My Nomad Journey – Seattle

The journey continues! After spending time in Northern California and Southern Oregon on my own, it was time to meetup with friends and do some catching up. I drove to Seattle for about a week. I haven’t seen Paul and Cindy in person in at least a year, so I was looking forward to catching up and swapping stories. These are friends I’ve known for many years and they go back to my early Sacramento days. We have many shared memories (and some that we’ve forgotten!!!).

Here’s what I did:

I spent a day driving from Crescent City to Gig Harbor, Washington. Gig Harbor is on the western edge of the Seattle metro area. Formerly a quiet and remote suburb, Gig Harbor is now another bedroom community strung like a bead along Seattle’s ever-growing perimeter. Traffic, crowded shopping centers and long commutes have become the norm for folks here. On the other hand, the area is full of natural beauty, with forests of evergreen trees and surrounded by water on all sides. On a clear day, when you’re out from under the forest canopy, you can see Mount Ranier standing tall and majestic above the entire region. Like Mount Shasta down in California, Mount Ranier is a free-standing volcano of 14,000+ feet. Among the tallest mountains in the lower United States. Breathtaking to see, when the sky is clear.

The drive up I-5 took me through the eastern half of Oregon and Washington, which is one of the most beautiful drives in the country, in my opinion. Mountains, forests, valleys and more are pretty much continuous along this 8+ hour drive. It also takes you through Portland, OR. I always enjoy driving through downtown Portland and crossing the Willamette river, despite the grinding traffic along the way. Portland is truly a beautiful city.

I arrived in Seattle and greeted my friends. We unloaded my bags from the car and immediately started gossiping and catching up. We had so much to talk about – from current events, my travels, their travels, our work… and also retelling stories from the past and laughing about it. During my stay, we mostly hung out and kept to our usual routines. I had classes to teach online and podcast episodes to record. They had work and errands and such. We were able to spend time around the dinner table and the TV, as well as some outings. Once nice thing about revisiting old friends in places that I’ve been before – we take the pressure OFF for having to go sight-seeing, shopping and all the other stuff that eats up time and adds to pressure and expectations. We did get out and drive around on the way to/from some dinner spots. Cindy and I went to the gym a few times, since we both have memberships. Paul and I treated ourselves to Indian dinner one night as a “boys night”, since Cindy doesn’t care for that food.

Also, Paul is an exceptional cook who loves to cook and bake. The process, effort, and creativity truly fulfill him. No only did he prepare meals for us on some days, we also were invited to a friend of theirs for dinner. In addition to making the dish they offered to bring, he decided to make an apple pie… from scratch. I’m no baker – too many rules, too much mess and too many steps and ingredients. Paul, however, threw himself into it and produced a magic pie as if he were making toast, it looked so easy. And it was delicious!!!

We were able to enjoy ourselves, keep us our schedules and get ourselves caught up on all the news. I thoroughly enjoyed the time spent and was so grateful for their hospitality! We talked about me visiting again in the summer, which is when I really hope to make the drive to Alaska. So I’ll look forward to stopping along the way.

Here’s what I learned: I don’t know that I had any specific learnings, other than reflecting on old times and appreciating the gratitude I felt for old friends. I was grateful for the fact that we can go for long periods of time without talking and still pick up where we left off. I believe that just because we lose contact doesn’t mean we lose touch. Just because the thread stretches sometimes, doesn’t mean we have to cut it. Friends are precious and I’m grateful to have so many that are important to me.

Here’s what’s next: It’s time to start heading east. I need to be in Miami by November 2nd, so I’ve worked out a course that will take me through Sacramento, then Arizona, Texas and into Miami. Here we go!

As always, please interact with this post. I love getting your questions, your thoughts, and your comments. I’ll reply when I’m able.

Please enjoy yourselves in this week ahead and look for another update from me about the adventures of the journey. Be well my friends!

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