Saturday Adventures

In the past few years, I have developed a love for Saturday adventures. They are days when nothing is planned and you meet up with a buddy (or not) and just have a random day of fun. It all started with the HLP. We used to meet up for a mid-day meal and then the day would turn into a mix of errands and always something fun. The real magic of a Saturday Adventure is the total joy of an unplanned day and the fun that is out there to be had.

Well, today was no exception. It was a beautiful day in Seattle (and that is saying a lot with our current weather grossness, just read the news!). I was a little obsessed with the idea of returning to the tulips to see the fields in full bloom. My previous adventure buddy (and co-creator of Saturday adventures) lives far away, so she was not an option. My new adventure buddy was spending time on an island. So I revisited a very old adventure buddy. I figured if she was out then I would just adventure alone (no big deal, but it's always better with a friend. She was in! It was true adventure for her (she had never seen the fields). And others joined us.

We had a perfect Saturday Adventure of late departure, fun & random meal, an activity, and of course an ice cream to top off the day! It was grand.
Here are a few shots from the day, Enjoy!

Cheers to the Saturday Adventure tradition!

King-sized

Have you ever laid in a Kind-sized bed and just felt small?

This week I stayed in a hotel and they actually gave me the kind-sized bed (normally it's two full size-- one for me, one for my stuff!). During my 10 nights in the world of king-sized sleeping, I took on some new sleeping habits--horizontal sleeping, diagnal sleeping (fav!) and any which way I felt.

Last night when I laid down in my own lovely bed, my feelings were not of instant relaxtion and happiness but rather wondering when I got to be so huge. I am not a huge person- 5'2" will never be considered tall, but as people I have shared a bed with can contest I sometimes take up more space than a 5'2" person should take. After a week spent king-sized I feel exceptionally huge sleeping in my lowly full-sized bed. I have been king-sized.

My lowly full-sized bed feels very, very small for me now. I know I will become accustomed to it again, but momentarily I kind of crave that gigantic space again. (Not that I could even fit a king-sized bed into my current bedroom anyway.)

The humor is not lost on me...

As a teenager and young pre-adult (college age), I thought owning a Volkswagon Jetta would be the end-all, be all. If that ever happened, it would mean I had arrived! While I still think the Jetta is a cool car, it is no longer the end-all, be-all. (Frankly, I am not sure what would be...so not a thought on my radar. There are way more important things to focus on in life than the car I drive.) Anyway, in the process of determining the total amount my mouth would cost me, I saw an ad for the new "affordable" Jetta.

My mouth was the exact same cost.... Of a brand new Jetta.

The thought both amused and sickened me.

I mean I guess I do have a "grill"*, but the fact remains my mouth is the cost of a new car. Whoa.

I casually forget this fact on a regular basis, but today in my ever-humorous world, I exchanged my broken rental vehicle for none other than a brand new Jetta!

Hours later, as I see the shiny vehicle out the coffee-shop window, I crack a smile to show the Jetta my "jetta".

Funny, Universe. Just funny!

*(Ok- maybe I am tired or slightly over-caffinated, but while I think that was funny, it was admittedly a lame joke.)

Peas in a pod

During my time here in the desert, I have been noticing little old ladies with their friends. It started yesterday when I was out to lunch with my friend and has continued through today while working from a coffee shop. Cute ladies of a certain older age (60, 70, 80) out and about with their pals. I have loved watching them giggle and gossip like school girls.

My hope is that someday when I am old and grey that I, too, will have a set of ladies to lunch with. We can be snappily dressed, and shamelessly flirt with the young staff as only older distinguished ladies can.

(Whoa- two posts in one day. It might be a record, but I just felt like I needed to post before this left me.)

Mighty Morphin Indeed

I have completely fallen off the radar this week due to an intense work trip plan.

I spent three days in the car with my Manager and our client. No matter how enjoyable they each are (and they really can be!), that is just a lot of time in the car- driving, observing, brainstorming. It's A LOT. My brain becomes mush by the end--I stop talking and tend to zone out. Not the best default mode...

Luckily, I was able to comabt all the work with some fun time with good friends. I started the weekend with the most random Sleep-In Saturday ever (hotel SIS are just not the same), then met a good friend for a yummy lunch and a random Saturday of fun-- pedicures and pampering included! Our randomness took us to a softball tournament. It was a warm day, so time in the sun was just perfect. As we sat watching the littest batters come up to bat, THWACK!

I got hit in the face (jaw actually) with a Mighty Morphin power ranger. No joke. Some non-kid friendly words came out of my mouth (due to the shock). The tiniest little boy that hit me looked terrified (it was an accident). My friends were so sweet and VERY worried since it did hit my newly minted jaw. But aside from the scare (and the impending bruise), all was fine. My jaw was NOT hurt--it still works as it did before. A little victory.

Although it hurt and is slightly tender to the touch, it was just a normal injury. Could have happened to anyone. And that makes me happy! Two month later, I am relatively healed. I mean there is still some jaw exercising left to do- it's still a little stiff and sore, but it gets better day after day. And now I know I really can get back to contact sports--even if it's with plastic toys thrown at warp speed.

An Open Letter to Airplane Travelers.

Dear Fellow Airline Traveler- As a regular traveler I have noticed some things about most of you and have some questions. 1- Do you really need to stand up as soon as the plane stops at the gate? You have to wait until the front of the plane unloads before you can go anywhere anyway. 2- Why MUST you place your overhead baggage at the front of the plane if you are seated in the back? You just mess it up for those who sit in the front and then there is chaos when we land and people need their bags. Moving forward, if you could place your overhead bag near your seat that would make life easier for everyone. 3- Why wouldn't you gate-check your bag if the flight crew is recommending it? It's a gate check and the bag will be waiting for you at the gate when you get off the plane. There's no charge (on most airlines) and you still don't have to deal with baggages claim. Double bonus! 4- Why do you have to get your bag first off the baggage claim carosel? The bag is not going anywhere and neither is the taxi, shuttle, or personal ride home if you all spread out around the thing. Just try it, you'll see. I look forward to seeing these changes ensue. Best, Your Fellow Frequent Flyer

Ten Years

This past weekend I was able to join a group of friends for a Las Vegas Birthday celebration. We had a great time and surprised the birthday girl (which is hard for 10 people to pull off!). There were drinks and laughs and some gambling (mostly on the penny machines). But with all the fun, I also realized 21 was a long time ago!

My 21-year-old self would have been very sad to see that I did not consume gallons of alcohol and dance on bars and wear high heels and fancy clothes. Rather I enjoyed a beverage or two, played some penny slots and laughed with a group of friends over meals. My 31-year-old self is quite content with the weekend and the activities that ensued but my 21-year-ol self would be sad. I used to hang with the best of them- we even made an after after-hours bar in our basement, every bartender knew us (and liked us). We (I) was the life of the party.

Ten years doesn't seem that long ago, but it really is. To think about behaving as my 21-year-old self is crazy to me. I had an incredible experience at that age and wouldn't trade any of it, but I would not change who I have become. I enjoy the trade-in of high heels for comfortable shoes, late-nights out in loud bars for laughs over amazing food and waking up with a hangover for super fun weekend brunches. Now that is not to say, I can't fire up every once in awhile because I definately can. But I have to say I like enjoying a good meal with good friends and good conversation much more than I like screaming to hear a comment in a club whist wearing uncomfortable (albeit super cute) shoes.

And if that makes me old--bring it!

All I can think is, "Oh, what a difference ten years makes!"

Fancy Pants

I have to say, I do sometimes like to embrace my inner fancy-pants.

Hooray for elite status* and upgrades to First Class!

Reasons why I love First-Class...

1. You are offered a beverage while the masses are waiting for others to shove their belongings into the overhead bins, tucking their items in as they pass other passengers, and getting up and down to make sure that random family is all seated together somehow.

2. The seats are GIGANTIC

3. Even if the person in front of you leans the chair back, you still have space to cross your legs

4. There is no armrest jockeying!

5. There are only 6 passengers and the airline crew that share the bathroom. It's so much cleaner.

6. You don't have to wait for everyone to get their overhead baggage, you get off first!

*Without that status, I would NEVER purchase a ticket in First Class. While the above list is enjoyable it is not worth the dollars!

Just a Girl and her car...

I am rethinking the name of this blog lately. It seems all my recent travel adventures are in my car- alone. Maybe rename the blog-- Just a Girl and Her Car? Well, I'll keep thinking on that and will keep you posted. In the meantime, here's the latest update on travel adventures and lesson- learned about living in the Pacific Northwest.

This past weekend, I thought I would take a quick trip to Bend, OR to see my old, dear friends before they go back to their summer home in Juneau, AK. Now, since I am still learning about this neck of the woods, I checked mapquest and saw that I had to drive directly through Portland, OR to get there. I have some great pals in Portland that I definately do not see often enough, so decided to break up the 6 hour drive and make some plans with them for Sunday night and into Monday (for a work date day).

The roadtrip was going well- decent weather (read: not rainy*), good tunes, and the open road. I don't know what it is about driving on an open road listening to amazing music that makes my heart so happy. I stopped for a FOFFEE**, and was delighted to see the things I was going to see once I passed through Portland (up to Portland, it's just a highway, kind of gross and not scenic). As I was approaching the area where the city gives way to trees, small towns, and countryside, the clouds were getting a little darker. And as I drove to higher elevation- the skies opened up a little with some rain and then hail. I was still not deterred- what's a little rain and hail? Really? (remember this whole mountain thing is new to me).

Then some cars were coming westbound with some snow on them- not every car but most of them. The skies were getting a little darker and the mountain that I could kind of see earlier, I could no longer see at all. At this point, there was a little feeling, but I couldn't put my finger on it. Then I passed a place that sold snow tires and chains. And then another, and another one further down the road. So, I got a little nervous and then saw the flashing sign- Chains or Snow Tires REQUIRED 6 miles ahead. Now, as a person new to this whole mountain travel thing I did wonder how important that REALLY was. There was a brief moment of pause thinking I could get through, I know how to drive in snow. Then the voice of reason kicked in and I stopped. I might have snow tires, but I should check just to be sure. I looked and had NO clue, so called the two people I just knew would know (my papa and the dude). Of course, neither picked up. Then I called two others who might know and they didn't pick up either. So, I sucked it up and went into the little store.

The men running the store were clearly annoyed by my stupidity.

Q: Who doesn't check the mountina report before heading down from Seattle? A: A girl who doesn't know there is a mountain between her and her destination (I didn't actually admit that at first.)

Q: What kind of tires do you have? A: Well, two are new. I don't know how to tell if they are snow tires or not.

Q( well, more commandment): Go and look for a little snowflake on the tire. A: OK (I checked and obvs did not have a snowflake or anything other than a serial number on the tires).

Q: What size chains do you need? A: Um, I grew up far from mountains and have lived in AZ for six years. I don't know how this works.

Tweedle Dee (nice counter guy): Let me get out there and see what we can do.

Tweedle Dum (not-so-nice counter guy): She can fiugre it out herself.

Me: Um, okay?

Dee: She's from Arizona, she needs help.

Dum: (rolling his eyes) Fine, but this is the last stupid motorist we are helping today. People should be prepared.

Me: Sir, I hear you and am sorry. My dad would be appalled that I wasn't aware of all this, but I promise next time I will know better and will be prepared or cancel the trip. Honestly, I didn't even know there was a mountain pass involved. I'm sorry.

Well, apparently, the divulgence of the lack of mountain pass knowledge was what he needed to hear because he just started to laugh and was like, "oh honey- we'll get you all set up. Don't you worry".

Really, dude? 5 minutes ago you were ready to throw me out of the store. (I really didn't say that, but wanted to).

They fitted the tires, but didn't have any in stock. Long story short: 4 stores later- no one had the right ones in stock.

By the time the adventure was over an hour at passed and there were at least 2 inches of snow had fallen! (Definately explained all the cars with snow headed westward!) I had to get the hell out of there. So, Portland became Plan B. Thanks to some good friends who work on an impromptu schedule I had an enjoyable evening and an even more enjoyable brunch (My favorite meal!).

So, the lessons learned on this one--

1- Before any trip out of the Seattle area, check for mountains and mountain passes.

2- Like any good Michigander knows--pack for all kinds of weather, even in the springtime!

3- Have a plan B in mind...just in case.

Good thing the next trip is on an airplane.

*Fun Fact (or not so much): I learned last night that of the lasy 90 days, only 20 were partly cloudy and/or fair. Yep, that means 70 days were cloudy, rainy, or stormy. Ugh! I need a reminder of why I live here again. Yikes, that is a lot of rain, cold and wet.

**Foffee is a term my friend's daughter coined when seeing her get an afternoon coffee ready. So afternoons coffees have since been known as "FOFFEE". Really, it's just fun!