Washington

Have you ever been on a trip that just fed your soul? Well, that was Washington for me. I’ve always loved the cozy rainy vibes of the PNW. So when I got the chance to visit my close friend Megan, who lived up there at the time, you better believe I took it. I planned my visit for the end of August and the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. California was experiencing yet another huge wildfire, so getting off the plane and being met with actual overcast skies instead of smoke was a welcomed change. It was my first time visiting, well technically second. But a quick trip to Pike’s Market while there for a 7 layover doesn’t really count. And while I could have done without the I-5 traffic, the rest of Washington did not disappoint.

Megan and I have been friend’s for several years now. We met working at Starbucks together. She has become my soul friend – you know, the friend that you just connect with on a deep level. I’ve always loved that about our friendship. And no matter how much time has passed since we’ve seen each other, we’ve always been able to pick up where we left off. She had my time there all planned out, showing me different parts she had discovered in the few months she had lived there.

Louie

morning convos + coffee

Morning pretties

We started our mornings out slow with some coffee and conversation while we ate breakfast. Allowing the soft melodies playing in the background and the gentle wicker of the candle burning, ease us into our day. Once we were ready, we would then either take Louie, her German Shepherd Coonhound mix..aka a giant bear and my new best friend on a walk or we would bake, something Megs and I love to do.

Mashel Falls – 1st fall

Mashel Falls – 2nd fall

Mashel Falls – 3rd fall

Our afternoons were spent adventuring. Hiking Little Mashel Falls in Eatonville, one day. A 5 mile trail, covered in ferns and trees that felt like a forest and brought you to not one, but three different waterfalls; each one more beautiful than the last. It was definitely a bit of a butt kicker being 3 months preggo at the time, but so worth it. Another day, we drove into Tacoma and had brunch at Art House Cafe, the cutest little eatery that had food to die for. 10/10 recommend. After brunch we walked the Farmer’s Market in downtown and then headed over to Puget Sound to get some ice cream at Ice Cream Social, a homemade ice cream shop that had some of the best ice cream I’ve ever had. We sat on the steps of the bay, enjoying our ice cream before it melted…waffle cones are cute but I can’t figure out for the life of me how to not make a mess while eating them haha. There were kids running around the square and families riding these cute family style bicycle carts – things that made people watching quite entertaining. I had never heard of this quaint little section of Washington before but I loved it.

Our evenings were spent cooking food, enjoying too many of the cookies we baked, playing with Lou at the dog park, and deep talks by the warmth of the fire pit outside.

Ice cream on steps of bay

Puget Sound

Puget Sound Bay

Megan made her home feel like my home being there. It was nice being able to spend time with her and catch up. 3 days was not long enough and while I was excited to see my husband and daughter again, I would be lying if I said I didn’t cry a little on the way home. It was the refresh my soul needed after two years of craziness that had been happening in our world. Everything had felt so heavy and in this trip I was able to let some of that heaviness wash away with the ocean air. Washington left its mark on me and I can’t wait to go back and discover more of it. Until then (: xx Hay