tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51738974807828600652024-03-13T01:00:37.144-04:00WAKING LIFE{adventures in art, fashion, food & feeling fulfilled}caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034517128072912619noreply@blogger.comBlogger909125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173897480782860065.post-78169329973379863762014-01-02T12:27:00.000-05:002014-01-02T12:27:19.440-05:00happy new year!<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/11711121335/" title="image by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="image" height="600" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2883/11711121335_c6c2d83d3b_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
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2013 was a big year for me.</div>
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I bought a new car.</div>
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I finally went on that three-month cross-country road trip I've been dreaming of for over a decade.</div>
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I moved into a little house on the lake.</div>
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I chopped off all of my hair.
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I got glasses.</div>
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I started telecommuting.</div>
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I upgraded to an iPhone after years of resistance.</div>
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I basically stopped blogging... whoops.</div>
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I'm not really into setting specific goals for 2014, but I do know that I want MORE: more travel, more time with friends, more creative expression, more mindfulness. I want to focus on making healthy choices. I want to eat more natural, raw foods, and drink less alcohol/eat less sugar. I want to start making more of my own foods, and convince K to let me cook more nutritiously ;). I want to sew. I can't wait to have a little garden this summer. <br />
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I think 2014 is going to be a good one, too :)</div>
<br />caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034517128072912619noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173897480782860065.post-70383121738176741602013-12-12T13:00:00.003-05:002014-04-04T15:15:05.523-04:00life lately: holidays so far<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/11333895524/" title="DSC_0363 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0363" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3830/11333895524_39cc55ef74_z.jpg" height="401.25" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/11333870916/" title="DSC_0366 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0366" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5505/11333870916_57797799c6_z.jpg" height="401.25" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/11333893274/" title="DSC_0369 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0369" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7356/11333893274_d2ed9b3737_z.jpg" height="401.25" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/11333793345/" title="WP_20131208_003 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="WP_20131208_003" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3721/11333793345_08502a5305_z.jpg" height="337.5" width="600" /></a>
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I've been posting on Instagram mostly, these days. It's like mini-blogging, and all I seem to have inspiration for. To be honest, I'm not sure what direction I want to take this blog in, so I'm mulling it over through the remainder of 2013... maybe I'll be back with a vengeance in the New Year...</div>
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Last weekend I went down to Log Town Farm for Christmas tree cutting, wreath making, and a trip to the Hyde Park Opera House to see "It's a Wonderful Life." K stayed home, since he was buried in finals week (but he's finished now, thank goodness!). Now we have our tree up and lit in the living room, and the holiday season can truly begin!</div>
caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034517128072912619noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173897480782860065.post-63275722357934243582013-12-03T14:33:00.002-05:002013-12-03T14:33:36.657-05:00all i want for christmas<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/11193730764" title="xmas by caitlin, on Flickr"><img alt="xmas" height="495" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3670/11193730764_cf03d69551_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/75803?feat=613-GN1&page=tartan-flannel-pajama-set">plaid flannel pajamas (XS)</a> / <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-CSB-76BC-SmartStick-200-Watt-Immersion/dp/B000EGA6QI">immersion blender</a> / <a href="http://www.overstock.com/Bedding-Bath/Jessica-McClintock-White-Goose-Feather-Pillows-Set-of-2/6403528/product.html?refccid=WOISC6LBGC22X6KJRO5XC7EMLE&searchidx=5">down pillow</a> / <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Joyce-Chen-21-9972-Classic-Carbon-Steel/dp/B002AQSWNE/ref=pd_sbs_k_3">wok</a> / <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Metro-Fulfillment-House-Italian-Finish/dp/B00BUA345W/ref=sr_1_34?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1386080744&sr=1-34">pasta maker (+ drying rack)</a> / <a href="http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/record-time-dress">dress</a> (S) / <a href="http://www.simplepastimes.com/pd-32-doos-1500-piece-colorluxe-jigsaw-puzzle.cfm">1000+ piece puzzles</a></div>
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Just a few simple things on my Christmas wish list this year... oh, and I always want books. Lots and lots of books!</div>
caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034517128072912619noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173897480782860065.post-23738678347633932662013-11-18T10:00:00.000-05:002013-11-18T10:00:08.045-05:00road trip recap: the end<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/10871131453/" title="DSC_0117 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0117" height="401.25" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7373/10871131453_345707d190_z.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
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So we've been back for three months now... as long as we were on the road, we've now been home. It still feels strange, like a dream, like the trip never really happened, and yet I feel the experience like an imprint on my everyday existence. I've been in the midst of a bit of a personal crisis since we got back--I feel like I yo-yo between absolute happiness and contentedness and complete confusion on a daily basis. Some days I feel like everything I thought I wanted has been thrown into question, but I resist it. I guess I'm not prepared to face the idea that comfort isn't enough.<br />
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The trip wasn't life-changing in the way I'd expected it to be--it went too fast, felt too temporary. I've traveled before--I had those profoundly challenging experiences when I was younger, and this time around I was struck by how much I valued my little luxuries. We didn't have any major mishaps, because I planned properly. I didn't want to sleep in the car. I wanted to be clear-headed and calm heading into each day, not clouded and cranky. We just had <i>fun</i>.<br />
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And I still can't really believe that we did it.</div>
caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034517128072912619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173897480782860065.post-35963203102217074662013-11-17T09:00:00.000-05:002013-11-17T09:00:03.363-05:00road trip recap: random towns<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/8941166692/" title="road trip 330 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 330" height="401.25" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5467/8941166692_cb92476e47_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/8941005923/" title="road trip 443 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 443" height="401.25" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2883/8941005923_ef0038ceea_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/8940991897/" title="road trip 449 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 449" height="401.25" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7441/8940991897_93d397257a_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/8941586204/" title="road trip 452 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 452" height="896.934" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5349/8941586204_6f79b8e6d7_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9508285116/" title="road trip 4 181 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 4 181" height="401.25" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7361/9508285116_f1327cc607_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9508280084/" title="road trip 4 183 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 4 183" height="401.25" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5516/9508280084_0d86499931_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9507841455/" title="road trip 4 187 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 4 187" height="896.934" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5348/9507841455_0a5f8a64ff_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9523613111/" title="road trip 4 193 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 4 193" height="896.934" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5337/9523613111_abecd0fbc7_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9523598801/" title="road trip 4 197 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 4 197" height="896.934" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7399/9523598801_fcbc17d871_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9523587345/" title="road trip 4 200 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 4 200" height="896.934" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7289/9523587345_7fc60f51ac_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9526457550/" title="road trip 4 204 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 4 204" height="401.25" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3722/9526457550_01f2b4c114_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9523582599/" title="road trip 4 201 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 4 201" height="896.934" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5492/9523582599_161614bfed_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9531468465/" title="road trip 4 509 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 4 509" height="401.25" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3809/9531468465_147a98215c_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9531581691/" title="road trip 4 539 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 4 539" height="896.934" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3689/9531581691_3ae436c299_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9666820505/" title="road trip 5 999 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 999" height="401.25" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2813/9666820505_e46f73dea2_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9670169872/" title="road trip 5 1007 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 1007" height="896.934" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5544/9670169872_b8ebc06b98_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9666936171/" title="road trip 5 1012 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 1012" height="401.25" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3682/9666936171_e8de049f94_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9667066237/" title="road trip 5 1013 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 1013" height="896.934" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7384/9667066237_3687e72100_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9667065357/" title="road trip 5 1017 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 1017" height="401.25" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3683/9667065357_45235cc4e4_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9670466176/" title="road trip 5 1023 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 1023" height="401.25" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3754/9670466176_4ff5e34486_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9670465122/" title="road trip 5 1028 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 1028" height="401.25" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5511/9670465122_7f7bfa1e11_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
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Just some random towns from our travels across America...</div>
caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034517128072912619noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173897480782860065.post-43869090923287535232013-11-16T09:00:00.000-05:002013-11-16T09:00:03.165-05:00road trip recap: niagara falls!<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/10351854385/" title="IMG_1379 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1379" height="450" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5525/10351854385_000c8b5971_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9670534662/" title="road trip 5 1059 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 1059" height="401.25" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2869/9670534662_0031647488_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9667310535/" title="road trip 5 1067 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 1067" height="401.25" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5504/9667310535_7589a3189c_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9667310863/" title="road trip 5 1066 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 1066" height="896.934" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7302/9667310863_0c9fd4a0a5_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9670540310/" title="road trip 5 1071 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 1071" height="896.934" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3676/9670540310_995c17d708_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9667317631/" title="road trip 5 1081 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 1081" height="401.25" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7452/9667317631_d8eedcfea4_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9670555938/" title="road trip 5 1084 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 1084" height="401.25" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3684/9670555938_23e8913a56_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9670555466/" title="road trip 5 1086 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 1086" height="896.934" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5530/9670555466_9012912019_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9670554472/" title="road trip 5 1091 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 1091" height="401.25" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7396/9670554472_736459ac88_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/10870715295" title="road trip 5 1092 by caitlin, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 1092" height="401.25" src="//farm3.staticflickr.com/2827/10870715295_11315db234_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9667371233/" title="road trip 5 1109 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 1109" height="896.934" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5332/9667371233_1018fddd42_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9670598268/" title="road trip 5 1098 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 1098" height="896.934" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7301/9670598268_4805e1a29d_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9670603954/" title="road trip 5 1105 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 1105" height="401.25" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2879/9670603954_1724c3a393_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9670597584/" title="road trip 5 1101 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 1101" height="401.25" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3673/9670597584_f26e242a94_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9670604314/" title="road trip 5 1104 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 1104" height="896.934" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7378/9670604314_bd920dba15_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
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Well, here we are! Niagara Falls was our last stop on the trip, because we wanted a big finish! It was definitely an appropriate way to end such an epic adventure, though it felt a little bittersweet because both of us were in a weird place where we were feeling ready to be home but not ready for the trip to end. We decided to cross into Canada (because why not??) to see the falls from that side (I'd heard it was less touristy, but I don't see how that's possible). What a disaster! The border crossing took forever, and then when we explained our road trip to the crossing guard, he was totally skeptical and we ended up being held and searched! That's never happened to me before! We were like, "seriously, Canada?" It was a major setback, and we wound up driving several hours in the dark and rain in a foreign land (I know Canada is hardly "foreign" to us, especially Vermonters, but they just do things a bit differently and the signs are confusing... oh yeah, and we neglected to change our money so we didn't have any of that, and my debit card was turned off after my first purchase--a map--so that was a bit of a disaster). I had planned every detail of the trip for so long and suddenly at our last stop everything was unraveling. We ended up having to buy donuts and coffee at Tim Horton's to use their wifi for directions to our hotel...<br />
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Anyway, we finally arrived, safe and relatively sound, and settled in for the night. The next morning we went into historic Niagara-on-the-Lake to explore, had breakfast al fresco, and spent a few hours wandering around the quaint little town. Then it was time for the falls! We drove into town and parked a little bit out of the way so that we didn't have to deal with the crush of crowds, then walked back to view the falls. They really are spectacular. We were going to go on the Maid of the Mist or walk behind the falls but the lines were totally out of control so we decided to skip it and just go to dinner instead (eating is our style). I also kind of wanted to take the elevator to the top of the tower (above), but it was way too expensive. Soooo anyway, we just walked around for a while, had some dinner, looked at the falls as much as we could stand, and then went back to our hotel to regroup before the long drive back to Vermont. Crossing back into the U.S. was a lot easier--we were just waved on through. We stopped in Brattleboro for dinner at the Indian restaurant there that we'd been to once before, and then started the long trip back up I-89 to my parents' house, where we would stay for the next week or so while we searched for an apartment.</div>
caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034517128072912619noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173897480782860065.post-64949125063723675892013-11-15T09:10:00.000-05:002013-11-15T09:10:42.620-05:00road trip recap: mt rushmore, black hills, and pierre, sd<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9666727295/" title="road trip 5 952 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 952" height="401.25" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2845/9666727295_a801a9e2c6_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9666636067/" title="road trip 5 948 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 948" height="896.934" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7418/9666636067_17184d1930_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
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After we left the Dinosaur Park and Wall Drug, we of course had to stop and see Mount Rushmore before we continued on to K's grandmother's house! It was a pretty quick stop--we just paid, parked, walked as far as we could walk, looked at it for a while, and then left. It was definitely just one of those "AMERICA!" things you simply have to see, and of course it is impressive, but I didn't need to spend a lot of time gazing at it in contemplation. We took the long way out of town through the Black Hills (up a mountain), which probably wasn't the best choice, but we did get a nice view of the region from a scenic overlook with a bunch of bikers (we were in the area right during Sturgis, so there were bikers EVERYWHERE). It was actually kind of insane how many there were...</div>
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We FINALLY got to K's grandmother's house about an hour after we were scheduled to arrive, and had a huge dinner that was like Thanksgiving. K's uncle and wife were also there for the weekend, so we got to spend a bit of time with them as well. It was a really great stay! We played a lot of cards, ate a LOT of food, and mostly just hung out and chatted for the weekend. One of the days we were there we drove around looking at the historic houses in Pierre (for the historic preservationist among us) and then visited the Capitol building, which was beautiful (especially the ceilings and windows). I also thought it was pretty great that there was an exhibit for all of the inaugural dresses of the governor's wives through the decades, recreated in minature and accompanied by photographs--just my style! Some of the dresses I would still totally wear :) </div>
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K's grandmother is such an awesome lady--I kept saying the whole time that I hope I am just like her when I'm in my eighties. She loves to travel, she goes out dancing every Friday night, she's incredibly active and intelligent and witty--quite a spitfire. I'm seriously aspiring to <i>be</i> her in fifty-some-odd years.</div>
caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034517128072912619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173897480782860065.post-39608979891209639182013-11-12T09:00:00.000-05:002013-11-12T09:00:04.326-05:00road trip recap: historic attractions (south dakota)<div style="text-align: center;">
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As we were zipping across South Dakota on our way to K's grandmother's house in Pierre, we stopped at several tourist attractions to break up the day. First was the historic <a href="http://www.blackhillsbadlands.com/dinosaurpark">Dinosaur Park</a> (est. 1936) in Rapid City, which was adorable. They didn't even try to make the dinosaurs anatomically accurate, and they looked like something out of Saturday morning cartoons. I do have a bit of a love for dinosaurs, though, so it was a fun stop. We also had to visit <a href="http://www.walldrug.com/">Wall Drug</a>, of course, which I didn't even know existed until we visited K's parents and they were talking about it. I can't believe I hadn't even heard of this place! It's a giant roadside attraction that was also established in the 1930s and took off when Dorothy Hustead had the idea to give out free ice water to travelers. The rest, as they say, was history. Now the quaint drug store has ballooned into a billion-dollar-a-year kitschy tourist destination that is about as random as you can get--but definitely worth a visit!</div>
caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034517128072912619noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173897480782860065.post-24474657203754920942013-11-11T09:00:00.000-05:002013-11-11T09:00:08.796-05:00road trip recap: little bighorn battlefield<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9666437517/" title="road trip 5 906 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 906" height="401.25" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7293/9666437517_ea1b090c9c_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9666437857/" title="road trip 5 905 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 905" height="896.934" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2845/9666437857_6d472cb2e0_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
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This was one of the national monuments we stopped at only on a whim, and probably wouldn't have seen if it wasn't for our desire to get the most out of our National Parks Pass (that thing = amazing!). I'm so glad we stopped. So much of our country's early years was actually quite appalling, but it's not something you think about on a daily basis. On this trip we were confronted a number of times with the consequences of the destructive influence and downright thievery of white settlers on native land, which made this battlefield, representing one victory in a vast history of defeat, seem all that much more meaningful (even if it was hard to ignore the fact that the land is owned by the federal government).</div>
caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034517128072912619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173897480782860065.post-17973549755537774612013-11-08T09:00:00.000-05:002013-11-08T09:00:00.265-05:00road trip recap: yellowstone national park (part ii)<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9669660472/" title="road trip 5 899 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 899" height="896.934" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2839/9669660472_7977386605_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
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Remember how I said that whenever there was a wildlife sighting the traffic was backed up for hours? Well, a lot of the time we would look and look on our way through and see nothing of interest (one section of the road was backed up/blocked for a good 24 hours because of an eagle that we couldn't even see!), but sometimes we got lucky. Like when we happened upon that bison leisurely strolling down the road toward us while a ranger attempted to encourage it off the road with his SUV. It was adorable! Another favorite was when we saw the group of bull elk hanging around one evening (also above), looking all majestic. We ended up leaving the park at least for a little while each day, partly just to escape the mobs of people. The first evening we had dinner in town and then went to a rodeo! I'd never been to a rodeo before, so when we spotted the flyer in town I knew we had to go. It was just a small local affair, but the bull riding was pretty cool to see, even though none of the riders could stay on long enough to win a prize.</div>
caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034517128072912619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173897480782860065.post-78390386032339737122013-11-07T09:00:00.000-05:002013-11-07T09:00:05.840-05:00road trip recap: yellowstone national park (part i)<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9666337117/" title="road trip 5 860 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 860" height="896.934" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7314/9666337117_e91a09745c_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9669654684/" title="road trip 5 885 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 885" height="401.25" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5500/9669654684_6895f4409a_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
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You guys. I thought Yellowstone was incredibly cool. I think I may have a secret love of geology? Anyway, the weird, almost Alien landscape of this enormous park absolutely fascinated me. It really was like walking around on another planet at times (and the colors!). Despite the fact that I loved the park, however, I definitely would not recommend going in the summer season. Besides the fact that there were just SO MANY PEOPLE there, only one main road runs through the park (which is roughly the size of Connecticut). This means that all of those people were on this one road, all the time... and whenever there was any sort of wildlife sighting, the traffic was backed up for an hour (at least). So, bring a bike, actually--number 1 recommendation! We got up really early our first full day there so that we could visit Old Faithful before the tour buses arrived on the scene. It was kind of insane how quickly the attractions filled up later in the day. We stopped at another site before going on to Old Faithful, and it was a beautiful, steamy morning, completely quiet, with only about a half-dozen other tourists around us at any given time. When we drove by later that day the same site was so crowded it looked like people were standing in line. Anyway, we got to Old Faithful and sat on the benches waiting for the geyser to get going. The air was cool but the sun was warm, we were still able to get a seat right in front, and there was a really quiet, meditative calm over the crowd that made the whole thing feel very spiritual. The awe was audible all around as the geyser gathered its strength and exploded into the air, and I even got a little teary-eyed! <br />
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My surprise love of strange geothermal phenomena definitely made Yellowstone one of my favorite parks, even though the smell of sulfur did begin to make me nauseous on our last day there...</div>
caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034517128072912619noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173897480782860065.post-59643366529323322132013-11-07T08:52:00.000-05:002013-11-07T08:52:24.520-05:00ps: i'm on instagram!<div style="text-align: center;">
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caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034517128072912619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173897480782860065.post-20611195653873214312013-11-06T09:00:00.000-05:002013-11-06T09:00:14.270-05:00road trip recap: grand teton national park (part ii)<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9627241558/" title="road trip 5 760 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 760" height="896.934" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7375/9627241558_3719e7b472_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
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We had to drive through Grand Teton again to get to Yellowstone, so we had saved Mormon Row for a stop on our way out that last day. "Mormon Row" is so-named because it is a preserved area of the park where Mormons settled and built homesteads at the turn of the century. Not a bad place to put a homestead, I say. It was pretty amazing to see the old houses and barns against that stunning mountain backdrop. Unfortunately, as I went exploring, I was stung by a bee on my ankle. O.M.G. I was stung by bees plenty of times when I was a kid running around in the clover, but this was something entirely different. I literally shrieked at the pain of it, and it started swelling up immediately. Of course there was no baking soda nearby, which was the only remedy for a bee sting that I could recall, so I just watched as it got puffier and puffier and throbbed more and more. A couple of K's beers were still relatively cold, so I grabbed one of those and pressed it to my ankle, but the pain didn't go away for SEVERAL DAYS, and the swelling got much worse before it got better. I couldn't believe it. </div>
caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034517128072912619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173897480782860065.post-42280503642676281492013-11-05T09:00:00.000-05:002013-11-05T09:00:07.053-05:00road trip recap: grand teton national park (part i)<div style="text-align: center;">
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Grand Teton really does have some magnificent mountains, no? Even though we were staying in Jackson Hole, we drove through the park on two different occasions. The only full day we were in town we did the entire loop drive and took all of these glorious photos. It was a beautiful day. We decided to make dinner in our little cabin that night, but the grocery was closing when we got there so we ended up eating on the upper balcony of a "Tavern"--caprese salad and pasta primavera--and then loading up on champagne and beer (and chocolate) and heading back to our cabin for the night.</div>
caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034517128072912619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173897480782860065.post-75687387378159542272013-11-04T09:00:00.000-05:002013-11-04T09:00:01.283-05:00road trip recap: jackson hole, wy<div style="text-align: center;">
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You might say we'd been a bit traumatized by camping in the rain at Glacier, because suddenly the idea of camping in Grand Teton (the original plan) sounded like a terrible way to spend a couple of days. We thought we were just passing through Jackson Hole, but when we spotted the Kudar, a quaint retro motel with log cabins just on the outskirts of town, we stopped on a whim and ended up booking one of the little cabins for ourselves. It was SUCH a good choice. We ended up being able to explore Jackson Hole, which we probably wouldn't have done otherwise, and we still got to spend a good amount of time driving through and exploring the Tetons, so it was win-win. <br />
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We spent most of our town-time just wandering around. It was the typical tourist town--the same stores feature prominently in destinations catering to wealthy travelers from coast to coast (art galleries, home goods stores with exorbitant prices--we saw a clock that was selling for $25,000!--overpriced restaurants, and souvenir shops). Still, we enjoyed window shopping. The second night we joined the mob of people waiting to see the "shoot-off" they have every night of the week, which is put on by the local theater troupe. We got a good chuckle out of it and then slunk off to get some gelato--the guns were way too loud! </div>
caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034517128072912619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173897480782860065.post-64909753276450557862013-11-03T09:00:00.000-05:002013-11-03T09:00:07.337-05:00road trip recap: montana (and glacier national park)<div style="text-align: center;">
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I had heard amazing things about Glacier National Park, so even though it was pretty far out of our way I was adamant that we had to stay there (not to mention I wanted to see the glaciers before they've all melted away!). Unfortunately, the epic views we were expecting were completely shrouded in thick fog both days that we were there--so much so that even after driving several miles on the "Going to the Sun" road on our way out of the park we ended up turning around and going back out the way we came (didn't help that it started POURING, either). We spent both days huddled in our tent trying to stay warm and dry (after we took those first moody photos when we arrived, it rained pretty much nonstop for the rest of our stay). Oh well, the drive south through Montana almost made up for it--they're not kidding when they call it Big Sky country! K and I stopped to take more pictures than we had anywhere since the shutter-happy early days of our trip--the views were just spectacular!</div>
caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034517128072912619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173897480782860065.post-62390446827022458362013-11-02T09:00:00.000-04:002013-11-02T09:00:04.379-04:00road trip recap: spokane, wa<div style="text-align: center;">
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After we left Kennewick we stopped in Spokane to spend a night with K's brother and his girlfriend at their ADORABLE little bungalow. His brother was working when we arrived so his girlfriend graciously showed us around the city for a few hours in the meantime. We first took a walk through the neighborhood to those beautiful gardens above, which I imagine would be the perfect place to go for a stroll on a summer's day, then drove to the other side of town to check out one of the hip neighborhoods over there before parking downtown. We stopped in at the Davenport, which is an incredibly beautiful old hotel that is just open for the public to poke around in and marveled at the gorgeous chandeliers and grand ballrooms. Our next stop was the waterfront, where there is an expansive park and rides set up and running at all times. I got the sense that Spokane would be a really amazing city to be a kid in, because it was very family-oriented and... rides (enough said). We wandered down to see the rushing falls, at which point K's brother called to say he was downtown and we started walking back to the car... and I gracefully tripped and faceplanted with my camera lens-down on the pavement. I barely had time to notice my scraped knees (my camera!), but we were both fine and I was only embarrassed in a "let's all pretend that didn't just happen" kind of way.</div>
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We all went out to dinner at The Flying Goat, where we had beer and cider (me) and ate delicious pizza, and then we stopped at the grocery store to pick up some Scrumpy's on the way home, which enlivened the conversation into the night. It was great fun, I only wish we'd had more time there! Spokane definitely surprised us with all of its charm--having an insider's perspective is definitely a plus when visiting a new place, especially a city!</div>
caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034517128072912619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173897480782860065.post-61940063402891964912013-11-01T09:00:00.000-04:002013-11-01T09:03:53.736-04:00road trip recap: kennewick, wa<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/10351883293/" title="IMG_1129 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1129" height="450" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2861/10351883293_07b2069ff3_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/10351651916/" title="IMG_1141 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1141" height="450" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2807/10351651916_859f57065d_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
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At this point in our trip we were feeling pretty broke and (I'll be honest) a little homesick, so it was lucky that we had planned to spend a good chunk of time at K's house in Kennewick! We ended up staying there for about a week and a half, unwinding and recharging before the last leg of our adventure. Some highlights: kayaking on the river, an air show/boat race, sangria and horseshoes when K's brother and his girlfriend came to visit for the weekend (and lots of card and dice games late into the night--one of which I won!), soaking in the hot tub, wine and beer tastings, Chico's Tacos, Art in the Park, the Hanford tour (although I'll admit, I slept through most of the bus rides), and a sunset hike (K took some of these photos, like that last one--my favorite!). In six years of dating, this was the first time I had ever been to his hometown, so it was really great to see where he spent his (later) formative years and spend some quality time with his family, who were so very hospitable and showed us a great time :)</div>
caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034517128072912619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173897480782860065.post-75320203487742551322013-10-31T09:00:00.000-04:002013-10-31T09:00:09.901-04:00road trip recap: port townsend, sequim, mount rainier<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9626910196/" title="road trip 5 455 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 455" height="896.934" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2836/9626910196_36f65097af_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9623674327/" title="road trip 5 461 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 461" height="401.25" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7375/9623674327_e3ecc73d26_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9626906958/" title="road trip 5 462 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 462" height="401.25" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2871/9626906958_596e328f4b_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9623674737/" title="road trip 5 458 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 458" height="896.934" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3775/9623674737_a203a41ac4_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/10351909073/" title="IMG_1061 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1061" height="450" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3701/10351909073_0124983ede_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9623673707/" title="road trip 5 465 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 465" height="896.934" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5486/9623673707_a5b8d548ef_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9626908542/" title="road trip 5 466 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 466" height="896.934" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3752/9626908542_dd037ed506_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9626908346/" title="road trip 5 467 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 467" height="896.934" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3818/9626908346_3d1848d168_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9626908210/" title="road trip 5 468 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 468" height="896.934" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2893/9626908210_bf0de17505_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9626906788/" title="road trip 5 474 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 474" height="896.934" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5332/9626906788_6bd0ec829c_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9626930650/" title="road trip 5 477 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 477" height="401.25" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3729/9626930650_479117082f_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9626929860/" title="road trip 5 481 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 481" height="401.25" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3708/9626929860_1a29269062_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9626929626/" title="road trip 5 482 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 482" height="401.25" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3809/9626929626_6d95ae0667_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9626929380/" title="road trip 5 483 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 483" height="896.934" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2819/9626929380_f8518250bd_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9626928808/" title="road trip 5 486 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 486" height="401.25" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7421/9626928808_1caca28a4c_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9623693769/" title="road trip 5 489 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 489" height="896.934" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7333/9623693769_2d2e3cf6b0_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9626927448/" title="road trip 5 493 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 493" height="401.25" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5470/9626927448_9399eaeacc_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9623716809/" title="road trip 5 501 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 501" height="401.25" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3769/9623716809_7390839103_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9626950808/" title="road trip 5 502 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 502" height="896.934" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7348/9626950808_59806c1d18_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
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This region of Washington was kind of a fail. I'd mainly wanted to visit some lavender farms and camp in/explore Olympic National Park. Unfortunately, it was Lavender Fest. You'd think this would be great for someone who came to the area hoping to visit lavender farms, but it actually ruined the experience. First of all, the farms were way too overrun with cars and people to be enjoyed, but then, when we finally found a farm that was to our liking, we discovered that we had to pay $12 EACH to go beyond the parking lot. At that point we were so annoyed with the whole thing that we said forget about it. I was mostly irritated because a) it would have been free if we hadn't happened upon this dumb "fest" and b) we didn't want to participate because of the fest crowds, anyway, so there was no way we were going to pay for it! We ended up eating Mexican food instead. And we weren't able to camp in ANY of the places that I had planned on. Because of the fest, everything was completely booked when we arrived, including the campgrounds in Olympic. After arriving to a "campground full" sign in Dungeness, where I had originally wanted to camp because it was right on the beach, we tried to find a hotel in Port Townsend, but the<i> entire city</i> was booked up as well, even if we were willing to drop a lot of money we didn't have (which at that point, we were). <br />
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Finally we just started driving south, deciding that we would hope to find something close to Port Townsend (because we really wanted to explore there!) and if we didn't we would just keep driving through the night to K's parents' house. In the end, about an hour south of Port Townsend, we found a cute little inn that was perfect and reasonably priced (and had vacancy, miraculously!) and wound up spending two nights there and driving through Mt. Rainier on our way across the state to visit K's family.</div>
caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034517128072912619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173897480782860065.post-15250748195418704052013-10-30T09:00:00.000-04:002013-10-30T09:00:10.710-04:00road trip recap: washington west coast<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9623635811/" title="road trip 5 405 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 405" height="896.934" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3666/9623635811_1b9af41d12_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9623634661/" title="road trip 5 411 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 411" height="401.25" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7414/9623634661_7ae76ccfdc_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9626893726/" title="road trip 5 416 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 416" height="401.25" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3668/9626893726_7315e74417_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9623657647/" title="road trip 5 420 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 420" height="401.25" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3725/9623657647_9ff8c913dd_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/10351740436/" title="IMG_1025 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1025" height="401.25" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2875/10351740436_c8ca6857aa_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/10351733624/" title="IMG_1029 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1029" height="401.25" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3697/10351733624_fdff71e2b3_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9623656171/" title="road trip 5 429 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 429" height="896.934" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2808/9623656171_fee443a8a4_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9626902024/" title="road trip 5 442 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 442" height="401.25" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3724/9626902024_a7636063bc_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9626890936/" title="road trip 5 432 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 432" height="896.934" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5468/9626890936_2b00bf7b9a_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/10351915253/" title="IMG_1045 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1045" height="450" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7366/10351915253_b4ff24547f_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9623667315/" title="road trip 5 440 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 440" height="896.934" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7349/9623667315_b14ea6727f_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9626901330/" title="road trip 5 447 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 447" height="401.25" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5343/9626901330_19217bd2c2_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9626901226/" title="road trip 5 448 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 448" height="896.934" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3716/9626901226_bfdfc29e1c_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9623665305/" title="road trip 5 451 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 451" height="401.25" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3667/9623665305_6f31e65218_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
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When we left Portland we started driving up the coast of Washington, stopping in Astoria (the oldest U.S. town west of the Rockies) for lunch and wandering. We ended up spending the night in Ocean Shores, which was a weird little town that somehow manages to attract tourists (not sure how). The next day we basically circled the entirety of the Olympic Peninsula, driving up 101 and stopping at Ruby Beach to admire the driftwood and dramatic rock formations (it was SO COLD, though). We had originally planned to camp at Lake Ozette and drive up to Cape Flattery (the northwesternmost point) the next day, but we were exhausted and wanted to make a little more progress (we'd decided to show up at K's parents' house a bit earlier than planned), so we drove to Dungeness, where I had planned for us to camp the next night... (to be continued.)</div>
caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034517128072912619noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173897480782860065.post-74464099891120945612013-10-29T09:30:00.000-04:002013-10-29T09:30:02.352-04:00road trip recap: portland, or<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9626844220/" title="road trip 5 346 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 346" height="401.25" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7421/9626844220_e9dd262510_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9626818720/" title="road trip 5 343 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 343" height="896.934" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7459/9626818720_5b6c4df630_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9626818912/" title="road trip 5 342 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 342" height="401.25" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7408/9626818912_c1b95a92b3_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9626843268/" title="road trip 5 351 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 351" height="401.25" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7322/9626843268_be17b9f97c_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9623606315/" title="road trip 5 354 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 354" height="401.25" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3767/9623606315_f99f8403d1_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9626842396/" title="road trip 5 355 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 355" height="401.25" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2855/9626842396_ef615047b5_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/10351926233/" title="IMG_1017 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1017" height="800" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3667/10351926233_bc6ace0472_c.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9626842254/" title="road trip 5 356 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 356" height="896.934" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3742/9626842254_0ccddfa392_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9623604897/" title="road trip 5 359 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 359" height="896.934" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7387/9623604897_e795f3f11a_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9623604077/" title="road trip 5 363 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 363" height="401.25" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5349/9623604077_3e6e622a47_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9623603487/" title="road trip 5 365 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 365" height="401.25" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2889/9623603487_8165796245_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9626838294/" title="road trip 5 370 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 370" height="896.934" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2839/9626838294_b93f0f0784_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9623601057/" title="road trip 5 374 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 374" height="401.25" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2880/9623601057_acd73a8ae5_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9623627157/" title="road trip 5 376 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 376" height="401.25" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7321/9623627157_a848a7ca6c_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9623626793/" title="road trip 5 378 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 378" height="401.25" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5538/9623626793_88e262ba7f_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/10351740915/" title="IMG_1020 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1020" height="450" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3801/10351740915_3583b7a5e7_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9623626309/" title="road trip 5 380 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 380" height="401.25" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2841/9623626309_8591b3207c_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9626860722/" title="road trip 5 386 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 386" height="401.25" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3687/9626860722_924547a0a7_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9626860556/" title="road trip 5 387 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 387" height="401.25" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3819/9626860556_d2b5145f6a_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9626860386/" title="road trip 5 389 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 389" height="401.25" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2855/9626860386_61eb9fe580_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9623624399/" title="road trip 5 390 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 390" height="401.25" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5515/9623624399_e626c0f36b_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9626872242/" title="road trip 5 402 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 402" height="401.25" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7361/9626872242_fdbaaf99bd_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
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I was really excited about our visit to Portland, not only because it is where K and I met but because one of my very best friends still lives there (she was my spontaneous cross-country moving companion all those years ago). We were only staying overnight, but she planned quite a few adventures for us and it was so much fun! We met up with her at her friend Bryan's house, which was this incredibly awesome little multi-level apartment built into the side of a hill surrounded by vegetation (like a jungle!), and then all of us drove downtown for a "surprise." We rented a double surrey and pedaled it all around the waterfront, ringing the bell and yukking it up. We ended up also riding a little bit downtown and were going to stop at Voodoo Donuts (I never ate a donut there when I lived in the city because I was always on a diet in those days) but the line was wayyyyyy too long so we just skipped it.<br />
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After we'd returned our surrey we drove out to Sauvie Island to do some berry picking and hear some music. This is my kind of festival atmosphere. It was relaxed, not overcrowded, and we were able to take our time strolling through the berry patches with drinks in hand, picking (and eating, lets be honest) at our own pace. When we had enough berries we headed back to hear music, which was just getting started. It was actually really good music, too! AND there was a Voodoo Donut truck there, so we were able to get a couple of donuts without the insane line (double-plus). So delicious.<br />
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We picked up some produce at the farm store there and then stopped at the actual grocery store for some wine and other necessities, and then headed back to Bryan's to make dinner. Sarah makes this really amazing Thai curry that I always want to eat whenever I see her, so that's what we had! We ate outside by a little fire and then retired inside to play "Cards Against Humanity" late into the night (best.game.ever.)<br />
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The next morning it was time to hit the road, and K and I swung by our old apartment complex on Barbur Boulevard to reminisce. His apartment apparently had just become available to rent again, and a handyman was there painting and getting it ready, so we were able to peek inside and snap a picture sitting on the stoop where we spent many an evening way back when. It was a really great day with some awesome people. :)</div>
caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034517128072912619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173897480782860065.post-59651233976976574372013-10-28T09:06:00.000-04:002013-10-28T09:06:04.580-04:00twenty-eight<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/10521015244/" title="image by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="image" height="480" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5550/10521015244_f40c70fd7d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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I feel good about 28. Unlike years past, I'm not going to set a list of 28 goals that I won't complete. I don't feel like I need to. Maybe I finally feel comfortable accepting that not everything has to be a mad scramble toward success and that life is long (though short enough that I should live in the present as much as possible). Things will happen this year. Maybe better things than I can even think of wanting right now. All I know is that I want to travel. I want to make things. I want to spend time with my friends and family. I want to read more. I want to get fresh air. The rest can just come as it will.<br />
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Last night I hosted a dinner party. I made mushroom risotto, roasted beets for salad with arugula and goat cheese, and roasted butternut squash to be served with maple syrup. And I made a decadent flourless chocolate cake (I never knew how much BUTTER goes into those things! Oof.). I've never really enjoyed cooking or baking... I much prefer eating. But when I put my mind to it, I can follow a recipe pretty well ;) I think it was a great way to ring in my new year.</div>
caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034517128072912619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173897480782860065.post-35286372159666088792013-10-27T09:00:00.000-04:002013-10-27T09:00:00.318-04:00road trip recap: oregon coast<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/10351320443/" title="IMG_0986 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0986" height="450" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2849/10351320443_f6af9423b8_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9580907784/" title="road trip 5 289 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 289" height="401.25" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3740/9580907784_eb146ed3b6_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9580905160/" title="road trip 5 290 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 290" height="896.934" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7320/9580905160_d0868441fd_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9578114385/" title="road trip 5 292 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 292" height="401.25" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2830/9578114385_5f9c9991fd_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9578333417/" title="road trip 5 294 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 294" height="896.934" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5349/9578333417_844404154f_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9581108152/" title="road trip 5 301 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 301" height="401.25" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3757/9581108152_9b022cc3bb_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9578371859/" title="road trip 5 306 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 306" height="401.25" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2858/9578371859_95a6481cb8_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9578370077/" title="road trip 5 307 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 307" height="401.25" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2881/9578370077_bd9d79202c_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9578365425/" title="road trip 5 309 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 309" height="896.934" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3746/9578365425_a5f5fa5228_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/10351127675/" title="IMG_0988 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0988" height="450" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7308/10351127675_8b4774a4d4_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9581147602/" title="road trip 5 311 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 311" height="401.25" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7292/9581147602_7e7eda1d4f_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/10351125535/" title="IMG_0992 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0992" height="896.934" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5549/10351125535_1e26f2fd24_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9578397107/" title="road trip 5 317 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 317" height="401.25" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5348/9578397107_2ec5e113cc_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9626821592/" title="road trip 5 327 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 327" height="401.25" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3728/9626821592_4be04e515a_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9623584651/" title="road trip 5 329 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 329" height="896.934" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3716/9623584651_a28ecc9404_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/10351742634/" title="IMG_1006 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1006" height="450" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7366/10351742634_89d30c3e35_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9626820114/" title="road trip 5 335 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 335" height="896.934" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7371/9626820114_a3abdd727e_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/10351739044/" title="IMG_1014 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1014" height="450" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3820/10351739044_239846efe1_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
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The Oregon Coast will always be a special place for us, since that is where K wooed me all those years ago ;) How could you not fall in love with that misty romantic ocean as a backdrop?? As we drove northward along the Umpqua scenic corridor and then up the coast we actually ended up stopping at places we forgot we had visited before (but were certainly awfully familiar--like Heceta Head!). We stayed one night in Newport, but our destination was Cannon Beach, because that was where we went on our first date (I thought), with my best friend in tow (I brought her on all our first "dates," until I decided they could be actual dates). I wanted to recreate the photo we took there, but nothing looked familiar and in the end I wasn't sure WHERE the heck we took the photo. Either way, it was nice to re-explore our old haunts, and we had a nice night in a semi-beachfront hotel with dinner right on the beach at Mo's. I really do love the Oregon Coast.</div>
caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034517128072912619noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173897480782860065.post-21725480676057227752013-10-26T12:00:00.000-04:002013-10-26T12:00:09.668-04:00road trip recap: crater lake, or<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9580459656/" title="road trip 5 254 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 254" height="401.25" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7381/9580459656_6f41baa252_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9580421196/" title="road trip 5 260 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 260" height="401.25" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3827/9580421196_bbb3ff8cf8_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9580390362/" title="road trip 5 248 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 248" height="401.25" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7281/9580390362_8e036dc30c_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9580388510/" title="road trip 5 249 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 249" height="401.25" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3692/9580388510_e3edee71e1_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9577624233/" title="road trip 5 262 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 262" height="401.25" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7301/9577624233_6876370cb0_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9577715657/" title="road trip 5 264 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 264" height="401.25" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2864/9577715657_15193d40d1_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9577696125/" title="road trip 5 272 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 272" height="401.25" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3806/9577696125_39ee7a2650_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9580870570/" title="road trip 5 277 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 277" height="401.25" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2809/9580870570_7dd3f6ffe7_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9580861218/" title="road trip 5 281 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 281" height="401.25" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2864/9580861218_23642ace44_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9573232270/" title="road trip 5 229 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 229" height="401.25" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7424/9573232270_d4483e2985_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9570431393/" title="road trip 5 230 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 230" height="401.25" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7411/9570431393_4c9b37a86c_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9573225702/" title="road trip 5 231 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 231" height="896.934" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3803/9573225702_91f0cbc52b_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9570421823/" title="road trip 5 233 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 233" height="401.25" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3770/9570421823_e44bdb6bf5_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9570414597/" title="road trip 5 235 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 235" height="896.934" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3666/9570414597_b04baf4d3a_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9570410391/" title="road trip 5 236 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 236" height="401.25" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3682/9570410391_5ed0488e02_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9570404535/" title="road trip 5 239 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 239" height="401.25" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5531/9570404535_b67b2ec7bf_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9570401211/" title="road trip 5 241 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 241" height="401.25" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3819/9570401211_6554d6bd2e_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9573194376/" title="road trip 5 243 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 243" height="401.25" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2865/9573194376_38e3857bb7_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9570400003/" title="road trip 5 242 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 242" height="896.934" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5509/9570400003_fbc554e253_b.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
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After we left Medford we drove up to Crater Lake for a couple of nights, and I was excited to see the great blue lake and get back to our camping roots :) We spent the first night reading, journaling, partaking of the cheap all-you-can-eat soup and salad bar at the lodge, and enjoying s'mores around the fire, getting up early the next morning to do the rim drive. We started with a stop at the Pinnacles and took a short walk out to see the strange rock formations, and then drove, drove, drove all the way around the lake, stopping at most of the lookouts to snap pictures of it from every imaginable angle. It really was pretty spectacular, but I wished we could have gone swimming (I always wish that)! That night we cooked up some spaghetti and drank mini bottles of red wine around the campfire (I miss campfires!).</div>
caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034517128072912619noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173897480782860065.post-35325915266248100372013-10-26T09:00:00.001-04:002013-10-26T09:00:10.509-04:00road trip recap: medford, or<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9571805252/" title="road trip 5 181 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 181" height="401.25" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7283/9571805252_26a8cb0ce0_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9569006901/" title="road trip 5 182 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 182" height="401.25" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7397/9569006901_bd186229a1_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9571791132/" title="road trip 5 184 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 184" height="401.25" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2894/9571791132_60cf69c72e_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9571863244/" title="road trip 5 193 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 193" height="401.25" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3764/9571863244_4cfec59380_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9571852052/" title="road trip 5 196 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 196" height="896.934" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3736/9571852052_73c684b16b_b.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9569155681/" title="road trip 5 205 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 205" height="401.25" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5547/9569155681_fe11bf2ced_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/9571940564/" title="road trip 5 208 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="road trip 5 208" height="401.25" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3795/9571940564_5253e43a1c_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/10351338723/" title="IMG_0949 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0949" height="450" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3672/10351338723_957014855b_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56466410@N02/10351150296/" title="IMG_0955 by labohemewanderlust, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0955" height="450" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5531/10351150296_42e546ec05_z.jpg" width="600" /></a>
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When we left San Francisco we drove out into the middle of nowhere in Southern Oregon to visit K's grandfather for a long weekend. It was a very relaxing stay for me, though perhaps not so for K, who spent the weekend helping his grandfather with a variety of chores that had been saved up for his arrival. I read in the sun and played with the animals :) Not only is his grandfather a genuinely awesome guy (he lives in a house in the woods that is entirely powered by solar, and takes self-sufficiency to a whole new level), he is also one of the sweetest men I've ever met. It was a pleasure getting to know him, and I can definitely see why he's such an inspiration for his grandson. One of the fun things we did while we were there was to go to the races! I've never been to anything quite like it before--definitely a new cultural experience! The cars race on a dirt track, and they are very loud and throw mud into the crowd, and I have to admit that I was secretly hoping for some dramatic crashes (no injuries, of course!), of which there were a few that caused a bit of excitement. All-in-all, I enjoyed myself immensely.</div>
caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034517128072912619noreply@blogger.com0