Roadtrip, 2017
When my mom finished her school year, we packed the car and began our three-state road trip. Our plan was as follows:
1. Go back to Mendocino, California for a day trip
2. See a play at the Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon
3. Go hiking in Bellingham, Washington.
4. Get to Seattle a little early so we could go to Pikes Place together before parting ways- sadly- so I could go work for 2Human Strategies in person for the first time.
It was a good plan. We started preparing a few days in advance and I started counting down the days right away. To be honest, I didn't care where we went as long as I got to spend some extra time with my mom and I got to go to some new places.
Mendocino (or, the land with no ice cream)
I'd be lying if I said one of our main reasons for going back was simply to get some of the best ice-cream I've ever had. We were sadly disappointed to discover that July 05th is not a good day to visit a small town because there will be lots of tourists and no ice-cream. Even so, we walked along the coast, took lots and lots of pictures (ladybugs included), and drove through a forest of redwoods. It was really good to go back.
Ashland, Oregon
I have started to notice a trend where whenever I go see a play or musical I feel like crying as soon as it starts. I still have no idea why this is the case, but it always happens. While my mom and I were in Ashland, we saw The Merry Wives of Windsor at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. The outdoor theatre was beautiful, and I was very happy to be seeing a play (er, musical?) with my mom.
Bellingham, Washington
The drive from Ashland to Bellingham was incredibly long, but I'd say it was worth it. On our first official day in Washington, my mom and I went hiking. We'd had a trail in mind but after being unable to find it, we found ourselves somewhere else. It was beautiful, though, and I am very glad we went.
Seattle, Washington
Before we parted ways, we went to Pikes Place where we stood in the long line at the original Starbucks (worth it, but if I ever go again I'm wearing different shoes) and tried chocolate pasta. After a couple hours, my mom started the drive home and I stayed until I flew back last Friday. I'm in the process of writing a whole post about my time in Seattle, but I'll quickly say that I loved my time there and I think it was important that I went.
The whole road trip experience was wonderful. I loved visiting new places and, as always, spending a lot of time with my mom. I can't wait for our next series of adventures.