Mt Rainier - San Juan Islands

          So, I woke up in a quaint room of eight beds, stacked in counts of two. Feeling as fif I was out of place I questioned my motives for being here once mor. The lingering doubt of, "What are you doing!?" entered my mind and plagued all others that reassured my thirst for adventure. So I sat in bunk 7 in room 409 in the Green Tortoise Hostel figuring out what to do next. Before I can say another thing, my stomach spoke for me, and with a big gargle sound, it was time for me to eat. Luckily this hostel was a great deal offering an array of breakfast options, if you know how to cook it yourself. This was not a problem for me, egg whites and pancakes it is! At breakfast I sat with my roommates (3 girls stranded in Seattle from Wisconsin because of their car, an asian guy that didn't say much of anything, and a Peruvian/Colombian girl from Toronto) and two girls from Calgary in Alberta. Together with laughs and minds full of curiosity, we began chatting about our adventures trying to out due one another. It was only until the 3 girls from Wisconsin mentioned a place called Mt. Rainier and all of its beauty that I began thinking of my agenda for the day some more. They described the "Skyline Trail" and how it was the most beautiful thing they have ever seen. So with the last bite of eggs, I looked around and asked who was down to go? So with my new friend from Toronto named Pilar, we began packing for the day. 

          A little more than two hours away, we found all kinds of ways to keep busy. We blasted oldies in my rental, looking up how to say phrases in different languages, FaceTime family members, and talk about our home towns. With time and the sunshine on our side for once, we find ourselves crossing the "Mt Rainier National Park" sign and jumping for joy. We didn't know what we were getting into or what we will see, only that the magnificence of Mt. Rainier was nothing less than jaw dropping. It didn't take long for us park and start out trek up the trail, even with signs saying it may take 3-4 hours to get to the top. As we hiked up, we met all kinds of people that have already been there all day, giving us tips and tricks on where to stop, the best views, and how it feels when you reach the top. We even came face to face with a few Yellow Pine chipmunks and a mountain beaver that liked to check out the view (see video). Finally, after too jolly ranchers to count, numerous granola bars, and a ton of water, we made it to the top and we say the beauty of this natural monster of a landmark. We found a place to lay our heads to get lost in natures soundtrack. The waterfalls, the wind blowing, and  the whispers of the icy top as if it was teasing up to climb higher. This was what made my stay that much better. It was all worth it in the end, and with that came the trek down and the drive home. Onward to the next adventure!

          So after I found myself close to the top of the world, closer to the heavens than I have ever been, I still had much to see. After getting back to Seattle, to re group and drop Pilar off, I found myself looking up, not to the heavens, but north. I began my trek towards Vancouver, and boy did I stumble across a gem of beauty along the way. As I drove north, I saw a sign that simply said, "Ferries" with an arrow pointing west. So naturally, I went with my gut and turned and with that I found myself stumbling upon a place that I never knew existed. I parked my car and ran to the terminal as the ferry began their last call. As I reached the ticket booth the attendant applauded me for making it just in time. She handed me the stub and I raced on the ferry and thats where it all began.

          I found myself in Orcas Village where I stumbled half witted off of the ferry. Groggy from a much needed nap I found myself on an Island where I've never been, I know no one, where I have no signal and no idea what to do. So I did what I naturally do, I went exploring and with no other mode of transportation around the island left, I decided to go hitchhiking. I met an awesome girl named Ana that was a school teacher on the Island, and just like that I was her first hitchhiker and she was the first person I had ever hitched a ride with. Along the way I stopped in the city to get a bite to eat. Stopping by the black bear bakery, I stumbled upon the best double chocolate muffin I have ever had, and partnered with the view of a small inlet in the middle of the island, I was in the midst of the best view in town. What an amazing place this was, sitting on the beach wood I had nothing but awestruck moments, every shade of green glistening even though the glouds slowly lingered overhead. There was a cool breeze that slightly touched you but can easily turn against you if you feel the need to take your jacket off. Even with all this beauty, I still wanted to see more.

          This is when I get the bright idea to take a hike, in the local park, called Mt. Constitution. This was a great idea at first, but at the same time I didn't know what to expect. I hitched a ride to the park, and with that ride, came the sense of adventure. I was dropped off at the mouth of the trail, a trail that I was definitely not prepared for. I began the trek at a fast pace, and found myself tired out quickly as I stormed up the steep turns. I was way in over my head, and 3 hours later without seeing one person, the sun disappearing amongst the trees and the rain coming down slowly, I began to understand it more than ever. It was only until a ray of hope came upon me where I saw a campsite a mile away. I ran uphill towards it only to find that it had been abandoned due to the coming rain. Needless to say I was beginning to freak out. I finally came upon a road in the middle of the mountain, and like the confused explorer like I was, I followed the road home. It was only until I heard a car 30 minutes later that I was able to find a ride back to the ferry on the other side of the Island. Cold, wet, and tired I waited for the ferry to arrive but just before meeting some awesome ladies Lisa and Ana on the ferry back home and we cracked up the whole way. They were awesome to share some great stories amongst tips for things to see on my travels. They even offered to show me around if I am ever back in town!

          But as I stepped off the ferry it was back to the road again, and there was much to see and do...

(To Be Continued)

Seattle, Washington (Part 2)

     So where do I find myself at this moment? I landed in Seattle a few hours ago and sitting at the top of the hill here at Kerry Park, I couldn't help but to wonder, where will this trip take me? Where will I go and who will I meet? I have 8 days to travel, and this is just the beginning. I began with checking out the area, seeing what kind people I will find around town. I was staying at "The Green Tortoise Hostel" right next door to the Pike Place Market on the corner of Pike Street and First. There was so much happening here that I spent a whole day trying different foods, listening to different music, and just sat back and enjoyed the sights.

Some amazing swing dancing!

Traveling street performers!

Don't try this at home!

      The music scene was absolutely amazing. I couldn't help but to stop and admire the entertainers on every corner. Not only did the food stun me with its vibrant flavors and options but the friendliness of the mixture of locals and tourists was unlike any other. I must've tried 10 different "snacks." I had a moment of calmness (or a food coma) come over me as I sat and sipped my coffee at Cafe D' Arte. I waited for life to happen, and at that moment was rewarded by some pretty cool people I met around the city.

I met the girl in the photo that was on the Gum Wall!

A few games in the park with the locals!

     There were so many ways to enjoy the city but nothing was like sitting back and enjoying a nice read while the sun set. There were people fishing, playing soccer, and bird watching as I got lost while reading, "The Alchemist." I found myself about to enjoy the night until I came across a free show of Joan "El Duque" Soriano playing some amazing bachata on stage. This was definitely a way to end this trip!

Seattle, Washington (Part 1)

   

     So, what can I say, I am currently mid air, flying across to another corner of the U.S. and filled with emotions. I decided quite some time ago that before I began my travels overseas to see the world, I wanted to see what America was all about. This year alone, I have seen places I would have never otherwise thought, but every time I visit somewhere new, I feel as though I am doing what I need to. I have climbed to the top of the appalachian mountains, hiked through Arches National Park, and stood at the tallest tip in Los Angeles. Now, I am on my way to a place, where from what others have told me, is the most majestic places of them all, filled with green mountains and rushing waters, weather that would cloud the sun for days but still allow for a run or bike ride. It has much to live up to, many stories of enchanting landscapes as well as mood changing foods. What a strange place to never have visited, wouldn't you agree. Why would anyone stray away from such a description. I mean, if this were a blind date, I would be excited and nervous to meet such a person. Little did I know, this is what I would feel as the wheels lightly caressed the ground of the runway and as I can now officially say, "Hello Washington State, it's my pleasure to meet you."

     As soon as I landed, I had a sense of relief, a feeling rushed through me as I whispered, "I finally made it." Not just because my plane had landed but due to the fact that I am one step closer to calming my inner itch (see last post). As soon as I stepped out of the airport, I felt the welcome of the fresh Seattle air wash over me. This was like nothing back home, even when I was riding in my rental car I had the urge to stick my head out the window with my tongue out. Lets just say, I left the flat sandy swamplands for a city that has so many curves you would thing it loved to squat. This was met by green for as far as the eye can see, earning its name, "The Emerald City." My first state of business was to get some grub, so I raced down to the first place I can think of, Pike Place Market, and like every other tourist in these foreign land, I wanted a fresh coffee to wake me up.

     So I finally parked my car in garage a few blocks from the market, and it caught me off guard to be standing on a road that sat at a 30 degree angle. Just walking down it made me feel as though I would fall forward. Although it was a little hike I finally made it. With the hustle of the market you can hear the faint hymns of street performers and the smell of seafood whether cooked or raw. This was the center of big commerce, and I was ready to begin my duty of trying it all! After looking around for an hour or so, I grabbed some coffee at "Local Color" and grabbed a little something at "Three Girls Bakery" followed by a detour at a little park around the corner where you can see the Seattle Ferris Wheel and the pier. As I sat there looking at the crowds of people spending cash, having laughs, and soaking the sun, I figured I'd check out the best place to get a view of the city. This is when I found out about a place called Kerry Park from some locals. So I slowly made my way back to the car and began my short trek.

      As I came to the end of the steep roads I notice myself pulling up to a small strip of grass. Parking a block before getting there, I wondered how this can be one of the best views in Seattle. It was only until I walked pass a sculpture they have in the middle that I was able to gaze at the magnificence of Seattle. It was like something I have never seen before, and it was all mine to enjoy. I sat there for what seemed like hours just gazing and thinking of what was yet to come of my trip. I even befriended some travelers from Chicago who I only remember by their nicknames, "Lollipop and Hariette the Spy" (inside jokes). It was amazing to sit there, like I was at the end of the world looking back, and knowing that even though I came from the opposite corner, there is more to see over the horizon.

     I realized it was time for me to go, and finally check in to my hostel, and boy did I have a great time!

to be continued...

The Itch...

          So, as I sit here in the airport, practically falling asleep in my chair like an exhausted toddler, I once again feel the itch within me for adventure. The funny thing is, it took up until now to feel it again. See, this all started about 2 months ago, when I found myself at my (at that time 3 month in) "new" job (since ending the 2 month road trip across the U.S.), when I was sitting attentively writing a "very important" e-mail to a peer of mine. Alone in the back room, I leaned back to give my eyes a rest, and as I looked up at the ceiling, I noticed a lizard sitting very still. Yea, I know, random, but there was literally a lizard on the ceiling. I was fixated on how it just stayed completely still as if attempting to blend in to the blandness of the egg shell shade of white panels. For minutes, I just sat there, staring at it, and I thought, I have never seen a lizard on the ceiling before, let alone at work. As I chuckled and bent my neck back to look at my screen, the 3 paragraph explanation that I had prepared was suddenly swept away by an unexpected "Force Close" by the magnificent machine we call a PC.

          At this point, any of us would be distraught to have this happen, but I just sighed at the unfortunate dilemma and went right back at admiring the lizard. It was at this exact point that I felt the "itch". It crept upon me slowly right between my eyes, as if to tell me to take off the figurative glasses I had to put on to live in the "real world." Once off, I felt I didn't understand how I was getting sucked in again.  Into the idea that the seat that I am currently imprinting is my true calling. Although I have been working hard and don't attempt to be mediocre, this was not what my life needs me to do. Like the lizard, I was attempting to blend into something that didn't make sense for me, a bland, egg shelled background. I bet it didn't think it would be stranded on ceiling of some office building surrounded by gigantic monsters doing crazy dances and speaking noises, noises that even if it understood english, would still sound odd to him (thanks to accents and mostly nonsense).

         All this going through my mind, I felt the itch moving towards my chest, at which point I felt a sense of hollowness come upon me. Why am I settling once again? What is it that my heart really wants from me? If I look back at my life and I found out that tomorrow was the end, what would I really have to show for it? What would I have failed at? What would I have learned? We all think of it at one point or another, some more than others, and some put it off because of other things that cloud their hungry minds, but for me, it was an all too eerie feeling. You see, like you, my readers, my friends and family don't quite understand my hunger for experience. I have always thrown myself to the wolves to see if I'd survive, or jumped in the deep end to see if I'd float, or driven on E to see how far I'd get (ok so I made up the last one but you get my point), so why aren't I doing that with my life now?

          With that feeling, I took a look around and saw my life as if it was a still painting, and just like those pieces of art, there are always things the jump out can create deeper though. For example, I have 3 friends of mine who are avid travelers, and without ever expressing my view they come to speak to me about their inner struggle with life and how we are formed to think the way we do. How life isn't all about staying put and feeling comfortable. This is scary thought even for me and as I press my finger into every button I feel the cold chill come down my spine thinking that I can leave it all behind someday. Then I thought about a commitment that I made to myself at the beginning of the year, about seeing much of the world before I turn 30, and what huge leaps I have made thus far. How, before I go overseas, I wanted to see North America for what it was. This is where the itch went to the top of my head and I came up with the brightest idea in quite some time and why, 2 months later, I am sitting in this airport, partially drooling as I type this. Let me finish that commitment to myself, let me see what it is again to see beauty in the unknown rather than fear, let me know that if I can dream it, it can happen. So here I am, my zone was just called to board, as if asking me one last time if I really want to do this, and I just gave them my boarding pass. Hello again, Kenneth, lets see where your heart takes us again...