Roadtrip to Washington State

I just got back on Monday evening, from an amazing cross country road trip with one of my best friends, Ms. Ashley J. :) It was an experience of a lifetime. I have never been out west before, so I had no idea the beautiful scenery I would encounter on the long drive to Silverdale, WA.

As we drove through a handful of states, we stopped along the way to photograph and generally explore our strange and magnificent surroundings. Let me explain. We had to stop every 300 miles or so for gas, food, let the lil puppies take a walk, and for our own personal sanity.

On the way, we discovered the Jolly Green Giant, (not pictured here) in Blue Earth, Minnesota. It was a 60 ft. statue next to a little house with tourist information. Now, how can we resist? We took pictures beneath the happy giant in his same exact stance. It was pretty damn cool. Not to mention my favorite color in all the world is blue, so any town or city with that word in it, I will automatically like.

As we continued our journey of a lifetime, the drive through South Dakota was a spectacular one. Many years ago, my family and I vacationed there, and I remember touring the badlands and exploring the cliffs. We sadly didn't have time for that, because Ashley and I were in a bit of a time crunch, seeing as we both had to get back to IL in a bit of a hurry. I am not going to lie, I wish we had more time on the road, but another issue there was money. Sidenote: always make sure you have more than one way to pay on the road. Some gas stations in tiny, tiny, towns might not accept credit cards, so it's best to have cash handy before you hit the road.

If you look below and see the human with his pet dinosaur on a leash, that is one of the stops we made in South Dakota. We just arrived in that stunning state before nightfall, because as you can plainly see... sunset illuminates the statues.

I was surprised to see the beauty and the desolation of Wyoming and Montana. I have never been to either one of these states before, and I would love to drive through one day again, and/or go back. It is stunning. Nothing like the flatlands of the midwest. Oh no.

As you drive through Wyoming and Montana, you see the hills start to roll all around you, but take a closer look, because those hills turn into canyons. That's right, beautiful, bright green, and sometimes rocky canyons exploding into the deep chasms of the earth, or erupting from beneath. I took as many photos as I possibly could when I had the chance. Scenery like that needs to be documented and appreciated.

In two days time, we finally made it to Silverdale, WA. Our first stop, was of course.... food. Before I talk about the top photograph let me first explain the beauty of the mountains of Idaho and the pass we went through before finally reaching Washington state. I have never seen such mountains before in my short little life. Idaho, who would've thunk? Is an amazing state. The pine trees extended into the sky, and the mountains stare you down as you drive through the windy, possibly, dangerous roads leading you to your final destination.

I just stared the entire time, and took pictures. They were so frightening and yet, majestic at the same time. I feel like I must bow down and respect the mountains and the trees. I want them to stay unscathed by industrial investments forever. I want them to stay wild. And, I sincerely hope they do. When we arrived in the mountainous pass leading us to Washington the mountains rained on us hard core. I am thankful I wasn't driving at the time. Ashley being her tough awesome self, held her own in the pass as the violent rainfall beat down on us, blocking our vision in the darkness all around. It was a little scary for awhile, but as soon as the rain began, it ended, and we arrived in our 'final destination' safe and sound.

The next day, is where the VW beatle picture comes into play. She took me to this adorable hippy style cafe in Bremerton. I loved the eclectic decorations and attitude that we found there. Even the waiters/waitresses seemed to come from a different era. How I envied them in some small way. The bathroom, which I certainly had to use, had a spinning disco ball a few feet above the toilet. You can bet I turned that baby on, because I'm cool like that.

As the days continued in beautiful Washington, my friend and I toured Lake Kitsap, which is where she and I are pictured in the second photograph. Then, we went to Seattle, a hilly, hip, fun city.. the likes I have never seen before. I really liked it. To be honest, I can even see myself living there permanently. I like the city life. If only I had the finances to support such a dream. We went up the space needle, I swallowed my intense fear of heights, and felt the needle sway and flow in the wind. That, was slightly intimidating, I must say. The view of the city was picturesque to say the least.

Then, Ashley and I made the long trek back to our home state of Illinois. On the way, we briefly observed what Testy Festy might have been in Montana. I sadly, forget the town right now. This festival is an amazing time of pure drunkenness and debauchery throughout. Nudity, and just about whatever you mind can imagine seem to occur in this small town. We saw campers, trailers, and one girl with no underwear on. I saw her cheeks and everything, and I'm not talking about her face.

Since, we had the lovely puppies with us, Buffy and Dawn.. we decided it would not be wise to continue this adventure seeing as we would have to leave them in the car, and/or constantly worry about someone accidentally harming them in an inebriated state. Not good. We giggled, and discussed another possible trip to the festival next year. I actually hope it happens. It looks like something I don't want to miss out on. It might surpass my level of comfort-ability, but it will definitely give me something to write about.

In my deepest conclusion, I say to you my loyal readers... I know some of you, but not all... go on that roadtrip that you and your friend(s) have been talking about. You won't regret it. Just be prepared, think, and always have enough emergency money on you at all times. You just never know when you might need it.

Signing off for now. I am back in IL, on that real world job hunt, and hoping something happens this time around.

We out.