Welcome to 2020! It’s a new year, a new decade, a new chapter of life! I know this sounds like a lead in to possibly changing the course of this blog, but only slightly. I still plan to share my international adventures, and hopefully more frequently than the last few years (I make no promises though). However this year, I really want to focus on exploring more of the Pacific Northwest.

Due to some big expenditures coming up in 2020 (thanks new roof), and a real lack of vacation time (I’m chaffing!), I don’t know what my foreign travels will look like this year. There are a few places I’m hoping to go, but we’ll have to wait and see what will work out.

However! This affords me an opportunity to explore the areas closer to home that I often put off in favor of something more exotic.

The Pacific Northwest is one of the most beautiful places in the country. From craggy mountains to lush, green forests and steel grey oceans, it’s an outdoor lovers paradise. Did you know it’s possible to ski and surf every month of the year here? It’s a challenge many locals like to take on.

But that’s not my plan, at least not for 2020. This year will be all about exploring places I haven’t been (and some I have) and hopefully checking many things off my bucket list. Below is a list of what I’m hoping to accomplish; roughly one adventure per month. I’m not sure if I’ll get to all of them, but this gives me something to aim for.

• January – Oregon coast: Cape Perpetua, Heceta Head Lighthouse, Sea Lion Caves
  • While I’ve been to the Oregon coast many times, I haven’t been further south than Depoe Bay. I’m excited to see some new sights, but no trip to the Oregon coast would be complete without a stop at the Pelican Pub in Pacific City. Sadly the Otis Cafe is closed due to a fire, but hopefully it will reopen soon!
• February – Olympic Peninsula road trip
  • Another spot I’ve visited several times, but it’s been many years since my last trip so I feel like it’s prime for a redo. I’m also going to Houston this month so I’m not sure if I can do both, but I’ll try!
• March – Scenic Hot Springs
  • Can you believe I’ve lived in the Pacific Northwest my entire life and have only been to its plethora of hot springs once? Absurd. This spot looks amazing in the snow.
• April – Sol Duc falls and Hot Springs
  • The only hot springs I’ve been to in Washington, but I haven’t made the easy trek up to the falls. Time to remedy that. With a dip afterwards, of course.
• May – Titan I Missile Silo dive and Palouse Falls St Park
  • I’ve wanted to dive this Cold War relic ever since I first learned of its existence a few years back. But my rusty dry suit skills have made me a bit apprehensive. Maybe it’s time to just go for it. And the official state waterfall, Palouse Falls, is just another hour down the road. How have I never been here?
• June – Beacon Rock State Park, Multnomah Falls, Oneonta Gorge and Dog Mt camping and hiking
  • Every time I talk to my friend Adrienne about hiking Dog Mountain, she cringes from the memories of being made to do this hike many times as a kid. But it looks so beautiful! As does Beacon Rock State Park. Multnomah Falls is nearby, and is another place I’ve inexplicably never been.
• July – Enchanted Valley and Andersen Glacier backpack trip
  • Multi-night backpacking trips are fun. A few years ago, Emma and I did one to the Chain Lakes, along the Pacific Crest Trail. I’ve been wanting to get out again ever since. This hike is in the Olympic National Park and looks absolutely stunning.
• August – La Push/Rialto Beach beach camping and surfing trip
  • I’ve never actually camped on a beach before (I think…my memory isn’t what it used to be) and there are several beautiful places on the Washington coast where this is a popular activity. La Push is also one of the top destinations for surfing in WA. Why not combine the two?
• September – Cascades camping trip
  • I have no set plans for this trip except to pack up my dog and my camping gear and go. Where we’ll end up is still TBD.
• October – Umpqua Hot Springs, Toketee Falls, Crater Lake NP
  • More Cascade hot springs? Yes please! Located in central Oregon, these hot springs look not unlike the travertine pools at Pumukkale, Turkey (though on a much smaller, less white scale). And with Crater Lake NP not far away, I can check another national park off my list, too!
• November – Seattle Marathon
  • I’m putting this as a strong maybe/possibly a half marathon instead. I’ve never been a huge fan of running, but I’ve been lacking a physical challenge over the last several years and I’ve never run a marathon before, so why not? Stay tuned to see if I follow through.
• December – Silent/Yoga/Meditation retreat
  • This one seems a bit out of place compared to the other activities, but it might be just the thing to wind down from a year full of adventures and fun.

I plan to update this list with links and any changes that come up as the year progresses, so check back often and see how I do!