the northwest revisited: part 4

On the last day, we woke up and went to Carol's Corner Cafe with Betty for breakfast. When I lived up there, Betty would take me to breakfast or lunch there most weeks. We'd get fries and creamy chicken noodle soup and a massive pancake. We got all that for breakfast and more. And it was delightful. We got mint hot chocolate at McSteven's and also biscuits and gravy hot chocolate. We stopped by Multnomah Falls on the way out. What a treat!

Miss you already, Northwest. 

kloveyoubye.

the northwest revisited: part 3

On day three we drove up to Seattle. Well, ish. We drove up to Bremerton and drove on into the ferry and took an hour ferry ride right into Seattle. It was gorgeous. Pine trees lined the Puget Sound and then you could see the city get bigger and bigger as we got closer. I loved it. 

We pulled into the city and took a great ride on the Great Wheel, went to get some candy at the gum wall, took a ghost tour, went to Pike's Market, and just explored the city.

On our drive back to the 'Couv there was rain like you wouldn't believe. I was scared out of my britches, but I still managed to keep drifting off. Worst copilot eeever. Lizzie and Jake were totally out in the back seat. Luckily Brian drove us back with ease and we didn't die.

the northwest revisited: part 1

I've been dying to go back to the northwest from the second I stepped foot outta thur. So for like, 8 months. A few weeks ago, it finally happened and it was pretty fantastic. I got so excited when were driving along the Columbia River Gorge, even though it was 2 in the morn and dark as dark. But man, you could still see that tree line against the night sky from the pine trees and I love that. A lot.

Brian, Jake, Lizzie, and I left for the long stretch of driving Friday evening. We stopped at Jake's mom's house for some dinny din din and drove all night like a boss, except there were four bosses. We arrived in Vancouver at roughly 4:00 am. We dropped in at Betty's house and took a few hours to snooze. After catching those zzz's I hopped in the shower and it was ice cold. The heat was off and gosh dern it, I couldn't remember how to turn it on! But no matter, we all showered in it anyways (not together). We went to Killer Burger with Gordon and Betty, themselves! and got peanut butter burgers. Everyone was skeptical but after trying them they were totally into them. 

We drove on over a bunch of bridges to the Saturday Market in Portland. We feasted our eyes on the strangest people; a knife thrower, a hipster, two men doing some weird martial arts, bums...

We found the Cullen's house and some old guy was sitting on a chair reading by one of the massive windows. He probably hated us. Daggum nosy kids!

We went to a park and walked up this trail amongst the trees for a few miles, which was rather scenic. And then all we wanted to do was eat and sleep. So, we did, okay?

the final days.

I just arrived home in Utah yesterday after a long 12 hour drive from Washington today. It was a tearful goodbye; I was so sad to leave.

I finished my internship on Tuesday and that night, Betty and Gordon took me to see the Piano Guys in downtown Portland. But first we stopped by Killer Burger to get my last peanut butter burger before I left. Those peanut butter burgers I tell you... a burger with peanut butter, pickles, onions, and more... what could be better?! They are divine. For reals. The concert was great and I was exhausted by the end of that day.

On Wednesday, Betty and I went to Costco for samples, Winco for treats, McSteven's Hot Chocolate for hot chocolate, and Carol's Corner Café for some chicken noodle soup and fries. We got home and made some delicious carrot cake. I was supposed to head home Friday, but the weather did not look promising. I barely missed the storm yesterday, luckily. My friend, Steph, came over later and we played Nertz with Betty and Gordon. It was hilarious.

At one point Gordon said to us, "...Bunch of old ladies."
Steph said, "Excuse me?!?!"
Gordon stopped and looked straight at her, "Did I stutter?"

So that was a fun game. Steph and I were laughing the whole time.

Bev (Betty's sister), me, and Betty

Thursday morning, Betty and Gordon got up early to make me breakfast. They spoil me. I left at 6:50am and picked up Josh for the long 12 hour drive to Utah.

We had great conversation.

But really, we did talk. We made it in 11.5 hours. Not terribly bad.

It was incredibly windy and a bit scary, but at least the roads were clear.

Now I feel torn. I want Washington back. But I like Utah. Great...

moving back.

I'm moving back to Utah this week. Holy crap, really?!

I can't believe how fast these past 5 months in Washington have gone. I have had so much fun, made wonderful friends, and I got to live with the best couple ever, Gordon and Betty, who are like my second parents! Some of my favorite times here have been just eating dinner 

and chatting with those two.

I've gotten to travel all around Washington and Oregon. From Portland to Tillamook to Pacific City to Cannon Beach. Seaside to Astoria to Seattle. Port Angeles to Forks to La Push. Cape Flattery to Cape Disappointment.

I've had fires on the beach, walked across a bridge into another state, ridden on a ferry, spent many days on the coast/beach, explored Twi-world, seen a lighthouse, driven a lot, oh and finished my internship which is what I came out here for in the first place, duh. 

But that was the least exciting part of all.

I love the northwest. And it's sad to leave. It's not easy loving different places.
Or loving people in different places.

Love you, Washington.

Pretty pictures taken by Aleisha.