Back to Seattle

I figure that a rainy day is good day to sit in the car and catch up on the social side of this trip.  Stacy culls hundreds of photos and I write this as we listen to DK's rain mix CD.  Thanks DK.  After our soaking on the peninsula, we checked into the hostel, Hotel Hotel, in the Seattle suburb of Fremont. 

The guy checking us in informed us that the Solstice festival was happening that weekend, and it attracted an 'interesting' crowd.  Interesting crowd is a sophisticated way of explaining the 1500+ naked cyclists that parade down main street on Saturday.  I doubt those photos will be posted, but if you want to see random people's boobs and ding dongs (and sometimes both on the same person) painted and flapping in the wind as they cycled by, we do have evidence... We also visited stores of several high visibility outdoor gear stores throughout Seattle.  They were a let down as they seemed to cater to those going for the outdoor life in apparel/appearance only, very little hard goods. Oh well.

I definitely recommend Pikes Place Market though, even if it is just for the Seattle experience. Yummy foods, flowers, Seattle trinkets, and even a lil bit of hometown pride. Go Pens! Back at the hostel (which was wonderfully clean, modern, and provided interesting roommates) we made a killer lunch/dinner all with fresh ingredients that we snagged at the market.

After successfully making the entire hostel jealous with the smell of roasted garlic, we caught a bus back into town for the adult underworld tour.  FYI: using the public transportation in any city is the best way to learn the city/people watch!

The original Seattle was not very far above the sea level.  This led to several issues with exploding toilets and after a fire, they rebuilt the city upon the bones of the original streets, one story up.  The remnants of the original first story became a hidden gem of brothels and opium dens.  Stacy and I partook in both.   Seriously though, the tour was great.

Sunday was spent catching up on this silly blog, wandering the Solstice market, watching the naked dog parade, playing on the structures in Gas Works Park, and grabbing some more gear at REI.  Stacy was giddy when a very enthusiastic Seattle native approached her while at the bus stop to tell her that "She was the best example of urban chic that he as seen in a long time" (must be that buzz cut and hiking boots). Enough of the city.... as John Muir said, "The mountains are calling and I must go."

<3 S
&
-K

The Olympic Peninsula

Our journey back into the wilderness began at the REI flagship store ("the mothership").  We had to make a dent in our budget by buying all kinds of stuff (bear canisters, bug repellent, cool new sunglasses.... you know, the essentials- haha). The store is hard to describe (gigantic), it more like something you just have to experience (if you are ever any where near Seattle, I highly recommend experiencing it for yourself).  Even the entrance of the store is an oasis of green in the middle of a city, with waterfalls and bike testing trails. Then, inside it wasn't just the overwhelming selections of brands and goodies but the atmosphere of feeling invited to join into the displays and play (literally, there is even a playground for kids in the childrenswear section)!  They even have an old Westfalia in the middle of the store to help inspire.

As we browsed the REI gloriousness, we ran into multiple other Anderson Award recipients doing the same exact thing (great minds think alike, right?) Conversations were had about where everyone was off to next, whether it be going home to their own stores/telling us to stop by to say "HI" if we ended up in their neck of the woods. Several others were extending their stay in the Pacific Northwest after the Anderson event and were heading in the same direction/asking if we wanted to join...Well, we aren't ones to pass up on an opportunity to have an adventure while hanging out with REI people so, next destination = Olympic National Park!  And that means OUR 1st FERRY RIDE!  Is it weird that we were both really excited and nervous about our first ferry experience? When Karl pulled up to the pay booth at the dock, and admitted that were were ferry virgins/asked what to do we got a curt "just follow everyone else" in response.  And that was it, we pulled Ele (our Honda Element has a name) into line and waited for all of 5 minutes. Seriously, Seattle natives probably would have been jealous of our good luck of perfect timing because as soon as we turned off the engine to wait, we were told to pull forward onto the ferry, and OFF we went. There is no lag when getting those vehicles on the ferry, they are super efficient and on time!

Once we were parked on the floating traffic jam, I hesitated to leave the car (no one else around us got out of the car... and we were told to "follow everyone else") but my need to pee and tourist curiosity won out and we went up to the public deck to enjoy the cold wind and start of the rain while watching Seattle recede.  We landed on Bianbridge and after a few hours driving through the rain and being detoured due to road closures, we found ourselves in a little town called Forks which is known for being the set of some teen girl vampire movies.

But, Team Edward or Jacob aside, we were able to stake a claim at the beautiful Mora campsite for the night. While waiting for our fellow adventurers, we made pizza mountain pies for dinner (yum) and watched the dappled sunlight fall through the mossy covered tree branches.  And, as beautiful as that might sound, the best part of the evening was still to come... the sunset on Rialto Beach.

I am not even going to attempt to find the right words to describe the waves crashing on a rocky beach that is covered with massive weathered downed trees while the sky changes colors with the setting sun. My pictures can't even begin to capture the full splendor of the scene, but it was worth a try...

The following morning, we wandered on the same beach, exploring tidal pools and running amok in the mist.  We found snails, starfish, anemones, hermit crabs, mussels, and barnacles.  Oh, and there were a few bald eagles hunting freedom in the early morning air. 

We said our good-byes as the rest of the guys (and gals) were off to start a hike in the Hoh rainforest to one of the terminal glaciers of Mt. Olympus.  As much as we wanted to do that, a 2pm start to an 12-mile hike was beyond us that day...

But not the following day!  The hike sounded so cool that we geared up to hit the glacier on our own.  18 miles up and back, split over 3 days isn't too bad.  Throw in constant rain and you've got yourself a wonderful birthday hike for Karl.

It was rough going the second day as we went from constant rain, to sleet, to snow with 4000' of gain over 5 miles.  And Karl forgot the stove, so lunch was a handful of granola (I told him I wasn't mad about that lil error, just hangry).  But we made it, up and down.  Plus, it was just exciting to actually need our ice axes (they are no longer decorative items inside the Element)!  

The next day was a soggy march back to the car, a triumphant dinner, and a night at the nearest parking lot.  We needed some respite, and a wash, so Sol Duc hot springs was on the agenda.  We soaked for a few hours, enjoyed a beer, and then headed into town for some chow.  Hurricane ridge followed lunch, and then we planned to crash at the Walmart that night.  A conversation with the ranger swayed us to a NP camp when he told us that Deer Park Road was open.  Deer Park campground sits just under the summit of Blue mountain at 5400'.  The road up is single track rubble, and turned to snow for the last mile.  Visibility was terrible when we arrived, so we set up the 'camper' and threw snowballs at the emboldened deer.  *Seriously, stop feeding wildlife people.*  These deer followed us at about 10' pretty much the whole time we were there waiting for handouts.  About 30 minutes later the clouds broke into quite a view, so we headed up to the summit for a looksee.  Wow, what a night, what a campground.

Since we did not have a good opportunity to explore the Seattle area together during the awards, we booked some nights in a hostel in Fremont, and headed back clean up.  One last stop on the way back to civilization, the Northwesterly most point in the contiguous US: Cape Flattery.  Look, Canada!

Onto showers, laundry, burgers, and beer!

<3 S

&

-K

  

The Andersons

REI’s purpose is to “… inspire, educate and outfit for a lifetime of outdoor adventure and stewardship.”  and there are core values that REI employees aspire to:

Authenticity: We are true to the outdoors.

Quality: We provide trustworthy products and services. 

Service: We serve others with expertise and enthusiasm. 

Respect: We listen and learn from each other.

Integrity: We live by a code of rock solid ethics, honesty, and decency.

Balance: We encourage each other to enjoy all aspects of life.

Each year fellow co-workers nominate their peers for The Anderson Award based off of if they live those REI’s core values and embody the co-op spirit.  It has been said that getting this recognition is REI's highest honor and that those that win are the "best of the best"... and for some reason REI Pittsburgh Store 101 chose ME as their Anderson Award Recipient for 2015! 

Even as I write this post, I am still trying to wrap my brain around the fact that I was granted such an amazing experience.  And all I want to do is find ways to say "THANK YOU" to REI and especially my REI family at 101 for thinking so highly of me.  I would NOT be who I am today OR doing what I am doing this year without you, your love, and your support. 

Now, trying to sum up the 3 scheduled days of the Anderson Award Event is even harder than finding ways to express my gratitude! They seriously pack in so much excitement, information, education, adventure, and emotion into 3 days that one is going from 7AM til 11PM each day (I am including the social "happy hours" at the end of each day of course). 

To begin, it was surreal to walk into a hotel check-in line and look around you and see the plethera of GEAR on those around you! Instantly, there were fellow Anderson Award recipients coming up and saying "Are you with REI too? I'm ____ from store____." 

It was also very entertaining to be recognized (from the Anderson Award App) as "the girl who drove across the country" even before I got to introduce myself.

The joy of just being there together, hearing about each other's stores and how long they have been with REI, and that shared passion for the outdoors amongst everyone was tremendous. And the "actual event" hadn't even started yet! 

Then there was THE WELCOME... None of the previous Anderson Awards winners from my store warned me, but even if I was warned, I don't think I would have expected that greeting at HQ. The number of people cheering and screaming and high-fiving and hugging you as you came off of the bus... Oh, and the cowbells (MORE COWBELL)! The emotions were overflowing. My cheeks were in pain from smiling/laughing so hard while my eyes were pooling with tears. Thank you for that, it set the tone perfectly for the rest of the events ahead.

From there we got to choose tours and talks to participate in. I got to take a tour of Headquarters campus, a tour of "the mothership" a.k.a. the REI Flagship store in Seattle (in which I got to climb the pinnacle there multiple times!), a tour of the Media Studio, and a talk about Women in Retail (Jerry Stritzke, REI's CEO sat in on that talk with us!!!! I got to just hang out with  and talk with Jerry!) Plus, just before dinner on Day 1 we had a "Let's Talk" event where we could ask any questions and get real answers from "the higher powers". The knowledge, the transparency, the honesty, the respect we all got from these sessions are beyond my ability to describe adequately in this blog.

Group "daypack" shot on Alki Beach

Oh, and of course, since it is REI and they are awesome they gave us a "PLAY DAY"

I chose "Outside Space, Urban Places" in which I got to explore West Seattle by riding a water taxi, walking thru an old growth forest, seeing the Alki beach/tidal pools, wine tasting, and visiting Pikes Place Market. All in a day's work at REI! 

Just a picture with Jerry, no big deal!

Plus, there was the stewardship activity in which all the Anderson Award people teamed up with Cheasty Greenspace to clean up an urban green space into an awesome outdoor space.  Many hands were involved in different "dirty" tasks.  I got to help with digging up weeds and the invasive plants that were smothering the native greens. (see the before, during, and after pictures)

 

It is amazing how much can get done in so little time with so many people who care!

"It's not about what IT IS. It's about what it can BECOME." -the lorax

The best part of all the action and wining and dining is that I got to enjoy these moments with some of the most spectacular people.  At the closing dinner, in a speech we were told "to keep our spark". I feel that the "sparks" from each person I met will burn in my heart for a long time after this event and it is my hope that I will ignite others with my own renewed spark as this year of adventure goes on.

So, one more time: THANK YOU!

<3 S

Leaving Home

We began this undertaking full of feelings.  Anticipation, excitement, nostalgia, worry, and fear; however, the most prevalent feeling as we left was gratitude.  Gratitude for all of the people that have helped along the way, even in the smallest way.  So before we get down to it, we want to say: Thank you.  Thank you to the family, the friends, and the coworkers that gave advice, time, and stuff to help prepare us and send us off.

We left REI-Southside bound for REI-Seattle and the going was smooth.  Old friends extended a welcoming hand in Minneapolis. A day was spent going for a walk, getting a drink, taking a stroll, getting another drink, perusing the local city parks, followed by more drinking.  Our thanks to Matt, Brooke, Norah, for popping the couchsurfing cherry.

The following few days and nights were spent on the road and in shady walmart parking lots, respectively.  Enter our first National Park stop, Theodore Roosevelt South.  Right away, the untamed wild welcomed us by blowing our gifted parks pass out the window and into grassy no-mans land.  After a half hour furitive search of the adjacent meadows with Stacy in tears, we walked back to the car, to find the pass in the roadside ditch.  Great start.  We spent that night and the following day in the petrified forest, and the badland wilderness.  Fun was had.

Back on the road, we hit another walmart, and another BLM campsite.  The final day of the first driving stint was only an hour so we killed time by hiking up to snow lake in Snoqualmie pass.  Feet of snow kept us from reaching the farther lakes but it was gorgeous none the less. Backflip? Ok.

Onto the hotel.  We have arrived, smelly, tired, and uh...smelly.  We seriously stank, no showers for a week.  The remainder of this trip should be fun...

-K