To the extent we have a plan for this trip, here it is. There are a couple of ultimate desired destinations and a couple of rules. The destinations are: the Hopi reservation in AZ, Moab, UT, Durango, CO and Taos, NM. The rules are: no more than 300 miles of driving in one day, and at least two nights spent at each stop.
We left Bainbridge Island yesterday and guess what, we have already broken one of the rules. Since we were unable to make it out of western Washington before nightfall on Day #1, we decided to spend only one night before forging on over the Cascades, realizing that it would not bode well for the rest of the trip if it takes us a full week to get across our home state.
But here's the thing about our fairly pathetic first day of travel. We woke up this morning in one of the most amazing places on earth...Mount Rainier...wondering why in the world we hadn't been there before, exploring hiking trails, drinking in the incredible beauty, and all so close to home. Thinking maybe we should stay longer after all...but after promising ourselves we would return some other time, we traveled on.
So, after two days of travel, we have driven 349 miles and are in Walla Walla. Which is a wonderful town. We could live here. The wine and food are great, the old buildings lovely, the surrounding foothills beautiful. We got here at tea time, otherwise known as happy hour, and settled in at a sidewalk table for a couple of appetizers and a glass of wine at the Merchant's Deli on Main Street, recommended in the nick of time by a former colleague who was once a Whitman student. Perfect.
We realize that Carol is new to this whole business of retirement and Mark is much too diplomatic to enlighten her....but listen up retirement means "NO RULES" or the understanding that rules can change at a moments notice. By definition retirement is flexibility. Also following our trip to Yosemite we have become a student of John Muir who believed you must stay in nature long enough to really appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteAlright, alright! We shoulda stayed another night on Mount Rainier BUT if we don't make it to New Mexico this time....I guess it doesn't matter...there's always next time. I'm trying to get that thru my head, but it's tough.
ReplyDeleteMount Rainier is one of the most amazing and beautiful places on earth. Our family has been going yearly for 35 years. Box Cannon, Grove of the Patriarchs, Nirvana Falls are some of our favorite stops. My favorite trail is the Skyline Trail because you really feel like you are on the mountain. The mountain isn't going anywhere so next time you visit lets meet for a picnic at Box Cannon.
ReplyDeleteLove the blog.
Christy H.