SNAPSHOTS: Kalispell, Seattle (Part 1), Victoria
8/30: It’s amazing how much can change in 24 hours. Yesterday I spent the day sitting in the suck and today was an amazing day! So grateful to have met fellow couchsurfer and roadtripper Stephanie yesterday. It’s been really something how fast I’ve been able to click with certain people on the road - definitely feels like our paths were meant to cross. Highlight of the day: jumping off rocks at Flathead Lake, sitting and talking about physics, astronomy and signs from the Universe, and then chasing sunsets into people’s backyards. Today just felt like a huge YES.
8/31: Sat in the backyard amongst the chickens and dialed into the “Alignment Meditation Session” with MaryBeth and James this morning. The core value that came to mind as most important at this moment was SAVOR. To really savor every moment…from the big to the small and everything in between. Not waiting for SOMEDAY or SOME MILESTONE to be happy or grateful. A pear fell on my head from the overhanging tree as I was about to get up. Feel like the message was…GET OUT OF YOUR HEAD! BE HERE NOW! lol. Went on to have the most incredible day hiking through Glacier with Stephanie. Enjoyed the car ride there as much as marveling at Avalanche Lake.
9/1: Last night in Kalispell. Sat around the table watching my hosts and Stephanie play cards, eating home made popcorn, candles flickering, listening to a record play. THIS is what I want more of in my life. Connection. Slowing down. Enjoying each other’s company. Enjoying the moment. Staying with this family who’s made choices to live in a way that aligns with THEM (like having a house phone instead of a cell phone) has reminded me that less is not always more. It’s about what works for YOU.
9/2: Headed to Spokane, WA today. One of the children of my Kalispell hosts recommended I stop at Ross Creek Cedars Picnic area on my way. It looked close to the highway and a good lunch stopover so I thought - sure. As I turned off the highway and onto a narrow one way road through the forest, a feeling of fear started to wash over me. The forest was massive. I saw no other cars. My service disconnected and my GPS turned off. I drove for 5 minutes deeper and deeper into the woods. When I got to the picnic area at the end I was the only one there deep in a forest of towering trees. I cautiously got out and started to walk, looking up at the ancient giants all around me and wondering - what would happen if I twisted my ankle right now? Or accidentally locked my keys in my car? As beautiful as the wild is, the aloneness felt too unsettling. Rushed back to my car, ate my sandwich with the windows up and headed on my way.
9/3: After a quick stopover in Spokane, arrived to Seattle today! Met my host Kimberly and her other friend Kimberly and felt immediately at ease. So grateful that following my spark continues to led me to good people along the way. They took me out for Salvadorian food and we headed back home to watch “In the Heights”. Feels good to be back in a city. Not worried about bears or Hansel and Gretel forests.
9/4: Pool party today in Bellevue, WA with Kim’s teacher friends. So nice to sit in the hot tub all day. Eat good food. Be welcomed into someone’s community. Looked around and felt so grateful to be surrounded by a group of truly genuine, open, joyful people. Two of the women had spent years living in Spain learning Spanish. Reminded me of my bucket list item to live in a Spanish speaking country and finally learn the language. Is this a spark to follow?? Hmmm… we’ll see.
9/5: ARTIST’S DATE TODAY! Took myself out on a date to whatever sparked my curiosity, passion, interest… Farmer’s market in the morning. Savored an egg sandwich and fresh grapes. Wandered around a bookstore for a while. Forever my happy place. Headed to Westcrest Park and watched Seattle Kokon Taiko perform. Could have cried as I listened to the familiar rhythms. Feels time to start playing music again!! As I left the park a man caught up to me, started a conversation and asked me out. While a date would be nice, I wasn’t particularly into him. Universe send me someone else!! LOL.
9/6: Boating day around Lake Washington with Kim and friends!! When I called Liana and told her about the pool party yesterday and my boating plans today she was like - WHAT A LIFE YOU LEAD!! Indeed. Reminding myself every day to enjoy it. Thinking about how often we do all this work to achieve something, or get somewhere, or reach this vision, and then it’s here and we’re already thinking and planning for the next thing. Met some more really freaking awesome people today, including a traveling nurse who’d been in Seattle for the past few months. We sat on the boat swapping stories and talking about what it looks like to create a life that works for you, and then making sure to savor it.
9/7: Went to walk around Alki Beach tonight. Took myself out to dinner, tried all the chowders and then watched the sunset blaze across the sky. Really wishing I was walking down the beach hand in hand with someone right now so I could squeeze them and say - look at THAT. Texted Jess instead and sent some telepathic love to all my people back home. Put my hand on my heart, breathed into that ache in my chest, took one more look at the sky and made my way back home.
9/8: Met up with Rex for dinner and drinks tonight! It’s been so fun to connect with people around the country I’ve only met virtually. There is truly something so magical about being in person with people. About traveling all this way and swapping stories in the late nights and early mornings. Around kitchen tables and shared meals. After every conversation I think - if this trip was just for this moment - I’d be satisfied.
9/9: Next dinner rendezvous tonight with another digital nomad and inspiring powerhouse of a woman. Felt myself feeling a little small in her company. Comparing her success to my new beginnings. Reminding myself of my worth and that my inherent value is not tied to my achievements. Tried to bring myself back to this moment… sitting in Seattle on a beautiful evening... enjoying a delicious 4 course meal… on the road trip of a lifetime. Take a deep breath Gina. Remember to savor the now.
9/10: Spent the day working and then got sushi take out to bring back to the house with Kim. The other Kim came over with her dog and we all sat on the couch, 3 of us and 3 little pups, hanging out and watching Gentified on Netflix. Hard to explain the depth of how nice it is to just sit and chill. Grateful again for meeting these ladies and feeling blessed for all the other “trail angels” I’ve met along the way.
9/11: Border crossing day into Canada!!!!! Definitely felt nervous about this leg of the trip. Will everything go smoothly? Will I make it to the ferry on time? Thankfully I had no trouble crossing the border but once I got across my GPS led me astray… I was trying to get to White Rock for lunch before my ferry and my GPS took me straight to another border crossing back to the USA! I got stuck on a 1-way street before I realized. Freaked out. Turned around and drove back up it to the highway. GAH. Thankfufully after that it was smooth sailing and I made it to Susan’s house in Victoria just in time for a home cooked meal. THANK YOU Universe for getting me here safely!!!!
9/12: Woke up this morning and had a leisurely breakfast with Susan before leaving for the drive up to Cortes Island. I thought I had plenty of time so I was relaxing…until I realized I might actually miss the ferry I needed if I didn’t hurry. Got packed up and rushed out, got to my car and realized I forgot something and headed back, got back to my car and realized I forgot something again… FUUCCKKKKKK. Went to get it and then jumped in my car and set up. Drove the next 3 hours straight to the ferry line, trying not to have to pee, and just made it on the ferry I needed. THANK GOD!!! Cortes Island here I come.