I know that the out-of-town posts don't resonate with a lot of you the same way that the local ones do. I guess I don't understand that because it's not lot like I'm constantly posting from Asia, or Europe, or even just the East Coast the way a lot of bloggers do. I'm a man of limited free time and even more limited financial means, but I'm also a man who likes getting the hell out of Boise as often as possible. Therefore, I take a lot of short trips that are within a day's drive, and since I love the Pacific Northwest that means I end up in Washington and Oregon a lot. I guess I can understand that people around here don't spend a lot of time in Seattle per se. It's a bit of a drive, and the flights ain't as cheap as they used to be. I know a lot of people who go to Portland fairly often, that drive is shorter and honestly the place feels like Boise's big brother. Same vibe, more food and entertainment options. But the Oregon Coast? Yeah, the convoluted roadways make the drive as long as the one to Seattle, but the rewards are so worth it. There are so many awesome little towns, cheap little hotels, camping opportunities, and great food. Not to mention the freaking Ocean. I don't even like beaches, and I could care less about getting a tan, but there's something about sitting and watching/listening to all that water. It seriously has the ability to hypnotize me for hours.
And that's how I found myself on yet another road trip with the roommate, back to Newport again. It's kind of becoming her home away from home. Personally, I would like to explore some of the neighboring towns more, but she's really fixated on that particular place. Still, when means are limited and someone is offering to split gas and hotel expenses, I'll usually play along. Some things never change; we left early, hit Starbucks, and I did most of the driving. There were a couple of firsts this time, though: for the first time ever, we would not be bringing either of her kids along for the ride. I love those two, but the idea of grown-up only time was intriguing (and to be honest, their mother needed it). Also, the roommate set the ENTIRE dining agenda for the day. First stop?
Panera Bread in Tualatin, which was our last stop on our trip back from the Coast
last year.
