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Playing Tour Guide For A Good Friend

I met Dylan, his mom Diana, and her partner David at Descend on Bend in 2021. That’s one of the things I love about vanlife gatherings — you meet some amazing people that become lifelong friends! Dylan and I hit it off right away and hung out a lot at Descend. We kept in touch after the festival and a few weeks later he came to Bellingham for a four day visit. I love showing off all the amazing places around my hometown to new people, so I took Dylan to as many places as I could during his stay!

After picking Dylan up from SeaTac airport on September 18th, we headed north with stops at the Skagit River Walk in Mount Vernon and Taylor Dock in Bellingham. The next morning we headed to Deception Pass State Park and hiked part of the Goose Rock Trail and immersed ourselves in some “forest bathing,” appreciating the water views of Deception Pass along the path. Then we headed down to North Beach to soak in the iconic view of the famous bridge and comb the beach despite the cloudy weather. Dylan was all bundled up because he was cold, while I was fine in just my leggings and long sleeve shirt. Our next stop was West Beach with its scattered driftwood along the shore and 180* views of Rosario Strait, as well as nearby Deception Island. The cloud cover started to open up a little, allowing some blue skies to peak through.

From there we headed back over the bridge to Rosario Beach and checked out the Maiden of Deception Pass, aka Ko-kwal-alwoot, who’s Coast Salish legend prompted the creation of her statue and story posts here. As you walk around the grassy knoll of Rosario Head, you can see Bowman Bay, the Salish Sea, and the San Juan Islands, making this one of my favorite places to enjoy! Deception Pass State Park is a great camping location, which I highly recommend to anyone visiting the area, though they do book up quickly in the tourist season.

After our time roaming around Deception Pass, Dylan and I headed into Anacortes for a Thai lunch and then drove to Cap Sante Park to see the view of the marina and Mount Baker, though the mountain was hiding in clouds that day (as it often does). We took the scenic route back towards Bellingham along Padilla Bay, through the tiny town of Edison, and then around Samish Bay to the Chuckanut Drive Scenic Byway. The viewpoint along Chuckanut Drive is another one of my favorite places to show visitors with its exceptional view of the San Juan Islands. I found a huge maple leaf to pose with and admired the tree that grew over a rock there. We were too early for the sunset but I highly recommend watching a sunset from here if you can! I even let Dylan drive my van home that day, which he did marvelously.

The second full day of adventures started with a drive up to the Canadian border to see Peace Arch Park. It wasn’t very busy that day making it perfect for photos standing in the International Peace Arch, a 67-foot dramatic white arch that rises from the green lawns and flowering gardens on the USA-Canada border. I had some fun straddling one of the boundary pillars and we enjoyed walking the grounds to read all the historical markers and plaques. We stopped at a small garden there where the biggest leaf I have ever seen was growing. Turns out it is a Chilean rhubarb and the leaves can grow up to 8.2 feet (2.5 m) across!

We enjoyed lunch in the border town of Blaine, then headed south to Whatcom Falls Park to walk around and see the famous waterfall and stone bridge. This park is another go-to spot for me to show people as you can stroll along Whatcom Creek and see two smaller falls, as well as a derby pond and a fish hatchery. There was still some time left before dinner, so we drove to Lake Padden Park and walked part of the 2.6 miles long trail around the lake to take in the views. This fabulous day ended with a fancy dinner at Anthony’s Hearthfire Grill at Squalicum Harbor while enjoying the sunset hues over the marina.

September 21st was an incredibly beautiful day with the sun out in full effect! En route to Ferndale, we drove over the Nooksack River where you can see some cool Metallica graffiti on the BNSF railroad trestle. Dylan and I ended up at Tennant Lake to enjoy the fragrance garden and boardwalk trail through the wetlands. I always love seeing Mount Baker on clear days like this and Dylan did a great job posing for me. Since we were in Ferndale near my buddy’s house, we made a quick stop of pose with his super cool 4-ft Sasquatch statue. Once we got back to my house, we went down to Lake Whatcom and enjoyed some time at AM/PM beach. I am super lucky to live only a few minutes from this spot that features both a sandy beach (AM) and grass beach (PM), named for the time of day they get the best sun exposure. Later that evening, Dylan wrapped himself up in my Rumpl blanket on my balcony with my cat Maverick at his side, ending another fun day.

On Dylan’s last day, we headed to Seattle to meet up with his mom Diana and explore all the touristy places we could. We started at the Space Needle, built for the 1962 World's Fair and at 605 ft (184 m) high, it was once the tallest structure west of the Mississippi River. The tower is 138 ft (42 m) wide, weighs 9,550 short tons (8,660 metric tons), and is built to withstand winds of up to 200 mph (320 km/h) and earthquakes of up to 9.0 magnitude, as strong as the 1700 Cascadia earthquake. You can lean into breathtaking views through floor-to-forever glass on their unique glass benches, though I personally had trouble with that due to my fear of heights. Sadly it was very cloudy that day so we couldn’t see Mount Rainier, but the views were still incredible. On the lower level there’s a revolving glass floor called the Loupe you can walk on, which also made me a bit nauseous.

Next up was Chihuly Garden & Glass located right next to the Space Needle. This wonderful exhibition shows off the stunning glass art of Dale Chihuly and includes eight galleries, the centerpiece glasshouse, and a lush garden. These exhibits provide a look at Chihuly’s inspiration and influences and brings together many of the elements of his work, including drawings, signature glass series, large architectural installations and his personal collections.  The 100-foot-long installation of red, orange, and yellow flowers inside of the Glasshouse is one of Chihuly's largest suspended sculptures and absolutely incredible to see in person! I was blown away by all the exhibits and highly recommend this place to anyone visiting Seattle.

Our excursion continued with a long walk to Pike Public Market to check out the shops and see the Seattle waterfront. I knew the famous Gum Wall was nearby, which we discovered was on Post Alley underneath the market. This colorful display started in the 1990s when local patrons and performers at Unexpected Productions stuck their used gum on the wall. Since those days, the wall has grown to 50 feet (15 m) long and included pieces as high as 20 feet (6.1 m)! The wall was cleaned in November 2015, taking 130 hours to complete, with over 2,350 pounds (1,070 kg) of gum removed and disposed of. But gum was re-added fairly quickly after and continues to be an artistic  representation of Seattle’s unique charm and character. Dylan and I had to leave our mark so we chewed some gum real quick and added it to one of the brick archways (highlighted in red circle below). After a long walk back to my van, we headed to Kerry Park to see the iconic view of downtown Seattle and Elliott Bay.

We were starving, so we headed to the Fremont district to grab lunch. It only made sense to check out the Fremont Troll under the Aurora Bridge after we ate since we were close by. This 18-feet (5.5 m) tall troll is made of concrete and clutches an old VW car where it sits as if he just swiped it off the road. The car is an actual Volkswagen Beetle encased in concrete, which used to be red and bear a California license plate. The VW originally held a time capsule, including a plaster bust of Elvis Presley, but sadly that was stolen when the sculpture was vandalized. The troll was sculpted by Steve Badanes, along with two of his University of Washington architecture students, Will Martin and Ross Whitehead, and Steve’s then-girlfriend Donna Walter in 1990 after winning a competition organized by the Fremont Art Council. In addition to taking photos with the troll, I added both my Barb Rocks and Maverick stickers to the Troll Avenue sign. We also saw the 14-foot Joe Rantz statue in the Fremont neighborhood, honoring the University of Washington rowing team that won the gold medal in the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, Germany.

Our last stop of the day was Washington Park Arboretum on the shores of Lake Washington. This 230 acres park contains a dynamic assortment of plants, some found nowhere else in the Northwest. The arboretum is known for its Azalea Way, a stretch of the park which offers a unique tapestry of azaleas of many colors and best viewed in the springtime. Since we only had 1.5 hours to stroll around, we focused our time on the Lookout Trail delighted by the various collections of plants and ponds we discovered along the way.

Our explorations came to an end on the evening of September 22nd and it was time to head to SeaTac airport to drop Dylan off for his flight home to Ventura, California. Then I drove Diana to the ferry station so she could get back to her home in Sequim. I would say we accomplished a lot in a short period of time and had the best time together!

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Exploring The Olympic Peninsula In 2021

I met fellow PNW Blogger Aimee Danielson back in 2021 when I first moved to Washington. She and I instantly hit it off and became friends and started camping and exploring together. Our first camping trip was in August 2021 where we met at South Beach Campground along the Washington coast, just north of the Quinault Reservation. Even though I have driven up and down this stretch of Highway 101 a few times already, I only overnighted a few times along the coast, but never actually camped properly, making this a fun, new adventure. South Beach Campground is a first-come, first-serve campground right on the southern end of the Olympic National Park, right after the Ashenbrenner Day Use Area. There are 55 campsites very close together, half of which are ocean front, and an easy walking path to access the beach below. This campground is only open May 21 through September 7, so keep that in mind if you plan on visiting. Since Aimee lives much closer than me, she got there early in the morning to secure a site for herself and scope out the campground for us. When I arrived, there was still a few spots left, though often this campground is quite full in the summer.

Aimee and her daughter Julie had a great ocean-front site while I parked along the inside cliff just above them. My site was right next to a culvert, which my cat Maverick loved exploring every day, plus that gave me a little more space not having a neighbor on one side. We camped for four days and were blessed with some great sunsets each night, though mornings were quite foggy. I enjoyed exploring the pebbled and sandy beach below on one of those foggy mornings, fascinated by the cool-looking tree remnants laying around. If you walk a bit north, you end up at to Beach 1, which can also be accessed via Highway 101.

Our first morning together, Aimee woke me up at 6am so we could check out Ruby Beach, which is about a 15 minute drive north. Ruby Beach is the northernmost of the southern beaches in the coastal section of the Olympic National Park and many consider it the most beautiful beach on the Olympic Peninsula. It is known for its abundant driftwood, stunning sunsets, and wild and rocky shores, with numerous sea stacks dotting the coastline. Destruction Island is located about 4 miles southwest of the beach and on a clear day you can see the island and its lighthouse from the beach. The Destruction Island Lighthouse’s Fresnel lens was removed in 1995 and is on exhibit at the Westport Maritime Museum, which I blogged about previously.

Aimee and I spent quite some time on Ruby Beach in the fog checking out all the tide pools and walking right up to the various sea stacks since the tide was super low that morning. We saw so many bright starfish, giant anemones, and shellfish stuck to the stacks up close, which is something I’ve never had the pleasure of doing before. It was also super cool to walk through the passage ways between the stacks and even go through some tunnels. We could walk out so far and even get lost in the fog that morning, leading to some fun photo captures!

Later that night, Aimee wanted to do some astrophotography, so we headed out around 11pm up to La Push on the Quilete Reservation to see how the light pollution was. First we stopped near the James Island View Point but there was a lot of lights from the marina and town there. Then we headed to Rialto Beach where it was significantly darker. After a few hours out in the cold night, we headed back south to Ruby Beach, where Aimee took a few more captures of the night sky. We finally got back around 3:30am and crashed hard after a long night! These four photos are courtesy of Aimee and I appreciate her letting me post them.

I slept in the next day and then we headed to the town of Forks, made famous by the Twilight Saga. We visited a bunch of the local shops, most of which carry indigenous and Twilight focused merchandise, and then we grabbed burgers at Sully’s Drive-In. We also stopped about the Forks Timber Museum on the way out of town. The Chamber of Commerce is right next door and displays the famous red trucks that Bella drove in the Twilight movies.

Another must-see spot to stop at is Kalaloch Beach, where you can find the historic lodge, campgrounds, and beach access. The name Kalaloch (pronounced klay-laak) is a corruption of the Quinault term k'–E–le–ok (pronounced Kq–â-lā'–ȯk) meaning "a good place to land." The main reason to visit Kalaloch is to see the famous Tree of Life (aka The Root Cave), which surprisingly still hangs between the eroding cliffs despite its fully exposed root system. Luckily the site wasn’t overrun by tourists when we arrived, so we only had to wait 5 minutes before having our own uninterrupted photoshoot posing with the tree and inside the root cave. I really hope to make it back to Kalaloch this year to see the tree again as predications are that this massive Sitka spruce might be on its last years as it’s becoming more and more unstable.

On our last day together, we got up early and headed to Lake Crescent, a mountainous glacier-carved lake about 20 minutes west of Port Angeles. I have loved this stunning lake since I first saw it in 2016 and was happy to check it again with friends. There was smoke in the air from the fires burning in Canada and Eastern Washington, adding an eerie backdrop to the otherwise incredible view. The plan was to paddleboard the lake, but it was super windy and cold that day leading us to the decision that it would be exhausting to go against the strong current and waves. We decided to go into the cold water and swim for awhile instead, which was amusing to us as no one else dared to go in. Before saying our goodbyes, I walked Maverick along the beach front for a bit, and then packed up to head home. Aimee and Julie went back south to the campground for another night before heading home to the Olympia area where they reside.

The last part of this trip for me was taking the Port Townsend-Coupeville ferry for the first time. Maverick was quite the hit on the ferry ride as I don’t think many people see an adventure cat on their travels. Stay tuned for more adventures coming soon!

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Big Table Ranch Near Coulterville

After my wonderful time in Yosemite back in June 2021, I drove 28 miles west to meet some amazing ladies who created a wonderful community space and venue near the historic Goldrush town of Coulterville. Nestled in the Sierra Foothills on 35 acres of open meadows, Big Table Ranch features hiking trails, a gorgeous pool and lounging area, and a guest house they rent out through Airbnb, plus various cool rustic structures and hidden treasures. The location is also near McClure Lake and Don Pedro, making it a great spot to stay if you're into boating and water sports. Owners Kim Brisack & Dawn Huston bought this property in 2015 and with some hard work and a vision, they nurtured the land and buildings to make it an incredible place for gatherings of all kind, creating community around a big table. Their motto is "when you have more than you need, build a bigger table" and they truly mean it!

My vanlife friend Bex told me about their ranch while we were at Descend on Bend in 2019 because I was looking for private land to host a California vanlife gathering, so I contacted them and they were more than happy to have me visit to see their space and discuss what they offer. Kim and Dawn welcomed me with open arms, showed me around the property, and even invited me to join them for dinner. After choosing a shady spot for my van at top of the big open field under a tree, I took an amazing shower in one of their super cool and private shower stalls, and then headed to their house to hang out with my magnanimous hosts and some of their friends who were also visiting.

Their home (known as the Big House) is a spacious barn-style building with an open floor plan, high ceilings, a big wooden table, lounge chairs and couches, and a large kitchen. Sadly I didn’t take any photos as I was busy socializing with my new friends. We talked and enjoyed appetizers on their lovely porch watching the sunset over the hills, followed by a potluck dinner that was delicious! The generosity, inclusivity, and sense of community my hosts graciously provide is truly magical and I went to sleep in my van feeling fulfilled with a sense of belonging you don’t often find. I was only there for the one night, but I can see how this ranch is a great location for any kind of event, weddings, hiking, swimming and relaxing — Kim and Dawn really have created a special place full of love and hospitality! I never did end up creating my California vanlife gathering, but I will never forget that evening and am so grateful for meeting these incredible humans and getting to experience what Big Table Ranch offers!

Even my cat Maverick approved, having the best time climbing in the big trees that my van was camped under!

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My Visit To Yosemite

While I was in California celebrating my Golden Birthday in 2021, I had the opportunity to visit Yosemite National Park for the day and then head to an amazing event venue in the Sierra Foothills that a vanlife friend told me about a few years earlier.

I left Pinecrest on June 28 and drove two hours to Yosemite National Park, which I haven’t been to since I was in high school. It was a beautiful and sunny day and I enjoyed the views along California SR-120 on my drive, also known as Tioga Pass. Since I always get the America Is Beautiful National Parks Pass every year, I was able to secure a day pass for Yosemite as the park does require reservations from April to October. Driving into Yosemite Valley, a glacier carved valley in the western Sierra Nevada mountain range, you promptly get surrounded by towering granite summits and a dense forest of pines, with well-known landmarks gracing your vision. The valley is drained by the Merced River and a multitude of streams and waterfalls flow into it, including Tenaya, Illilouette, Yosemite and Bridalveil Creeks. I took my time driving around the loop through the valley, stopping at various spots to immerse myself in the spectacular views.

Upon entering the valley, you immediately get hit by undeniable presence of El Capitan, a granite monolith that's about 3,000 feet (914 m) from base to summit along its tallest face. El Capitan is composed almost entirely of a pale, coarse-grained granite approximately 100 MYA (million years old) and is a world-famous location for big wall climbing, including the disciplines of aid climbing, free climbing, and more recently for free solo climbing. El Capitán ("the captain", "the chief") was taken to be a loose Spanish translation of the local Native American name for the cliff,.“

My next incredible view was of Yosemite Falls, the highest waterfall in North America, dropping a total of 2,425 feet (739 m) from the top of the upper fall to the base of the lower fall. Yosemite Falls is actually made up of three separate falls: Upper Yosemite Fall (1,430 feet), the Middle Cascades (675 feet), and Lower Yosemite Fall (320 feet). When I was 15, I hiked the falls to the halfway point with my high school adventure club. I’m not in hiking shape anymore, so I enjoyed the view from the valley floor, happy that the water flow is at its peak in the Spring. The Ahwahneechee people, the native people of Yosemite Valley, called the waterfall "Cholock" ("the fall") and believed that the plunge pool at its base was inhabited by the spirits of several witches, called the "Poloti.

At the end of the valley loop is the famed rock formation of Half Dome, a batholith named for its distinct shape. One side is a sheer face while the other three sides are smooth and round, making it appear like a dome cut in half. It stands at nearly 8,800 feet above sea level and is composed of quartz monzonite, an igneous rock that solidified several thousand feet within the Earth. At its core are the remains of a magma chamber that cooled slowly and crystallized beneath the Earth's surface, which was then exposed and cut in half by erosion, leading to its current shape. Originally named “Tis-sa-ack,” an Ahwahnechee phrase for Cleft Rock, Half Dome has been the home to many famous ascents, including the first known ascent by George Anderson in 1875, who drilled holes into the smooth granite to scale the rock’s face.

It was such a beautiful day that I made a few stops along the Merced River to walk the trail. The Merced River first formed as the Sierra Nevada rose about 10 million years ago, and sediment eroded from its canyon helped form the flat floor of the San Joaquin Valley. Glaciation during the ice ages carved the high elevation parts of the watershed, including Yosemite Valley, into their present shape. Many Native American tribes have lived on the Merced River including the Miwok, Paiute, and Ahwahneechee. In the early 19th century, military expeditions sent by Spanish colonists from coastal California traveled into the Central Valley, and on one of these trips, headed by lieutenant Gabriel Moraga, the colonists arrived on the south bank of the Merced River thirsty and low on provisions. They named the river Rio de Nuestra Señora de la Merced (River of Our Lady of Mercy) because it provided much needed water. I definitely recommend walking around, checking out the Superintendent's Bridge, the Sentinel Bridge, and other bridges to take in all the views, and even taking a dip into the river while you’re visiting.

Another unforgettable view is that of Bridalveil Fall, which is 617 ft (188 m) in height and flows year round. While most of the falls in Yosemite are spawned by the glacier carved hanging valleys pouring the waterways into steep cascades, the primary source of Bridalveil Fall is Ostrander Lake, some 9.9 miles (16 km) to the south. In a brisk wind, the falling water is often blown sideways, and when the flow is light, it may not reach the ground directly below. Because of this, the Ahwahneechee Native Americans called this waterfall "Pohono", which means "Spirit of the Puffing Wind". As you can see in my photos, the wind definitely blew the top of the fall like a fan while the rest cascaded down the rocks to the bottom.

Since I entered the park through the north entrance, I didn’t experience the spectacular Tunnel View until I worked my way out on the south end, stopping at the vista point east of the Wawona Tunnel portal. The area was full of tourists taking in the view that Ansel Adams made famous. Luckily I found a parking spot and joined my fellow sightseers in capturing this unforgettable view of Yosemite Valley that features the southwest face of El Capitan on the left, Half Dome on axis, and Bridalveil Fall on the right.

Next up was driving up the south wall to check out the overlooks with commanding views of the valley below via Glacier Point Road. My first stop was Washburn Point where one has the perfect side angle view of Half Dome, without seeing any of its face, as well as the stunning view of the “giant staircase,” the cliff wall containing Nevada Fall and Vernal Fall, with Mount Broderick and Liberty Cap watching over the falls. The afternoon clouds were turning a bit moody in shades blue and gray, lending an ominous feel to the landscape, with hints of sunny clouds in the distance. It almost felt like there was a storm brewing, casting a shadow over the panoramic view.

Then I headed to Glacier Point, a world-renowned overlook that gives visitors a grand view of the valley from above and a captivating vista of the park's southeastern high peaks. Glacier Point is located on the south wall of Yosemite Valley at an elevation of 7,214 feet (2,199 m). I recommend walking the whole viewpoint to get different glimpses of all the sights, including a more angled view of Half Dome with its face, as well as the giant staircase of falls, and Clouds Rest, a massive granite formation just northeast of Half Dome.

As I left Yosemite and drove east towards Groveland, I happened to drive by the Stanislaus National Forest vista point named “Rim of the World” so I stopped at the roadside pullout to take in the view. It overlooks the deep canyon of the Tuolumne River with the Sierra peaks in the distance, though the view is partially obstructed by power lines. It’s definitely worth pulling over to soak in a breath-taking, panoramic view, but you’ll also notice the scars of the devastation of the “Rim Fire,” a forest fire that hit the place in August 2013, the third-largest wildfire in California's recorded history and the largest recorded in the Sierra Nevada at the time.

Seeing Yosemite as an adult was beyond my expectations. It’s one of the most popular national parks with photos inundating the internet, but unless you experience it in person, you will never fully understand the awe and amazement of this incredible glacier carved wonder! Stay tuned for my next post about a ranch near Coulterville that’s available for hosting various events.

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Celebrating 50 Years On Earth!

My perception of what 50 looked like was very different than how I actually felt when I turned a half century old. I don’t feel 50, but back in 2021, my golden birthday was upon me and I couldn’t think of a better place to celebrate this milestone than in California where I have lived most of my life!

My San Jose Besties and I, known by the moniker “DEJA B” (based on our first name initials), have been going camping together at Pinecrest Lake every summer for over a decade. In 2021, it just turned out that our camping trip was right before my birthday, making it an ideal time for a road trip to see my friends and then celebrate in the Bay Area after. My trip began on June 19th as I headed south along I-5 to Oregon. It was a beautiful sunny day with clear skies and I ended up near Lebanon to see my cool friend Kim for the night. It’s always convenient to have a safe overnight spot and luckily I have a few great friends along the way that I usually stop at. The next morning I continued on south into California, passing Weed and Mount Shasta, and ending up in Chico at my friends Julie and Eric’s house for the night. Continuing on the next morning, I stopped in Marysville for lunch along Ellis Lake and let Maverick explore a bit and watch the ducks. Then my journey south took me passed Copperopolis and Lake Tulloch and finally ending up in Pinecrest at our campsite in the early evening.

We camped for six days in the forested campgrounds right by the lake and enjoyed our daily swims and campfires. Since there’s no data service at Pinecrest, I drove up to Dodge Ridge every few days to get some things done on my phone while Maverick explored the rocks. My hiking in Washington for a few months prepared me to hike the Pinecrest Lake Loop, which is almost 4 miles around. Check out my Instagram Reel from that hiking adventure to get an idea of what the trail is like. It was a hot day, so I was a bit drained at the end of the hike, but it was totally worth it! My besties had a small 50th celebration for me the last night with lots of decorations and a “50 Looks Good On Me” sash. I had a great time celebrating with these lovely ladies who have been my besties for over a decade!

Following our camping adventure, I visited Yosemite for the day and then made it back to my old stomping grounds in San Jose. On my actual birthday July 2, my bestie Joanna hosted a pool party at her house for the extended DEJAB group, which was an absolute blast! Then the following day, my lifelong friend Barbara (yes we have the same name & are both Swiss), whom I’ve known since I was 5 years old, offered up her incredible property for my Big 50 Birthday Party, which was super sweet of her. Around 30 of my favorite people showed up to celebrate with me for the evening with a taco truck and lots of wine! It was so good to see everyone and spend time with them catching up on life events. I even had one of my Clubhouse friends named Max show up, whom I hadn’t met in person before, as well as some vanlife friends whom I met a few months earlier! It was a bittersweet goodbye at the end because I knew I wouldn’t see many of these people for a long time since I don’t live in the Bay Area anymore.

After the birthday festivities, I headed to Clearlake to celebrate 4th of July with the Chesterman Family, more dear friends of mine whom I have a long history with. They have a lovely lakehouse in Lakeport and we celebrated Independence Day with boat rides during the day and fireworks at night! I realized I didn’t take any photos of the group, so this is all I have to share with you from that patriotic day.

I headed north the following day to Cottonwood, where Rebecca and Ed live, friends and neighbors through yoga class from a few years before I moved. I spent the day and night with them at their new place along the Sacramento River learning all about how they ended up living at Lake California and how they are adjusting to their move. I sadly didn’t take any photos of us but I did get a few good sunset shots.

As you can see, I am lucky to have a lot of wonderful friends that I can visit and stay with whenever I travel from Washington to California, many of which are conveniently located off major routes I take to get around. My 50th was a highly memorable birthday and this road trip really allowed me to spend time with most of the people that I proudly call friends and love my with my heart!

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Chasing Waterfalls Near Vancouver WA

Chasing waterfalls is a passion for many people, myself included. But what is it about waterfalling (a coined expression that’s short for visiting waterfalls) that provides such benefits? Not surprising, the continuous sound of water flow, like that of white noise, has a soothing effect on most people. Plus with easy access to so many waterfalls without tedious hikes to get to them, it’s a quick way to get in touch with nature, witness its miracles, and be around water, the source of life on Earth, all in one!

After enjoying four waterfall hikes in Southern Oregon, I went to visit some friends in Vancouver, WA, and got myself a good night’s rest. My plan was to venture straight home the next day, but my friends told me about two waterfall parks I could visit with only a slight detour, so of course I had to visit those falls!

I left the morning of June 2, 2021, and headed to Lucia Falls Park. This 24-acre park follows the north shore of the East Fork of the Lewis River and features beautiful picnicking and hiking areas. An easy 1.1-miles roundtrip loop takes you to the spectacular view of Lucia Falls tumbling over the rocks. No swimming or other types of water contact are allowed here because the waters are sensitive fish spawning grounds. The park gives visitors a wonderful front row view of steelhead leaping up the falls at certain times of the year. The falls are at their mightiest during the wet season since the river flow is much reduced after the snow melt.

Next up was Moulton Falls Regional Park, a 387-acre park at the confluence of the East Fork of the Lewis River and Big Tree Creek which features two waterfalls and an arch bridge more than three stories high. The park sits on both sides of the river and is heavily forested and includes a few areas of interest including volcanic rock formations from early lava flows, historic Indian meeting grounds, a swing bridge on Big Tree Creek and access to the 7.5-mile Bells Mountain Trail. Swimming and cliff jumping into the deep pools is allowed, however, there are no lifeguards on duty. The Chelatchie Prairie Railroad excursion train also passes through the park.

I hiked maybe a third of the 4-mile out-and-back trail along the river, getting a great view of Moulton Falls and the arch bridge, but got a bit confused on which way to go to get from Moulton Falls to Big Tree Falls (aka Yacolt Falls). Then I read that you could drive up the road a bit further and park close to Big Tree Falls, so I did that instead. It’s just a short jaunt down from the roadside parking to the falls, making it a quick and convenient stop! I was definitely more impressed with this view as it’s a two-tier waterfall totaling around 28 feet and flowing under a lovely and unique foot drawbridge, from which you get an even greater view of the falls. I highly recommend either hiking or driving to Big Tree Falls when you’re in the park.

Both Lucia Falls Park and Moulton Falls Park follow part of the Northern Clark County Scenic Drive, a 70-mile loop skirts past farmland, waterfalls, and historic sites. It just happened to be that if I continued to follow this scenic byway further north and then east, I would get to Interstate-5 to head home, so it only made sense to enjoy the drive through the quaint rural towns on this wonderful sunny day.

My eight day journey came to a close that evening with my heart full of wonderful memories of another fun road trip! On a side note, turns out there are quite a few more waterfalls in Clark County that I missed, so now I know where to go the next time I’m in the area!

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Southern Oregon's Highway of Waterfalls

After enjoying the incredible beauty of Crater Lake, I headed to the Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway (OR-138), also known as the “Highway of Waterfalls.” This 172-mile byway ascends from Interstate-5 into the southern Cascades, tracking two of Oregon's most storied rivers. The first leg of the trip follows the North Umpqua east from Roseburg. A river of unparalleled beauty, the North Umpqua is revered worldwide for its steelhead fishing. After passing more than a half dozen waterfalls, the byway reaches sparkling Diamond Lake, at the base of Mount Thielsen. The byway then bends south, and soon follows the "Wild and Scenic" Rogue River. I've read that there are fifteen waterfalls along the Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway, so if you're a waterfall chaser like me, this could be the adventure you're looking for in the Southern Oregon region!

I only traveled the part from Crater Lake to Roseburg and managed to see four of the waterfalls en route in the few hours I had. It was a hot day in the mid-90’s, which was one of the factors for how many hikes I was able to do on June 1, 2021. I think I would have managed a few more stops and hikes if the weather had been cooler.

Since I was traveling from east to west, my first stop was Diamond Lake, a natural lake situated in the heart of the Cascade Mountains and surrounded by stunning natural beauty. The lake is named after its crystal-clear waters that sparkle like diamonds in the sunlight. The lake is located at an elevation of 5,183 feet above sea level and covers an area of 2,824 acres, making it one of the largest natural lakes in Oregon. It was formed as a result of glacial activity during the last Ice Age and is fed by several streams and is drained by the North Umpqua River. It’s a great place for fishing, boating, camping, and snowmobiling with various lodging options (resort, campground, RV park). I plan to camp here some day in the future as that water sure looked inviting!

After soaking in the views at Diamond Lake, I started my waterfall chase. First up was Clearwater Falls, which is a quick stop off the highway with the viewing platform for the falls is just steps from the parking lot. The Clearwater River is fed by a spring not too far upstream from here, so the falls are fairly consistent in flow throughout the year, cascading 30 feet over moss covered rocks and fallen logs. There are picnic tables there, so it’s a nice spot to take a break and relax. There’s also a campground there that is open seasonally for $10.

I made a quick stop at Stump Lake between Clearwater and Whitehorse Falls to see what this 10-acre lake was all about. Turns out it’s a popular birding and fishing spot, stocked with brook trout.

Next up was Whitehorse Falls, a beautiful small 15 feet waterfall also located on the Clearwater River that tumbles into a small pond. Like Clearwater Falls located further upstream, Whitehorse Falls is not a large or impressive waterfall when compared with others nearby, but the tranquility of the area and the beautiful old growth Douglas fir forest found here make it a worthwhile stop. Plus it’s a short 0.1 mile walk through some tree cover to see the falls. There is also a seasonal campground at this location for $10.

Watson Falls, often touted as Oregon's 3rd tallest waterfall, are actually further down the list per Northwest Waterfall Survey, but its impressive 294-foot continuous drop gives it a lot of clout! There are two viewpoints along this 1 mile, family friendly loop trail which has about 425 ft elevation gain through old-growth forest. You can feel the mist of the falls at the upper viewpoint, so watch your footing as some of the rocks can be a bit slippery. I really enjoyed the hike through the old growth forest and seeing all the little falls along the stream as well. From the parking lot you can also access Watson Creek and dip your feet into the cool water. Sadly the bathroom and parking lot were strewn with litter, which was beyond disappointing to see, once again reminding me that humanity doesn’t always appreciate and respect public places and realize their impact on the environment.

My last waterfall hike of the day was Toketee Falls, the best-known waterfall on the North Umpqua River. Once you park your vehicle, you’ll notice a long pipeline along the road. This 12-foot diameter redwood-stave flowline was constructed in 1949 as part of the North Umpqua Hydroelectric Project. The water that flows through the pipeline still powers three generator turbines, producing energy for 22,500 homes.Despite only being 1 mile in and out, the trail to the falls does involves a series of almost 200 steps along the side of the canyon (about 200 ft elevation gain), ending at the viewpoint platform above the chasm of the amphitheater constructed of columnar basalt. Two tiers are visible from the viewpoint, the 80-foot lower plunge and a 40-foot upper falls, with a third tier invisible to viewers up the narrow defile of giant potholes above the main falls. Toketee (pronounced TOKE-uh-tee) is a Chinook jargon word meaning "pretty" or "graceful" which describes these falls perfectly! I did notice that a bunch of people were scrambling down the side of the canyon from the viewing platform so they could get into the pool of water, but there are many warning signs posted about the dangers of doing that. I highly encourage my readers not to follow suit as all that trampling is just eroding the ground and destroying the vegetation, in addition to being very unsafe. Practice “leave no trace” principles wherever you go and stay on trails!

If you ever drive this scenic highway, I highly recommend stopping at all the falls. Even though I didn’t do them all, there are quite a few more worth checking out: Warm Spring Falls, Lemolo Falls, Steamboat Falls, Fall Creek Falls, Deadline Falls, and Susan Creek Falls. For all you fishing enthusiasts, Swiftwater Recreation Area is a good place to go for steelhead and salmon fishing. Plus I know I plan to go to Umpqua Hot Springs next time I’m in the area! Watch the video in this guide to get some inspiration on where to camp while in the area seeing the falls!

My trip from Washington to Northern California and back through Oregon is almost done with one post left about some waterfalls hikes near Vancouver, Washington!

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The Incredible Beauty Of Crater Lake

Following my day exploring Lassen and Burney Falls, I left Northern California and headed into Oregon. I decided to check out Crater Lake National Park, which I had only been to once before in 2016 for a brief visit. Formed nearly 8,000 years ago, Crater Lake sits atop Mount Mazama, part of the Cascade Range spanning northern California to southern British Columbia. Mount Mazama’s eruption about 5700 B.C. catapulted volcanic ash miles into the sky and expelled so much pumice and ash that the summit soon collapsed, creating a huge, smoldering caldera. Eventually, rain and snowmelt accumulated in the caldera, forming a lake more than 1,900 feet deep, making it the deepest in the United States. There are many activities one can do around Crater Lake depending on the season. Hiking, backpacking, camping, picnicking and sight seeing are popular pursuits within the park, though there is limited access from October to June. Boating and scenic driving around Rim Drive can be enjoyed by visitors during the summer months. In winter snowshoeing and cross-country skiing provide solitude and a little-known view of the park.

There was still a lot of snow when I arrived on June 1, 2021, therefore, only the West Rim was open while the East Rim was still closed. Since I drove in from the South Entrance, I first stopped along Annie Creek Canyon viewpoints and learned all about fossilized steam events that sculpted the rocky spires in this river valley. Once I arrived at the rim, I stopped at Rim Village and did the self-guided walking tour along the snowy path to admire this incredibly blue, mirror-like lake. I wasn’t prepared for all the snow, but I still trekked through some big piles of snow to get to all the various vista points to soak in the wonderful views. Did you know that Crater Lake is so blue because longer wavelengths of sunlight (red, yellow, and green) are absorbed by water while blue light is not absorbed well? Blue strikes the water and is scattered and redirected back from the lake depths to our eyes. Crater Lake is also known for its unique clarity and purity because it’s only filled with rain and snow melt, no streams empty into it which usually bring the sediments that turn waters cloudy. I also learned about Samuel T. Mather from a commemorative plaque along the rim since “he laid the foundation of the national park service, defining and establishing the policies under which its areas shall be developed and conserved unimpaired for future generations.”

Next, I headed to the Discovery Point Overlook, where gold prospector John Wesley Hillman, who was actually looking for Lost Creek Mine, first spotted Crater Lake in 1853, calling it “Deep Blue Lake.” I also made some stops on the non-lake side of Rim Drive to see the volcanoes and mountains in the distance. I believe they are Mount Shasta, Mount Thielsen, Diamond Peak, Union Peak, and some others in the photos below.

I continued north to Watchman Overlook, another wonderful spot to stop to see a slightly different angle of the lake, though sadly the trail to Watchman Lookout was closed, as most trails were due to the snow. You pass very close to Hillman Peak around this part of Rim Drive, the highest peak on the caldera rim and the second-highest peak in the park. My last stop was Merriam Point Overlook near North Junction where you have the closest view of Wizard Island, which some call the most interesting feature on Crater Lake. It’s also the perfect place to see Llao Rock, Garfield Peak, Mount McLoughlin, and Mount Scott, who’s summit is the highest point in the park. While I was there in 2021, the Bronze Relief Map had not yet been erected at this overlook, but visitors now get to see this tactile map to enhance learning and understanding of the scope of the park and the depth of the lake, especially for kinesthetic learners and people with visual impairments.

Following the cataclysmic caldera-forming eruption of Mount Mazama, which left a hole about 4,000 feet (1,200 m) deep where the mountain had once stood, a series of smaller eruptions over the next several hundred years formed several cinder cones on the caldera floor. The highest of these cones, the only one to rise above the current lake level, is Wizard Island, which rises over 2,700 feet (820 m) above the lowest point on the caldera floor and the deepest point in the lake. One day I really want to experience the Wizard Island Boat Tour and see this 763-foot cinder cone up close. While on Wizard Island, you can hike the 2.2-mile roundtrip Wizard Island Summit Trail which has a path leading to the 90-foot deep crater at the summit. The hardest part of this journey is that you need to hike the Cleetwood Cove Trail to get down to the boat dock, which is very steep and strenuous as it drops approximately 700 feet in 1.1 miles and can take 30-45 minutes to descend, and then you have to hike it back up at the end of the day when you must ascend the 11% grade back to Rim Drive (comparable to climbing 65 flights of stairs). It’s a full day’s trip, but I’m sure it is worth it!

As most of my friends know, I’m 100% a water person and love being in, on, or around water as often as possible. The idea of swimming in Crater Lake sounds beyond amazing to the mermaid inside me and some day I hope to accomplish this feat and tackle that steep hike so that I can jump in. I’ve heard that swimming in the crystal blue waters is quite refreshing on a hot day, though during summer the average surface temperature of the lake is only 57 degrees F (14 degrees C). If you ever decide to make the trek down to the water, be sure to follow the rules as only bathing suits and basic clothing may be worn in the water to protect the clarity of the lake and decrease the possibility of introducing invasive species. Do NOT bring or use scuba and snorkeling gear, wet suits, masks, goggles, fins, inner tubes or any towable devices, kayaks, canoes, paddle boards and any motorized or non-motorized boats, inflatable rafts, flotation devices, personal life jackets or vests, nor waders. The park also recommends to have warm, dry clothing available to immediately put on after being in the lake. Swimming is only allowed within 100 yards of Cleetwood Cove and within 100 yards of Wizard Island, provided that swimmers remain at least 50 feet away from any boat, boat dock or buoy. Doesn’t this photo just beg you to jump in!!!

After my time at Crater Lake, I continued my trip through Oregon on my way home. Up next is the waterfall hikes I did in the Umpqua National Forest!

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Lassen Volcanic Park, Manzanita Lake & Burney Falls

After my time at Descend on Lost Sierra, I headed north to Lassen Volcanic National Park on May 31, 2021. Did you know that Lassen Peak is the largest plug dome volcano in the world and the southernmost volcano in the Cascade Range? Lassen Volcanic National Park is also one of the few areas in the world where all four types of volcano can be found—plug dome, shield, cinder cone, and stratovolcano.

I enjoyed the drive through the volcanic landscape with hopes that I could hike the Bumpass Hell Trailhead and witness the largest hydrothermal area in the park. Sadly the trail was still closed due to the snow, making this the 2nd time I haven’t had the pleasure of seeing the 16 acres of boiling springs and mud pots, hissing steam vents, and roaring fumaroles up close! The first time I came to Lassen in 2018, this 3-mile roundtrip trail was closed for maintenance, so it looks like I’ll have to come back to Lassen again to conquer this trail and see the volcanic activity from the new boardwalks.

As you drive through this amazing national park from the Southwest entrance to Northwest entrance, you get stunning views of Mt Diller, Brokeoff Mountain, Eagle Peak, and Mt Lassen, as well as Reading Peak and Hat Mountain. The snow on the ground and the blue sky with some puffy clouds made for a great background really capturing the beauty of all these incredible peaks! I made it a point to stop at Emerald Lake and Lake Helen at the base of Lassen since these two icy lakes often reflect the mountain peaks and trees perfectly. Lake Helen is a glacial lake or a tarn occupying a cirque, an amphitheatre-like valley formed by glacial erosion, and its incredible blue color comes from the unique mineral content of the lake. Since the lake is at a high elevation at around 8,200 feet, the lake is frozen and covered in deep snow for most of the year from around October/November until July/August despite being over 100 feet deep. While Lake Helen is deep and blue, Emerald Lake gets its green color from vegetation that grows in its shallow waters. Some day I plan to hike the 5-mile hike to the top of Lassen Peak but I wasn’t eager to do it in snow that day.

I was excited to get to Manzanita Lake on the north end of the park as it’s one of my favorite lakes to hike around! This 1.6-mile trail around the lake has so many wonderful views that I took lots of photos to capture its beauty on this warm spring day with deep blue skies and some white puffy clouds. Manzanita Lake is one of the most photographed lakes in Lassen and the centerpiece of the park’s main visitor area. It’s also a great place to camp with 179 campsites near the lakefront. After my stroll around the lake, I took advantage of being the only one at the Chaos Crags viewpoint, another great place to stop in this amazing volcanic park. These crags formed as six dacite domes 1,100-1,000 years ago, one dome collapsing during an explosive eruption about 70 years later. The eruptions at the Chaos Crags mark one of just three instances of Holocene activity within the Lassen volcanic center.

My time in Lassen came to an end so I drove to one of my other favorite spots in Northern California and possibly the most beautiful waterfalls I’ve seen in my adult life — Burney Falls! Located in the McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, this 129-foot-tall, fern-draped cascade of water seems to come out of nowhere. The water comes from underground springs above and at the falls and provides an almost constant flow rate of 100 million gallons (379 million liters) per day, even during the dry summer months. It’s no wonder 26th President Teddy Roosevelt dubbed it “the eighth wonder of the world”! Every time I come here, I dip into the clear icy pool of water which never goes much above 42*F. Considering it was in the high-90’s that day, I really enjoyed the cold water and soaked in the incredible views. Burney Falls is an outstanding example of a waterfall and stream fed by large springs that are commonly associated with areas covered by recent lava flows, and also of a waterfall formed by the undercutting of horizontal rock layers. The soft white rock is diatomite and its presence is evidence that a very large lake once filled the region and supported abundant tiny freshwater plankton called diatoms. Interesting fact for you, the trail to Burney Falls that runs over Burney Creek also hits the Pacific Crest Trail.

Later that afternoon, I headed past the Lake Britton Bridge, the old railroad trestle shown in the 1986 movie “Stand By Me” and took a quick photo of the dilapidated trestle. The bridge was built in 1955 on the McCloud River Railroad, primarily a logging railroad. The steel bridge is 450 feet long and is about 75 feet above the waters of Lake Britton. The bridge has now been stripped of rails and is no long in use and there is a blockade placed in front to restrict access after a Reno man was killed jumping off the bridge. This part of the Burney branch was operational until 2005. I’ve always admired the water below and plan to camp along the northshore of Lake Britton at some point to enjoy paddling around this beautiful reservoir.

I have boondocked near the McCloud Falls on US Forest land a few years prior, so I headed there with the plan to spend the night nestled among the tall trees. As I was settling in, I noticed that the sky was turning into some great sunset colors, so I decided to chase the sunset instead and headed to Mt Shasta, stopping to capture the golden hour on the mountain. Instead of backtracking to McCloud, I decided to spend the night at the rest stop past Weed near the airport that night.

My next blog post is about Crater Lake National Park, which I went to the next morning!

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Inaugural Descend On Lost Sierra 2021

Back in May 2021, I ventured from Washington to the Sierra Butte region of California's High Sierra to attend the inaugural Descend on Lost Sierra. The term “Lost Sierra” is attributed to William Berry, one-time official historian of the United States Ski Association, who used the term to describe the region when he visited it for the first time circa 1933. Many publications also refer to the area as Northern California's best kept secret as it doe not get as many tourists and many of the towns are still quite small and quaint. I highly recommend exploring the Lost Sierra if you’re near the Plumas and Sierra Counties, about an hour drive north of Truckee.

My journey started on May 26th driving south of Interstate-5 to Oregon with a quick stop at Gee Creek Safety Area, which is part of the Blue Star Memorial Highways and has a war memorial plaque for the men and women who have endured hardships as prisoners of war, who have been killed in action, and those who are still missing in action. There is also an interesting old wooden sign there about Fort Vancouver, which is located about 13 miles south. After a stroll around the rest stop with my cat Maverick, I continued on the freeway down to Eugene, OR, where I spent the night in front of a Boondockers Welcome host in the countryside.

The next morning I headed east past burnt Oregon forests to Klamath Falls near the California border and enjoyed lunch in Veterans Memorial Park, my favorite spot to stop there due to the lovely water view of Lake Ewauna. This time around, I actually walked around the veterans memorial which features memorial bricks for past and present military personnel, a covered pavilion, and a display of Locomotive#2579 used by the Southern Pacific Railroad. The sky and clouds were magnificent that day creating an incredible backdrop for photos!

After my park explorations, I headed south into California and stopped at Eagle Lake to see if it would be a great place to spend the night and possibly get a swim in. I stopped at Rocky Point East Campground to check out this small undeveloped campground. Unlike the developed campgrounds along the lake, this site is most suitable for self-contained camping like a camper van as there is no potable water nor trash removal available and only a vault toilet for use. The lake was super low and access for swimming impractical, so I gave up on that idea and just enjoyed the view. It was a bit windy that afternoon and sadly I didn’t realize my fedora hats got blown out my open back doors, including one my mom gave me before she passed away and my favorite black and zebra one, which are now lost forever! Due to the wind and lack of swimming access, I left and continued on to find a good overnight spot. I ended up driving just outside of Portola, only 30 minutes away from where Descend was taking place on a private ranch, and arrived just in time for a wonderful sunset, which I enjoyed from the L.T. Davis Rest Area before town.

The next morning I drove to Sierra Valley Basecamp where the event was taking place and found the perfect spot for my van along the edge of camp near some vanlife friends I knew from prior gatherings and waited for more of my friends to arrive. Descend on Bend has been my favorite vanlife gathering since 2018 when I attended my first one, so I was excited to be part of their new venture in Northern California. I volunteered to help out working the registration/merchandise area, hanging out with the organizers and the usual “Descend family” that you see at every one of their gatherings. I especially loved the rustic and romantic 19th century barn on site with an awesome stage and a cool saloon where we watched all the amazing artists and bands perform.

I camped with my good friend Ricardo and my new friend Mary, whom I met a few weeks earlier in a hot spring near Mammoth (see previous post). Mary has a super cool old Swiss Army Pinzgauer radio truck that got a lot of attention during the three day festival! One highlight was meeting talented artist Jacques, who joined our little group and has become a good friend of mine since. I was also camped near the Sēkr crew and Josiah from The Journal of Lost Time, who’s dog Rona tried to get into my van daily, freaking Maverick out a bit. On Sunday the 30th, I even got to meet up with my good Bay Area friends who just happen to have a vacation home near Portola and were there that weekend with some other mutual friends, so they picked me up and we enjoyed some lake time at Lake Davis Recreation Area to cool off as temperatures were in the mid-90’s. Then we went to their cabin to eat and play games until they dropped me off at the festival grounds that evening. It was so good to see them as it had been a few years!

It was sad to say goodbye to everyone the following day and head to our respective home bases, but memories from this gathering will forever be in my heart! The people you bond with at a Descend event generally turn into lifelong friends and I always look forward to seeing them the following years.

I originally planned to drive to Chico to visit some other friends, but a heatwave was hitting California with over 100*F temps in the valley, so I headed north to the cooler regions to stay away from the roasting areas. Read all about the next chapter of my journey as I worked my way home with stops at Lassen Volcanic National Park & McArthur-Burney Falls, Crater Lake National Park, the Rogue Umpqua Scenic Byway, and the North Clark County Scenic Drive (near Vancouver, WA)!

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My VanFest Road Trip In 2021

Back in May 2021, I went out a fun journey to Utah for the inaugural VanFest. I had big plans to meet up with my friend Ricardo and caravan through a lot of the national and state parks/monuments in Utah and even get to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, but he sadly couldn’t commit to week long road trip. I still planned to explore solo, but the universe had a different plan for me and the adventure I went on was still amazing and unforgettable!

My trip started on May 2 and took me from my home base in Bellingham over Snoqualmie Pass into Eastern Washington and through Yakima, the “Palm Springs of WA,” and then south into Oregon over the Columbia River at Umatilla. One highlight was coming down I-82 after passing Yakima and seeing both Mount Rainier to the north and Mount Adams to the south towering in the distance. I stopped quickly at Selah Creek Rest Area where I took some great photos of the valley below, then headed on. I found a wonderful camping spot called Spring Recreation Site along the Browlee Reservoir, a 52-mile long reservoir on the Snake River. Campsites there are only $5/night, though if you have an America Is Beautiful pass, it’s half that. For those of you that don’t care to have a paid campsite, there’s quite a few pullouts along the road you can overnight at for free instead.

The next morning I crossed into Idaho, my first time in this state, and drove through Nampa and Boise. I heard that Twin Falls was a must-see spot, so I took the small detour to check it out. I was pretty blown away by this lovely city along the Snake River Canyon and even more impressed by Shoshone Falls, the “Niagara of the West”! Shoshone Falls is 212 feet (65 m) in height, 45 feet (14 m) higher than Niagara Falls and flows over a rim nearly one thousand feet (300 m) in width. Luckily it was not a busy day so I didn’t have to battle any crowds while taking photos at all the viewpoints. I also stopped at Dierkes Lake, a popular swimming and fishing hole less than a mile up the road. I hope to spend more time in Southern Idaho in the future because there are actually over 30 waterfalls in the “City of Waterfalls” and even more in the surrounding region, including Perrine Coulee, Pillar Falls, Auger Falls, Twin Falls, Mermaid Cove, Cauldron Linn (Lynn), Ross Falls & Phantom Falls.

After my afternoon visit to Twin Falls, I headed south into Utah and stopped in Salt Lake City for the night to visit my friend Wayne. He drove me around his city right during the golden hour which really lights up Mount Olympus and the Wasatch Range. The clouds turned a lovely shade of pink that night as we ate dinner and hung out at his fire pit. I had read about Big & Little Cottonwood Canyons and decided to explore those the next morning. Big Cottonwood Canyon is a 15-mile scenic drive and home to two world-class ski resorts (Solitude & Brighton), legendary rock climbing routes, epic backcountry skiing access, hiking and mountain biking trails, and picnic areas straight out of an outdoor magazine. Little Cottonwood Canyon is the 7-mile “littler" scenic drive and home to world famous Snowbird and Alta ski resorts, as well as the Albion Basin, which encompasses Alta and is famous for its wildflowers, making it one of the most photographed areas in northern Utah.

I read that Donut Falls was an easy waterfall hike within Big Cottonwood Canyon, so I decided to stop and take the trail. The waterfall gets its name from a donut-hole shape in the rock. The falls pours through the hole into a small pool in a cave before trickling down the rocks. Normally this is an easy 1.5 mile trail, but during the winter the gate is closed to get to the starting point, so you have to park at the Mill D Trailhead, which adds roughly a mile round-trip to the hike. Since the weather was warm and sunny, I didn’t expect the trail to be covered in snow, but luckily I had my trekking poles with me! The hike ended up being quite the feat in the snow without spikes on my shoes; I even fell and slid on my ass and got all muddy, and the last part uphill to get to the falls required knee-deep steps with my poles supporting me the whole way. Sadly the snow covered a lot of the donut hole so one couldn’t get the full waterfall view and experience, but I was still proud of my first hike in the snow! I have since learned to carry micro spikes for my hiking shoes with me in the van.

While looking for a cool overnight spot, I found some spots along Highway 92 on iOverlander, an app I use fo find off-grid boondocking spots, and decided to head there. It seemed liked another cool mountain road to explore that would take my through Robert Redford’s Sundance and Provo Canyon the following day. What I didn’t know was that this road is closed during the winter or when snow hasn’t fully melted yet. I got about a third of the way there when I hit the road closure and had to turn around. The one good part was that there was a stunning viewpoint there but sadly I didn’t take any photos. Maybe another time I can take the Alpine Loop Scenic Drive along Mount Timpanogos and stop to see Timpanogos Cave National Monument. I ended up in the Cedar Hills area for the night, parked along farmland and enjoyed a peaceful nights rest.

My buddy Wayne recommend I ditch I-15 South and take Heritage Highway 89 instead on my way to Southwest Utah, so I did exactly that! I didn’t make all the stops that this article recommends, but I did enjoy seeing the countryside and valleys this route offers. I was intrigued by Panguitch Lake and decided to check it out and see if it was a viable place to spend the night. This lake has 10 miles of shoreline and is a popular fishing spot. Its name comes from the Paiute Native American word for “big fish” which is most appropriate considering that trophy-sized trout averaging anywhere from 14-24” are caught there. The campgrounds weren’t open yet so I risked staying the night along the lakeshore and luckily wasn’t bothered. Fishermen were there early in the morning so I’m guessing they assumed I was one of them getting there at the crack of dawn to fish.

The next morning I headed towards Cedar City which by a happy coincidence took me by Cedar Breaks National Monument, a stunning “Circle of Painted Cliffs.” I really enjoyed viewing this 10,000 feet grand staircase that looks down into a half-mile deep geologic amphitheater, though I was limited to the overlook points as all the hiking trails were still closed due to the snow. Then I headed south through Toquerville and La Verkin and towards Zion where I was meeting up other overlanders for the Sēkr Kickoff Meetup in the desert along the Virgin River. About 40 people came together that evening to celebrate community, enjoy a food-truck catered meal, and participate in a “Hot Ones” spinoff that I participated in — the sauces got spicy and I made it to the end! That night was the first time I experienced the string of lights in the night sky from Starlink satellites which totally freaked some other nomads out.

The following day was prep day to get my van exhibit ready. Before heading to Washington County Legacy Park to get a good spot for the first ever VanFest, which was taking place the next day on May 8th, I went to one of those self-serve car washes in Hurricane and scrubbed my van clean since I was selected as one of their exhibiting vans. There was a small festival with live music and food trucks going on that afternoon and evening in the grass along the buildings, which many of the exhibitors enjoyed while getting to know one another and bonding. The next morning I cleaning the inside of my van, set up the back in the couch/lounge position, rolled and stuffed my memory foam mattress topper in my big storage cabinet, put all my bedding away, and oiled my counters so that my van looked perfect for the exhibition. I was really impressed with the set up — the exhibiting vehicles were in the main parking area, the sponsors in the adjoining lot, the attendees vehicles parked in rows in another section, and there was a huge stage for music with various bands throughout the whole day. I don’t know exactly how many people attended, but I do know that I had a steady stream of vanlife enthusiasts viewing my van and asking build questions, plus I enjoyed watching The National Parks band headline to a good-size audience. I learned how to ride an ebike that day courtesy of Storyteller Overland and their Super73. I also watched my first movie projected onto the side of a white van that night and witnessed a fabulous jam session with various nomadic musicians that went on late into the night. Not only did I get to hangout with some vanlife friends I’ve made in the past, but I also met some of the people I conversed with on the drop-in audio app Clubhouse, which was super cool. The whole festival was truly an unforgettable experience with some amazing people!

The day after VanFest was definitely a recovery day, hanging out with the Sēkr crew and getting to shower in their Airbnb before heading back to BLM land outside of Zion National Park to meet up with the new friends I made at VanFest that were planning to caravan around Utah. As I mentioned at the beginning of this blog post, I originally had planned to visit Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, Capital Reef, Grand Staircase-Escalante, Glen Canyon, Moab, and Monument Valley but those plans changed because my friend bailed on me a few weeks before the trip. I figured that with this new group and some solo travel, I’d still be able to see some of those destinations, but that’s when things went a bit sideways for me.

Those of you that really know me have often heard me say that I do not like hot weather — anything over 90*F is too hot for me. It just so happened that the beginning of May 2021 was super hot and getting hotter each day I was there. My weather app was predicting high 90’s/low 100’s at every park I planned to visit (except Bryce) and 112*F temps at Grand Canyon’s North Rim. I was already having a heard time with the heat in Southwestern Utah since I arrived and the idea of even higher temps was not sitting well with me. I don’t have air conditioning in the van and I was already super lethargic on May 9th. Late that afternoon and after much deliberation, I decided to change plans and head west into Nevada and towards the Eastern Sierra in California to meet up with my best buddy Eric. I said my goodbyes and took off early that evening and headed into Southeastern Nevada to a town called Panaca that has a warm spring I found on Google Maps. Enjoying a beautiful sunset during the drive, I arrived at Panaca Warm Spring in the dark and couldn’t quite tell if it was ok to park there overnight, but I decided to park my van near a tree in the dirt off to the side and away from the street and settle in for the night.

I was happy to wake up to some cooler temps the next morning. Surprisingly I was the only one there considering how nice Panaca Warm Spring is. This under-rated natural spring looks more like a pond with clear mid-80* temp water, a concrete dam on one end, and a staircase down for easy access. I enjoyed my time soaking in the temperate spring while my cat Maverick explored the vicinity. For those of you that like history, Panaca was the first permanent settlement by European Americans in southern Nevada, founded as a Mormon colony in 1864. It is one of two communities in Nevada that prohibits gambling and the only community in Nevada to be “dry” (forbidding the sale of alcoholic beverages). Having the place to myself was wonderful and the warm spring was beyond refreshing after my three days in the hot desert! I wanted to get to Mammoth quickly, so I left Panaca mid-morning and quickly drove through Cathedral Gorge State Park, a super cool spot where erosion has carved dramatic and unique patterns in the soft bentonite clay.

I headed east on Nevada State Route 375, better known as the Extraterrestrial Highway, a 98-mile stretch of road that runs alongside the famously secretive Area 51. Area 51 is the colloquial name of a highly classified United States Air Force facility that’s located within the Nevada Test and Training Range. I saw the sign that warned me that there’s no fuel along this highway, so I checked my gauge and it said I had more than twice as many miles left on my tank, so I headed into the Nevada desert. I had plans to stop in the very tiny town of Rachel and its famous cafe Little A’Le’Inn, as well as other landmarks to take photos, but what I didn’t expect to happen was tremendous headwind. About 30 minutes into the drive, I realized that my fuel range was rapidly decreasing and I started to get nervous. Driving through the desolate Nevada desert is an experience on its own without worrying about running out of fuel. The landscape is mainly mountains and joshua trees, which only grow in California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, and Northwestern Mexico. Even though I knew there was a gas station in Rachel, I had a gut feeling it did not have diesel fuel. I decreased my speed to just under the speed limit for best fuel consumption and kept monitoring my fuel gauge and estimated miles left on the tank. Let’s just say that I watched my low fuel light come on, then a few miles before the town of Tonopah where I could refuel, the low fuel light started blinking like mad as the gauge went to zero. As this point I expected my van to stop and was prepared to walk the rest of the way to get diesel, but somehow Ardanwen my Sprinter chugged up that final ascend uphill and coasted into the first diesel station on its last fumes! I was relieved that i made it and learned my lesson to never attempt such foolishness in the future. On a side note, Tonopah is known for its rich history of silver mining and where many of the military men who work at Area 51 live.

After my trek through Nevada, I finally made it to Mammonth Lakes and met up with Eric at Distant Brewing. Then we headed to Twin Lakes to explore but could only get as far as the bridge due to a road closure. We decided to head south to Convict Lake, a stunning oblong-shaped lake with turquoise-blue clear water, boxed in by the steep backdrop of the Sierra Nevada, and highlighted by the 12,241’ Mount Morrison. Convict Lake was originally carved out by glaciers, and at up to 140’ deep in some places, it’s one of the deepest lakes in the region. This lake has an interesting history that changed its name from its traditional Mono name of Wit-sa-nap by American settlers. From there, Eric and I headed to Hilltop Hot Springs for a soak, one of our favorite spots in the area. This is a popular spot and can be quite crowded as it only fits about 8 people, but luckily there was enough room for us and we joined a fun crew of college graduates already in this 2 feet deep heavenly tub. A wonderful lady named Mary joined us a bit later and we instantly became friends. Lots of laughter ensued as the whole group bonded for the next few hours, watching the sunset over the mountains in the distance. Mary decided to join me and Eric for a fire pit by our vehicles and we decided to spend the night there, even though you’re technically not supposed to.

The next day I headed north to Mono Lake, an ancient saline lake that covers over 70 square miles and supports a unique and highly productive ecosystem, I spent some time exploring the South Tufa area where some of these remarkable tufa rock formations towered over me. I continued north up CA Route 395, probably one of the most scenic highways you can travel and one of my favorites, through Bridgeport and the Walker River Canyon, past Topaz Lake into Nevada, then back into California passing by Eagle Lake and through the Modoc National Forest (with some great views of Mount Lassen), and finally into Oregon. The last stretch of driving was along Upper Klammath Lake and onto the Willamette HIghway to McCredie Hot Springs. I did what most tourists do and went to the day use area and walked along the path to Salt Creek. Turns out you need to take a different road to actually get to the hot springs which are on the other side of the river, so be sure to follow these directions if you plan to visit. Since I didn’t make it to the springs, I left after my short hike and found a cool turnoff further down the road where I spent the night next to Salt Creek under the highway.

I woke up on the 10th and last day of this road trip and headed the rest of the way home, driving past Lookout Point Lake and Dexter Reservoir (both look like places to enjoy in the future), into Eugene, and then north up I-5 through Salem and the 45th Parallel. I made quick stop in Seattle to meet another Clubhouse friend named Mark who showed me the view of the Seattle Skyline from the top of his building. Then I drove then final stretch home to Bellingham. It was an eventful journey full of new explorations and new friends that I’ll always treasure!

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New "Reflection Point" Rental at Lake Sutherland

My brother Marco and I decided to sell our mom’s lovely house in Venice, Florida, this year. As the dangers of category 5 hurricanes loomed over that region every year, the risks of losing the house to hurricane damage or other flooding just wasn’t worth it. We were lucky to not sustain any damage when Hurricane Ian hit Venice last year while some of our neighbors were not. It made sense to sell and invest in something more manageable with less risks from natural disasters. Since I retired early, I wanted a place that was within a 4 hours drive that I could manage myself. One problem with owning real estate in Florida was that we had to rely on others to manage and maintain the property, which was challenging at times, especially when something needed to be fixed. Luckily some of my Mom’s friends came through for us and their dedication to help was incredible!

I started looking for a nice rental property in fall of 2022. I figured a lakehouse would be ideal since they rent out great in the summers, plus I’d get to use it as well. I hit up my real estate agent on the Olympic Peninsula and it just turned out that he had met with an older couple that were looking to sell their home on Lake Sutherland. Even more coincidental, they were planning to sell in the spring of 2023, which was exactly when we planned to sell the Florida house and do a 1031 exchange. I went to go look at the house and fell in love with the incredible view! A verbal agreement was made in November 2022 to do an off-market deal. This spring everything fell into place, we sold the Florida house, and we are now proud owners of a wonderful lakehouse!

The house was built in 1992 and the sellers were the original and only owners. The inside is a bit outdated and needs some work to fix it up and modernize it, but the overall building and backyard are amazing with an unbelievable view of the lake and a hint of sunset over the mountains. The best part is that it is secluded with a forested area to the south and a tree-line to the north, giving guests privacy, something that many other homes on this lake don’t have. There is so much shoreline access with a large L-shaped dock and a lower wooden deck, both with lots of outdoor seating, as well as a big lawn area, a fire pit, and a balcony deck right outside the main floor. The three-story house features a primary bedroom and full bathroom on the main floor and two bedrooms and a full bathroom on the top floor. There is also a basement that is partially unfinished and functions mainly as a storage area (for now). I do have plans to make that basement into an extra living space with couches and either a billiards or ping pong table, though I’m open to other ideas.

The location is idea as it is central to many of the tourist attractions on the Olympic Peninsula, including the Olympic National Park, Hurricane Ridge, Sequim, Port Angeles, Dungeness Recreation Area, Forks, La Push, Rialto Beach, Neah Bay and Cape Flattery (both on the Makah Reservation), Hoh Rainforest, Quinault Rainforest, Kalaloch Beaches (with must-see Tree of Life), Ozette Triangle, and even Vancouver Island (via Black Ball Ferry line). There are four waterfalls within an hour's proximity (Sol Doc, Marymere, Madison Creek, and Beaver Falls), plus you can enjoy a relaxing thermal soak in Sol Duc Hotsprings only 40 minutes away. The Olympic Peninsula is a haven for hikers, cycling, nature lovers, bird watchers, beachcombers, and even golfers, with more amenities and must-see spots than you can imagine! If you love water sports, are just looking to relax, or love to explore, this is the place to be.

Lake Sutherland is known for its crystal clear water and stunning views of the surrounding Olympic Mountains and is generally warmer than neighboring Lake Crescent, mainly due to being much shallower with a maximum depth of 145 feet. Recreational water activities are popular here, including swimming, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, boating, sailing, water skiing, tubing, jet skiing, and floating. Fishing is also quite popular as Lake Sutherland is a premier kokanee sockeye salmon fishery, as well as a good supply of cutthroat and rainbow trout. Lake Sutherland is surrounded by private homes and vacation cottages and is less crowded due to the limited public access. During the busiest time of the summer, you may see 10 water crafts on the lake at one time though often it’s only 1-4 vessels. Water skiers generally love the mornings as the lake is like glass and very calm and quiet. Once the night rolls in, the lake glistens with some lights, but overall the light pollution is minor and you can see so many stars.

When you walk into the house, you are on the main floor and the hallway leads you right into the fully-stocked kitchen with a cute little dinette. You can already see the lake from the kitchen due to all the windows and sliding door that take up most of the back wall. The welcoming open floor plan of the dining room and living room lead to the outside balcony deck, the perfect place to perch and take in the view. The primary bedroom is accessed through the living room and faces both the front and side yards, with a connected full bath that leads back to the front hallway where the laundry machines reside. The upstairs consists of two bedrooms and a full bathroom between them, plus a walkway to an outdoor walking deck from which you can enjoy the panoramic views of water, mountains, and sky. All three bedrooms have king-sized beds and are themed for a unique & fun experience:

  • The Puget Sound Room is the primary bedroom on the main floor and features vibrant pastel colors, a large mirrored closet, a leather recliner, huge dresser, nightstands, and beautiful art from the region. It connects to the main floor bathroom, which also connects to the hallway by front door and laundry (two-door access serving as both primary and main floor bathroom).

  • The Safari Room is the first, smaller bedroom upstairs and features a black, beige & white savanna theme with zebra art, rattan furniture, a giraffe statue, and that feeling of being on an African expedition. The window faces north and gets a lot of sunshine, really capturing that open canopy the grasslands are known for.

  • The Retro Room is the second, larger bedroom upstairs and features an 80's theme with a vinyl records headboard wall, Patrick Nagel art, a neon light, colorful furnishings, and a sitting area with comfortable butterfly chairs on a vivid geometric print rug. Enjoy a blast from the past in this darker, south-facing room with a forest view.

For those of you who enjoy history, geologists believe that Lake Sutherland used to be part of Lake Crescent since evidence of the landslide is visible from Pyramid Mountain. Klallum tribe legend tells an origin story of Mount Storm King being angered by fighting tribes at his feet and broke a boulder from his peak, throwing it at the warriors, killing them and cutting Tsulh-mut in two creating Lake Crescent and Lake Sutherland. I’m currently reading a great book on Indian Legends of the Pacific Northwest from which I learned the story of Nahkeeta, a beautiful maiden who lived in the Northern foothills of the Olympic Mountains and got lost, leading to the creation of Lake Sutherland. I’m also looking forward to reading Washington Myths & Legends: The True Stories Behind History’s Mysteries since local legends like these fascinate me and I want to learn more about the indigenous people who lived here and their stories of the landscape that I have fallen in love with.

If you’re looking for a relaxing retreat in the summer with an amazing view where you can enjoy water recreation without the crowds, then this is the place for you. You cannot beat the water reflections of the sky and mountains on this pristine, crystal-clear lake — it’s literally a get-away that people dream of! People are already starting to book for Summer 2024, so if you’re interested in staying, I recommend booking sooner than later if your schedule is less flexible on date selection.

I named the lakehouse “Reflection Point” for that unbeatable view and the property is available for rent on Airbnb and VRBO. It is also up on Booking.com but I prefer it being rented out on the other sites if possible.

The house is also available as a 1-6 months rental in the off season from October to April. Feel free to message me to get off-season rental pricing. Thank you!

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New Sliding Door Window For My Van

I’m super excited to announce that I recently had a new window installed on my van! When I designed my Sprinter’s layout and build, I didn’t think I wanted a lot of windows because any non-insulated opening can bring heat into the van on hot days, as well as allow heat to leave the van on cold days. Therefore, I went with three smaller Tern Overland windows instead, one of each end of the bed and one at the kitchen galley. In the past 3.5 years using my van, I realized that I would love to be able to see the outside views more when I’m inside the van, especially on a cool night or in a place with bugs when I didn’t want the sliding door open. Any time I was in someone else’s van that had a window in the sliding door, I realized what I was missing out on. Another reason to get a window installed was that the wooden panel that was put onto the sliding door during my original van build always rattled when I was driving. From what I’ve been told by a few builders now, this is a common issue with panels on the sliding doors, plus they get loose over time from all the opening and closing of the slider.

Last year, I went to the annual Freedom Vans van gathering here in Bellingham. They are a well-known and reputable van building company and I enjoyed meeting the owners and crew. At that time, I showed them my rattling panel and discussed window installation options. During our conversation, the company owner Tim told me that a wonderful advantage of having a window in the sliding door is the ability to see out while driving. Often when you need to turn into traffic, without a window there you have limited visibility on the right side, so being able to look over your right shoulder and see out that back side window is super helpful. I was also very impressed to learn about all the pros and cons of each after-market window styles and seeing them in action on some the van builds they were working on.

After some deliberation, I decided to go with the AMA Slider with Fly-Screen. I liked the bigger opening that would sit right above my passenger-side cabinet so my cat Maverick could sit there and enjoy the fresh air and view. I also heard that the T-vents on the CRL windows, which are most commonly installed, often break, though they do have the best “unobstructed” view since there’s no big piece sliding within in. I did consider the VWD slider, but preferred the opening to be at the back of the sliding door versus the front. I would say the only downside to the AMA and VWD slider windows is that the part that opens is not flush on the outside, which some people don’t like visually. It also allows for debris to get caught in the cracks, something I’ve already learned living in the forest where pine needles get into everything!

I finally took the plunge to get my window installed earlier this month. The installation only takes a few hours, but my van did have to stay overnight for the glue to set. I was so excited to pick up my Sprinter the next day and see the final result — and I love it! I can’t wait to go on adventures and experience all the views through the new window. Right now the weather isn’t ideal so I do not have any trips planned, but come next Spring, I will taking off to explore, including planned trips to North Cascades National Park, some vanlife gatherings, and hopefully a long road trip to Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and the Dakotas, maybe even Alberta, Canada to check out Banff and Jasper National Parks. If anyone wants to caravan with me on that, please let me know!

On a side note, my buddy Stavros started Nomadic Supply Company a few years ago and I highly recommend them for all van products you may need. They have curated a collection of more than 10,000 of the world’s highest-quality products and donate 10% of their profits to the Sierra Club Foundation and 1% of every sale is donated directly to the Stripe Climate Change initiative. Stavros is an avid vanlifer himself and he’s built out his own van, therefore, he knows what works, what products are good, and which brands have the best quality. I have asked him lots of questions about products over the years and can vouch that his customer service is excellent and many van builders like Freedom Vans order from him. If you like my set up, I suggest ordering the AMA windows from him, or use the links for the other window styles (in this post) if you prefer them better.

Now that the window is installed, I made sure to order an insulated window cover to blackout the window when I’m sleeping in the van, as well as to keep the van cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Since I already have the Sprinter blackout window covers for the front cab and back windows from Quest Overland, as well as their fan cover, I went ahead and purchased the matching Sliding Door Window Cover from this amazing company. Not only do her products fit perfectly with strong magnets holding them up, they are well-constructed in a neutral color, and last for a long time. I am very happy with all the covers I’ve had since 2019, which don’t show any wear and tear, so getting the matching cover from the same company only made sense. If you need good quality blackout window covers, I highly recommend Quest Overland and you can use code “barbrocks5” to save 5% in their shop!
UPDATE: Hally & Ian the founders of Quest Overland sold the company in September 2023 and the new owner Josh is not fulfilling orders, nor replying to emails. I sadly can no longer recommend this company to people unless the new owner gets his business affairs in order and customer service improves.

I would love to hear what you all think of my new sliding door window. If you have the same AMA window, I’m curious to get your feedback on what your experience is with that brand and style. For those of you looking to install a window in your sliding door, I hope this post helps you decide which option is best for your needs. Happy Travels!

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Vanlife Gatherings 2024

Vanlife & Overlanding Events 2024

Some events have already been announced for 2024, therefore, I am posting this now. But many dates are still to be determined for events in the Spring, Summer, and Fall. I will continue to update this as these get announced. Also, if you know of any events that I am missing, please let me know! Thank you.

January
New Year Nomad Reunion — Jan 5-8 | Kingmen, AZ
Women's RTR — Jan 11-13 | Quartzite, AZ
Vanlife Pride — Jan 11-14 | Quartzite, AZ
Buses By The Bridge — Jan 11-14 | Lake Havasu City, AZ
Rubber Tramp Rendezvous (RTR) — Jan 14-19 | Quartzite, AZ
Xscapers Annual Bash — Jan 13-21 | Lake Havasu, AZ
Skooliepalooza — Jan 15-22 | Ehrenberg, AZ
The Ungathering — Jan 19-30 | Ehrenberg, AZ
VLC Girls Go Baja Caravan — Jan 20-28 | Joshua Tree to Baja
VanFest Florida — Jan 26-28 | Viera, FL
Van Life Yard Meet: The Bowl — Jan 30 | Houghton Conquest, UK

February
Escapar A La Baja — Jan 31 — Feb 5 | Playa El Tecolote, Baja, Mexico
The Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show — Feb 1-4 | Glasgow, Scotland
Revel In Southern Baja — Feb 10-19 | Baja, Mexico (Whale Watching)
Truck Camper Adventure Rally — Feb 14-18 | Quartzsite, AZ
Peace Love & Vans — Feb 16-19 | Withlacoochee River Park, Florida
Daphne’s 7th Annual Sleepover — Feb 16-19 | Wellton, AZ (VW Campout)
Skoolie Swarm — Feb 16-25 | Melrose, FL
Reise + Camping Essen — Feb 28-Mar 3 | Essen, Germany

March
The Yorkshire Motorhome & Campervan Show — Mar 15-17 | Harrogate, UK
TinyFest California — Mar 16-17 | San Diego, CA
A Roam Of Our Own — Mar 21-24 | Palm Springs, CA (womxn only)
Camper Expo — Mar 15-17 | Utrecht, Netherlands
Red Rock 4-Wheelers Easter Jeep Safari — Mar 23-31 | Moab, UT
CamperFest — Mar 28-Apr 1 | Chester, Chestershire, UK

April
Vanlife Festival — May 31-Jun 2 | Shrewsbury, UK
Revel Total Solar Eclipse In The Ozarks — Apr 5-9 | Ozarks, AR
Clubs Unite at the Beach — Apr 7 | Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset, UK
Vee Dub Family Birthday Weekender Camp Out — Apr 12-14 | Brean, Somerset, UK
Revel Volcanic Overland Experience — Apr 12-14 | Oregon/California (w/ Backroad Van Adventures)
Adventure Van Expo — Apr 13-14 | Scottsdale, AZ
Weird Wild West — Apr 18-22 | Bisbee, AZ
Moore Expo — Apr 19-20 | Springfield, MO
Alive & Kickin — Apr 19-21 | Woolpit, Bury Saint Edmunds, UK
Dubs At The Mill — Apr 19-21 | Crewkerne, UK
Revel Club Big Bend Backroads — Apr 24-28 | Big Bend, TX
Revel Mojave Road Experience — Apr 25-28 | Mojave Desert, CA ( w/ Backroad Van Adventures)
Georgia Tiny House Festival — Apr 27-28 | Madison, GA
Adventure Van Expo — Apr 27-28 | Austin, TX
Camper Van Week-End — Apr 26-28 | Angers-Brissac, France

May
RendezVan — May 2-5 | Mt Bachelor, OR
Syncro-Fest — May 2-5 | Hollister Hills, CA
Campervan Campout — May 3-5 | Haywards Heath, West Sussex, UK
VW Camp Out — May 3-6 | Budle Bay, Northumberland, UK
Adventure Van Expo — May 4-5 | San Juan Capistrano, CA
Derbyshire Dubs — May 9-12 | Wardlow, UK
VanWest — May 10-12 | Somerset, UK
GlampFest — May 10-12 | Scotton, Knaresborough, UK
Adventure Van Expo — May 11-12 | Santa Rosa, CA
Revel Flagstaff to Prescott — May 14-16 | Arizona
Camp Carpe Diem — May 16-20 | Hot Springs, AR
Overland Expo West — May 17-19 | Flagstaff, AZ
VW Breakout — May 17-19 | Wellingborough, UK
Revel & Vines — May 20-24 | Central Coast, CA (only 6 vans)
Dubs In The Middle — May 23-27 | Evesham, Worcestershire, UK
Volksfling — May 24-26 | Biggar, South Lanarkshire, Scotland
ClubFest — May 24-28 | Shropshire, UK
Revel In Baja — May 26-30 | Baja, Mexico
VanJamboree — May 31-Jun 2 | Grange-de-Lings, Lincoln, UK
Westest VW Fest — May 31-Jun 2 | Pembrokeshire, UK

June
Camper Tour England — Jun 2-16 | England & Wales
The Caravan — Jun 6-10 | Naturita, CO
Fort Desolation — Jun 6-8 | Torrey, UT
Volksfest Bristol — Jun 7-9 | Bristol, UK
Campers & Coffee — Jun 9 | Hailsham, UK
Revel 4x4 Off-Road Training Adventure — Jun 11-13 | Vancouver Island, BC, Canada (Fundamentals)
Revel 4x4 Off-Road Training Adventure — Jun 14-16 | Vancouver Island, BC, Canada (Intermediate/Advanced)
Mighty Dub Fest — Jun 14-16 | Alnwick Castle, Northumberland, UK
Camperlife @ Stratford — Jun 15 | Warwickshire, UK
Vanlife Iceland Midsummer Edition — Jun 15-22 | Iceland
The Bus Fair — Jun 21-23 | Oakridge, OR
FWC Owner’s Rally & Campout — Jun 21-23 | Tygh Valley, OR
VanLife Fest — Jun 21-23 | North Yorkshire, UK
Revel Coastal Oregon Experience — Jun 21-23 | Oregon
Adventure Van Expo — Jun 22-23 | Hood River, OR
Overland Expo PNW — Jun 28-30 | Redmond, OR
Adventure Van Expo — Jun 29-30 | Boise, ID

July
Camper Jam — Jul 5-7 | Shropshire, UK
Vans In The Valley — Jul 5-7 | Richmond, North Yorkshire, UK
Camp Pride — Jul 9-12 | Camp Lane In Walton, OR
51st National Truck-In — Jul 10-14 | Greenfield, MA
Volks Power — Jul 11-14 | Redcar, UK
Dorset Volksfest — Jul 12-14 | Wareham, Dorset, UK
Colorado Tiny House Festival — Jul 13-14 | Brighton, CO
Dubs At The Castle — Jul 18-21 | Monmouthshire, UK
Holy Toledo — Jul 18-22 | Toledo, OR
Vanlove — Jul 19-21 | York, UK
Urban Van Festival — Jul 19-21 | East Sussex, UK
Dubbed Out Festival — Jul 25-28 | Cheshire, UK
Vanlife & Overlander Celebration — Jul 26-28 | Thatcham, Berkshire, UK
Bug Jam — Jul 26-28 | Wellingborough, UK
Dubs South Campout — Jul 26-28 | Hampshire, UK
Dinky Dub Fest — Jul 26-28 | Northumberland, UK
Adventure Van Expo — Jul 27-28 | Evergreen, CO
Revel Club Iceland/Norway — TBD | Iceland & Norway
Revel Club The Road To Alaska — TBD | Alaska

August
Kamper Fest — Aug 2-6 | Dover, UK
Skoolie U.P. — Aug 2-12 | Upper Peninsula Michigan
Slumber on the Humber — Aug 9-11 | Cabourne Parva, UK
VW Festival — Aug 9-11 | Harewood House, Leeds, UK
DubNess Gathering of the Vans — Aug 9-11 | Inverness, Scotland
Vanlife Iceland August #1 — Aug 10-17 | Iceland
Vanlife Iceland Lofoten #1 — Aug 10-17 | Lofoten, Iceland
Revel Olympic Peninsula Experience — Aug 14-17 | Washington (w/ Back Road Van Adventures)
Volksfest Wales — Aug 16-18 | Brecon, Wales, UK
V Dub At The Pub — Aug 16-18 | Dorset, UK
Cranium Campout — Aug 16-18 | Stoke Heath, Bromsgrove, UK
Vanlife Iceland August #2 — Aug 18-25 | Iceland
Vanlife Iceland Lofoten #2 — Aug 18-25 | Lofoten, Iceland
Overland Expo Mtn West — Aug 23-25 | Loveland, CO
Beach Gathering — Aug 23-26 | Northumberland, UK
Vanlife Eats — Aug 23-26 | Hampshire, UK
Adventure Van Expo — Aug 24-25 | Ballston Spa, NY
Northwest MogFest — TBD | Sheridan OR

September
Descend on Bend — Aug 30 - Sep 2 | Yamhill River, OR
Caravan Salon — Aug 31-Sep 8 | Düsseldorf, Germany
Busfest — Sep 6-8 | Malvern, Worcestershire, UK
Van Vibes Festival — Sep 6-8 | Surrey, UK
Volkswagen-Klassiker auf der Postalm — Sep 6-8 | Abtenau, Austria
Adventure Van Expo — Sep 7-8 | Enumclaw, WA
Campers & Coffee — Sep 8 | Hailsham, UK
Keweenaw Overland Adventure Retreat (KOAR) — Sep 12-15 | Copper Harbor, MI
Druridge Bay Campout — Sep 13-15 | Northumberland, UK
Adventure Van Expo — Sep 14-15 | North Lake Tahoe, CA
Vanlife Iceland Northern Lights #1 — Sep 14-21 | Iceland
Adventure Overland Show — Sep 15-16 | Stratford-upon-Avon, UK
International Campervan Show — Sep 15-16 | Stratford-upon-Avon, UK
Revel Club 4X4 Van Training — Sep 15-17 | Moab, UT
Camper Tour Appennines — Sep 15-19 | Apennines & South Italy
Vanquinox — Sep 19-22 | Grandjean, ID
VanWILD — Sep 19-22 | Montrose, CO
Northwest Nomads — Sep 19-23 | Fort Rock, OR
Revel Club Meetup 2024 — Sep 19-22 | Rocky Mountain National Park, CO
Retro Dub Suffolk VW Festival — Sep 20-22 | Suffolk, UK
Vanlife Iceland Northern Lights #2— Sep 22-29 | Iceland
Revel Great Divide Adventure — Sep 23-25 | Colorado
Dubs In T’Dales — Sep 27-29 | North Yorkshire, UK
Big Iron Overland Rally — Sep 27-28 | West Mineral, KS
Revel 101 Texas Hill Country Tour — TBD | Texas
VanFest NE Region — TBD | New England

October
Revel Club Great Divide Adventure — Oct 2-4 | Colorado
The Pilgrimage — Oct 3-6 | South Royalton, VT
Overland Expo East — Oct 4-6 | Arrington, VA
Oktoberfest UK — Oct 4-6 | Devon, UK
Moonlanding — Oct 10-14 | Sky View, NM
Adventure Van Expo — Oct 19-20 | Big Bear Lake, CA
C.H.A.S.M.Fest — Oct 25-28 | Lake Havasu City, AZ
Adventure Van Expo — Oct 26-27 | Ventura, CA
Skooliepalooza — TBD | Moab, UT
VanFest Utah — TBD | Hurricane, UT

November
Revel Death Valley Experience — Nov 7-10 | Death Valley, CA (w/ Back Road Van Adventures)
Florida Tiny House Festival — Nov 18-19 | Gainesville, FL
Revel Club 4x4 Van Training — TBD | Ellenville, NY (w/ Northeast Off-Road Adventures)

December
Nomadic Creatives — Dec 31 | Northwest, AZ

TBD / Postponed
Arizona Outdoor Adventure Fest — TBD | Scottsdale, AZ
Camp Quirky — Returning 2025 | Northamptonshire, UK
Outdoor Adventure X — TBD | Huntsville, UT
Small Home Expo — TBD | Abbotsford, BC, Canada
Rose Fest — TBD | Salida, CO
People's Tiny House Festival — TBD | Loveland, CO
Open Roads — TBD | McCall, ID
Midwest Vanlife — TBD | Makanda, IL
Vanlife Australia — TBD | Bundjalung Region, Gold Coast, Australia
Wandering Footprint — TBD | Saanichton, BC
Out To Grass — TBD | Worcestershire, UK

Other
Sēkr App — Community Based Events
Good Vibe Collective — Various Events Throughout The Year
Buddhist Boondockers — Regular Meetups Throughout The Year
Seattle Vanlife Meetup — Monthly Seattle Meetup
Vanlife & Nomadic Living — San Diego Meetups
Project Van Life — Yearly Online Summit
Xscapers — Yearly Events For Members
Black Nomads Meet — Black Nomadic Community Gatherings
Home On Wheels Alliance — Virtual Caravan Connections

If you know of any events that aren’t listed, please leave a comment with link so I can add it!

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Moving From California To Washington

Bellingham Bay Sunset

I am often asked why I moved to Washington state from California. People wonder why I would leave the “golden state” and go to a place known for cloudy skies and endless rain. After all, Washington is called the ‘evergreen state” for a reason. I was a little nervous myself since I’m not a fan of rain and have been spoiled most of my life living with lots of sunshine and mild winters. The only time I have ever been in the Pacific Northwest prior to 2016 was for Expo 86 in Vancouver BC that my Mom took me to when I was 14 years old. I should note that I barely remember that trip other than the monorail. I never really had the urge to visit Oregon or Washington as an adult, though the Seattle music scene did peak some interest while I was in my 30’s, yet I still never considered visiting or moving there because it has more rainy days (156 days) than most major cities. My perception changed in 2016 when I went on my first official PNW trip as an adult, which I wrote about previously.

Hood Canal Sunset

Because I fell in love with Oregon and Washington in 2016, once I bought my RV, I went to explore those states even more, which reaffirmed my affection for the PNW. As many of you already know, I take my cat Maverick with me on all my road trips, and at the time, I was blogging from his perspective, therefore, you can read all about my 2nd PNW trip in Summer 2017 from his blog, as well as my Thanksgiving trip that same year caravanning with my vanlife buddy Chris and his cat Michi. Maverick even blogged about the time I explored the Portland Japanese Garden, which I highly recommend visiting, especially in the fall when the leaves change into bright autumn colors.

I wanted to move out of California for about a decade. The summers were getting too hot for my liking with more days over 100*F and many winters were often filled with months of endless rain. I no longer felt joy living in the Bay Area as I did when I was younger. Back in the 80’s, 90’s, and early 2000’s, I really loved everything about the Mediterranean climate — an ideal mix of sunny summers and mild winters. For most of my career, it also meant great pay working in the semiconductor realm with stock options at pre-IPO companies. Traffic wasn’t too bad either and most of my commutes were only 15-30 minutes. But all that changed in the 2010’s when traffic increased exponentially and my commute became 1 hour each way in horrific, slow-moving gridlock. The warmer temperatures started in May and lasted into October, which led to many lethargic months of staying indoors or hanging out at my pool because I sweat easily. Even going to the beach or to the woods to cool off seemed exhausting knowing that traffic would be terrible to get anywhere.

I knew that once I sold my house in California (photos above), I would probably never be able to move back. I had an incredible deal on my house with a low mortgage balance, low interest rate, and low property tax, which I would never be able to get again, therefore, the decision to move likely meant never living in California again. Leaving the life I build for 25 years had its challenges too as I would be far away from the friendships I had nurtured for a long time and became dependent on. In addition, I knew that I would have to let go of my established side-business in the local music scene. Having lost my parents in 2013 and 2015 did make moving easier because I didn’t have any close family left locally to influence my decision. The shelter-in-place order that arose from the spread of COVID-19 also played a factor since all the social activities that I thrived on were basically halted, leaving me with little purpose and lots of alone time.

Photo by Brett Baunton

The last piece of the puzzle that brought me to move was the trip that changed my life in Sept/Oct 2020. Falling in love with Bellingham was unexpected but understandable. Whatcom County has around 225K residents which is a refreshing change from the hustle-and-bustle of Silicon Valley life. Did you know there are over 7 million people in the entire Bay Area?!? I knew that my quality of life would be much greater here with more access to nature, less traffic, and a slower-paced lifestyle that would lead to less stress and more outdoor activities. Being a lover of water, Bellingham appealed to me for its bay and access to the Salish Sea, as well as the 5000-acre Lake Whatcom and other nearby lakes. Basically it’s a cross between California and Europe, bringing together sea-level beaches with ocean waters and a spectacular snow-capped mountain range within a 1.5 hour drive, and adding in various lakes of different sizes with recreational activities. Where else in the USA can you ski and sea kayak in the same day?

Lake Whatcom Sunset

I was also surprised by the weather as I expected to be inundated with rain. Turns out, Bellingham's climate is generally mild and typical of the Pacific Northwes, getting around 39” of rain per year, which is less than Chicago, New York, and Houston. Unlike the rainfall I was used to in California, which was mainly a downpour for days, Bellingham’s rain is quite different. Mainly it’s a light sprinkle which doesn’t even require an umbrella. Bellingham is in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains, which is why it gets less rain than other parts of the state. Even though the dreariness index shows Northwestern Washington at the top, I highly disagree with this report, which also puts hot-as-hell Phoenix as least dreary place to live. What most of these data sites don’t take into account is that what is considered a rainy day means there was rainfall at some point throughout the day. It does not consider that the rain could have fallen before I woke up in the morning and that the cloud cover opened up to a sunny day, which is often what happens here. I personally love the drizzle as it keeps plants happy and the state green.

Lake Louise — Sudden Valley

I have lived in Bellingham for almost 3 years now. It was an eye-opening move at first due to the pandemic since most businesses were still closed and I didn’t know anyone here. Let’s just say that February through April were hard and lonely, spending a lot of time indoors and on the drop-in audio app Clubhouse — I actually met my good friend and fellow PNW Blogger Aimee on that app, as well as some awesome vanlifers/nomads that I’m still in touch with. But in Spring 2021, restaurants started to open again and meetups for hikes and outdoor social events were in full effect. Turns out all the people who moved to this area were looking for friends and activities just like me and I started to make friends. If you’ve ever heard of the “Seattle Freeze,” it’s a real thing and extends to the a lot of Northwestern Washington. Therefore, all the transplants find one another through various groups and activities and bond. The Meetup app was a lifesaver for me as I met many of my friends circle via various groups on there.

My Lovely House

I should also note that I really love my house. Despite being 20 minutes from town, it is in the forest near a small lake named Lake Louise and has a modern look-and-feel to it, which is what caught my interest in the first place when I saw the listing. I’m also in a community right on Lake Whatcom, which gives me easy access to this incredibly large lake. Did I mention that I bought my house sight-unseen? I have tons of gorgeous local, regional, and unique art hanging so I have joy everywhere I look, making it almost feel like an an art gallery. I do get a little snowfall each winter, mainly a dusting of snow, but there is about one week in which we get a few inches that stick. I don’t mind having that “Winter Wonderland” feeling for a week and then all the snow melting. Did I mention I also see lots of rainbows now, which is something I hardly ever saw in California! And as you can see in some of the photos in this blog post, I have witnessed some stunning sunsets here, as well as some incredible sunrises. Both the “opacarophile” (sunset lover) and “thalassophile” (ocean lover) in me are beyond thrilled to live in such a gorgeous state!

My life here is pretty easy-going and filled with lots of activities. I took up archery, go axe throwing, learned to paddleboard and kayak, started playing pickleball (the official sport of WA), got my groove on with salsa dancing lessons, and even attend a local logging show. I started to hike and spend more days outdoors in nature — though I don’t do any big hikes, mainly just 1-6 miles on trails with limited elevation gain. My most challenging hike so far has been the Fragrance Lake Two Dollar Trail Loop in Larrabee State Park. I especially love that I can drive 5-10 minutes and hike a forested area for a few miles and feel like I’m nowhere near a city — Whatcom Falls Park, Stimpson Nature Reserve, and Squires Lake are some of those go-to places. My favorite things about living here are Boulevard Park and the South Bay Trail (lovely waterfront stroll and hangout), Squalicum Harbor and Zuanich Point Park (local harbor park), Lake Padden Park (beautiful 2.6 mile walk), Sehome Hill Arboretum (with a cool observation tower), Semiahmoo Spit (especially during extreme low tides), Chuckanut Drive Scenic Byway (known as the Big Sur of WA), Samish Overlook (for sunsets), and Peach Arch Park (on the Canadian border). I’ve also enjoyed exploring Seattle, including the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden & Glass, Pike Place Market, the Fremont Troll, and the Washington Park Arboretum. If you’re ever in the area around Memorial Weekend, you have to see the Ski To Sea relay race which goes from Mt Baker to Marine Park with eight racers competing in seven different sports: cross country ski, downhill ski/snowboard, running, road bike, canoe (2 paddlers), cyclocross bike, and sea kayak.

Photo from Scenic Washington

By the way, the famous saying “live like the mountain is out” in Seattle about Mt Rainier also applies to Bellingham. Even though Mount Baker is only 10,781 feet to Mount Rainier’s 14,411 feet (the tallest in the Cascade Range), its prominence can still be felt all over Whatcom County. Baker (aka Kulshan) is often covered in clouds just like Rainier (aka Tahoma), so when this stratovolcano shows itself, it is a majestic sight! Driving up to Artist Point every summer is a magnificent experience, hiking around and seeing all the mountains of the North Cascades, plus seeing Mount Shuksan reflecting off Picture Lake is a must-see stop! En route you can also check out Nooksack Falls and Silver Lake Park since they are just off Mt. Baker Highway (SR-542). On a side note, I love this Lummi story about Komo Kulshan & His Two Wives, which is about Mt Baker and Twin Sisters.

I also love exploring my new state, going on road trips, camping at various places, and experiencing all that Washington has to offer. So far I’ve camped at Bay View State Park, Deception Pass State Park, Birch Bay State Park, Moran State Park (on Orcas Island), Dungeness Recreation Area, Bowman Bay, and Grayland Beach State Park. I have explored around the Olympic Peninsula, mainly Sequim, Port Angeles, Crescent Lake, Sol Doc Falls, Neah Bay and Cape Flattery (both on the Makah Reservation), Forks, Hoh Rainforest, Rialto Beach, Ruby Beach, and Kalaloch. I spent some time in Westport and Cape Disappointment in the Southwestern part of the state, went to Winterfest at Lake Chelan, and I did some island hoping in the San Juan Islands. I also love seeing and attending the Tulip Festival every spring, which Skagit Valley is known for. I have yet to go to North Cascades National Park and see Lake Diablo — I’ve had camping reservations twice now which got cancelled due to covid in 2022 and a horrible fire in 2023. I also still need to explore Mount Rainier and Mount St Helens more, head over to Leavenworth, Winthrop, and Mazama, and eventually check out Eastern Washington and the Walla Walla Valley wine region in the southeast with a stop at Palouse Falls.

In addition to Washington travel, I am so close to British Columbia that I’m exploring Canada too! I’ve been to Vancouver a few times now and often go to concert there instead of Seattle since it’s closer and there’s less traffic. In October 2022, I took my van around Vancouver Island exploring Victoria, Tofino, Ucluelet and a lot in between, which turned out to be an unforgettable road trip. I fell in love with this huge island and can’t wait to explore it even more! I plan to explore other parts of BC in 2024, including a road-trip around the Sunshine Coast, as well as visits to Capilano Suspension Bridge, Squamish, and Whistler.

Reflection Point — Lake Sutherland

I also invested in a beautiful lakefront home on the Olympic Peninsula at Lake Sutherland this year with my brother after selling our Mom’s home in Florida. This lake house, which I have named “Reflection Point” is available on Airbnb for rent, plus I get to enjoy spending time there when it’s not booked.

As you can see, I do not regret moving to Washington. Living here has been a dream come true and has exceeded all my expectations. I am the happiest I have been in life and I look forward to every day. If you have the same misconception as I did about the Pacific Northwest and the climate here, I urge you to visit this stunning upper left part of the country. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised and understand why moving here was the best decision of my life!

PS: my plan is to blog more about all these places I have visited, so stay tuned!

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My Intro To Vanlife & 1st PNW Trip

In February 2016, I met a man named Jesse (on the dating app Bumble) who lived in a Great West Dodge Sprinter van with his cat Bandit. I was a little skeptical about a grown man living in a van, but he referred to himself as a “digital nomad” and I was curious. We met up for dinner and had a nice conversation, after which he showed me the van he moved into the month prior. It was a nice van with a kitchen, a bathroom with shower, and a comfortable bed. The curtains, textiles, and colors were a bit outdated but when I heard the price he paid, it was very reasonable. Jesse was very excited about vanlife and explained to me why he chose that lifestyle versus living in a “stick and brick” (as he called an apartment or house).

Jesse was inspired by a young Google employee who lived in a box truck in the parking lot that was getting a lot of press. With exorbitant cost of rent in the San Francisco Bay Area, he also wanted to save his hard-earned money and retire at an earlier age, which vanlife allowed him to do. The vanlife movement was just starting to take off at that time, and he was saving 80% or more of his income by not paying rent. Even though I initially had some reservations about dating a guy who lived in a van, I did understand his reasoning for the decision and really enjoyed learning about vanlife living from him.

My introduction to vanlife was local weekend getaways during which I learned what sleeping and cooking in a van was like, how to find good overnight spots, how many beautiful places there were around the Bay Area that I never knew about, and how this lifestyle really allowed you to explore and enjoy nature and the surroundings. As a travel enthusiast, I was hooked pretty quickly! A few months later, Jesse was planning a trip to Seattle for an Ayn Rand convention and asked if I wanted to go since it was during my birthday, to which I immediately said yes. Despite living the Bay Area most of my life, I had never been to Oregon or Washington, nor had I been to most of the Northern California. As you can imagine, I was super excited to see and explore the Pacific Northwest!

We set off on our week-long trip at the end of June from San Francisco towards Bodega Bay, then drove north on Highway 1 along the California coast passing various small coastal towns. For some reason, I remember passing this cute little cemetery along the highway just south of Mendocino with grave stones lined up on the cliffside bordered by tall trees and thinking what a beautiful place to be laid to rest. We found a great spot overlooking the Pacific Ocean just north of Fort Bragg, made dinner, and fell asleep to the sound of waves crashing below the cliff.

Waking up to the sound and views of the ocean is probably one of my favorite things, so that next morning was an absolute joy and a great way to start off this epic trip. We headed north to Highway 101 since the region north of Fort Bragg all the way to Eureka is mostly undeveloped without any major roads and referred to as the Lost Coast. The 25-mile-long trail through that area is a backpackers dream, though there is one road from 101 to Shelter Cove that vehicles can utilize to see a section of that coastline. Jesse and I enjoyed driving through the Avenue of the Giants near Myers Flat, then we continued north where the highway meets the ocean again and stopped in a charming little community called Westhaven-Moonstone. We spent the night at the Trinidad Northbound Rest Area, which is off the highway tucked into the forest and honestly a great place to get some rest.

On our third day, we headed north into Oregon and I was enthralled by how beautiful the coastline is! I know California is famous for Big Sur, but the Oregon coast rivals that easily, with pristine beaches and rocky bluffs for miles and miles. The Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor is probably one of the most stunning places along the West Coast! To cover a lot of distance, we drove a lot that day, all the way to Yachats, known for the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area. I had read about Thor’s Well on Atlas Obscura but we had no idea that whole area, known as Cook’s Chasm, was going to be as incredible as it was! We ended up finding this awesome little park on the highway to spend the night, which turned out to have stairs down to the beach with a river going under nice-looking bride. There was a day-use-only sign but we decided to chance it anyways, and luckily didn’t get bothered.

We continued north through Oregon all the way to Tillamook Creamery, where we stopped to grab some cheese-laden dishes and delicious ice cream, which we ate on Nedonna Beach enjoying the ocean view. We made another quick stop at Haystack Rock, which I wanted to see because of the movie The Goonies. From there we got back on the road driving over the Astoria-Megler Bridge into Washington, stopping quickly at the Dismal Nitch to take a photo of the WA sign. We worked our way up the Olympic Peninsula, decided to take a dip in Lake Quinault to freshen up (the water was super cold), and then right at dusk we luckily found a dirt turn-off on the side of the road that took us to this amazing open space on the cliffs by the ocean, where we spent the night. It was one of the most secluded, perfect spots that we could have discovered, and we had it all to ourselves.

The next morning was my birthday, so Jesse made me bacon and eggs in a smiley face on the plate. We had to get to Seattle by 3pm, therefore, we drove around the Olympic Peninsula without stopping at any of the amazing places I would have loved to see. That drive took us through Forks (made famous by the Twilight series), then along Crescent Lake (we did make a quick stop the La Poel Picnic Area to revel at this glacial lake’s incredible beauty), then through Port Angeles and Sequim, and finally all the way around to Bainbridge Island, from which we took the ferry to Seattle. It was a gorgeous sunny day and I was in awe of the Emerald City and its iconic skyline with the Space Needle! Seeing Mount Rainier in all its glory looming in the background was also quite stunning — I can see why locals talk about whether the mountain is out since the visibility of this large active stratovolcano makes a huge impact. Did you know that due to its high probability of an eruption in the near future, Mount Rainier is considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world and it is on the Decade Volcanoes list?!?

Jesse forgot to buy tickets to the Ayn Rand Convention he had wanted to attend, which was sold out when we arrived in Bellevue, so our plans veered into a new direction and we decided to check out downtown Seattle instead. We stopped at a cider bar, walked around Belltown, and ended up having a fancy dinner at The Metropolitan Grill, voted the best steakhouse in Seattle. We spent the night on the streets by Ruby Chow Park, an overnight spot Jesse found on Freecampsites.net, a website many vanlifers use to find places to park. It wasn’t the most ideal location, but at least it was next to a park and away from downtown traffic.

The following morning we headed out of Seattle and passed Oxbow Park which features a 44' wide cowboy hat and 22' high boots known as "Hat n' Boots." My boss (who was from Seattle) told me prior to the trip that we had to see Snoqualmie Falls and he was right — this 270’ waterfall was majestic to see and totally worth the drive! Then we headed to Mount Rainier National Park and drove around various viewpoints to witness the enormous footprint Mount Rainier has and even caught a glimpse of a small waterfall near Paradise. We secured a campsite at White River Campground on the northeastern section of the park with the highest elevation of all three drive-in campgrounds on Mt Rainier, where we enjoyed a campfire dinner in the charming forested canopy.

July 4th was another busy day of driving. Jesse really enjoys finding remote and unique overnight spots, therefore, we drove around the Gifford Pinchot National Forest to various spots he had saved on his phone (since there’s no service in that area) to see how viable they were to spend the night. We found some really cool places on dirt roads and along rivers which would have been ideal, but instead of staying in the area, we decided to check out Mount St Helens. Sadly the weather was a bit overcast and we couldn’t see the cratered peak that well as it was engulfed in clouds. I did enjoy seeing Spirit Lake and learning more about the eruption from all the roadside interpretive signs and how it altered the landscape. We headed further south and stopped at Swift Reservoir for a quick swim but the water so surprisingly cold considering it was July. We ended up along the Columbia River Gorge early that evening, saw the Bonneville Dam, then found a wonderful spot along the railroad tracks just west of Stevenson on the Washington side of the river. We cooked a steak dinner and watched the fireworks over Cascade Locks after a spectacular sunset.

The next day we headed over the Bridge of the Gods into Oregon and stopped at Multnomah Falls, the tallest and most famous waterfall in the state. We headed into Portland for breakfast at Pine State Biscuits that a good friend of mine recommended and enjoyed their delicious Reggie Deluxe breakfast sandwich. Afterwards, we drove towards Mount Hood with a stop at Trillium Lake, which I absolutely fell in love with. I thought Oregon’s High Desert was quite fascinating as we headed through Warm Springs with a quick stop along the Deschutes River before heading into Madras. Seeing the Cascade Mountains to the west as we drove down Route 97 was quite lovely, with magnificent glimpses of Mount Jefferson, Three Sisters, and more. We ended that day at Crater Lake National Park enjoying the incredible views of this deepest and most pristine lake in the USA. We spent the night just outside the park at one of the big turnouts and were inundated with mosquitos when the sun went down — by inundated I mean that it was a mosquito blackout that you couldn’t see through, something I have never experienced before!

Sadly our road-trip was coming to an end so our last day consisted of us driving home from Southern Oregon into California through Klamath Falls, Weed, Mount Shasta, and Dunsmuir, with a pitstop at Lake Shasta due to heavy traffic. We found a dirt road that led to a nice spot on the Sacramento River Arm where we ate some lunch and got into the lake to cool off. We drove the final stretch home through California’s Central Valley with views of various agriculture and sunflower fields and finally made it home to the Bay Area.

It was a magical and memorable first trip to the Pacific Northwest despite the fact that Jesse and I broke up later that year. He showed me a whole new world of exploration that I had never imagined before, which left such an impact on me that I bought an RV in December 2016 and started going on solo road trips, including multiple trips to Oregon and Washington in 2017, 2018, and 2020! My life is completely different now due to vanlife so I guess I have Jesse to thank for that.

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Mermaid Mythology & Ocean Ecology

As mentioned in my previous blog post, while visiting the International Mermaid Museum in August, I really enjoyed all their informative signs about mermaid mythology tied in with ocean ecology teachings. As the museum’s mission statement says, “All oceanic countries have mermaid lore thus providing a thread of connectivity and commonality between and through both community and culture.” As a thalassophile, I am drawn to mermaid beliefs and was fascinated by so many different cultures’ lore. It took me quite some time, but I transcribed all the signs for those that don’t have an opportunity to visit the museum, as well as for myself to remember the wonderful experience I had there!

Mermaid Mythology:
Adaro are malevolent creatures from the Makira part of the Pacific Ocean’s Solomon Islands. They are dangerous as they are a result of a person’s spirit that is an evil ghost after a person dies. They look like mermen with ear gills, a tail, a dorsal fin, and a swordfish bill on its forehead. Often found traveling in waterspouts and near rainbows, they use flying fish as a weapon to kill innocent fishermen.

Ocean Ecology:
Swordfish are fast open-ocean billfish reaching lengths of up to 16 feet and weighing over 14oo pounds. They use their bill to club and stun prey. Found migrating through warm tropical waters, they are a popular sport fish. Sawfish are part of the ray family that reach up to 25 feet long. They are a critically endangered species found only in shallow waters of North Australia and Florida where they shake their ROSTRUM or bill through the sand to find prey.

Quote: “Beauty is power, a smile is its sword.“ ~John Ray

Mermaid Mythology:
Kananaka was a mermaid who lived offshore of Lahaina, Maui. It is believed that when foam is near the seashore or the mouth of a stream, the mermaid is present. If the mermaid was in the loko (fishpond), fish would be bitter and not good to eat. This is Kananaka’s hula.

Ocean Ecology:
Butterflyfish pair off and become territorial on a section of reef. There are 129 species of butterfly fish with 25 species in Hawaii. The dark spot on their tail is a false eye, an example of AUTOMIMICRY, thought to confuse predators on their direction of travel, by one part of the body looking like the other.

Quote: “If your thighs touch, you’re closer to being a mermaid.“ ~Anonymous

Mermaid Mythology:
Wahine Hi’ u i’a in Hawaiian translates to woman with a fish tail. Namaka is the Hawaiian goddess of the sea. She creates surf, tides, currents, waves, swells, and even tsunamis. Her younger sister is Pele, the fire goddess. As opposites they clash, which is why Pele lives high atop the volcanoes and Namaka threatens her with huge waves. When Pele’s lava reaches the sea, it is Namaka who puts out the fire.

Ocean Ecology:
Sunfish or Mola mol is the heaviest bony fish in the world, weighing up to 2200 pounds. The fish is found in tropical and in TEMPERATE, or occurring in the middle latitude, waters around the world, but it is sometimes seen along the Washington Coast. It is an odd shape with its head and tail contiguous. Its main body is flat, which is why it may be confused for a mermaid.

Quote: “How would you like to stand like a god before the crest of a monster billow, always rushing to the bottom of the hill and never reaching its base, and to come rushing in for a half a mile at express speed, in graceful attitude, until you reach the beach and step easily from the wave?“ ~Duke Kahanamoku

Mermaid Mythology:
Neptune, the Greek god of the sea, became jealous when mermaids—known for guiding ships to safe passage—fell in love with sailors. In retribution, Neptune banished the mermaid to the depths of the ocean. As the mermaids wept in exile, their broken-hearted tears crystallized. Eventually, the waves would push them to shore so their lost love could keep them as tokens. This is the reason beloved sea glass pieces are often called Mermaid Tears.

Ocean Ecology:
Sea Glass is made from broken glass that is tumbled along the ocean floor where the sharp edges rounded. The high alkaline nature of the sea adds to the frostiness of the glass through HYDRATION—a process where soda and lime leach out. Fresh water beach glass has a shiny patina compared to saltwater sea glass. It can take between 25-50 years for a piece of glass to develop a frosty and smooth edge. Much of the sea glass found today dates to when the ocean was used as a dump. Beachcombers know that the low tide is the best time to hunt. The color, size, and shape you find determines its rarity and value.

Quote: “A woman knows the face of the man she loves as a sailor knows the open sea.“ ~Honore de Balzac

Mermaid Mythology:
Thessalonike was a Greek princess from Macedonia. Legend says she was the sister of Alexander the Great. When he died, she tried to drown herself but instead became a mermaid. After, she would ask sailors she met if Alexander was alive. If they said “He lives and reigns and conquers the world” she would let their ships safely travel. If their answer was wrong, the seas would become rough, she would turn into a gorgon and try to sink their ships. Medusa with her hair of snakes was one of the three gorgon sisters. In Latin, Medusa means jellyfish.

Ocean Ecology:
Sea Jellies, once called Jelly Fish, are found all over the ocean from shallow to deep waters. Most have stinging cells on the TENTACLES—a flexible mobile organ—that trail behind their bell-shaped bodies. The stinging cells may paralyze their prey. On humans, they can cause mild irritation to complete anaphylaxis and death. A group of sea jellies is called a smack.

Quote: “But a mermaid has no tears, and therefore, she suffers so much more.“ ~Hans Christian Andersen

Mermaid Mythology:
Selkie in Irish, Scottish, Icelandic, and Scandinavian folklore, are women of the ocean who live inside a seal skin. When they come up to the rocks, they slip out of their skin or shapeshifts, to dance or bask in the sun. If a man steals her skin while she sleeps, she is forced to become his wife and live on land. If she already has a family in the ocean, she never gets to see them again.

Ocean Ecology:
Seals have over 33 species, including sea lions, walruses, fur seals, and true seals (known as earless seals since they don’t have ear flaps). Known as PINNEPEDS, they are a widely distributed and diverse group of carnivorous, fin-footed, semiaquatic marine mammals. The freshwater Siberian Baikal seal is the smallest. The largest is the southern elephant seal with the male’s prominent trunk-like nose. Walrus are the only seals without fur, although they have mighty whiskers and tusks.

Quote: “The difference between a miracle and a fact is exactly the difference between a mermaid and a seal.“ ~Mark Twain

Mermaid Mythology:
Ben-Varrey are beautiful mermaids from the Isle of Man. The homely males are called Dinny-Mara. Both are kind to humans. In one story, a young mermaid stole a doll from a girl. When her mer-mother discovered the theft, she gifted the little human girl with a pearl necklace in apology.

Ocean Ecology:
Oysters are the most consumed BIVALVE in the world with a shell divided front to back into left and right valves connected at a hinge. The Olympia oyster is native to the Northwest and was mostly wiped out during the gold rush. Most local oysters are grown in the mud and harvested using a dredge. Westport’s Brady Engvall developed suspended culture to farm oysters on wire above the mud. Oysters take 2-3 years to grow to market size.

Quote: “All art is autobiographical; the pearl is the oyster’s autobiography.“ ~Federico Fellini

Mermaid Mythology:
Aphrodite was born from sea foam and shown in a scallop shell. She is not technically a mermaid, but is the Greek goddess of seafaring, love, beauty, and pleasure.

Ocean Ecology:
Scallops symbolize love and beauty. They swim using jet propulsion by clapping their shells together. This animal is mostly farmed, or raised in aquaculture, versus wild caught. Scallops are aquatic MOLLUCKS—a family that includes slugs, snails, and octopus—with compressed bodies in hinged shells.

Quote: “When mermaids sleep in oceans deep inside their coral caves, they lay their heads on seaweed beds, rocked softly by the waves.“ ~Anonymous

Mermaid Mythology:
Finfolk were mermaids from Ireland and Scotland’s underwater kingdom of Finfolkaheem. As shapeshifters, Finfolk could appear and disappear changing from fish to human, or in between as merfolk. Proof of their existence is sought by CRYPTOZOOLOGISTS—those who search for legendary animals. No matter their shape, they were beautiful and attractive to humans, which was not good since they could capture their youth for their own immortality.

Ocean Ecology:
SCUBA is an acronym for Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. In 1942, Jacques-Yves Cousteau and Émile Gagnan designed the Aqua-Lung. Westport Winery and Lahaina Divers founder Blain Roberts, received the Scuba Schools International Platinum Pro Award alongside Cousteau in 1991.

Quote: “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.“ ~Jacques-Yves Cousteau

Mermaid Mythology:
Pania, on New Zealand’s northern island, swam with the sea creatures by day and rested in a stream at night. One night she cast a spell on Karitoki, son of a Maori chief. They then married in secret and she returned to the sea each morning. No one believed he has a beautiful bride. An elder told him that women from the sea could not return to the ocean if they ate cooked food. So he placed food in her mouth as she slept. When an owl screeched a warning, Pania rushed to the sea, never to see Karitoki again. People say the sea near Napier is protected by their son whose name is Moremore. He disguises himself as an octopus, shark, or ray.

Ocean Ecology:
Sharks date back 420 million years. There are over 400 species from the 8 inch dwarf lanternshark to the 60 foot whale shark. Tiger, great white shark, mako, thresher, and hammerhead sharks are APEX predators or at the top of the food chain without natural predators of their own.

Quote: “Sharks are beautiful animals, and if you’re lucky enough to see lots of them, that means that you’re in a healthy ocean. You should be afraid if you are in the ocean and don’t see sharks.“ ~Sylvia Earle

Mermaid Mythology:
Millalobo was the mythical king of the sea in Chile. Rather than being a species of its own, it is the offspring of a human mother and a sea lion father. Millalobo married a woman, fathered a son and two daughters, Sirena Chilota and Pincoya. His son Pincoy was a merman who brought lost sailors back to land. Pincoya with her long blonde hair and blue eyes was said to be the most beautiful woman on earth. When she sits on a rock looking towards the ocean, it is a sign of great fishing, while there is a death of fish when she faces the land.

Ocean Ecology:
Sea Lion have ear flaps which makes them pinnepeds. There are 33 species of EXTANT—in existence—sea lions and 50 extinct species. The largest is the Steller sea lion which is a near-threatened species in the north Pacific. Females weigh 700 pounds and males up to a ton, or 2000 pounds, about the weight of a hippo. Sea lions have a lifespan of up to thirty years.

Quote: “She is a mermaid but approach her with caution. Her mind swims at a depth most would drown in.“ ~J. Iron

Mermaid Mythology:
La Pincoya is the mermaid of abundance and plenty in Chile. A golden-haired beauty, her fair skin contrasts with a glistening fish tail from the waist down. She sings haunting love songs in the evening that mortal men find irresistible. She is beloved by fishermen since she fills the sea with fish and shellfish when she dances on the beach facing the ocean. When she dances to the land, the fish disappear. Residents of the island of Chiloé sing and dance to share their joy since La Pincoya is attracted to happiness and favors them with good fortune.

Ocean Ecology:
Sea Rose is the egg skein of the Spanish Dancer, a NUDIBRANCH. Nudibranchs are a group of soft-bodied, marine gastropod mollusks which shed their shells after their larval stage. As a Spanish Dancer crawls, its mantle curls up creating a blistered edge. Its scientific name, Hexabranchus sanguineus, means blood-colored six-gills. In the water, it flutters like a Flamenco dancer’s skirt.

Quote: “I must be a mermaid, Rango. I have no fear of depths and a great fear of shallow living.“ ~Anais Nin

Mermaid Mythology:
Sirena were famously reported by Christopher Columbus in his journal on January 9, 1493. He details seeing three mermaids while sailing near the Dominican Republic. He wrote that they are “not half as beautiful as they are painted.” It is commonly held that sailor’s sightings of mermaids were wishful thinking, poor eyesight, or false identifications of a variety of sea creatures.

Ocean Ecology:
Dugong & Manatee are in the order of Sirenia. They are the only marine mammals that are vegetarian. They are in danger of extinction. The moment of EXTINCTION is generally considered to be the death of the last individual of the species. Dugongs stay in saltwater while Manatees reside in both saltwater and freshwater. Dugongs mate for life and Manatees are polygamists. Manatee live up to 40 years and Dugongs up to 70 years. Manatees have horizontal, paddle-shaped tails like beavers. Dugongs have a fluke tail like a dolphin.

Quote: “One does not discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time.“ ~Christopher Columbus

Mermaid Mythology:
Siyokoy are vengeful mermen from the Philippines with scaly green skin, fins on their arms, and webbed fingers or tentacles. Unlike most merfolk, they have feet instead of tails, with gills on their torso. Siyokoy are particularly horrendous creatures of the sea with a penchant for dragging humans into the deep to devour them. Their most unique skill is their ability to control water. They can turn tides, dissolve clouds, change water to ice, and calm or disturb the sea. Their female counterparts, Sirena, are beautiful, friendly, and nurturing to humans. Both are members of the Bantay Tubig, the Filipino version of merfolk.

Ocean Ecology:
Cowry shells are called porcellana in Italian, which is the basis for the word porcelain, due to the shells glossy appearance. The cowrie has a mantle it can deploy to cover its shell or withdraw inside when threatened. Hawaii’s tiger cowry is known for devouring invasive species, especially soft corals. Long used as a form of CURRENCY or money, the shell was used in trade around the world.

Quote: “One cannot collect all the beautiful shells on the beach. One can collect only a few, and they are more beautiful if they are few.“ ~Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Mermaid Mythology:
Morgens are Welsh water spirits that drown men, luring them to their death with their sylphlike beauty or glimpses of underwater gardens and buildings made of gold and crystal. The morgens are eternally young. In Cornwall, the mermaids were said to walk on land as easily as swimming at sea, allowing them to entice men to join them in the ocean. In one story, a fisherman adopts a morgen baby, only to lose her when she grows up and returns to her parents’ underwater cathedral.

Ocean Ecology:
Caverns make scuba diving in Hawaii popular. This exciting underwater geology is formed by PYRODUCTS or lava tubes, a natural conduit formed by flowing lava beneath a hardened lava surface. One well-known dive site is First Cathedrals, aptly named for the light filtering through the upper" window and the rock alter in the center.

Quote: “Always be yourself unless you can be a mermaid. Then always be a mermaid.“ ~Anonymous

Mermaid Mythology:
Li Ban was Irish. After her family drowned, she lived in an underwater cave for a year. As a result of THERIANTHROPY—the ability for a human to change into an animal—when she came to the surface, she was half woman and half salmon. Her dog took on the form of an otter. Together they roamed the seas for 300 years. Her lovely voice caused her to be found and brought to shore by a boat. On land she was baptized and named Muirgen, which means “sea born.” Unfortunately, she was not meant to live on land and died, forfeiting her life to have a Christian soul. In old Irish, Li Ban translates to beautiful woman. Muirgheilt is another word for Li Ban. It means sea wanderer.

Ocean Ecology:
Otters in a group are called a romp. An otter’s den is called a couch. They are found in rivers, lakes, and the ocean. As they mature, they learn to open shells on their stomachs while they swim on their backs.

Quote: “Love one another, but make not a bond of love: Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your soul.“ ~Khalil Gibran

Mermaid Mythology:
Iara was a smart, courageous young woman living in Brazil. Because she could fight better than her brothers, they murdered her and dump her body in the river. The goddess of the moon, Jaci, brought Iara back to life as a mermaid with a dolphin’s tail. As a mermaid, Iara would sit on a rock by the river, combing her hair, lazing in the sun. When she sensed a man nearby, she would sing, luring him into the water. Once she cast her spell, a man would give up everything to join her. She was blamed for many men who disappeared. When Jaraguari fell in love and joined her in her underwater world, her vengeful spirit found peace.

Ocean Ecology:
Dolphins, porpoises, and whales are cetaceans. Ancient Greeks knew CETACEANS breathe air, give birth to live young, produce milk, and have hair—all features of mammals. Yet because of their shape, they were grouped with fishes. There are six species of dolphins called whales. The smallest is the Maui dolphin at just over five feet long. The largest is the killer whale or orca at over 30 feet long.

Quote: “Some of the greatest minds on Earth live in the sea.“ ~Anthony Douglas Williams, Inside The Divine Pattern

Mermaid Mythology:
Jiaoren (蛟人) were not simply mermaids in Chinese mythology. They were believed to weave dragon yarn, a beautiful ivory fabric that could never get wet. In the Jin Dynasty, a mermaid was said to sell her dragon yarn to humans whenever they treated her with kindness. Rich people claimed they owned the precious commodity. The story was told that when Jiaoren cried, her tears turned to pearls. To show appreciation, she might cry into a jar to fill it with pearls.

Ocean Ecology:
Pearls are created in concentric layers of calcium carbonate, the same material as the shell. Two objects are CONCENTRIC if they share the same center axis. The perfect pearl is round and smooth. The highest valued and rare pearls are found in the wild and are known as natural pearls. The term baroque refers to pearls with irregular shapes.

Quote: “The pearl is the queen of gems and gem of queens.“ ~Anyonymous

Mermaid Mythology:
Ningyo (人魚) means “human fish” in Kanji, a form of Japanese writing that uses Chinese characters. A ningyo is part human female and part fish. Catching a ningyo was an omen of foul weather and fortune’s lost, so fishermen released them. Finding one on the beach was a sign of war or bad luck. However, eating a ningyo resulted in long life. The most famous story is of Yao Bikuni, the daughter of a fisher, who was fed ningyo. When she grew up, she stopped aging. She survived many husbands, then became a nun, eventually taking her own life at 800 years old.

Ocean Ecology:
Manta Rays are filter feeders. They are well known for their MUTUALISTIC relationship—where each has a benefit—with remora, sometimes called a suckerfish. Eagle Rays have a face like a dog and are not filter feeders. They swim along the bottom to electronically sense animals hidden on the bottom of the sea to find prey. Skates and rays are also cartilage fish. The egg pouch of the skate is called a “mermaid’s purse.”

Quote: “Mermaid, a water woman who chooses imagination over fear.“ ~Anonymous

Mermaid Mythology:
Merrow, of Irish-English origin, need a magic cap or cohuleen druith to move between water and land. The green-haired merrow is half human, gorgeous from the waist up, with a fish tail complete with green scales. She even has iridescent white webs between her fingers. They are gentle and generous, capable of close relationships with humans. Yet even if they marry a human, eventually they will return to the ocean, which is why their husbands sometimes hide their magic cap.

Ocean Ecology:
Shrimp and prawns are the same animal with 1000 species around the world. Some are PHOSPHORESCENT and glow in the dark. The commercial shrimp industry is sustainable and worth over a billion dollars a year. They can be farmed, but the best tasting are caught wild from the ocean. Pink Shrimp fisheries based out of Westport, are a model for the future of environmentally sustainable shrimping.

Quote: “Mermaids don’t lose sleep over the opinions of shrimp.“ ~Anonymous

Mermaid Mythology:
Kelpie are Scottish water spirits that transform from horse to human. The most famous kelpie lives in Loch Ness. They are given away by their hair being made of water weeds. Although they are not mermaids, Kelpie mythology is closely linked. In the early 1900’s, some artists began depicting the kelpie as sea woman or mermaid. Like many mermaids, Kelpie has a tendency to drown humans.

Ocean Ecology:
Seahorse live in shallow tropical or temperate waters. They are slow swimmers and use their PREHENSILE tails to hold in one place as their tails are adapted to grasping. Male seahorses give birth to up to 2000 babies at a time. A group of seahorses are called a herd. Sea dragons are the most flamboyant seahorses.

Quote: “Like a mermaid in seaweed, she dreams awake, trembling in her soft and chilly nest.“ ~John Keats

Mermaid Mythology:
Sedna loved her Inuit family home and refused to marry. One man took her away to his island where he revealed he was a bird. When her father found her unhappy, he killed the birdman. They got into his kayak to go home but her husband’s bird friends flapped their wings to create a violent storm. He father, fearful his kayak would sink, threw her overboard. As Sedna clung to the boat, her father cut off her fingers. From these, fish, seals, walruses, and whales were formed. Sedna sank to the bottom of the ocean and became a powerful spirit. Her home is now on the ocean floor. Because she has no fingers, she is happy when others comb and braid her hair.

Ocean Ecology:
Lingcod, sometimes known as buffalo cod or cultus cod, are in the greenling family. They are found from Shumagin Islands in the Gulf of Alaska to Baja California, Mexico. Commercially they are caught by TRAWLERS—boats that drag nets along the bottom of the sea—with the largest fish weighing at 130 pounds. Twenty percent of lingcod have turquoise flesh that turns white when cooked.

Quote: “Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.“ ~Henry David Thoreau

Mermaid Mythology:
Meermin is the Dutch word for mermaid. In a story from 1403, a dike in the city of Kampen in the Netherlands had a crack in it, opening the river to the sea. After making repairs, people claimed that they saw a mermaid in the river, swimming without bothering anyone. They decided to capture her and bring her on land, where she transformed into a human with two legs. She tried to escape by jumping back in the water.

Ocean Ecology:
Tsunami is a seismic sea wave. It develops as a result of shifts in the earth’s crust or underwater landslides. These waves move at up to 500 miles per hour. When they arrive at land, their speed creates a giant surge of water like sloshing in a tub. Instead of a clean wave, it is like a flood of fast moving flotsam, including plants, vehicles, and buildings along in its wake. FLOTSAM is debris in the water that was not deliberately thrown overboard, often as a result from a shipwreck, accident, or flood. Jetsam is trash thrown overboard, often to lighten the ships load, or jettisoned.

Quote: “Be a mermaid and make waves“ ~Anonymous

Mermaid Mythology:
Ceasg (kee-ask) is a Scottish mermaid that is half woman and half salmon. The seafarer who captures her receives three wishes. Unfortunately, the Ceasq, like some other sea sirens, were known to lure sailors to their death. They were hard to kill since they placed their soul in a shell to hide it from humans. When a mermaid fell in love with a sailor, she would leave the sea and transform into a human. Rather than granting her husband three wishes, she would give him good luck for the rest of his life.

Ocean Ecology:
Salmon are ANADROMOUS, meaning they live in the ocean but migrate to fresh water to breed. There are five native species of salmon on the West Coast: Chinook, Coho, Chum, Pink, Sockeye.

Quote: “I think we're going to the moon because it's in the nature of the human being to face challenges. It's by the nature of his deep inner soul... we're required to do these things just as salmon swim upstream.“ ~Neil Armstrong

Mermaid Mythology:
Nibiinaabe, the Chippewa water spirit, are females with fish tails from Anishinabe folklore and said to be frightened by loud noises. They are also a clan symbol of the Ojibwe tribe. Lumpeguins are little mermaids of Wabanaki mythology. If someone steals their magical garments, they are under that person’s power. They have the ability to create food by turning a crumb into a infinite meal or bread from snow. Sabawaelnu are Mi’kmaq mermaids who control storms. Mi’kmaq people who understand their songs can forecast weather. They are known as water people or Halfway People.

Ocean Ecology:
Sea Turtles are reptiles with CARAPACE—shells that serve as their rib cage. Unlike other turtles, sea turtles cannot retract their head and limbs. The seven species are Green, Leatherback, Loggerhead, Kemp’s Ridley, Olive Ridley, Hawksbill, and Flatback.

Quote: “Try to be like the turtle, at ease in your own shell.“ ~Bill Copeland

Mermaid Mythology:
Tlanchana was a woman with a serpent or fish tail. She adorned her crown, necklace, and belt with creatures of the sea, from starfish to shells. Originally, she was an Otomi goddess known as Acapaxapo, said to have divine powers who delivered omens. The Aztecs later named her Altonanchane, which became Tlanchana. They are known as the highest altitude mermaids living in fresh water lakes in the mountains of Mexico. If rejected, she would wrap her tail around a man and drag him underwater to his death. They say she was often lonely and jealous of humans, so locals left her offerings to appease her malevolent nature.

Ocean Ecology:
Sea Star are plentiful with 2000 species from the arctic to the tropics, in a wide variety of colors. Most have five arms and can REGENERATE or regrow lost limbs. Sunflower sea stars are the largest and can have up to forty arms. Sea stars may live up to 35 years even though they have no brain and no blood.

Quote: “Write your secrets in the sand and trust them with a mermaid.“ ~Anonymous

Mermaid Mythology:
Mami Wata, or Mother of the Water, are water deities of Africa and the Caribbean. There is even a religious group called to praise the goddess, where an individual follower is called a “Mami Wata child.” This mermaid goddess is a compassionate healer and mother to all aquatic creatures. She can transform into a woman, fish, or mermaid, depending on her mood. She is often seen holding a water snake or eel around her shoulders.

Ocean Ecology:
Eels snap their jaws as they swim, but they are not threatening to bite. It is how they breathe. There are 40 species of moray, three species of conger, and two dozen snake eels in Hawaii. A group of eels is called a swarm. Wolf eel, common in the North Pacific, are fish and not true eel. They mate for life and grow to almost 8 feet long. The species is MONOTYPIC, meaning there is only one species in the group.

Quote: “The funniest thing about comedy is that you never know why people laugh. I know what makes them laugh but trying to get your hands on the why of it is like trying to pick an eel out of a tub of water.“ ~W.C. Fields

Mermaid Mythology:
Suvannamaccha translates to golden mermaid in a Hindu story from the 6th century. She is a daughter of Ravana, who appears in the Cambodian and Thai versions of the Ramayana. As a mermaid princess, she tries to spoil Hanuman’s plans to build a bridge to Lanka, but falls in love with him instead. Hanuman stays underwater with her until he is called back to complete the bridge. Once complete, Hanuman is needed by the king’s side and never sees his mermaid again. Her image is seen as a sign of good luck. She is known to wear a crown of gold and jewels.

Ocean Ecology:
Crown-of-Thorns is one of the world’s largest starfish. It preys upon and destroys coral reefs. While most common in Australia, it lives worldwide in warm waters from the Red Sea to Hawaii to the Caribbean. It is named for its venomous spines that are said to resemble the biblical crown-of-thorns. Starfish can reproduce by AUTOTOMY or self-amputation and regenerate the lost body part later, usually as a self-defense mechanism.

Quote: “I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each. I do not think that they will sing to me.“ ~T.S. Eliot, The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

Mermaid Mythology:
Rusalki are some of the most beautiful water spirits found in Russia and Ukraine. In the spring and summer, they embellish themselves with flowers and green garlands. In the fall and winter, they transform to zombie-like corpses with hollow eyes, shallow skin, and adorn themselves with weeds. They are known to be more dangerous in June when they sing in the night to lure young men to the water as part of their vengeful nature. A famous opera by Antonín Dvořák tells the story of a Rusalka who is in love with a human prince. She drinks a potion to become human. The prince knows if he does not love her that he will die. They are happy for awhile but eventually his love fades and her kiss kills him.

Ocean Ecology:
Coral are the flowers of the sea. They occupy 0.1% of the ocean but are responsible for 25% of the habitat for marine life. Each COLONY—a group of identical polyps—create structure and beauty for divers, habitat for other marine life, and protection for land masses. Each polyp is a sac-like animal typically only a few millimeters in diameter and a few centimeters in height. A set of tentacles surround a central mouth opening.

Quote: “If you sign to the mermaids, they come when you’re drowning.“ ~Tori Amos

Mermaid Mythology:
Parthenope was a siren in Greek mythology. He name translates to “maiden-voiced.” The daughter of the god Achelous and the muse Terpsichore, she cast herself into the sea and drowned when her songs failed to entice Odysseus. Her body washed ashore in Naples, Italy. When people settled there, they named their city Parthenope in her honor. In a nineteenth-century myth, she was a mermaid in the Neapolitan gulf. One day, she met a centaur named Vesuvius. They fell in love, but Zeus, jealous and possessive, turned the centaur into a volcano. Parthenope could only see her beloved without being able to interact. The coast assumed her features so she could rejoin Vesuvius in a love pact.

Ocean Ecology:
Black Coral is typically white, red, green, yellow, or brown, and rarely black. Only after is is harvested, cut, and polished, do you see the black luster. As the state gem of Hawaii, it is used in jewelry. It is a soft, deep water coral that is SUSTAINABLE—able to exist continually—as a harvested product.

Quote: “Dive deep for the treasure that you seek.“ ~Anonymous

Mermaid Mythology:
Amphitrite was the eldest of fifty Nereids who toured the oceans riding tame sea creatures in Greek mythology. As Poseidon’s wife, she was queen of the sea, and the mother of Triton, a merman. The three-pronged spear called a trident was the symbol of Poseidon, while Amphitrite wore a crown of crab claws.

Ocean Ecology:
Crab are CRUSTACEANS, a group of 45,000 species including lobster, shrimp, and wood lice. Dungeness Crab, local to Washington State waters, are considered the best tasting. They are caught in crab pots using bait. The Brown Box Crab is a type of King Crab. For protection, it folds its legs in to look like a box. A group of crab is called a cast.

Quote: “You’ve got your own style, now let it shine through and remember no matter what, you got to be you.“ ~Sebastian, the crab, King Triton’s advisor

Mermaid Mythology:
Triton was the son of Poseidon and Amphitrite. His lower body is a fish, while human on his top. He was said to blow a shell like a trumpet to tame or inflame the sea. Legends say if sailors got lost of the lake, Triton helped them by creating the island of Thera to prevent drowning. Not all accounts of Triton were positive. When cattle were missing, or a storm killed sailors out at sea, many assumed that Triton was to blame. People knew that they wouldn’t stand a chance if they tried to go head-to-head with a god, so to appease his wrath, they would leave a chalice of wine for him at the shore as a peace offering.

Ocean Ecology:
Triton’s Trumpet, known scientifically as Charonia tritonis, is one of the few predators of the Crown-of-Thorns starfish. This giant GASTROPOD—snail or slug—reaches up to two feet in size, making it one of the largest mollusks on the coral reef.

Quote: “No trumpets sound when the important decisions of our life are made. Destiny is made known silently.“ ~Agnes de Mille

Mermaid Mythology:
Nayada is a Russian form of naiad, or water nymph, associated with fresh water fountains or springs as depicted in one of John William Waterhouse’s paintings in 1872. As part of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood of painters, he had a fascination with Greek mythological creatures including undine, mermaids, and nymphs, as well as characters from Arthurian legends. MYTHS are a type of folklore in various societies with creatures that are usually gods, demigods, or supernatural humans.

Ocean Ecology:
Agates can be found along streams, old riverbanks, and gravel shoals on beaches. They are also found on mountains and in the desert like the famous Ellensburg Blue Agates. Sizes range from tiny pebbles to large rocks. A microcrystalline form of quartz, agates are semi-precious gemstones formed millenia ago. They are considered to bring good luck and subsequent happiness.

Quote: “She is a mermaid on dry land and the world is her ocean.“ ~J. Iron

Mermaid Mythology:
Cecaelia have the head, arms, and torso of a human and the tentacles of an octopus. They are known as either mermaids or sea witches. In The Little Mermaid, the character of Ursula is a cecaelia who once lived in the royal palace of King Triton, the king of the underwater kingdom of Atlantica.

Ocean Ecology:
Octopus appear in legends as sea monsters. There are 300 species of octopus. The largest is the giant Pacific octopus weighing up to 600 pounds with an arm span of 30 feet. Like most cephalopods, octopus release ink as a defense mechanism. They regulate their color and texture as camouflage. Octopus are SEMELPAROUS, which means they only reproduce once before death.

Quote: “The fact that three-fifths of an octopus’ neurons are no in their brain, but in their arms, suggests that each arm has a mind of its own.“ ~Sy Montgomery

Mermaid Mythology:
Ursula, in the Disney versions of The Little Mermaid, is portrayed as a sea witch with tentacles instead of a tail. In Hans Christian Andersen’s story, the character doesn’t have a name but she is indeed a mermaid, albeit one with a bad reputation. In the movie, the nautilus necklace is where Ariel’s beautiful singing voice is kept after she trades it for legs.

Ocean Ecology:
Nautilus shell chambers are in the Fibonacci Sequence. The Fibonacci Sequence: 3, 5, 8, 13, is where each number is added to the previous. Music reflects that series of numbers. In a scale, the dominant note is the fifth note, which is the eighth note of all thirteen notes that make up an octave. There are six species of nautilus. Each can withdraw into its shell and close the opening with a leathery hood formed from two specially folded tentacles. They are found in the Indo-Pacific Ocean as deep as 380 FATHOMS. A fathom is six feet.

Quote: “The Nautilus was piercing the water with its sharp spur, after having accomplished nearly ten thousand leagues in three months and a half, a distance greater than the great circle of the earth. Where were we going now, and what was reserved for the future?” ~Jules Verne

Mermaid Mythology:
Ariel is based on a character from Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytale The Little Mermaid written in 1837. Disney adapted the story in 1989 for their animated film. The most famous Little Mermaid sculpture is in Copenhagen, Denmark. There are thirteen replicas around the world.

Ocean Ecology:
Flounder, Ariel’s best friend in the movie, is a Royal Angelfish, not a flounder. The Flounder family includes a variety of flatfish. At hatching, a flounder has an eye on each side of its body. Through METAMORPHOSIS—abrupt body change after birth—one eye migrates to the other side of its body. The largest flounder, the Pacific Halibut, weighed 482 pounds, about the same weight as a black bear.

Quote: “Who says that my dreams, have to stay, just my dreams?“ ~Ariel, The Little Mermaid

Mermaid Mythology:
Mélusine was written in 1393 by Jean d’Arras. In the story, Pressine married the king of Albany, Scotland. Her only rule was the he never see her or their daughters bathe. In excitement at Mélusine’s birth, he breaks his promise. In fury, Pressine puts a curse on Mélusine making her a mermaid. When Mélusine marries, she exacts the same promise from her husband. Sadly, he sees her bathing. At that point her arms become wings and she disappears. Her story inspired the Starbucks logo. The Starbucks’ name comes from a character in the book Moby Dick by Herman Melville.

Ocean Ecology:
Pufferfish are poisonous with enough tetrodotoxin in its organs to kill thirty adults. The poison is 1200 times more deadly than cyanide. There is no known ANTIDOTE or substance to counteract the poison. Puffing up is the fish’s primary defense since their normal slim body becomes too big to bite. It takes the fish over five hours to deflate.

Quote: “Be a mermaid. Swim fast, wear a crown, and dream big.“ ~Anonymous

Mermaid Mythology:
Lorelei is from a poem written by Heinrich Heine in 1822. It tells of a beautiful maiden who waited for her lover on a rock cliff on the Rhine River. When he failed to meet her, heartbroken, she jumped to her death. They say her spirit remains, seeking revenge as she sits on the rock, combing her long hair and singing softly. Sailors, so enchanted by her beautiful song, run aground trying to find her. In German, the name Lorelei translates to “murmuring rock.”

Ocean Ecology:
Venus Comb or murex pecten is a snail with spines on both sides of its shell. It is said that mermaids use this shell to comb their hair. Over one hundred spines provide its protection from predators and from sinking into the soft mud on the sea floor. To eat, the animal excretes a softening fluid onto the shells of clams and barnacles, then scrapes it with its hundreds of tiny teeth. BARNACLES are sedentary crustaceans and attach to boats, docks, rocks, and even other animals like whales.

Quote: “Rainbows and mermaids are proof that imagination and beauty go hand in hand.“ ~Anonymous

Mermaid Mythology:
Madison was the mermaid in the 1984 movie Splash, starring Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah. Hanks’ character, Allen Bauer, walking the streets of Manhattan with the mermaid, asks her name. She looks at the nearby street sign and reads Madison. This was the movie of the era that brought mermaids to the masses and launched a trend in baby names. The underwater scenes, filmed in the Bahamas, did not show much of the flora or fauna, and instead focused on a wreck as the stage. Hannah said that it took about eight hours to put on the tail before filming. She said the tail was so fragile, certain parts decomposed in short order.

Ocean Ecology:
Wreck Diving is recreational diving where the wreckage of ships, aircrafts, and other artificial structures are explored. Some vessels are SCUTTLED—deliberately sunk—to create artificial reefs. The boats in photos displayed in the museum were sunk by Lahaina Divers when filming episodes of Charlie’s Angels and Hart to Hart in the 1970’s. Blain Roberts, founder of Westport Winery, and his staff, were stunt doubles in the filming of both shows.

Quote: “All my life I’ve been waiting for someone and when I find her, she’s a fish“ ~Allen Bauer, Tom Hanks’ character in the movie Splash

Mermaid Mythology:
Moclips’ mermaid was revealed on May 27, 2012, when the Animal Planet released Mermaids: The Body Found. In the show, a young person allegedly finds a mermaid on the beach in Moclips, Washington. The premise was the scientists seek to learn more about these mysterious marine animals, but the government hides the evidence. The nearby Naval Station in Pacific Beach acts as a backdrop to the story. Many people were fooled by the movie as the disclaimers were few. The producers even went to far as to create a website that was “taken down by the government.” The show was called a MOCKUMENTARY, which is a fictional film, versus a documentary which is factual.

Ocean Ecology:
Razor Clams are found from Pismo, California, to the Aleutian Islands near Alaska. The underwater canyon off of Moclips is one of the best breeding grounds for razor clams. Clams are located by looking for dimples or donut shapes in the sand. Razor clam digging is allowed during certain low tides using clam guns or shovels. There is a 15 clam limit in Washington and diggers must have a license.

Quote: “A mermaid has not an immortal soul, nor can she obtain one unless she wins the love of a human being. On the power of another hangs her eternal destiny.“ ~Hans Christian Andersen

Mermaid Mythology:
Feejee was made famous in 1842, when a Dr. Griffin arrived in New York with a mermaid he claimed to have captured in Fiji to display at the American Museum of Barnum. Flyers of a mermaid with the body of a young and beautiful woman were in stark contrast to the creature on display. In his autobiography, Barnum said it was “ugly, black, and dry…” It was a monkey body sewn to a fish tail. Griffin’s real name was Levi Lyman, and he was an accomplice of Barnum in one of history’s most famous hoaxes.

Ocean Ecology:
Lionfish are native to Fiji and the Indo-Pacific. They are one of the most INVASIVE species—animals places in a non-native environment that they harm—on Earth. One lionfish can reduce juvenile reef fish populations by 79%. Goldfish released into the wild are another example of invasive fish.

Quote: “Fortune always favors the brave, and never helps a man who does not help himself.“ ~PT Barnum

Mermaid Mythology:
Hannah Fraser is the first mermaid working as an underwater performance artist, and model for film, events, focused on environmental activism. By using her unique link to the ocean, she inspires and educates people on the importance of marine life. Hannah is a role model of self-empowerment for young women across the globe who see that she has made her dreams a reality, no matter how unlikely the odds!

Ocean Ecology:
Whale Sharks are the largest fish on earth. They are up to 62 feet long. The skin on an adult whale shark is 4 inches thick and topped with rigid, triangular scales called denticles. They have a lifespan estimated up to 130 years. As plankton feeders they pose no threat to humans. PLANKTON are organisms that are too small or weak to swim against the current and exist in a drifting state. Nekton are tiny strong-swimming organisms that move freely and are not controlled by currents.

Quote: “A mermaid’s gift is to inspire people to rekindle their relationship to nature and a way to communicate the environmental issues that face us at this point. The ocean is the birthplace of life on Earth, and if I can be a visual link to inspire other humans who have become disconnected from this amazing world, I feel I have done something worthwhile.” ~Hannah Fraser

Mermaid Mythology:
Una The Mermaid is the Northwest’s first in tank underwater performer. Her 900 gallon tank was inspired by vintage circus wagons. Una is the founder of the Portlandia Mermaid Parade and Festival. In 2023, she was the protagonist in the docu-fiction art film Siren’s Call. She studies CONCHOMANCY (konk-oh-man-sea)—a form of divination using shells—to read the future or gain insights. As a shell oracle, the Geoduck (also known as the King Clam) represents digging deep into matters, longevity, and fortitude.

Ocean Ecology:
Geoduck (pronounced “gooey-duck”) are large clams found along the West Coast. They are also known as Elephant Clam due to their long siphon or “neck.” They are harvested in the wild and via aquaculture, mostly in Washington State. The longest lived geoduck on record was 168 years old.

Quote: “The Ocean is the mother of us all, and she represents nurturance of life, and cycles.“ ~Una the Mermaid

Mermaid Mythology:
Olive The Alchemist —a person who transforms through a seemingly magical process—is a PADI certified mermaid instructor and founder of the Seattle Mermaid School, the Pacific Northwest’s exclusive portal to experiencing the underwater world of mermaids firsthand. The Alchemist has years of experience in a rigorous, professional-level role as a mermaid character performer with Walt Disney World Entertainment and was 2021-2023 Miss Mermaid Washington.

Ocean Ecology:
Tiger Sharks are solitary and nocturnal apex predators with females reaching 15 feet. They have the largest food spectrum of all sharks with diets that include whales, crustaceans, fish, seals, birds, snakes, turtles, squid, dolphins, and other sharks. Tigers are second only to Great Whites in attacks on humans, although these are rare. They are sometimes preyed upon themselves by orca pods.

Quote: “Without sharks, you take away the apex predators of the ocean, and you destroy the entire food chain.“ ~Peter Benchley

Mermaid Mythology:
Rachel The Sailing Siren is a certified freediving and mermaid instructor who owns Aquanauts Freediving LLC in Las Vegas. Rachel joined the 2023 US National Team for the CMAS Freediving Depth World Championships. She was named Fire Entertainer of the Year 2016, Miss Mermaid Nevada 2022, and Miss Sea Queen of Nevada 2023. She was in Black Panther 2: Wakanda Forever, on American Ninja Warrior, and in the Netflix documentary MerPeople. Rachel is lead performer at the annual International Mermaid Museum Festival and is dedicated to teaching ocean ecology.

Ocean Ecology:
Scorpionfish look like the surface where they perch, so via camouflage they can ambush their prey. The titan scorpionfish is ENDEMIC or native and only found in Hawaii. Its Hawaiian name is nohu, which is also the name of the puncture vine. Their dorsal spines have a powerful hemotoxin that when injected is similar to the bite of a rattlesnake or black-widow spider.

Quote: “The sea, the great unifier, is man’s only hope. Now, as never before, the old phrase has a literal meaning: we are all in the same boat.“ ~Jacques-Yves Cousteau

Mermaid Mythology:
Nikolai was built in the late 1790’s by King Kamehameha’s shipbuilders. It was the second schooner built in Hawaii, and named Tamana after the King’s favorite wife. In 1805, he traded the 45 tons ship for a larger boat. That owner then sold it to Russian Captain Pavl Slobodchikov, and it was renamed the Sv Nikolai. On November 1, 1808, Nikolai was sailing from Sitka to establish a colony on the Oregon Coast. In a squall, the boat wrecked on a reef near Destruction Island. The crew, including the captain’s wife, survived the wreck, thus making her the first non-native woman on the Washington Coast. Some research says the couple were captured by the natives and died in captivity. Other stories suggest upon rescue she opted to stay with the tribe while the captain left in shame.

Local History:
Stan Kurylo was working on a fishing trawler off of Westport in the 1990’s. When they pulled their net, Stan’s side was difficult to lift because of an anchor. Stan and his wife Patricia decided to keep it as a memento on their deck. After touring the International Mermaid Museum they donated it along with the chart marking where the anchor had been found. The museum’s executive director researched and found this anchor to be from the Nikolai. Museum team members built the shipwreck for its display.

Quote: “What an anchor is to a ship, hope is to the soul.“ ~June Hunt

One mermaid that I noticed was missing from the museum is one I discovered locally in Northwestern Washington when I first visited Anacortes in 2019. Known as the “Maiden of Deception Pass,” Ko-Kwal-alwoot, was a young girl of the Samish Nation who was transformed into a sea spirit at Rosario Beach in Deception Pass State Park. Watch and hear the story as told by Samish Indian Nation manager Leslie Eastwood or continue reading one version I found online.

Samish Legend:
According to Samish tribal tradition, Ko-kwal-alwoot (pronounced “Kwuh-kwal-uhl-wut”), a beautiful Samish Indian girl, lived in a village in a protected cove at Rosario Head near Deception Pass, between Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands. Her raven-black hair shined like obsidian and reached below her waist. She was gathering seafood one day, near where visitors sit on the shore, when a young man from beneath the sea saw her. He was very handsome and his skin shone like silver. His eyes were large and luminous. He immediately fell in love with the young woman. But when this man of the sea asked her father for her hand in marriage, he refused for fear she would try to follow her suitor and drown. The young man warned Ko-kwal-alwoot's father that he held great power and that the seafood would disappear unless permission was granted for his daughter to marry. Her father was a chief and not disposed to succumb to threats, especially from a fish. He refused. Sure enough, clams, crabs and the succulent goose tongue that grew on the rocky shore became scarce. The nearby sweet spring water dried up and no longer trickled down the beach. Villagers protested that they were hungry for seafood. Under pressure, Ko-kwal-alwoot's father granted permission for the marriage. They were married at the sea’s edge. The bridegroom wasted no time returning to the water. He had only to beckon to his bride and Ko-kwal-alwoot followed, slipping beneath the waves without a backwards glance. Once again seafood became plentiful and icy, clear water gushed from the nearby spring. Ko-kwal-alwoot returned to her people once a year for four years. Barnacles disfigured her once lovely hands and arms. Her long raven hair was intermingled with long, stringy kelp. Chill sea winds followed wherever she walked and she seemed unhappy out of the sea, away from her husband. Seeing her unhappiness, Ko-kwal-alwoot's people told her she did not need to return to them each season. Since that day, she has been the Samish Tribe's guiding spirit, and through her protection there has always been plenty of seafood and pure, sweet spring water. It is said that if you sit on nearby Rosario Head and stare out across Rosario Strait long enough, and if you believe the legend, you may glimpse Ko-kwal-alwoot's long, black kelp-filled hair streaming in the current just below the surface.

Native Heritage:
A 23-foot-high story pole, a joint project of the Samish Tribe and the Skagit County Centennial Commission, was carved from red cedar (donated by the U.S. Forest Service) by Tracy W. Powell of Anacortes, working under the careful guidance of Samish elders, and erected in 1983. The statue has two sides, one portrays Ko-kwal-alwoot as she lived on land, while the other shows her as she lived in the sea, with kelp for hair and scaly skin. There are story posts around the statue that tell this traditional story with wonderful images, honoring the Coast Salish people. I highly recommend visiting the park, especially Bowman Bay and Rosario Beach on the north end of the Deception Pass State Park. I also encourage you to read about the importance of kelp forests and how warming oceans are shrinking them up and down the West Coast.

I’m sure there are many other merfolk and water spirits missing from this list, though I have to give the International Mermaid Museum a lot of credit for all the research they did and what they put together. I already know of a few more just from the research I did for this blog post, including Amabie, Nyai Roro Kidul, Shinjiki, Jengu, and Undine, but there are so many more mermaids, mermen, merfolk, water spirits, sirens, and mythological sea creatures just from what I found on Wikipedia. Therefore, I would sure love to hear from my readers about any others that are missing. Please leave a comment with the name(s) of these mesmerizing creatures of the sea and tell me what you know about them, or their origins, with link(s) if possible. Thank you!

I also really enjoyed this beautiful artwork called “Timorian” by Marshelle Backes from Montesano, WA, that was hanging in the museum. While looking online for more information on it, I accidentally stumbled upon an article about the Wawata Topu, known as the Mermaids of Timor-Leste. Timor-Leste, or East Timor, is a Southeast Asian nation occupying half the island of Timor, situated near Indonesia and Australia. The island is ringed by coral reefs teeming with marine life. The incredible story of these women fishers and divers is the subject of an award-winning documentary.


I hope you enjoyed this post on mermaid myths, folklore, and people, as well as learning about some of the fascinating creatures that live in our oceans. I always knew I was intrigued by mermaids and water, so getting immersed in all this was fun for me, and the knowledge acquired something that I will treasure forever!

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I Believe In Mermaids 🧜‍♀️

While I was camping trip at Grayland Beach State Park, I heard about the famous Westport Winery Garden Resort, winner of 2022 Washington Winery of the Year! The resort is located halfway between Aberdeen and Westport and features wine tasting, a distillery, a restaurant, the International Mermaid Museum, an expansive garden to explore, and even some lodging!

One of my first PNW friends and fellow blogger Aimee Danielson was the perfect partner-in-crime to indulge in the quirky museum as we both identify as mermaids, so I was glad she joined me on this trip. The Mermaid Museum costs only $3 for adults and is totally worth the adventure of learning about ocean ecology from “seashore to sea floor” and getting immersed in mermaid lore which all oceanic countries have. I particularly enjoyed reading all the mermaid mythology signs that were tastefully done with folklore tales and tied in to real oceanic facts. In addition to mermaid culture throughout the ages, there are also displays of physical artifacts, such as cannonballs from historic ships, hag stones, coral reefs, and king crabs. No museum experience would be complete without various mermaid and mermen statues, which despite being a bit kitschy, Aimee and I made the most of it, having a blast posing with them.

My favorite part of their mission statement is, “Mermaids in storytelling encourage people to see the undersea environment, not just through the lens of marine life, but through the view of humans in the underwater world, thus helping them better understand the importance of clean oceans, the sea as a living environment, and the reality of ocean exploration as one of the last great adventures on earth.” I feel like the museum really accomplished this and I found the whole experience fascinating, fun, and informative! I also really enjoyed their outside gardens that had some very impressive mermaid statues and creations, so be sure to walk around and explore the whole compound to get the full experience.

After exploring the Mermaid Museum and spending some money in their elaborate gift shop, Aimee and I headed to winery next door so I could do some wine tasting. I went with a recommended tasting of red wines by one of their knowledgeable tasting room associates. Not only did I enjoy their wines, but I also loved how articulate and entertaining their one-line tasting notes are with a recommended musical pairing, which I found to be a brilliant idea! I tasted the Smoky Nor’wester Merlot/CF/CS blend, the True Blue Malbec, the Nirvana GSM blend, the Bella Sangiovese, and the Surfer Syrah. My favorite was surprisingly the Smoky Nor’wester as I don’t generally love Merlot, but it was a very bold and smooth wine and I couldn’t resist to buy a bottle. Just to give you an idea of their wine tasting notes, the Nor’wester is “like fireworks in the sky or a good spanking” and you should enjoy it while listening to “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran. I’m ready for those fireworks, the spanking, and some good pop music when I drink that bottle!! A tasting of five wines is generally $10 but if you buy a bottle, the fee is waived. The bottle prices are reasonable in the $30-$38 range and each one benefits a regional organization. I’m actually considering becoming a wine club member as I was quite impressed with their brand of red wines. After all, Westport Winery is the number seven top platinum winning winery in the Pacific Northwest!

Aimee and I also stopped by the Sea Glass Grill because we heard their desserts are phenomenal. We each had their Homemade Ding Dong, a dark chocolate cake with chantilly cream, chocolate couverture and raspberry coulis, and it was fantastic! We really should have shared one because they are pretty big and super rich, but no worries, we took our uneaten halves and ate them later that night. Next time I come here, I plan to eat a whole meal at their grill because it all looked delicious!

Check out my friend Aimee’s blog about our mermaid adventure together and the Starbuck logo evolution. Aimee is an avid blogger and has a lot of experience traveling around the PNW, so I recommend following her adventures, plus you can download a FREE e-book on Washington State Parks!

My dreams of being a mermaid may come to flourish in 2024 when the Mermaid Festival hits the museum! I plan to be there some time between Saturday, April 6 through Sunday, April 14 to experience everything this 9-day event has to offer, including Northwest’s famous Una the Mermaid, Olive the Alchemist (founder of the Seattle Mermaid School), Vertical Axis performers Nick Perry and Amanda Thornton, Pacific Northwest Unicorns, Rachel the Sailing Siren, Mermaid Pockets of What Dwells Beneath, Pirate Cliff, and so much more! Who wants to join me in this all-ages celebration of the sea?

Check out my blog post on Mermaid Mythology & Ocean Ecology, as learned from International Mermaid Museum.

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Grayland Beach State Park & Westport

This August I was supposed to go camping in the North Cascades National Park right next to Diablo Lake at Colonial Creek South Campground. As some of you may know, getting a sought after campsite can be like getting concert tickets in which you have to get up at 6:55am and select the site you want and click add to cart and checkout at the right time in order to get the booking. It took me 7 attempts back in February to get one of two van accessible sites closest to the lake! Due to the Sourdough Fire that started on July 29th by a lightning strike, my camping reservation was canceled in mid-August as the area was evacuated and SR-20 highway was closed. Luckily there is this awesome PNW Campground Trading group on Facebook and I found a great replacement camping trip at Grayland Beach State Park in the Southwest part of Washington and a spot I haven’t explored yet.

I arrived in Grayland on Sunday August 13th in the late afternoon after a long, sweltering, 5 hour drive through some gridlock traffic during the historic heatwave that hit the Pacific Northwest. There was some relief in the heat along the Pacific Ocean, but it was still in the 70’s when I arrived to my campsite. I enjoyed a nice stroll to the sandy beach and put my legs in the cool ocean water, which felt good after sitting in the van for so long. I had hoped that the campsites were close to the ocean, but it’s actually a good 10-15 walk to get to the ocean-front. I watched the sun set into a bright orange glaze as there were no clouds to light up the sky any further. For those who wonder about the name, the town of Grayland and the state park were named for Captain Robert Gray, an American sea captain who “discovered” all the harbors now named for him, including nearby Grays Harbor.

Did you know that you can drive onto many of the beaches along the Pacific Ocean in Southern Washington State? I discovered this last year when I was visiting Seaview on the Long Beach Peninsula. There were quite a few cars on Grayland Beach while I was there, which reminded me that there are vehicle-friendly beaches in the area. Make sure you deflate your tires a bit if you’re in a van, or that you have 4WD/AWD, plus it can’t hurt to carry GoTreads or other traction boards in case you get stuck. Be sure to follow the WDFW rules so you avoid razor clams and snowy plovers when driving onto beaches!

During my stay, I went to check out Westport, the surfing capital of Washington and a cozy seaside town. I checked out the Westport Maritime Museum located in the historic Coast Guard station building that was built in 1939 and showcases exhibits on the maritime history of the South Beach. I particularly enjoyed their outdoor natural history exhibit that features sea mammal skeletons, including a large gray whale, a blue whale skull, sea lion, and harbor porpoise. There’s also a scale-model of the former Coast Guard station and lots of historical exhibits of shipwrecks, rescue operations, and the whaling and fishing industries. The biggest highlight is the magnificent Destruction Island Lens which was installed in the lighthouse in 1891 on Destruction Island (north of Westport near Kalaloch) and operated until 1995.

After exploring the museum, I headed to the waterfront to have a bite to eat and ended up enjoying a delicious sandwich at Westhaven Wines, a specialty wine bar and bottle shop located dockside in Westport's Marina District. I also enjoyed a red wine tasting with my meal and ended up buying two lovely bottles, a 2020 David Finlayson Cab and a 2019 Powers Syrah. Then I headed to Westport Light State Park to explore Half Moon Bay and Westhaven Beach. After enjoying the beach time and walking on the cliffs, I headed by the Grays Harbor Lighthouse, which was sadly closed so I only got to take some photos. One thing I planned to do but forgot about was to climb up the Westport Viewing Tower to see the 360* view.

My friend Aimee Danielson joined me for the second half of my camping stay at Grayland Beach State Park and we had a blast visiting the International Mermaid Museum and Westport Winery, so stay tuned for that post coming soon! I also recommend reading Aimee’s blog about the seaside town of Westport as she’s explored this area many times and has some great tips about clam digging. She’s an avid blogger and has a lot of experience traveling around the PNW, so I recommend following her adventures, plus you can download a FREE e-book on Washington State Parks!

One final note — Aimee and I ate brunch at Blue Buoy and absolutely loved their Eggs Benedict! If you’re ever in the area, we both highly recommend this friendly, family-owned restaurant.

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Going From A Bar Rat To A Vanlifer

When my parents died in 2013 and 2015, I realized that I had been wasting a lot of my life at work and drinking at bars. After two failed marriages, I spent my mid-thirties to mid-forties at bars a lot. Drinking was my coping mechanism, a way to get out of the house and be social, forget that I was actually unhappy. I went to the bars 3-6 nights a week, smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol, bonding with various people (some acquaintances, some friends), many of which were lonely people like myself that were escaping their lives as well. I easily had 5+ drinks/shots each time I went out! It didn’t help that I decided to build a side business in music, booking shows at venues with alcohol. The benefits of doing business in that environment meant lots of free drinks, either the venue hooking me up or people buying them for me. One venue even let me drink free every time I went there, even when I didn’t have a show, and I took advantage of that. I still have a receipt from them that shows my whole tab for the year and then that amount “written off” to a zero balance — I’m pretty sure it was close to $3K! It’s not easy to admit to all this, it is definitely something that I justified to myself thinking I didn’t have a problem. Looking back, I know that this behavior led to many bad decisions, as well as weight gain. Between drinking at bars and shows, going to my day job in hi-tech (often hung over), and sitting on my couch watching tv, I didn’t really do much else. I led a sedentary life. To think that I could have explored all the beautiful areas around me and throughout California during those years is disappointing!

Losing my parents changed me, A LOT! I realized that life was short — I became very aware of our mortality and that one could easily die at any moment. I couldn’t keep going down the same path of destruction. It still took me a few years to fully get out of that cycle, but one thing that changed pretty quick in late 2013 was the amount of time I spent at bars drinking. I stopped being a “bar rat” and going out drinking in excess. That doesn’t mean I stopped drinking, but it was easily reduced by half. Instead of bars, I hosted people at my house, but not nearly as often as I was going to bars. I still sat around and watched tv a lot though, still not going out to explore and enjoy the surrounding nature areas. Then in 2016, I discovered vanlife through a guy I was dating that year. It changed my life forever!

When I first met Jesse and he told me he lived in his van, I thought something was wrong with him — who would want to live in a van intentionally?!? He explained to me that he didn’t want to pay the exorbitant monthly rent in the Bay Area and that by living in the van, he saved 80% of his paycheck, which he put into his retirement savings. He also showed me how the transient lifestyle meant seeing all the beautiful areas around, spending the night by the ocean or in the forest, taking trips on the weekend to some place new. I realized at that moment that there were so many wonderful areas within an hour or two of where I lived that I never visited in the 25+ years I lived there! He also took me to Oregon and Washington on a week long road trip, which really opened my eyes as I had never explored these two beautiful neighboring states.

Even though Jesse and I didn’t work out as a couple, he left an impact on my life. In our 8 months together, I learned a lot from him — how to find overnight spots, what apps/websites to use, what to do and not do, and other valuable tips. Jesse also encouraged me to travel solo since I was convinced that traveling with a partner or friend was the only way I could travel. I knew that I wanted to continue this lifestyle, so I started researching vans and RV’s to see what I could afford. About a month and a half after our breakup, I bought myself a 20 ft. Thor Majestic 19G Mini-Class C RV for $25K. I started exploring California and learned that traveling by myself with my cat Maverick was actually quite fun.

Being that I’m super social, I set up my road trips with stops where I could visit various friends along the way, plus I went to a lot of local meetups with vanlife enthusiasts and nomads to make friends and learn from them. I also learned about bigger vanlife gatherings in Oregon and Southern California, which I started to attend to meet like-minded individuals and fully immerse myself in this wonderful community. My first Descend on Bend in 2018 was so impactful, spending three days in the Oregon high desert with 1000 other part-time and full-time vandwellers, enjoying food, drinks, activities, music, and bonfires together! Then in January 2019, I went to San Diego to a monthly meetup on Fiesta Island, where I met the ladies that started the Sēkr app and continued to grow my vanlife connections. Some of the people I met at these events have become close friends and some of the nicest people I have met in my life!

In 2019, I decided to sell my RV as I didn’t really love driving it. The over-cab bed was small and bit claustrophobic, the vehicle wasn’t very aerodynamic and shook a lot while driving, and the gas mileage was terrible at around 10 mpg. Seeing so many great custom build vans at all the events I went to and hearing how much easier they were to drive, I decided that I wanted a van of my own, especially knowing what I needed and didn’t need in the small space from the RV. I researched the various types of vans, as well as all the van builders I could find on the West Coast, and after 6 months of manifesting the van of my dreams, I found a 2019 Mercedes Benz Sprinter cargo van with all specs I wanted and had it custom built out in late 2019/early 2020. That van was ready for pick up in early April 2020, right after COVID-19 hit. I encourage you to read my van build story for more details on that!

In the last 6.5 years, I have traveled over 40K miles solo with my cat Maverick. I’ve been to 7 states, mostly on the West Coast, and continue to attend as many vanlife gatherings as I can. I love the freedom of traveling in my home-on-wheels, being able to spend the night in beautiful places, and exploring nature! Instead of sitting at home watching tv or going to a bar drinking, I drive to new places, learn about the history, and walk around to see as much as possible. I hike trails to waterfails, through old growth forests, and along oceanside cliffs, I take dips in watering holes, hot springs, and rivers, and I swim in lakes, bays, and ocean waters. I enjoy parks, beaches, museums, and local restaurants and shops. I meet people everywhere I go and have wonderful conversations with them. I feel like I’ve learned so much, met so many interesting humans, and overall I’m leading a much healthier lifestyle. What a difference a decade can make once you make better choices of how to spend your time! I have a lot of fond memories of my bar days — I’ve hosted and managed some talented bands/artists and made some great friends in the process — but I don’t miss the excessive drinking and side effects of that lifestyle. I don’t believe in having regrets since all the decisions in my life have shaped the person I am today (whom I’m very happy with), but I can tell you that the quality of life I have now is dramatically better, and sometimes I wish I had discovered it sooner. I know my parents in heaven approve of the changes I made and they walk with me every day, with every step, in this amazing life I have!

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