I’ve been hiking along the Deschutes River a lot this month. A day or two after I arrived in Bend, I realized a trailhead to miles of hiking is directly behind my townhome. And I don’t even have to get in the car!
Hiking the Deschutes River
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Wildfire Season
One of the great things about spending a month at a time in a different state is learning what it’s like to be a local. Each place has its own quirks that have been fun to discover. But this month’s biggest learning opportunity hasn’t been as fun: I’m discovering what it’s like to live close to a raging wildfire.
Exploring Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge
I’m in another new-to-me state: Oregon! A state without sales tax, where it’s illegal to pump your own gas, and with fir trees galore. I arrived in Bend on Thursday and have settled into the spacious townhome where I’m spending the month discovering why Bend shows up on so many Top 10 lists of cities to live in the U.S. The journey here through the Columbia River Gorge was truly gorge. (You knew that was coming.)
Coeur d’Alene
I’m only in Idaho for a couple more days, and I can’t leave without talking about Coeur d’Alene. It’s a native tribe. A river. A lake. A scenic byway. A resort. And a city. Over the past month I’ve driven the 25 minutes to Coeur d’Alene several times, and I was giddy every time. What an amazing area of the country.
The Silver Valley
I’m enjoying my month in the Silver Valley of the Idaho Panhandle, nestled in the northwest Rockies between the Montana border and Lookout Pass on the east, and the Coeur d’Alene River and Fourth of July Pass on the west. The mountains in this valley are densely covered with many types of evergreens, and it’s truly breathtaking.
From Saint Paul, Minnesota to Kellogg, Idaho on one road
I arrived safe and sound in Kellogg, Idaho on Monday afternoon. I was exhausted after three days of driving about 8 hours a day. This week I’ve been catching up on sleep, client work, and I’ve managed to catch a cold. After several weeks of going 100 MPH, I think my body—and immune system—decided it’s best to lay low for a bit! I’ll start exploring this area of Idaho soon, but first a recap of my journey west.
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Colorado revisited
I’m in Minnesota for the rest of the month, after spending last week in Colorado. I know, I know. I need to explore places other than Colorado! I promise new and exciting adventures are on the horizon. But first, a recap of another amazing vacation in my favorite state (so far!)
Life in a northern town
Pontoon picnics and common loons. Floating on a tube in the lake without a care in the world. Amaro on the rocks and laughs with great friends. Gourmet food cooked by others. These are a few of my favorite things about summer in Minnesota.
Reflections on a month in Grand Lake, Colorado
It’s been two weeks since I returned to Minnesota after spending a month in Colorado. And I have a confession: it was a trial month for my big “year of traveling around the country.” I already had things scheduled in Minnesota during June and July. This trial month was a huge success, and I know I’ll be continuing my cross-country adventures soon.
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Getting lost in three state capitols
I’m back in Saint Paul, Minnesota. (More on my next adventures soon.) On my second day traveling back from Colorado, I decided to turn it into a fun day of exploring U.S. history—specifically the state capitols of Nebraska, Iowa, and Minnesota. It was a great experience that I highly recommend!