July 5, 2014 - The Great American Road Trip Part I

From Lake Oswego to Montana...God's Country at its finest

{Author's Note: Here I am, finally adding my journal entries from our favorite week of 2014.}

Day 1 - July 5

After quickly stripping the exterior of the house of its red, white, and blue holiday decor, we scrambled to make our final preparations for this unplanned, yet planned, road trip. The first Fourth in our new home was not to be missed, and I dragged my husband to the town parade and lakeside fireworks show. Both events are must-sees, and we'll elaborate on these traditions in the years to come, I'm just sure of it.

The ability to load a car and rooftop box with more than the necessities was a new concept for me, as Taylor and I have spent most of our camping excursions as part of backpacking trips, which means minimalism is a definitive. For this trip, I planned campfire meals--a week's worth--just as I would my typical routine, but indulged in some fancy jarred sauces, along with other heavy items typically on the "no fly" list for backpacking. We also invested in some additional camping gear not part of our overwhelming "outdoor gear" garage department. Thanks to some sweet friends, we saved our recreational goods wedding gift cards for a moment like this, and now we have a deluxe air mattress and camp stove. This is high-class camping, people.

Back to the packing.

We loaded up the rig and said our final goodbyes to the cat, along with one last glance at our vegetable garden and flower pots, as they'll surely look different when we return. We drove almost straight on through to Pullman, Wash., with quick rest stops in Boardman, Ore., and La Crosse, Wash., a town I'd never driven through. Almost running out of gas will do that to you--force you to see places you've never seen. We spent a few hours and drank a couple beers in P-town, with family-like friends, the Brenans and the Wachters, took a drive through campus, and continued on to Montana--or bust.

We drove through the rolling wheat fields, through towns like Palouse, Wash., and Plummer, Idaho, before crossing around C'oeur d'Alene Lake. I decided on that stretch of drive that much like a feeling I experienced the night before--on Independence Day--that certain images just cannot be captured on camera, no matter how great of a shooter you are.

Just to pause on this side note to elaborate...take a fireworks show. Have you ever tried to snap a photo of the grand finale only to wish you would have just been enjoying that moment, rather than trying to capture the memory? Though having some proof to show others is intriguing, sometimes just soaking it all in ends up more powerful, memorable, and enjoyable. And in today's always-connected, high-tech place of life, there are so few experiences that cannot be recorded and replicated. My argument is that, like the lake fireworks show, the July wheat fields--the rolling hills that are transforming from almost Kelly green to perfectly golden brown--are better enjoyed while driving uninterrupted and undistracted (is that a word?).

The splendor of the lake at C'oeur d'Alene is mighty impressive, too, as is the drive through the mountains that border Idaho and Montana. When we reached Montana, we forgot about the shift to mountain time and realized it would be dark by the time we reached Missoula. I did not want to burn my hotel stay on the first night, but pulling up to a campsite at quarter-to-ten just didn't seem feasible, either. We rolled into one of many breweries Missoula had to offer and patiently waited for our late-night dinner before embarking on Operation Find an Affordable Place to Rest Our Heads. It wasn't too tough, and I was determined we could haggle a good rate anywhere, but we ended up at a place called the Val-U Inn (yes, you read that correctly). Chosen strictly off the cleanliness rating on Priceline.com (a great website, by the way). We were not disappointed, and how can you be when you pour into bed at 12 a.m.? We made it to Montana, and we were overjoyed to be on vacation together for a solid week, something we haven't experienced since our honeymoon. Oh, and the most exciting part for me--being cell phone free for the rest of this trip.

To recap the wildlife seen on Day 1: Elk, deer, cows, coyotes, and porcupines, although those may or may not have been deceased on the roadside.

A toast to our long-distance, lifelong friends

I worked diligently into the night a few weeks back...uploading, downloading, and fitting photos into tiny boxes on an electric calendar template for Taylor. It's one of my annual gifts, a tradition I started back when we were dating, I think. And every Christmas morning, we enjoy looking back on the year when he opens that silly calendar. 

My electronic life is a mess. With an archaic home computer, a work computer, a digital camera, and my phone photos, nothing is organized, synchronized, or seamless. It's a clunky process, and figuring out all of this technology is one of my resolutions. That's another story. But for the purposes of this calendar, I searched through several folders, neatly organized electronic photo albums from friends, and relied on photos sent from family to compile this year's edition. 

I stumbled upon some great photos I need to share, along with the stories of the accompanying memories. 

I know I mentioned a trip out to Austin last May, as well as welcoming our Austin friends to Oregon, but I don't believe I shared the {never before seen!} photos below. We love any and all time we get with Blake and Andrea, and this last year was extra special, with more than a whole week of time together if you add up our trip and theirs. Between wineries, breweries, bicycling, barbecue-ing, sightseeing, kayaking, and just chatting about life, in general, we packed a lot of memories into our time together. 

The next visit will be a little less footloose and fancy-free, as the McFarlings will be welcoming a sweet baby girl to their family in a mere matter of weeks. We could not be any happier for this couple. Andrea has been a friend for six or seven (is that right?!) years now, and I feel so blessed and thankful we've kept up our friendship. It's part of the magic of Austin I've always told Taylor about, which he experiences each time he visits, too. 

I started writing this post because I wanted to thank Andrea for being a great photographer...she always captures the moments during our time together, and a lot of my calendar footage came from her. 

We love watching our great friends become parents, and we know Blake and Andrea will be up there with the best of 'em because of their humility, kindness, care, and concern, among a million other amazing qualities they possess. 

30 before 30, a work in progress

Bowen's first trail run (and selfie), outside Sunriver, a couple of weekends ago.

This year. How is it November? Almost Thanksgiving?

I feel like we should still be out paddleboarding after work. Eating dinner in the fading sun at 9 p.m.

So many moments have passed without a mention on this here blog. I haven't even rehashed our big roadtrip from July.

We've been running. Literally and figuratively. The days are whooshing by, and the weekends are gone in a blink.

My 30th birthday is approaching not long after we ring in the new year, and I have many-a-goal before then.

Here's my working list. Most of these wishes aren't too exciting, but deadlines excite me. Without further ado:
1) Finish our wedding album
2) Paint and change out fixtures in guest bath
3) Complete a 30-day challenge
4) Host a holiday dinner (plenty of options coming up with Christmas, New Years, Valentines)
5) Make Julia Child's beef bourguignon
6) Organize my digital life, including my writing portfolio
7) Get some freelance work again 
8) Organize my photos
9) Host a multi-course dinner party
10) Make a schedule for finishing my cookbook ... the one I started almost 4 years ago in graduate school
11) Write-up a plan for one of my business ideas
12) Minimize the amount of boxes in the garage
13) Plan our next road trip

...I started this list in two different places, and I'm not sure where that second piece of paper landed.

It's a start.

The next generation Coug

Don't think for a minute I haven't started loosely planning Lily's first Moms Weekend at Wazzu in 2031. Crazy Auntie Kate and her mom, reliving the glory days and pointing out every nook and cranny of Pullman where memories were made. Gosh I hope she chooses WSU. 

Photos at Casa de Lagreid, prior to the Cougs' "home opener" in Seattle, Thursday, Aug. 28.

June highlights before September is over

This is how I roll right now. Scrolling through my phone to find the highlights of the month, which was actually about four months ago now. But that's just how this is going to be until the rain keeps me inside and at my desk from fall into eternity...or at least next July.

Lake town living.

Not everyone can pull off red, but Whitney made it look easy graduating from college. 

Moonlighting as a home decorator...something I am most definitely not! 

Meeting the parents. Our dog's parents, that is. 

Life with Lily in Sunriver. 

Senor Lagreid's triathlete serenade.

There will be one more in this photo next June. 

And we'll have our own dog, not just our goddog.

Besties with baby.

The whole motley crew.

Falling behind on summer

Fall is creeping in on me, and I'm not ready. I am so behind on this here blog. But when am I not? Thought I'd toss up a few pics from Labor Day weekend in the one and only Sunriver. We hit Central Oregon in June, July, and August this year--quite a treat. I didn't take a single pic, but Taylor's dad snapped these: Mirror Lake hike (note: I'm such a weenie...wearing a down jacket after sitting by the lake at the top of the hike...it was actually quite rainy that day, which did nothing to enhance my summer tan!) and the parking lot of one of many brewery stops. Lucky for us, we have a local-yokel in the family now, with Whitney living it up in Bend.

3/4 of the Bethell fam. I guess you can kind of see Jason in the shadows. ;)

Making summer dreams come true

I've been pretty blog-less this summer and for good reason. We've been soaking up every second of this sunshine, and the fact that it's creeping into late August is just depressing.

There's plenty to recap with photos and blog posts once the weather turns gray again:
- Annual Pac Crest half-marathon and Sunriver weekend with the Lagreids
- Celebrating America's independence
- Our off-the-grid Montana road trip--I wrote every single day and plan to post those musings on this here blog
- Welcoming the McFarlings from Austin for a week of Portland and Sunriver splendor
- A new baby joins the Benz family (August Jay) and another is almost here (baby girl, name TBA)
- Dogger Bethell makes its (his/her we're still not sure) appearance ... and will be arriving at our doorstep in just a few more weeks

And then there's that list of summer to-dos we've been busy just a-doin':
- Stand-up paddleboarding almost every day...until our feet get numb
- Outdoor concerts
- Barbecues
- Camping
- Spontaneous visits from friends
- Cooking and baking from nature's bounty

Before the summer started, Taylor and I had a couple of simple goals for the season. We wanted to be on the lake as much as possible and to make salsa from ingredients out of our garden. I'm happy to report--as of last night--both of those goals have been achieved. Years from now, we're going to look back on the summer of 2014 as one of the most special. I just know it.  

Salsa 2014! Full disclosure: Tomatoes and jalapenos from our garden. Onions and garlic from my mom's garden. Cilantro from the store (ours came and went earlier this summer). Note: Taylor really didn't want me to take a pic of this, so I publicly apologize for that, Taylor. 

They call it the Hill Country, I [still try to] call it home

Love those RRB lyrics.

Austin will always be a part of me, no matter how many years it's been since I lived there, and no matter how much it changes.

And luckily, I have a husband who loves it almost as much as I do (if it weren't for the blazing heat and lack of fly-fishing, he says).

We spent an always-amazing time in our second city mid-May, this time staying with the wonderful hosting duo of Blake and Andrea...and can't forget to give their pup, Cora, a shout-out.

I will expand upon this trip and add more photos soon, but for now, I get my hall pass by slapping this post up before my self-imposed June 30 deadline. Yes, this trip happened *last* month.

We will see Blake and Andrea in just a few weeks as they travel out to the Pacific Northwest so we can adventure together...and Taylor and I can attempt to be as outstanding of hosts as they were to us.

Here are just a few of our favorite Austin memories. More to come.

Foodie celeb fix! Tyler Florence and I shared the same plane from San Fran to Austin and from Austin to San Fran. No. Big. Deal. People.