LaterBlog: Portland

Oregon is amazing. Period. 

My friends and I love to travel together and when it started lining up that we could all make Portland work, we did just that and made a unforgettable vacation happen. 

Four of us flew in on Saturday and got our rental car and drove up to Cannon Beach on the Pacific. It was stunning. The ocean there is different than in California and has a sense of calm and peace. It's misty and intriguing and just beautiful. The towns up there are quaint and homey. Welcoming. We stayed the night in Seaside at a cute riverside condo, got some amazing strawberries on the roadside, grabbed dinner, had more laughs than we knew what to do with, watched Goonies, went to the Goonie house; just made some great memories. 

The next day we went to Multanomah Falls (since we couldn't remember the name we kept calling it Melanoma Falls) and it was beautiful. The girls walked up to the bridge; my body wasn't feeling up to the walk. Tyler and Spencer flew in that night and we had an eventful night grabbing dinner. An old friend we worked with lives up there now and met us for a drink and it was great to get a hug from him and catch up. We walked downtown, some interesting people watching for sure. The girls got some late night Voodoo donuts. "Keep Portland Weird" sign The staples. 

Monday I was lucky enough to meet up with my cousin who lives up there for brunch. We had a great time chatting about our late uncle and laughing about good times. It wasn't until later in the day that Facebook reminded me that it was my uncles birthday. What are the odds that I'd be in Portland (where he lived and passed), having brunch talking about him, on his birthday. Pretty awesome universe. We hit up Powell's books, some more donut places and then a really great happy hour in the city followed by some tasty ice cream. 

Tuesday was brunch and just random shopping around and then home. We were there for a good amount of time and I feel like I could have been there for another week and not have gotten bored - I would've gained some good weight with all the food, but not bored! 

This trip was so memorable and I don't think any of us have laughed that hard for a long time, even if there was a little help. It was so great to have almost all my best friends in one town for one amazing trip. I'm so glad that Ashley made it on her buddy pass, Brooke could get work off and that Megg and the boys let me jump on their already made plans. 

Yellowstone 2016

One of my favorite childhood memories was going to Yellowstone almost every summer and staying at Campfire Lodge. We would usually camp but sometimes we would get a cabin, we would play in the river, roast marshmallows, go into town and head into Yellowstone National Park. It was a girls trip and we always had such a good time. We got to pick out a treat each time - so we usually picked Doritos, Oreos and Oh's cereal. Simple times and amazing memories.

The past few years I have wanted to go back and stay at Campfire and see the park again. Luckily my friends are open to my random ideas so we booked it! We got a cabin at Campfire and not much has changed there besides being a lot more expensive I guess (or so my mom says) and it was just as I expected. Super rustic and cabin-y. No cell phone reception. No wifi. Just nature, and it was as beautiful as I remember.

   

     

We headed into the park for two of the days. It was the 100th anniversary of national parks system so entry to the park was free for our first day. This was great but it also meant it was a bit busy but it was manageable. The first day we did the Old Faithful loop and saw a lot of bison and elk. We walked my favorite hot pot and found a new spot that we had never been. It was near the lake and it was gorgeous. Can't believe we had never done that stop. We finished off the day with swimming in the Firehole river swimming hole. This is what I wanted to come back to so bad - I had remembered stopping here one time and thinking it was just the most fun thing ever! When we got here it wasn't exactly like I remembered but that didn't take away from the fun we had getting in the semi-cold water and letting the current take us and then walk back up just to have the current take us again. There were fish jumping just feet away from us and the sun was setting. It was pretty great. Sadly there were multiple fires burning while we were there and while we were driving out the fire was just yards from the road. They have a "let it burn" policy inside the park so they rangers and firefighters just watch the fire basically. 

Day two was spent more north. We saw some paint pots, the canyon and the upper and lower falls. Three of us did the crazy stair hike down to a lookout point of lower falls, 320+ steep stairs down the side of the canyon. Nope, not for me. So me and Brooke hung out in the parking lot and had some random laughs. I tried to feed a crow - you know just my usual. The fires were blazing on this day so there was ash falling all around as well. Pretty crazy.
We then drove more north to Roosevelt Lodge and on the way stopped to look at a black bear in a tree - who knew they really climbed trees? Like to the very top of a pine tree! What?! Once we got to the lodge we all got a drink and sat on the rocking chairs on the porch and just took in the surroundings. Not too shabby! On the drive back home we saw a momma black bear and her two cubs, pretty adorable!

We had dinner in town and then headed home for some indoor S'mores (since the fire danger is so high they didn't allow any campfires sadly) and then called it a day. In the morning we had breakfast in the cafe per tradition and then I put my toes in the Madison river which was super cold, not surprisingly. After we loaded up the cars we headed into town where I got a custom screenprinted tee, some fudge and a delicious huckleberry iced tea. Sarah got some fun traditional purchases as well. We had to leave by 11:30 so we could make our 1pm check in at Bear World in Idaho to feed the bear cubs. We made it right at 1pm! And oh my goodness the baby bears were adorable. They were 7 months old and 60+ pounds. We bottle fed each of the 6 cubs and they were so sweet. They have the longest eyelashes and the sweetest eyes. So worth it. After buying some lottery tickets and getting lunch in Twin Falls we made the final trek home.

Another successful Yellowstone trip full of it's own new memories. I am already looking forward to our next one and it will need to be longer! I want to visit Mammoth hot springs and possible head south into the Tetons and Jackson. Long road trip but probably beautiful. Here's to an amazing Yellowstone 2016 and looking forward to Yellowstone 2017!


To see more pictures from the trip click on this link:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B6ZzNZ6t1WSXbkhReVRmdWI0NGs

35 for 35

About two months ago I was given the "assignment" of making a list of 35 things I want to do or accomplish before I turn 35. You can call this a bucket list persay, but I think it is more like a "to-do" list with a bit more time than usual. I tend to make to-do lists all the time but they are more so for a week or less of things. And I took a more practical route than a frivolous one...
Let me tell you, 35 things is a lot to come up with especially when you have to be able to get them done by 11/2017. And you have to be reasonable.
Here is the sloppy written one...

Now as I am re-reading them they are kinda not so exciting and thrilling, but keep in mind that my life has been pretty stagnant for the last 2 1/2 years so some of these things will take a lot of effort! 

Here's the list:

1. Travel 3+ places (since there is a time limit I was only allowed to list this as one thing... the list of places are to the right on picture. Already have Yellowstone planned for August, more to come for sure!)
2. Be in own place
3. Working full-time, only one job
4. In maintenance treatment or no treatment
5. 1+ credit cards paid off
6. Living a (more) active lifestyle
7. Date more/at all
8. No more storage unit
9. ALL medical paid off
10. Go to Inauguration (Democrat)
11. Reduce soda drinking - only cocktails/movies
12. Fix car
13. New phone
14. Read more books - 2+ year
15. More extended family time
16. Get "ready" more
17. Become more paper-free
18. Don't always say "Yes"
19. Be more selfish - do things for myself
20. Do more random acts of kindness
21. Frame/display pictures
22. Get off as many meds as possible
23. Go to regular therapy
24. De-clutter/hoard my life
25. Eat healthier
26. Look into/start talking at high schools/junior highs
27. Get sunscreen to hand to homeless
28. Get involved in Melanoma run
29. Cook more
30. Entertain more
31. Feed the giraffes at the zoo
32. Equine/Horse therapy
33.  
34.  
35.  

The ones with a strike-through I have already done/accomplished. And a few of them are in progress/on there way. 

Now for the last 3 I guess I ran out of ideas for the time being... Financially there are restraints as well obviously so that puts a hindrance on some options. But I'm open to (reasonable) suggestions! Fire away my friends! 

Staycation

I spent the week up at Snowbird, a ski resort that is open in the summer with activities and such. My best friends own a week long timeshare there and are so gracious to allow me to crash with them for the forth year in a row. Every year it has been so different as so much changes in a year.

It is so great to just escape the valley and heat and reality to a serene beautiful mountain where you can just zone out, go swimming, watch for animals or just hang in the room.

Top of the tram at Hidden Peak - 11,000ft; Salt Lake Valley straight ahead (Top), Heber (Bottom)

Jack is snorkling his heart out in this picture right above my feet

Morning routine

The view outside the room

As the week approached I didn't know how I would feel or where I would be in treatment. Orignially when I was on the Niv/Ipi combo I was scheduled to get my infusion half way through the week so in my head I was going to only be there for a few days. Obviously that has changed and I was able to stay the whole time - not sure they were truly expecting that but I did it! I only had a couple days and moments that I struggled but was able to pull through it. I used the spa pool and solarium a couple times and just relaxed and thought through things. My friends are crazy busy and have multiple small business constantly going so they had to come down to the valley almost everyday so I used that time to just relax and recoup. It was fun to watch their two boys enjoy their time on the rides and just be boys. They are getting so big and becoming their own little beings. It is fun to watch and just live in their simplicity.

Tell Jack what a selfie is...  

Ben and Anton in the room hottub loving life! 

  

Popsicles, SpiderMan, Selfies and Movies. This kid has my heart

We had groups of people come up practically each day/night and so that kept things lively and not so stagnant. Heading into the week I was worried I would hold back my friends from really doing things up while they were there since my stamina is non existent, my sun sensitivity is back and I'm extremely low on funds (I couldn't do the rides even if I wanted to anyways...) I don't think I got in the way, but I will never know for sure. Prednisone was a factor I know that, I ate everything! Ha! I told my friend she shouldn't have left me alone during my witching hours of 3-5pm... the chips just disappeared I swear! I am doing better at regulating it all but it is still a bit out of control. I'm hoping that once I taper lower I will see the water weight drop off and then I can work on the chip/treat weight.

My sungear in full effect! 

Yes, this happened. Ha.

At the pool in the shade, under an umbrella. Also, where is the tumor? 

My life isn't that bad if I step back and look at the giant picture. I just spent a week at a resort with my great friends because they are that nice to include me. When I started to have a meltdown, I went to a spa and stared out a wall of windows to a mountain side that had a family of deer on it. I was healthy enough to go for a week and enjoy as much of the time as I could. I watched two little boys enjoy all they could and play and swim their little hearts out. I spent time with my friends that I don't see too much cause our lives aren't intertwined as they once were - I miss those times but know that these times are just as important and have their own value. Was it hard to realize that I am now on the sidelines for real? Yes, but that doesn't change how I care about them as my friends and it just makes the memories a little different and may take a little more effort. They are worth the effort. Again, my life is actually pretty good, I just have this whole cancer bullshit to slap me down a couple times.

I am thankful for what I have, and for my staycation.