...to visit the wonderful Sean, or Seanathon, or Mr. Chicken Salad, as some might know him. Despite being sick and getting to see the inside of Urgent Care of Olympia, it was a really, really, kickin’ good time. I got in on Sunday, just in time to get to brunch with Nancy, who is one of the sweetest, funniest people I have ever met. She was a hoot, and she had great taste in both clothes and tattoos. I’m a little smitten and I wish that Portland was only two hours from where I live so I could go see her in her basement apartment. We thrifted! We ate pizza! Then we napped! It was so good to be on the same, mellow page as Sean. In fact, I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
Monday comes and after a brief interlude with the medical folks and provision gathering, we set off north towards Olympic National Park and some hot springs. We didn’t make it the first night, instead we camped at a bitchin’ little park on the bay. We had a tasty meal, drank a scant few glasses of wine, and went to bed. It was good that we made camp early, we really got to enjoy the park, the stars over the water, and the fire. All in all, a perfect evening.
Next day was off to see the park. But not before we went to the dock and poked sea-fauna with sticks. I’m such a land-lubber. Crabs and oysters, they still fascinate me! We got to our hot-springs, which was better than the locals described. Skinny dipping in forest with a good friend is the best way I can imagine to spend the afternoon. The path wasn’t as hard as I had imagined, even if it had been washed away in sections, so it felt good to be out and being active. I was feeling under the weather, so I crashed as soon as we were in camp, but got up just in time to enjoy boy-scout style dinners! I had never cooked in tin-foil over coals before. It was a culinary sensation! I managed to sleep pretty well, despite being a little cold. My sleeping bag is bommer, I couldn’t be happier about that purchase. Sean was not so lucky, but he was up to make another amazing meal. It was wonderful to wake up in one of the most beautiful places in the world with breakfast waiting for you.
We had come to the park from the east side, so we finished the circle to west, spending some time driving on the coast. It was stunning, even if it was cool and windy. Somehow, via prayer or divine intervention of some kind, I brought Colorado weather with me- it was sunny the whole time. The drive back was good. There was good music and that good time where no one needs to say anything, you just enjoy the company.

Getting back meant three things. Nap. Chicken Salad. Lost. That’s what we did. All of those things were excelent. During dinner, an interesting speaker was on NPR ralling about (esentially) AR/AO issues. It gave us lots to digest with our sandwiches. Lost was good. I feel just as bamboozled as I have before, though it was good to get Ben’s history. Who knows what’s about to happen? There are only a few episodes left!
My last day in town, we ate at the last diner. It had true diner food and it was frequented by old folks and locals. It made me think of the Breakfast King and all the places I’ve eaten biscuits and gravy. Mmmm, it’s a good kind of nostalgia. Then I got packed and we did something wonderful. We went to a magical fairy land with blue bags and kid-check (like coat-check for your off-spring). This place is so fantastic I can hardly utter its name.
IKEA
Eeeeeee! It was great! It was better than great! Ikea never disapoints me. The fact that there isn’t one in Colorado disapoints me, but I’m willing to forgive all once I’m in the confines of that big blue warehouse. I purchased sheets and a tablecloth set with napkins, but I could have bought one of everything. How badly do I want to live in 457 square feet of perfect Scandinavian design I even had meat balls and the bright pink lingonberry soda they have in the cafe. It was so much fun.
Saying goodbye to Sean, not so much fun. But it had been a good trip and I intend to be back soon. Being delayed at the airport was even less fun, but I managed to make it home.