road trip to the pacific northwest

 between covid travel restrictions and closures of any place that people gather in, and our move this summer, we very very nearly decided to cancel our long planned road trip to washington, oregon, and california. we had been planning this trip for nearly a year, mapping out national parks, reserving the best campgrounds, and researching camper vans. there was a lot of heart and soul in these plans, and we weren't about to release them easily. 

the trip was planned to start about 6 days after our move, which we knew would be very stressful on the cats, and nearly impossible on the house workers who needed to complete some urgent house tasks. the trip included the use of airports and airplanes and gas stations and grocery stores and restuarants and ranger stations and we just didn't know if those things were open, accessible, or risk free. but you know what? everything has just been garbage this year. we ultimately decided we couldn't throw these plans on the trash heap too. so we did it. and it was great. in fact, it may have saved my sanity. 

the airports and airplanes were empty, masks were comfortable and fine, and the kids were really happy to follow the rules. 

flying in over the cascades, including an above-the-clouds peek at mt rainier was pretty exciting. i didn't really know that the cascades were big/tall enough to keep snow year round.

our airbnb was right in the heart of belltown, and while everything was closed, the apartment was an adorable respite from the city and traveling, and was perfectly located for a wander around seattle's downtown.

the building had seattle's oldest functioning elevator. you better believe james took the stairs.

we showed the kids pike place market (empty) and pointed out the gum wall (stupid) and saw the original starbucks (really packed, which felt foolish, so we didn't even cross to the same side of the street). we took the stairs down to the water front, and revealed in the beauty of the puget sound....even from the kinda yucky touristy seattle shore.

we found outdoor seats at our first restaurant since march (!!!!!) and had beers and burgers

and we spied the space needle, which was closed, and james was weirdly sad about this, DESPITE the presence of an elevator in the space needle. 

the next day, we packed up and headed for the camper van pick up. 

and then we were introduced to topiary, our new home on the road. we were excited.

and then we were off!