Seattle to Portland: Road Trippin’ Through the Pacific Northwest

Chapter 1: The Adventure Begins – Baby on Board!

Embarking on a 12-hour road trip to Seattle and Portland sounded like a fantastic idea—until we factored in our not-always-happy baby as our travel companion! The trip quickly turned into a rollercoaster ride of emotions. There were moments of laughter, songs sung at the top of our lungs, and precious glimpses of scenery outside the car window that fascinated our little one. But there were also some challenging times when our baby preferred to protest being in the car seat. Nevertheless, we braved it all, knowing that the journey would be worth every moment of bonding as a family.

Chapter 2: Uncovering Seattle’s Gems and Bainbridge Island’s Charms

After surviving the car ride, we dove headfirst into exploring Seattle’s vibrant cityscape and the serene beauty of Bainbridge Island. Seattle dazzled us with its iconic Space Needle and bustling Pike Place Market, where we couldn’t resist indulging in watching fish fly through the air. Sailing over to Bainbridge Island, we reveled in the tranquil island life, strolling along the scenic waterfront and enjoying the stunning views of the Seattle skyline. Our little one seemed captivated by the surroundings, and it was heartwarming to see our baby’s curious eyes taking in the world.

Chapter 3: Embracing Roadside Adventures

A road trip isn’t complete without stopping at quirky roadside attractions! From the whimsical “World’s Largest Egg” to wacky museums with mumified humans and shrunken heads, we made sure to give our little one a taste of the peculiar. Watching our baby’s face light up with wonder at these offbeat sights was a joy in itself. These little detours broke up the journey, adding an element of fun to the adventure and creating unforgettable memories.

Chapter 4: Portland – Donuts and Waterfall Hikes Galore!

Arriving in Portland, we were greeted by the city’s delightful vibe and, most importantly, its world-famous donuts! Treating ourselves to these delectable treats was a must, and we found ourselves savoring every bite. But the indulgence didn’t stop there; we also embraced the great outdoors, embarking on waterfall hikes that immersed us in Oregon’s breathtaking natural beauty. Our baby might not remember these escapades, but we cherished the experience of sharing the wonders of nature with our little one.

Chapter 5: Navigating Parenthood on Vacation

Traveling with a baby undoubtedly meant adjusting our vacation expectations. While we couldn’t start our adventure filled days as early as we would have liked, or explore every nook and cranny as a couple, we discovered new ways to enjoy our adventure as a family. We traded jam packed days for early evening strolls, and we were still home by our unnaturally early bedtime. Our hearts were full of joy as we witnessed our little one’s milestones unfold during the trip.

Listen to Our Podcast!

Curious to know more about our escapades with our little travel buddy in Seattle and Portland? Join us on our upcoming podcast episode as we share the laughter, the challenges, and the unforgettable moments from our road trip. We’ll dish out more travel tips and heartwarming anecdotes from our journey, proving that traveling with a baby is an adventure like no other. Don’t miss it! Subscribe to our podcast now and tune in to our epic road trip chronicles!

The Disappointment Dilemma: Unveiling the Reality-Expectation Divide

chasm of red rocks in Southern Utah; photo by Jay Brett Jenkins

Hey there, fellow adventurers of life! We’ve all been there, haven’t we? You eagerly anticipate something, picturing how amazing it will be in your mind, only to find out that reality has a different plan altogether. It’s like looking forward to a huge party with a unicorn theme, only to arrive and realize it’s just a regular old get-together with no mythical creatures in sight. Talk about a buzzkill! So, let’s dive into the intriguing space between reality and unmet expectations that creates the infamous feeling we call disappointment.

Disappointment is that sinking feeling you get when reality falls short of what you imagined. It’s like expecting a perfect, picturesque vacation like you see everyone else having on Instagram, but instead, you get the stock photography version of a vacation. Ouch! You see, disappointment sneaks up on us when we build up grand ideas about how things should be, often fueled by our imagination and desire for something extraordinary. The problem is that reality rarely matches our lofty dreams, and that’s where the disappointment monster thrives.

Think about it this way: let’s say you’ve been planning a trip for months. You’ve envisioned perfect weather, intrigue, maybe a little drama, and an exorbitantly beautiful hotel room. But when you finally get to check in, it’s not quite what you anticipated. Maybe the hotel is in a sketchy part of town, perhaps the one week you chose to travel the weather is less than ideal. Suddenly, disappointment creeps in, lurking in the space between the reality of the precious time away from work and the unmet expectations you had pictured sharing on your reel.

So, how can we deal with this disappointment and make peace with reality? First and foremost, it’s crucial to keep our expectations in check. Instead of setting our hopes sky-high, we can approach situations with a healthy dose of curiosity and openness. By embracing the unknown and allowing room for surprises, we can better navigate the space between reality and our expectations, ultimately minimizing the risk of disappointment.

And speaking of expectations and assumptions, we’ve got a treat for you! Tune in to our second podcast episode, where we delve deep into the fascinating world of expectations and the assumptions we make along the way. It’s a rollercoaster ride of insights, stories, and strategies to help you navigate life’s twists and turns with grace and a sense of humor. So grab your earbuds, settle into a cozy spot, and join us for a dose of wisdom and laughter!

Oh, and if you found our podcast episode helpful, don’t keep it all to yourself! Share it with a friend who might benefit from the insights and delightful banter. Spread the word, spread the joy, and let’s build a community of expectation jugglers together!

Remember, life is full of surprises, and disappointment might rear its head from time to time. But with a lighthearted perspective and a willingness to embrace reality as it is, we can minimize its impact and keep that smile on our faces. Happy adventuring, my friends!

-Brett

From FOMO to JOMO: Embracing the Joyful Side of Missing Out

a stack of rocks on a lake in Glacier, national park, Canada

In this wild and crazy world we live in, it seems like we’re always on the go, chasing after the next big thing. FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) is real, my friends! But hold on a second, because there’s something magical about embracing the joyful side of missing out. Yes, you heard me right! By not overloading ourselves with commitments and being choosy about how we spend our precious time, we can unlock a world of joy and contentment.

One of the coolest perks of not over committing is the ability to focus on what truly lights up our souls. Imagine this: you can say “no” to those obligatory gatherings or events that don’t really float your boat and instead create space for the stuff that truly matters to you. When you’re stretched too thin, it’s hard to give your all to the things that bring you joy. But when you prioritize and say “yes” to what aligns with your values and goals, you’ll feel like you’re winning at this game called life.

Not only does embracing the bliss of missing out give you more control over your time, but it also empowers you to intentionally make decisions about your direction in life. No more being a puppet in the hands of others, my friend! By being intentional with your choices, you take the reins and steer your life in a direction that’s true to you. This level of empowerment allows you to create a life that’s a perfect fit for your unique self. And let me tell you, that’s a recipe for ultimate fulfillment.

Oh, and can we talk about avoiding the dreaded burnout for a hot minute? We all know that feeling of being pulled in a million directions, like a human rubber band about to snap. It’s not pretty. But when you embrace the bliss of missing out, you give yourself permission to kick back, relax, and recharge. It’s like taking a mental vacation! By intentionally carving out downtime, you’ll actually have the energy to tackle those activities that truly matter to you. It’s a win-win situation, compadre.

Last but not least, let’s not forget the awesomeness of meaningful connections and unforgettable experiences. When you’re not constantly running from one event to another, you have the space to be present and fully engaged in the moment. Quality over quantity, baby! By being selective with your time, you can nurture deeper connections with the people who light up your world. And let me tell you, those authentic connections and epic memories are the stuff that makes life sparkle like a disco ball.

So, my fellow wilderness explorers, it’s time to embrace the joyful side of missing out. It’s not about depriving yourself or becoming a hermit. No way! It’s about being intentional, having the freedom to choose, and creating a life that’s tailor-made for your happiness. So say no to FOMO and yes to living life on your own terms. Get ready for a whole lot of joy, contentment, and moments that will make your heart do a happy dance. Cheers to missing out and finding the sweet spot of bliss!

-Brett


If you want to hear more about our thoughts on JOMO, check out Episode 4 – FOMO vs JOMO.

Also, we’d love to hear from you! Drop a comment below and share your thoughts, stories, or a simple hello. Let’s create a fun and friendly community together. Can’t wait to read your comments!

Sun, Sand, and Salsa: Adventures in Puerto Rico 🇵🇷

colorful images in San Juan, Puerto Rico

You would think that since I lived in the Philippines for two years I would be comfortable with humidity. I even remember when I moved back to the mountain West I was stunned at how dry the air was. It seems being accustomed to humidity has a shelf-life.

A year late, but my wife and I are finally celebrating our honeymoon by visiting Puerto Rico. Getting married during the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic made it difficult to have a normal wedding, not to mention a honeymoon to anywhere very interesting. Now, in 2021, with travel opening back up slightly we are able to get away for a few days to the beautiful U.S. island territory of Puerto Rico. 🇵🇷

We chose Puerto Rico specifically because it wouldn’t require us to take time out of our vacation to get COVID test in order to return to the United States, but wanting to keep the trourism industry strong, Puerto Rico did take some extra messures to ensure travelers were healthy before entering the island. This meant that we did need a negative COVID test in order to leave the San Juan airport. At least we could get that COVID test while living our normal lives on the mainland.

With our bags and QR code indicating our negative test results in hand, we were free to take on the city of San Juan. That is, if an Uber would pick us up. There are some downsides of getting cheap plane tickets that get you to your destination at 9:00 p.m. and one of those is a lack of available transit. What should have been a $12 ride to our Airbnb ended up costing $26 before a tip, but we were finally here.

I don’t know why I was sleepy since traveling East reduced my life by two hours… I was only 7 at home, why am I so tired?

For as much as I love visiting a new place, it takes some time to understand new cultures and customs. The first restaurant we went into was closed, it seemed like a lot of people were eating there, but I guess they weren’t taking in any new diners. The next restaurant we visited wanted us to stand in a specific spot in order to keep a 6 foot distance from the customers ahead of us, and to not let the line go the wrong way. Then once we did order our food to go apparently we were standing in the wrong place again. Eventually we got our dinner and decided to just sit in to eat it as we still needed to make a few stops before returning home.

A wonderful night sleep allowed us to be ready for church and looking around the city a bit. But stepping outside was like entering a sauna. Wheww, it’s HOT out here. How quickly I have forgotten how much of a difference a bit of humidity can make.