PNW Getaway {Seattle + Portland}

Back in April, Nate + I decided that we should do a Jacoby-free vacation.  As much fun as traveling can be with him, we thought it'd be nice to get some us time.

We decided on the Pacific Northwest for 2 main reasons: neither of us have ever been out there and I've heard it's beautiful.  SOLD. {Also, Crate Lake has been on my bucket list...so yes please!}

I figured this was a great vacation to do just us 2, so we could do some hiking and I knew there would be lots of driving from place to place.  Let me break down what last week looked like for us. Before I get started, a special thank you to Nate's parents for taking care of Jacoby the whole week + a special thank you to my mom for taking care of Benny for the whole week :) We'd be lost without our parents, so thank you & love you!

We flew into Portland, WAY cheaper than flying into Seattle, and crashed for the night.  Then woke up really early, ate breakfast and drove about 3 hours to Seattle.  We spend that whole first day walking around Pike Place Market, downtown Seattle, eating lunch, walking the piers, and exploring the city.  We walked a TON and Seattle is on a hill...so I definitely got my leg workout for the day week :)

The main reason why we headed to Seattle first was because we had tickets to the Seattle Sounders soccer game in the evening.  Nate's a huge soccer fan, so it was something he really wanted to do.  I enjoy any kind of sporting event LIVE, so I was up for it.  It rained almost the entire game + we stood UP the entire game as well.  It was a really cool atmosphere + lots of fun, and the Sounders pulled out a WIN! Nate got great seats because about 2 rows in front of us, they were getting dumped on. We were partially covered by the roof but also had a great view of the field...besides me struggling to see over almost anyone who stood in front of me. Short girl problems ;)

We spent the next day in Seattle as well...starting off by eating at Top Pots Doughnuts.  Someone recommended it to us and sure enough it was literally NEXT DOOR to our apartment downtown that we were renting.

We couldn't have gotten a better place to stay in Seattle.  It was right dowtown, we walked everywhere and it was in a nice safe neighborhood.  We went to Queen Anne, which is more a "richy" neighborhood in Seattle and looked at all the pretty houses.  We also stopped in some of the stores, even though Lord knows I won't spend $98 on a pair of leggings ;) hahaha.

We took a long afternoon nap, because napping on vacation is amazing ;) Then we got up and face timed with our favorite little boy before he went to bed

We spent part of the evening at the Space Needle. It was breathtaking at night.  It was actually pretty clear and you could see really far, and it was just so peaceful.  Believe it or not, although I'm scared of heights, they had it really well marked off with glass 1/2 way up and then wires the rest of the way.  I felt in no danger of falling + that was a huge plus for me.  The elevator going up was a different story though ;)

We got reservations to a nice restaurant called "How To Cook A Wolf" for dinner.  We were intrigued by the name.  We did NOT eat wolf. I can guarantee that Nate would have tried it, I would not. It would take a lot to get me to eat wolf.  A LOT.  I loved the food though--really unique plates, but all really fresh and tasteful.  If you're a foodie + will be in Seattle anytime soon, check it out!

Tuesday we packed up and drove to Portland, but on our way to the city swung by Multnomah Falls, which is about 35/40 minutes outside of downtown Portland.  This was recommended by A LOT of people I know, and it did not disappoint.  I was thrilled that you could see the waterfall without having to hike a ton.  Then we hiked to the bridge and then decided it was only a mile so we should hike to the top of the mountain where the overlook was.

You guys...seriously? 1 mile in Indiana is a piece of cake.  1 mile up a mountain in Oregon? Give me a break, haha! Nate told me I got "very complain-y".  First off, is that a word? Second of all, he's right. I was stripping off layers as we hiked because I was sweating.  First my vest, then my scarf... I was so HOT & so tired! I had to remind him that I was carrying a baby, my purse, AND I was hiking in skinny jeans and boots...I forgot to bring anything that resembled hiking or walking attire. Oops!

but...

The hike was worth it.  We didn't get great pictures and I had to hold on to the railing to prevent myself from throwing up into the waterfall because heights is not my thing.  God made me short for a reason ;)

The next day we decided to go to Crater Lake.  Someone had told me it was about 2 hours from Portland. Perfect, but wrong. It was 4.5 hours one way.  We decided to still go, because we both really wanted to see it + figured when else would we be out here? Also, a lake in the middle of Oregon isn't ever a "convenient" place to just swing by! Although the trip was long + it took our entire day, I can't overstate the beauty of Crater Lake.

It was bluer, deeper, bigger + more beautiful than I expected.  Also, WAY colder.  The weather app said it was 50 degrees, but considering our car said 30 degrees + there was S N O W on the ground, I'd say the weather app was wrong.  Poor Nate had a light jacket on and light shoes. It was freezing and really windy, but still so beautiful.  We drove halfway around the lake getting all different views of the lake, when I started to stress just a little.

If you know me, I don't get stressed often.

However, put me on the cliff of a mountain, in one of the world's tiniest cars, with it snowing, no idea where we are going, no road signs + no cell phone service for the past 2 hours...and you will see me stressed.

I kept telling Nate "I'm afraid we are gonna drive off this cliff, and then we can't get help because we have no reception, no one will find us or know where we are at, poor Jacoby will have no parents...yada yada yada :) I sound crazy, but it was serious business at the moment.  So we turned around, caught a few more views as more clouds broke away + then got back on the road home.

It's a crazy drive to get there-- really long and in the middle of the mountains, but it was beautiful as well.  I think we passed through 2 or 3 mountain towns, and that was it.  I love the simplicity, yet grand beauty that's around.  

Bucket List: Crater Lake-- Check! :) 

The last full day we spent exploring Portland.  We went to a couple breweries (I'll have a glass of water, thanks!), walking around downtown, spent some time in Powell's bookstore, ate at VooDoo Donuts + had a great time just the two of us.

This vacation was exactly what we needed and when we needed it.  My relationship with Nate is the most important worldly thing to me.  He makes my world go round and keeping him first is a huge priority for me. I'm so thankful for my sweets and the way he keeps our relationship #1 as well.

My favorite part of the trip might have been getting to see this sweet face again.  Reunited with my little sidekick and my favorite little boy.  It's good for us + good for him to have some time away, but if there's one thing traveling always tells me, it's this:

Being home with my boys is the ultimate place to be.  

It's an adventure and just the place God has called me. 

xox,

Naomi