Don’cha just love a clean slate?
Where you can reminisce on all of the last years’ events with fondness, or if not, to take the not-so-great moments and learn from them? That’s what I like to do. It gives me a curious sense of accomplishment. It’s a good way of taking stock of goals you’ve met, and those you didn’t quite get to. And if your last years was total crap…when then…
Here your chance to start anew.
As I look back on the previous year, I think of all of the great places I’ve been and the epic experiences I’ve had. This little blog I’ve got has been a labor of love, to be sure. But it’s my baby and I’m going to help her grow even more this year. I want to go to more places in the PNW and tell you all about it! And I’m freaking excited!!
Here is Where I Went in 2018
After a nice Christmas in Iowa with my family, I hopped on a plane (solo, no less!) to Las Vegas and saw a band I’ve been a rabid fan of since I was twelve years old:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDHS6JE_Clc
Then I spent an incredibly relaxing weekend on the Oregon coast. I stayed at a fabulous vacation rental in Florence, while exploring Heceta Head Lighthouse and Cape Perpetua. I learned about the rich history of Heceta Head. How ships crossing the Pacific Ocean back in the day dealt with the weather, and about a lighthouse keepers’ life. (Hint: It’s hard work, and often very lonely!)
Next, it was a glorious solo trip to Vancouver Island. I spent nearly a week hiking, exploring, and generally oohing and ahhing over everything the entire trip! I saw most of the island, except for the upper ¼ of the island, which is really remote. I would’ve have loved to explore that untamed wilderness, but I just didn’t have time! Oh yes, I will be back there!
Then it was back down south to visit my brother and my first trip to the Grand Canyon! Looking out at the immense expanse of the landscape, it was hard to believe I was actually looking at the real thing and not an intricate painting. It was just so awe-inspiring and I can’t wait for a return trip to explore the area further.
Back to the Oregon coast! This time we visited the Astoria area, and Cape Disappointment State Park. I absolutely never tire of the Oregon coast, even though I’ve visited different parts of it countless times over the years.
A quick trip to Austin to attend my first travel bloggers conference was a blast! Courtesy of Nomadic Matt, who is every travel bloggers friend, and your complete source for budget travel. He really is a guru and one of my inspirations! I met so many people there, and the entire experience renewed my faith in that I’m on the right path by following my passion.
In the fall, I traveled back up to Washington State and toured around the Cascade Loop. While I mostly did the northern part of the loop, rest assured I will be back soon to tackle the southern part.
And of course, I traveled all around my hometown of Portland throughout the year and got to know her more in-depth, even though I’ve been living here for 20 years. One of the highlights this year in Portland was going to see Neil DeGrasse Tyson. He’s just freaking awesome, and the funniest scientist alive today. And the sexiest! There, I said it!
And this is Where I’m going in 2019
- My second trip to Vancouver, B.C. (Read about my first one HERE)
- Whistler (even though I’m not a skier, but screw it, I’m going)
- Another, more in-depth visit to Olympic National Park in Washington.
- Zip lining in San Juan Island, Washington
- A trip through Washington State’s Apple Country
- A heart-stopping river rafting trip on the Deschutes River
- Trillium Lake in Oregon
- Mount Rainier National Park
- Ashland and the Shakespeare Festival
But that’s just the beginning! Okay, here is where YOU come into the picture. I need you to tell me what you would like from your friendly neighborhood Pacific Northwest travel blogger (that’s me, in case you haven’t already guessed). I want you to tell me what you want to see more of, things I haven’t covered on my website…basically, I’m saying that…
I AM HERE FOR YOU. Tell me what you want and I’ll do my best to give it to you!
