The Coast - Northern California

I wanted to sleep near the ocean so I could listen to the waves at night, but daylight was burning, and I realized that I would have plenty of nights to listen to the waves, so I needed to just stay at the next place that was okay to park at. Isn’t it so weird how when I stop fighting the flow of life, things just appear!? I rolled up on a small town in Northern California close to the border of the Redwood NF. I found a perfect spot right next to a small beach and my front door opened to the smell of the ocean. Dobby and I went on a walk along the pier and through the nearby park to unwind and get out legs moving. We cozied up for the night listening to our current audiobook “The Great Alone” by Kristin Hannah. Ya’ll, I’m not even sponsored but Spotify has the book included with premium accounts so if you haven’t read it or listened to it I highly recommend. 

Next we will head into the majestic and wise Redwood National Park.

Dobby peeing with a view of the coast 

Such a windy night I couldn't sleep but it was beautiful 

The Coast - Oregon

Some could say it’s because I’m from California, but I am obsessed with the ocean. I love the way it sounds, the power you feel standing next to it, the experience of being at the edge of land. I want to be next to it for as long as I possibly can before I head to the desert and land-locked states (BIG YIKES). Dobby and I fueled up in Bend, then headed West. I didn’t have a plan for exactly where I wanted to stop, but after a considerable amount of driving for the day, I stopped south of Florence, Oregon at a spot I found on one of the dispersed camping apps I use. We pulled off on a side road off the highway, and I looked at Dobby and told him “Let’s see how far we can go”, but he didn’t look as excited as me. 

Another thing about me is I am the type of person who always thinks there might be something better (commitment problems?) so as Dobby and I drove over many potholes and curvy roads, we got to a flooded road and realized that’s how far we could go. Thankfully, this Christmas I was gifted with a trailer backup camera and it has saved my life, so we got backed out and returned to one of the pullouts we passed about a half mile in, haha. We stayed for the night and our only visitor was a large furry cat who I initially thought was a raccoon when I was brushing my teeth in the pitch black and did get pretty scared (wtf am I going to do when I see my first bear in the wild). I was able to sleep after a while of thinking about how dark and quiet it was outside. Dobby had his morning sips of water and some breakfast while I had coffee from the French Press and some breakfast before we took off on the road to the Natural Land Bridges near Brookings, Oregon.

Luckily, at the trailhead there was plenty of room for my rig. After I parked and explored a little with Dobby, I packed a lunch and a blanket, then started on a hike toward the bridge. I looked at the small amount of climbing required to cross the land bridge, felt the strength of the water and wind, looked at Dobby, and decided we went far enough. We ate our lunch, listening to the water and staring at the beautiful coast. I am realizing the importance of daylight on the road. The idea of finding my sleep for the night when it’s dark out is still too daunting. Dobby and I hustled back to the truck.

I drove much farther than anticipated (again because no spot was justtttt right) and ended up heading into California, which I have to say has some of the parks I am most excited to see. This may be my bias coming up though.

Morning after one of the darkest nights

Coast Trail near Natural Land Bridges

Natural Land Bridges from viewpoint

Dobby and I having lunch on the bridge

   

Mt. Rainier National Park - Washington

I would be lying if I said that my body didn’t go into shock the first couple of days. I think that the magnitude of what I am doing finally hit and all the overwhelming feelings of what I am about to discover about myself came rushing in. For anyone that doesn’t know, I am a planner. I have to have everything detailed down to the minute in my day, and as time has passed I have actively worked on my high-strung rigidness. Not really planning out where I am going to be sleeping every night is my version of exposure therapy I guess…

 

I got to stay in Seattle with my sister and had my traveling home parked right next to some water and a beautiful view of the Space Needle. After a couple of nights of cat cuddles, chilling, and book store browsing, Dobby and I set out for Mt. Rainier! We drove from Seattle to La Grande, Washington and got to a campsite at Alder Lake. It was a beautiful spot right on the lake, I definitely see summer being packed. I was about 35 minutes from the southwest entrance of Mt. Rainier, so prime location. After going on a snowy walk near camp, Dobby stayed in the trailer sitting in front of the heater while I stayed outside staring into the flames I made.  I went to hike the Wonderland Trail in Mt. Rainier NP, which was one of the only trails open due to the winter conditions, but it was a fucking WINTER WONDERLAND!

 

From our stay in Washington, Dobby and I traveled back down through Oregon and made a quick stop back to Eugene for the night due to Dobby’s oral surgery 😔 He has since recovered very well and is even cuter than ever with his half-tooth filled smile. The one positive was I got to spend my Valentine’s Day with a hot date and Dobby got to recover in his favorite home (Thanks Maya).

 

Now off to the coast! The water is always calling me…

Parked for a couple of nights with a beautiful view of Seattle

I hid the autographed copy behind the others until I knew it was the one I wanted

Mine and Dobby's snowy walk

Our camp for the night!

Mt. Rainier Wonderland Trail 

First Travel Day - Oregon

Hello to anyone who is curious to read! My name is Zephyr, ZJ, Z, however you may know me. My best friend and Pokemon partner Dobby and I are about to head on the biggest adventure of our lives yet. We will be traveling around the country visiting as many national parks, forests, monuments, and beautiful views as we can over these next months. This is our story... *dun dun*

We packed up all of our things from Eugene, Oregon, our home for the last 7 years, and took off to Bend. After our nice pitstop to be with my love, Maya, we offloaded a few more unnecessary belongings and prepared for the beginning of our trek. After some tough goodbyes, we are off to Washington to begin! 

Dobby and I completed the trip from Bend to Seattle to visit the beautiful Mt. Rainier and say some goodbyes to my sister and her partner. So far, Dobby and I have successfully made it to Seattle after 45 minutes of circling the city before finding some decent parking for the night. 

I will continue to document my adventure on here, so feel free to read along for this ride. 

                             Dobby and I before leaving Bend with our trusty steed and home                                 

 

Fueling up near Portland after our drive through the snowy Santiam Pass.

Finally found a parking spot in Seattle for the night.