Portland Day 7, or 6. I dunno.

Just got back from an amazingly full day. We hit up the Farmers Market at PSU, then we headed to the Gorge. The Gorge is totally impressive, it was created as the result of a mega flood a couple million years ago. We saw waterfalls and walked up a mountain, drank awesome beers and ate tons of German food. Jake and Laura were our guides and I can only hope we can give them as awesome of a tour of Chicago someday that they gave us of Portland. Thanks so much Jake and Laura, you guys rule!

Forks to Portland- Day 5

We arrived in Portland today, but I haven't done much photographing yet.  So, until I do... I decided to post a few more Forks photos.  The two above were taken at the Quillayute River Resort that we stayed at.  It was such a cute place with beautiful grounds.  

I met my friend Jake today who I have talked to online for YEARS... like 8 years.  It's a little strange to meet someone you've known for so long.  Him and his girlfriend Laura were sweet and pleasant people who showed us around Portland.  We went to a park, I spent far too much money on some fantastic photo books at a giant book store, grabbed some sushi for dinner and Jake was nice enough to make us some tea at the shop he works at.  It was so nice to have our own personal tour guides.  Tomorrow we are going to the gorge & my camera battery is charging as we speak.

I leave you with this final photo.  Actually this photo is mostly intended for Jacki.  Enjoy Jacki!

 

Bye Bye Bella

First Beach, the beach in La Push where Jacob told Bella about the vampires.  I am such a nerd.  Today I bought a Fork's High School hoodie, "Bella Brew" coffee from the grocery store (where Bella bought groceries for Charlie) and a "Vampires love Forks" bumper sticker.  I think this afternoon it finally set in that I am here.  

  

Rialto Beach, how I will miss thee.

Tonight we made cookies in the cute vintage stove we have in our room.  I'll miss this place too.  I'm already planning our next trip.

Forks- Day 4

The only way for me to share our day with you is to show you our photographs.  If you are reading this please promise me that one day you will make the trek out to Washington and visit the Hoh Rainforest.  It is breathtaking & smells incredible.

Rialto Beach was amazing. I'll make Maggie put up a couple more pictures. Basically, there are tons of logs and branches and trees washed ashore there. Its really hard to describe, it was just amazing and beautiful. I felt like i could play there all day. Just running and jump between the fallen trees. The sand was also extremely dark, in fact there was very little sand, it was mostly these giant flat stones. I skipped a bunch of rocks, and FYI, i've never skipped a rock before in my life. I've always wanted to, i was just never able to figure it out. Well, I finally did. And as Maggie mentioned we watched the sunset yesterday. On the effing pacific ocean. We're sleeping about 1 mile away from the end of the united states (continental at least). It's pretty amazing. And i've had 2 dreams so far where we forget to go to Portland, where we plan to meet Maggie's friend Jake. I met Jake about 3 years ago when I was travelling a bunch, Maggie has never met him. They've known each other for 10 years. It's going to be fun.

Forks- Day 3

Okay today is my day to be a big dork.  We spent most of our day traveling to Forks, Washington- this is the town where the Twilight book series is set.  A few of you will understand my excitement when I say we drove through Port Angeles (saw the restaurant Bella & Edward ate at), went to a beach in La Push & went into Forks for dinner.  Forks is such a little dive town, but exactly how I pictured it.  There are Twilight references EVERYWHERE.  In fact, today I ordered the "Bella burger" at a drive in food stand & they threw a pair of vampire teeth in the bag.  I'm glad to have a hubby that lets me be a dork & take us into the middle of nowhere for our honeymoon.

I'm so glad I brought a tripod.  I've taken lots of pictures of us together along the way.  I didn't realize how mountainous this area is.  This was taken at the state park that is on the road between Port Angeles & Forks.... hello!, the road Edward drove Bella back on after she was attacked by vampires in an alley.  haha!

It's worth being in the middle of nowhere when you get to look at this.

I've been dreaming of photographing at Rialto Beach since we started planning our honeymoon.  This is the very first time I've seen the Pacific Ocean.  We stayed for two hours and watched the sunset.  It was beautiful & we'll probably go back again tomorrow.  It is only a mile or so west of the cute little inn we are staying at.  

Anacortes- Maggie's View

I must admit that when Justin first told me he wanted to go to Anacortes I was reluctant.  What the hell is in Anacortes Washington?  Apparently more than one would think.  As you can tell from the photo above, I quickly fell in love.  

It just so happens that Anacortes is an absolutely beautiful place with friendly & interesting people.  I took 400 photographs today in a mere few hour visit.  The record store Justin wanted to visit was pretty sweet.  We bought a bunch of things & even a few gifts for some friends.  There was a cute little girl walking around the store & she even shared one of her cheddar bunnies with me.  It's a place I could see myself wanting to come back to in the future.  I was even a little sad to leave it.  

I also realized how lucky I am to have such a willing and adventurous travel partner.  As a team we are open minded to new places & I'm glad he convinced me to visit Anacortes.  Thanks hubby.