventure, and it allows me to fully submerge myself in nature. The problem with this is not everyone enjoys the rugged style of camping, and if I want to get away with those that don’t enjoy hiking 5 miles into the wilderness for isolation I need a plan B.

  When Glamping Hub, “the worlds leading online booking platform dedicated to unique accommodations in nature,” reached out to me to see if I’d be interested in staying at one of their featured Washington locations I was ALLLLL OVER IT. From tree houses, to yurts, to tents fancy enough for royalty I struggled to narrow down my first choice of locations.

  

  

  Then, just as I thought there was no way I could choose I read the words: “private island.” Sold. This was as close to being isolated as I was going to get with the perks of running water and heat. I chose a spot located on Herron Island in Washington, a tiny island with no more than 150 residents. So isolated you need a special pass to board a ferry to get there.

  #VIP

  

  The roads on the island are all gravel, the speed limit is 15 MPH, and there are no street lights or traffic stops. I saw more deer than I did people during our stay (which is perfect because I prefer animals to humans anyway.) I had no idea how they all made it to the island, but later discovered they SWIM. They SWIM TO THE ISLAND. I didn’t even know deer could swim. As if the deer weren’t enough, holiday ornaments were randomly placed on branches around the island adding to the charm.

  Note: Island has no shops/restaurants, and no wifi. Bring food and entertainment. Basically you have to exist how they did before we were brainwashed by corporations and technology. 🙂

  

  

  

  The host of the beach house we stayed at was kind beyond words, and very helpful with any of my questions. “So, is anyone going to get into the house with us being so secluded?” As visions of one too many horror films flashed before my eyes. “Oh no, there is a zero percent crime rate on the island.” Phew. 

  With two rentals on the island, our host Donn allowed us access to both.

  My heart sang louder than a canary in heat for his tiny cabin over looking the water. You know those scenes in movies when someone has a moment where time stops, their face freezes up as they go into deep thought, and the camera zooms into their mind to show a memory or a vision? Similar to what I think an out of body experience might feel like?

  Well I had one of those moments in this tiny cabin. I saw my future life, living in a similar abode with an amazing view and minimal items.

  

  

  

  The cabin is the perfect size for a couple that wants to get away, or a solo adventurer that needs some peace and quiet. Heat for the cabin is man made in a wood burning stove, so you’re guaranteed to go home smelling like a large dose of “I’m awesome.” The back deck overlooks the water and leads down to the private beach.

  

  Poor lighting, but you get the idea. Main bed, bathroom, and stairs leading up to two loft beds!

  

  

  Kitchen to the left, dining to the right, entertaining space straight ahead.

  

  

  

  I will have to go back to sleep in this tiny cabin, it’s so amazingly perfect and I swooned so hard. My family and I stayed in the other rental on the island because it was bigger fit for the three of us, but secretly I pretended I was alone in the cabin. Actually it wasn’t a secret. I verbally expressed, “how about I leave you guys tonight and sleep alone at the cabin?” Crickets sounded as a response.

  The beach house we slept at was equally charming, and well fit for larger groups and for those that enjoy entertaining. I was a fan of the minor details of the house and the old appliances. My photos don’t do justice to the professional photos on the site, so I suggest you click the green links for a better view. I don’t get anything if you click them, I legit just suggest you look at a professionals eye view.

  

  

  Coat rack with fishing reel hangers.

  

  

  I chose the bedroom overlooking the water because I have a life goal to beat the birds when rising from the dead each day, and I wanted to see the world come to life out the window. This house sleeps up to 8, with four small loft beds up high. Perfect for kids.

  

  

  

  

  The heat was produced by a pellet stove, which was fascinating to me. Summer months won’t need the heat, but we definitely needed it in the winter. Both rentals offer kayaks and other boating systems to explore the beach with, but I was a wimp and stayed bundled on land.

  

  

  

  

  Kayak cabin.

  

  I was able to go for a 30 minute run on Saturday morning to get a lay of the land, and it was indeed small. It was fun to see all the deer, and other houses. Also, the beach house has a Whomping Willow out front, so that was cool. Our on site host was also very kind, and she sent us home with homemade bread, perfect ferry snack.

  

  

  

  There are three takeaways from this post that I will sum up for you now.

  1. If you live in Washington and want to get away I strongly suggest the tiny cabin, it was so adorable, and I want it for Christmas.
  2. If you don’t live in Washington, but want something similar check out Glamping Hub for areas near you.
  3. Deer can swim. I clearly didn’t watch enough Discovery Channel growing up.

  As I bid you adeiu, please enjoy this short video of a morning time lapse from the beach house.

  Q: Do you prefer camping in a tent, an RV, or in a cabin? 

  

  | 55 Comments Tagged Camping, Explore, Glamping, Running, Washington

• Hunter Farms, Union Washington

  Posted at 5:00 AM by Brittany, on October 31, 2016

  HAPPY HALLOWEEN! I love October. October is my favorite month of the year, and Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. I can’t say why I love Halloween so much, I don’t even dress up (boring alert, boring alert!) but there is something about this time of year that gets my waterwheels turning!

  

  

  October is not complete without a trip to a pumpkin patch/apple orchard/corn maze or if you’re lucky a farm with everything wrapped into one. Better yet, the farm NEEDS to have multiple activities wrapped into one. Before the month came to an end I made sure to venture to Hunter Farms in Union Washington to partake in their festivities.

  

  I should have known when I drove into the mud laden parking lot that my choice of footwear was not going to be appropriate for the days adventure, but I’d have gone barefoot through those corn fields if I had to. The mud was thick and slogged, and my only words of wisdom would be: don’t wear sandals to a farm. 

  

  Let the adventure begin

  Hay Maze

  The adventure starts inside an old barn filled with holiday decor. Giant hay bails stacked upon each other make up a maze that has you winding corners and ducking under tunnels. The decorations were perfect, and the creativity was delightful.

  

  

  

  Enter if you dare is right, those tunnels were dark, and quiet. Like close your eyes and stand in the woods quiet. I bow to those small children that venture into those dark corners without a care in the world. It’s tough being an adult and having complete access to the news, or watching too many horror films.

  I’ve officially discovered a new area to add to my list of “places I don’t want to be alone at night.” 

  

  Tractor Rides

  A large farm machine known as a tractor waits outside the hay barn to take us princesses to the field in style. Heaven forbid we walk in the mud with unprepared feet.

  

  

  Going to a farm on a weekday ensures automatic VIP status, and it was just my family and I in the tractor. The bumpy road took us past old rusted trucks into miles upon miles of pumpkin littered rows. It was a fall lovers paradise.

  I seem to have done something right this month, because my karma stick has been slapping me with amazing weather. The sun was shining and only a handful of passing grey clouds washed over the sky.

  

  

  Pumpkin Patch

  I liked this pumpkin patch. Like a lot. It was nestled in the heart of quiet country and the surrounding mountains made for a serene environment. Not like hay bail tunnel quiet, but very quiet. The pumpkin patch even came equipped with a furry tour guide.

  

  

  

  Outtake – I call this pumpkin bongos.

  

  I could have stood in that field for hours. The wind was the only sound I could distinguish passing by my ears, and the quiet air gave opportunity to pause for a moment with my thoughts. No pumpkins were purchased, but walking the rows of round plump squash gave me my field fix.

  Corn Maze

  The only “negative” words I have for this farm would be regarding their corn maze. The paths were just too muddy, and many of the stalks had been trampled on. My sister referred to the brown sludge as chocolate ice cream, but I had a different brown mush in mind.

  

  I had to laugh when my sister trudged through the center of the path and completely lost her shoe. We decided to skip the rest of the maze for fear of being sucked into the brown abyss.

  

  Her shoes, but how cool are those pants?

  Other Honorable Mentions

  

  Multiple Radio Flyer wagons on steroids. Or for a giant.

  

  A giant hitchhiking Santa, because Christmas is just around the corner.

  

  10+ types of animals. These two were my favorite. Be still my heart.

  So there you have it. This farm gets a gold star. Just don’t go in the corn maze without your shucking boots.

  Q: Did you make it to a pumpkin patch before the month was up? What are your plans for Halloween?

  

  | 48 Comments Tagged Corn Maze, Fall, Halloween, Hay Maze, Pumpkin, Washington

• Milestone

  Posted at 5:00 AM by Brittany, on October 19, 2016

  When I was 19 I purchased my first car (shout out to my dad for helping my buy this.) I didn’t receive my drivers license until I was 18 (oldest kid in drivers ed right here), and by the time I was ready to own a car I was ready to pay cash. Payments don’t exist in my vocabulary, with school, with cars, or with bills – it’s all or nothing for me.

  Another reason I want a tiny home – pay for it all at once. 

  In 2008 I purchased an ’07 Toyota Camry with only 6k miles on her. She has taken me on many wonderful adventures, and this past Sunday we celebrated a Camry milestone. After 8.5 years of exploring we hit 100k miles.

  

  I drive a lot when I want to explore, and often drive 150 miles in one day when I want to go for a hike. Regular readers know I enjoy hiking as often as I can. I love my car, and she treats me well, but I’m ready to entertain the idea of something more Brittany friendly. Something a little less “I’m on my way to Bingo,” and a little more “I’m on my way to tear up some trails.”

  I’m very happy with my grandma persona FYI.

  Washington gets a lot of rain, and sometimes a good deal of snow. In the winter months I’m known to white knuckle my steering wheel when driving down a hill that may or may not have ice. Heaven forbid I slide into a ditch, or unintentionally slam into another vehicle. 

  

  The Camry is safe, like eleven airbags safe, but it’s not all wheel drive and I’ve slipped a few times while driving in the winter. I also find myself pretending I’m at Disneyland on Mr.Toads Wild Ride while driving up the mountains filled with potholes and narrow roads. Four wheel drive would help my resting heart rate stay below 200BPM.

  I’m not going to be purchasing a new ride yet, I can’t abandon my first love just because she has a few grays (actually, shes all gray but that’s beside the point) but I am starting my research journey now. I would love to just bike everywhere, because not only does it save money, but I often make money by finding coins.

  Alas, biking up a mountain to get to a trail head doesn’t appeal to me at this stage of my life. 

  

  This past weekend Washington was prepping for a storm I knew we weren’t going to get (our weather is never predictable, so when I hear storm I don’t believe it until I see it), and I decided to give the Camry a rest from mountain bumps and scrapes just in case there were power lines putting on a fire show in the streets.

  Instead, I used my Chevro-legs and went for a local run while everyone else was bundled inside. 

  

  Fall running is my favorite. 

  I plan to enjoy the rest of my time with my Camry and let her take me on a few more adventures. I have my eyes on a Subaru Outback or Crosstrek, but I can already feel the separation anxiety creeping in for my Camry. #attachementissues #firstlove

  

  Camry snacks.

  Q: What was your first car?

  

  This post was sponsored by Khan Law Firm in Seattle, because new cars aren’t cheap, and neither are law suits when glissading down a hill with a car instead of an ice ax. 

  | 69 Comments Tagged Camry, Hike, Running, Toyota, Washington

• Pratt Lake Camping Trip

  Posted at 5:00 AM by Brittany, on June 20, 2016

  Last weekend I went on my first overnight backpack/camping trip since I was 17. The last time I had an adventure like this was with a group of people, my dad included, as a team building exercise. We hiked 5 miles into the HOH rainforest for two nights.

  This time, it was just me and a friend. Alone. In the mountains. 6 miles in. Without the false safety of a parent.

  In the rain.

  

  

  We knew it was going to rain, but decided to go anyway. Looking back I regret nothing, but I’ll tell you that in the midst of this journey I was kicking myself for not listening to my gut when it told me to sit this one out.

  

  

  I should have taken the broken bag strap as an omen, or perhaps my sleeping bag not fitting onto my bag was an indication this wasn’t meant to happen, but I ignored the voices and stepped out of my comfort zone.

  Actually I leaped, rolled, and clawed out of my comfort zone.

  

  Hiking in the rain doesn’t phase me. I grew up in Washington state and I’m used to rain. Sleeping in the rain however, with wet clothes, in the middle of no where, is another story. A story I’m going to share right now.

  

  Never in my life have I begun a hike at 5:45 pm, but when you get lost in the REI garage sale sometimes things just happen. Knowing we only had to hike one way meant we had the option to start later because we were setting up camp instead of turning back around.

  The thought of it getting dark still lurked over my head and kept a slight ounce of fear in my bones. 

  

  This hike was new to both my hiking partner and I, but here is what we knew: our camp destination was at Pratt Lake, 5.5 miles from the trail head. The highest elevation was 4100 ft, and when we pulled into the parking lot there were plenty of other cars. Seemed like no big deal.

  

  

  The beginning of the hike was magical. We were like two gypsy souls dancing in a street parade. It wasn’t until nearly two hours into the hike that we discovered we had only made it three miles. The sky was getting dark, the rain was getting harder, and my bag was getting heavier.

  My perception of time and distance was completely skewed thanks to the added weight of my bag.

  

  This is when we decided to pick up the pace. My back ached, my coat was drenched, and my soul was scared. I don’t often feel scared of other people (we saw none for the first two hours) but I feel scared of being in the dark without proper camp set up, and of wild animals.

  Around 8pm we saw our first fellow souls, two men hiking the opposite direction. It was rather late to be heading back towards the cars, but when we asked if they were heading out their response instilled a small panic in both of us: “yea we are going back, the weather is just too much right now.”

  

  dusk

  

  We both looked at each other realizing we had no form of light (rookie mistake) and no idea how much further we had to go. We contemplated if we should follow the guys, but in the time it took for us to think about it they would have been too far ahead.

  Instead we made ourselves momentarily feel better by calling them wimps. It helped for a bit.

  

  It took us another hour to finally catch a glimpse of the lake and in that hour we both experienced feelings of fear, regret, confusion, and discomfort. It was now after 9pm and we had only moments of daylight left. The rain was still beating down our backs so we decided to set up camp under a giant tree.

  In the middle of the trail.

  

  It took longer than I’d have liked to set up this tent, both of us struggling with numb fingers and exhaustion. I wanted to quit and crawl into the thing deflated, but thankfully my partner knocked some sense into me.

  Tent up, clothes stripped (there is no shame in the woods at 10 pm when you’re soaked) and fear momentarily silenced we sunk into our sleeping bags and began to laugh. We had to be crazy to camp in this weather, and crazy we were. We weren’t the only crazies however, and around 10:30pm a group of hikers and a dog had to maneuver around our tent.

  In the middle of the trail.

  

  The next seven hours were filled with 45 minutes of sleep, but that’s just an educated guess. I felt something run by the side of our tent at one point, the landscape was rugged, we couldn’t get warm, and I couldn’t shake the thought of animals smelling our food. In an attempt to get warm we decided to crawl into one mummy bag and spoon.

  No shame. 

  

  Morning finally came bright and early at 5 am and we didn’t hesitate to pack up our things. We had initially planned to hike another 6 miles to another lake, but after our night we decided to call it quits and head back.

  The morning view on the lake made the entire trip worth it. That and the check mark I can now add to the “bad ass” column of my bucket list.

  

  

  

  The sun came out on our way back to the car, the birds were singing, I attempted to feed them, and I even found a quarter – things were good again.

  

  

  The award for best dressed goes to….

  

  The journey back to the car included many laughs, multiple conversations about the wussy men, a handful of fellow hikers in awe of our adventures, and a sense of accomplishment I hadn’t felt before. I also experienced ungodly hunger because I barely ate a thing the entire trip.

  

  It’s in these moments of exhaustion, fear, and doubt where we discover what we are truly made of. Sure, I would plan better next time, but I’m glad we took this spontaneous trip into the woods, and I guarantee we are both stronger because of it.

  Until next time…

  

  Q: What’s your idea of camping? Sorry, but driving your car to a camp ground with running water and a bathroom is called “glamping” in my book. Still fun, but not the same.

  

  | 74 Comments Tagged Camp, Explore, Hike, Washington

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