3 States 1 Day--Washington to California

Eli and I got up early this morning and started our journey back home! I'm so excited for this trip. It's much different doing a road trip in June vs. February. Eli and I are both enjoying it a lot more. After we got past Portland we were in new territory. It was funny because the closer to we got to California, the hotter it got, but then we got here and it was actually a little chilly outside! I was so proud of myself because I drove around the winding narrow interstate right after we crossed the Oregon/California border. What we've seen of the northern part of the state is so beautiful (we saw some of the redwood trees on the way into Crescent City) and we are both really looking forward to tomorrow. (California State Sign, Northern California Scenery)

See Ya Later Puyallup

Eli and I have been pretty busy finishing up my assignment here in Washington and figuring out where we're going next. Not sure yet where that's going to be, but I'm staying positive and just enjoying the adventure we're on. So---packing up the apartment! OMG so much easier when most of the stuff isn't yours! Eli said today that we're like snails--we carry our home with us. Pearl (my car) is a trooper. We got her loaded up this afternoon and celebrated our last night here with thai food! I'm beyond excited for the trip home. We're stopping by Redwood National Park (which should be amazing) as well as seeing two of my dearest friends and their husbands in San Francisco! We're mixing it up and going through Colorado instead of Wyoming (yay mountain driving!) . Then it's time for family and friends! I'm so proud of us that we took this leap to go on our traveling adventure. I look back on the past four months and can't believe that I did it! Can't wait to see where our next assignment takes us!

Woodland Park Zoo

Eli and I went up to the University District in Seattle to go to J.Crew and the zoo! J.Crew was a success and the outdoor shopping center it was in had some great shops! Unfortunately we weren't in the shopping mood, so we went to Elemental Wood Fire Pizza for lunch. It was really good--we split a sandwich and a pizza. Then we headed to Woodland Park Zoo! As I've said I love zoos and I've enjoyed getting to experience more than just the HDZ in Omaha. Woodland had some fabulous exhibits. Eli's favorite was the Northern Exhibit area where there were huge Elk, Grey Wolves, and Brown Bears. OMG--when we drove up to Port Angeles there were Elk Xing signs and after seeing these in person a herd of them would be really scary! And the Brown Bears---HUGE! It really made me appreciate some the animals up here--I'll be getting a bear bell the next time we go hiking. My favorite were the hippos. The animal encounters felt a lot closer than what I've experienced back home. For example, the hippo swam out and was literally 10 feet away from me. Again, those are huge animals. I really enjoyed the landscaping and tree covered paths in the zoo. We got to see tons of critters even cute little lion cubs and my other favorite--elephants. (Zoo Entrance; Bears; Elephants)

Where to Next?!

I'm down to nine shifts left in Washington! Holy moly it's gone by fast. Eli and I have done a lot out here and I'm looking forward to printing out all our pictures and organizing them into an album. So since I am so close to being done I'm talking to my recruiter daily to get into my next assignment. I truthfully don't know where our next one will be. We've been wanting to go to the Northeast, but it really depends on where the jobs are. My recruiter is working really hard for me and I'm sure we will end up someplace great for the summer! In other news we are heading up to Seattle tomorrow to look at bridal party outfits! I'm so excited (I think Eli is too)! We also looked in Target today (one of the places we are planning to register) and I think it could be a challenge. Eli and I have very different tastes so it will be lots of compromising. I mean, I straight up almost lost it in Nebraska Furniture Mart when we had already looked at what felt like a million couches and found one we both liked...then he says 'I don't like that seam'. However, he was right and the couch we got is perfect. We are also going to the Seattle Zoo tomorrow! Hopefully the weather cooperates!! ( Us after the Storm King Hike; Skipping Rocks; Eli the Explorer)

A Touch of Nature--Olympic National Park

Eli and I just got done soaking our feet in an epson salt bath--the reason--a grand total of 15ish miles of hiking!!! Enter: Olympic National Park Adventure--specifically Crescent Lake!! Thursday we got up at 5 a.m. and headed up to the main Olympic Visitor Center which is in Port Angeles. It was a little iffy because the morning was pretty cloudy/foggy. We pulled over at a diner for some breakfast and I channeled my inner southern belle and got biscuits and gravy--so good. However, the weather did not disappoint and it was sunny and clear by the time we started our first hike. We headed up to Marymere Falls which was a fairly short non-elevation gaining jaunt. In fact, there were tons of groups of kids there on a field trip--lucky! The falls were awesome!! Eli and I had also decided climb Mount Storm King (neat story about creating Crescent Lake) before lunch. O.M.G. We called the hike our boundary breakers because I wanted to quit a few times and Eli really encouraged me through it. 2.2 miles with 2000 feet elevation gain and super steep switch backs. The views of Lake Crescent were worth it though! Needless, to say our delish dinner in Port Angeles and going to bed early were beyond awesome.

Friday, we picked a leisurely 8 mile hike that followed the edge of Lake Crescent. At the trail head there was a warning about cougars and what to do if you see one, so I felt (irrationally) anxious for the first part of it. Eli got me a walking stick and kept reminding me that nature didn't want anything to do with us. The views were great, we saw some old tunnels because the trail followed an old WWI rail line. We ended the trek at the Devil's Punch Bowl. The way back our feet were screaming out so once we got to the car we headed home. Overall, great experience. Pictures do not do it justice! The park is huge, we only did a tiny piece of it and there was a lot more to do at Lake Crescent. We hope we get to come back someday! (Marymere Falls; Lunch by Lake Crescent)

Coasting

I made it!!!! I don't know how the doctors here do it--they do 7 days on and 7 days off. Four in a row was enough for me. Eli did a great job taking care of me/the apartment while I worked. I feel like I've learned so many things out here.  I came from a group of co-workers that grew into a work family over the time I was there. Everyone was very helpful and supportive. It's strange to me to watch people be anything less than that to each other. Why put up with it? Anywho, we are going to Olympic National Park tomorrow!!!!!! Eli and I are so excited especially since the weather is supposed to be sunny and in the mid 70s. Then we are staying in Port Angeles which will be as 'Twilighty' as we get (Shout out to my Twilight-midnight-showing friends :) I'm going to try and get a pic of Eli acting like a vampire, but I'm thinking I might loose that one :) We're done here one month from today-wow!

Another Long Weekend

I have to work another 4 days in a row stint so we're taking today off to relax, grocery shop, and just hang out. Yesterday was a cr-azy day at work, however nothing that I'm not used to. My manager scheduled me three days in a row the next 4 weeks (usually Sunday, Monday, Tuesday) so they are going to just fly by! Eli and I are getting really excited to find out where we are going next!!! Another fun fact, next week is going to be sunny and in the 80s! When the weather is nice out here, it is absolutely gorgeous. The last thing on our Washington Bucket List is Mt. Rainier so we will be putting that trip together soon!