Sometimes you just can't get enough of things, and I'm not sure if I'll ever get enough of the PNW! As soon as I left the first time, Jasmin and I were already scheming up our next adventure out there. Jasmin was going to get off a four day weekend, and as quick as you could blink, I was looking up tickets and boarding a flight...only this time I needed a passport!
Coming from the south, I grew up going to the mountains (or what Jasmin likes to call hills) almost every weekend with my Dad-but, the mountains in the PNW were no comparison to what this small town girl was used to! Jasmin could not stop laughing at me, for not being able to shut my jaw from hanging open-wide in awe- I had just never seen anything like it.
This trip was no different than the first, in that it was just as jam packed with as much adventure and road tripping as you could possibly squeeze into 4 short days.
On Friday - we started out with a visit to the ever-so-beautiful Franklin Falls (I'm sure you're catching on to my obsession with waterfalls hehe).
After catching up on some much needed sleep, we woke up and took on Saturday fully rested -so, Saturday morning began with a ferry ride to the Olympic Peninsula and our day was only just beginning...
Our day included:
The breath-taking Cape Flattery,
The stunning Ruby Beach,
Crescent Lake, (and I can't make these colors up *all the heart eyes*)
Side note- how crazy is this, almost the entire day, it was so rainy while we were on the road and as soon as we would get out of the car, at our next destination spot, the rain would STOP, and not only did it stop we got to witness His promise- the most magical rainbow! Ya'll, how cool is the Lord?!
Okay--off my soap box-back to the pictures :)
Then on to the Olympic Game Farm, where my love for animals was fulfilled in so many ways. This is a must-see if you are in the PNW! The bears greet you with a wave, and the animals are so friendly they fearlessly come right up to your window!! This part was one in which Jasmin and I laughed until we cried because of the things the animals kept doing! :)
Make sure you don't miss the double chin!!!
Finally, we finished the day off with Vance Creek Bridge - 347 ft. in the air, the second highest railway bridge in the U.S.- Sorry Mom!! This was a destination I had ooo'd and ahh'd over for forever!
There are many, many, things that I am afraid of in life, such as, submarines, spiders, and eating oysters - the list could go on, but for some reason height was never one. So I was beyond confident and ecstatic about this part...until I took my first step onto that bridge. My legs began to shake a little and my heart started beating as if it was just going to come through my chest, then my shirt! The wood was wet from all that rain, and falling apart in many places, which gave me a glimpse to the hundreds of feet below.
Of course, a logical person would run - run in the opposite direction of course, but that didn't happen. Then there was Jasmin without a worry in the world, walking as if she was securely on the ground, like pillows were below the bridge, or something!! So we both make it to the middle of the bridge, somehow, (which is now torn down by the way) - and I had not stopped praying a single second at this time. As we sat down with our feet dangling over the hundreds of feet, and treetops, of one of the most beautiful valleys I had ever seen, I became so thankful that I didn't run in the opposite direction.
Sometimes life can be pretty terrifying. Situations arise, seasons of life come to pass, and we find ourselves frightened - for valid reasons - to keep on walking forward.
But, I want to encourage you - that no matter what it is in front of you in life right now, no matter how fast your heart is beating, no matter how much your mind and body is telling you to give up, take that next step.
What we crave in life is often right on the other side of what we fear. Be bold, and brave, when it's not easy to - and I'm almost positive you'll be pleasantly surprised at what awaits!
Don't get too tired from reading yet - because that was only TWO days! So, the last leg of our trip- the part that required a passport - we crossed borders into Whistler, Canada!
The drive into Whistler was equally as breath-taking as everything else had been! There were moments that felt like dream when I was staring out the window!
Once we arrived, we got to the cutest Airbnb! When we woke up the next day, we started our morning on the World's longest gondola ride- Peak 2 Peak, 1.88 Miles at 1,430 ft.!! At the top of the peak we enjoyed some summer hot coco (sounds SO weird, right?!) and the views, then headed back down to start our journey home.
My selfie VS. the magic that Jasmin captures (below) ;)
The end of our trip was like Christmas in July - experiencing snow in the summertime is definitely something I would add to your bucket list! Such an amazing way to end an amazing trip!
So from my first PNW trip to my second, I have learned that if an opportunity comes your way that seems absolutely crazy (think that blind date), take it! Flying across the country to stay with someone I had only met once was crazy, but I did it, and I am so glad!
We only get one life, and I don't want any regrets, or missed opportunities. So, if an opportunity comes your way, even it seems crazy, drop all the fear, and dive in! Who knows maybe it'll turn into one of the best decisions of your life, too!
Also, be sure to check out the oh-SO-talented Jasmin Elaine's work, all the PNW pictures were taken by her!
xx Brook
Bucket List for PNW (Part 2):
1. Franklin Falls
2. Ferry Rides to the Olympic Peninsula
3. Cape Flattery
4. Ruby Beach
5. Crescent Lake
6. Olympic Game Farm
7. Vancouver, B.C., Canada
8. Whistler, Canada