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)
