We were going to go to Europe for our ten-year anniversary. Then the government took all of our money and killed that dream. Thanks, government!
It's almost enough to make me a Republican.
Okay, not really. I'll just think of Europe wistfully and remember all the conservative, Tea Party-backed politicians' families I helped feed.
*sigh*
So. Where does one go if one cannot afford to go to Europe? Well, one goes to the "American Alps". That's "North Cascades" to you. And, if it's one's 10th anniversary? Well, one drops the kid off at Grandma and Grandpa's, tries not to giggle too much and goes straight to a super cute cabin in the woods.
That's what we did. Three years of parenthood and we haven't spent an entire week together, sans child. We have spent weekends and half-weeks, but there's something about a whole week. Time feels different. Everything feels different...and easy. Wow, is it easy to go on vacation without a kid (though we did that too- that's the second verse). At some point in the week, you look at your spouse and you smile and you think, "I am so damn glad I married this person and I get to spend this time with him (or her, as the case may be)."
After the intensity of my school year and my racing season, I was beyond ready for a vacation. I would have gone to Beaverton, as long as it meant a complete lack of responsibility or expectation for a full week. I wanted to turn all of the technology off (we are strongly committed to "technology blackout" during family vacations), turn my brain off and just...breathe.
And so I did. And it was glorious. I think I am still a little high from the experience.
Without further ado, here is a very choice selection of pictures from our first week of vacation. A short anthology of the second week will arrive soon. I promise.
Can you see me already breathing a little more deeply?
(overlooking Diablo Lake on the way to Mazama)
So psyched to be kid-free for a week!
On our first full day in the Methow Valley, it rained. All day. After the year we have had here in Portland, I came very close to real tears. But, I took a deep breath, swallowed my disappointment, and we made alternate plans: drive around some random forest roads (and get a little lost) and go trail running. Done and done. Then I read an entire book. It was a good day.
The next day, my best friend, THE SUN, came out and we resumed our adventures. First adventure: riding from Mazama to Washington Pass on the North Cascades Highway. Elevation gain: 3500ft. in 17 miles. The flip side of that? 17 miles of downhill! Woot!
Up the switchbacks. Smiling because I am not racing.
Barkernews, the king of Washington Pass.
After a bike ride, a gratuitous lunch and a gratuitous nap, we looked at each other and wondered: what should we do now?
I know! Rock climbing! So we did.
Really freaking happy to be on the rock again
(Fun Rock, Mazama)
Returning to my roots. You know I was a rock climber before I was a cyclist/runner/triathlete/telemark skier, right?
The day prior, we had begun a daily ritual of visiting the hot tub as many times in one day as we could stand. After our cycling/rock climbing day, we of course visited the hot tub again. It was already the Best Vacation Ever.
So, prepare yourself, you guys. Because every day was JUST AS COOL as that day. I will prove it to you. Read on.
The next morning, we made a quick decision to float the Methow River on inflatable kayaks in the afternoon. Since we woke up when we felt like it, that left us with a some time for a mini-adventure, this time on a hike to Blue Lake.
It's a short hike, with some elevation gain and lots of snowfields. Worth it.
We have no pictures of our amazing float down the Methow River because HELLO?! Who takes their very expensive camera down a river?? Know this: it was rad. And relaxing. And gorgeous.
And then we went back to our cabin in the woods and partook in this:
Cabins in the woods= THE SHIZNIT
Right out of Mazama begins the highest road in Washington state. It leads to Hart's Pass and the Pacific Crest Trail. The views are overwhelming. It is a Must Go. On the 28th, my birthday and our anniversary, we did.
A small sampler of what you see FROM THE ROAD.
Threatening Barkernews with a snowball on the PCT. Lots of snowfields covering the trail, but we still got a good 8 miles in.
TEN YEARS, People!! Every day I wake up next to this guy? I win.
It was pretty hard to wipe the smile off my face all week long.
How does one celebrate the momentous occasion of a ten-year anniversary? Well, I'm glad you asked. By having dinner in a tipi, of course. I mean, DUH. And let's not forget renewing one's vows with a local cowboy/Native American/internet-certified minister.
Renewing our vows at sunset outside Winthrop. Pretty much as rad as our wedding.
This is what dinner in a tipi looks like. In case you were wondering.
Tipi. Mountains. I NEED TO LIVE HERE.
Then? There was STILL MORE RADNESS TO BE FOUND! I know, you can't believe it. Neither could I.
Despite loading our trucks with 4 million bikes, we did not bring our mountain bikes. We swallowed our pride and rented, only to fall in love with the Buck Mountain Trail. Thirteen miles of singletrack love, with views that stretch in to Canada. Dear Barkernews: I would like a new mountain bike for my next birthday, m'kay?
Buck Mountain Love.
No mountain bike day is complete without a dip in Patterson Lake.
The last day of our vacation ended like this- towing our truck to Wenatchee. Some sort of steering issue (I don't even pretend to understand) rendered us handicapped and spending 100 miles of open road in a tow truck, watching the driver down day-old 7/11 fried food and take cigarette breaks.
But you know what? I didn't care. Vacation had gotten in to my blood. Even if I tried, I couldn't be stressed. Good thing I still had another week left.
Reflecting on the awesomeness that is my life.
