In the summer of 2022, I left behind my dreams of city life for a simpler routine – the great outdoors. I had a lot of people sitting on my shoulders, sharing their opinions and throwing caution to the wind, but I knew who I was and what I wanted. Growing up in this age is difficult, and the pandemic had thrown another wrench in the mix. Ready to say goodbye to fast paced city life, dating, and tap dancing, I hopped in a 2009 Subaru Outback named Gladys with my boyfriend and hit the road.
Our trip across the country lasted the month of July. We had the whole month planned. Each national park, hike and campsite carefully picked out from 8 months of planning. Was I really making a mistake in doing this if I had been vigorously planning with care and attention to detail for that long? I couldn’t be!
And boy, I wasn’t. Fast forward to July of 2024, two apartments and two towns later and we couldn’t be happier with our silly little life. Seems that everyone else has succumbed to the grief of a 9-5 and the stress of the corporate world while we’re just fucking around up here in Bellingham, WA. I wouldn’t want it any other way, and I have no regrets about any of the choices I’ve made.
Now, for the good stuff, the stuff you’ve all been waiting for. Where have we been? What have we done? What are all of those recs you’ve been keeping from us? Honestly, the more we explore the more I find that the beauty lies in the untouched peace that a place holds. When I think of Monterey, I think of tide pool hopping, scouring for bright colored anemones and waiting for the sea lions to have their pups in April. I think of driving on Forest Drive back home, through the clouds as the mist and vapor clings to the trees, sun emitting a faint glow. When I think of Bellingham, I think of the walk down to the water, Locust Beach and glimpsing eagles in their habitat. Yes, the people do make a place feel welcome, but nature is the real draw out here in the west.
My father has been pushing me to write since we moved out west. I haven’t felt the need to; haven’t felt that what I had to say was important. Who needs my recommendations? All you have to do is google something and answers will be at your fingertips. Who even wants to read this? I think that instead of trying to find answers to those questions, I should let go of that and just write for us. For me and Noah in 60 years, when we’re all adventured out and our bodies are screaming in protest to stop hiking. I’d like to have something to look back on, to read about. And I know that this story of the two silly goosers is going to be a good one. ❤️
