I reconnected with a friend after not talking for five years. We both seemed to realize we’d played a part in the dissolution of our friendship and had both been in the wrong. It was great to see her again and resume our friendship.
I went on an underground walking tour in Seattle, and learned some crazy history about the area. Then I met a guy from Tinder and finally had my first kiss after my divorce.
I went for a hike, solo, in the mountains of Washington. Hearing something in the bushes made my heart race. I was certain it was a mountain lion and he would kill me. I also discovered how intense Tinder can be.
A woman behind me in the grocery store snarked about how she was happy that I had to pay so much for a plastic reusable bag. When will people realize that you will push people away from your ideas with an attitude like hers?
The book Modern Romance is excellent. It explains why dating has changed so much over time and is unlike any other time in history. After reading the book, it helped me to feel like I wasn’t alone. People all over the world are experiencing this shift in dating – the “soul mate search”.
I took the train back to Portland for another nasal balloon clearing. I also missed the final call for boarding. An English man rushed up to the counter at the same time. The woman asked if we were together and the man said, “not yet.”
I went to a pop culture museum, a glass museum, and went to the top of the space needle in the day time and the night time. Seattle has a lot to see and do.
I explore the Public Market and took a boat to see the skyline. The first Starbucks was crowded and not worth the wait.
There it was. Awkward. Trying to date while traveling is very difficult. I tried to make it clear that I was a traveler, but apparently, the message wasn’t clear enough.
I went for a hike along the ocean and bay. I also met up with a friend and her family while they were on vacation from Missouri. It was just what I needed.
The drive to Whidbey Island was scenic. I was also able to see deception pass, where the water was violent below. The bridge made me nervous though.
I visited the Grotto, and was enjoying Portland, until my car window was smashed in. I was warned about the rampant break-in’s from all of the homeless people. I just didn’t think it would happen to me.
You might think the city is named Portland because of the port activity, but it’s actually because the two founders had an intense coin toss to determine who could name the city. I learned all about the history of Portland on a bike tour.
I met with a friend who I had met while hiking the John Muir Trail two years earlier. He took me to the rose garden, which was beautiful. Then I went to a clinic to get a nasal balloon clearing.
I checked into a hostel in Portland and walked around. I ate some Voodoo donuts and went to see a movie. The night scene in Portland was hipster.
I went backpacking with two friends for four days in Olympic National Park in Washington. It’s a rainforest with incredible green life that looked Jurassic. We spent three night camping and dealt with rain for a couple days. We even saw a bear.
I went on a beautiful hike close to Hood River, Oregon. I was also able to meet up with a former co-worker who had just retired. We watched fireworks for the 4th of July and I was thrilled to have the company.
I met a friend of a friend for a beer and her family was great! I was also able to meet up with another friend while I was in Bend. In addition, I spent some time hiking.
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