Pack It Up, Pack It In

The end of Trisha's last shift at St. Joe's in Tacoma - travel contract complete!

February brought another whirlwind of change, transition, and travel for the Lil' Home's inhabitants. The month began with Trisha completing her first travel contract and getting the Casita ready to leave Gig Harbor - the place we called home for three months. As we got the Casita settled into storage in Oregon, Chuck mused about how amazing it is to be able to pack-up our entire home and put it away in just a few short hours. It leaves us open for opportunities and travel... and feels quite liberating.

The Lil' Home in its pajamas... tucked in and ready for rest.

Before parting ways for a couple of months, Charlie and Trish got to spend some quality time together in Washington checking off a couple of bucket list items: walking across the Tacoma Narrows bridge (yes, it took us three months to accomplish this) and going to McMenamins Elks Temple in Tacoma (if you don't know what the McMenamins hotel chain is, it's worth checking out - they have a cult following and offer a 'passport' book you can fill in as you visit each location). Thanks to Charlie's intuition and sleuth skills, we were able to find The Vault, a secret, speak-easy-style bar located deep within the building - actually, it is located beneath the sidewalk in front of the building. We also had dinner on the ground floor and Trisha is now extremely enamored by the whole thing, but is also certainly not getting a passport. One goal at a time; visiting all of the national parks is a lofty enough to-do list. 

Chuck in The Vault at McMenamins

Chuck on The Tacoma Narrows Bridge

Right before Chuck's departure, we headed to the Columbia River Gorge and Mt. Hood area so he could recertify his Wilderness First Responder (WFR). This gave Trisha the opportunity to explore a new area and relax after a taxing few weeks of working overtime at the hospital. Trisha explored the local area (even finding some fellow Mainers from Bethel), experienced a winery, hiked to the top of a waterfall, and did some birding from the hot tub at our AirBnB. Chuck successfully recertified his WFR and Trisha dropped him at the Portland airport the next day. Another bitter-sweet farewell for us.

Mt. Hood 

Looking up at Multnomah Falls

Started from the bottom now... at the top of Multnomah Falls 

The view from our AirBnb hot tub - overlooking a winery and Mt Adams. 

Charles in Chile

Chuck headed off to the southern hemisphere again, specifically Chilean Patagonia, to work for NOLS. Chile is leaving summer behind and moving toward fall, as the northern hemisphere battles the end of winter and yearns for spring. Chuck has been wearing shorts and Crocs with no socks (a bold fashion choice), and Trisha is admittedly jealous. Chuck worked a sea kayaking contract from mid-February to the first of March and will begin another on March 6 taking him into mid-April. He had a few days to relax in between contracts and has been reuniting with friends, exploring, and resting for his next expedition. 

View on the NOLS branch in Chile

It's official

Instructor gear staging

Chuck and his pal Nacho - they took the kayaking instructor course together last year. Here they are reunited in Chile, both off to instruct on different courses

Well, dang Charles...

Trisha Heads East

While Chuck headed off to South America, Trisha flew east... in February...against her better judgment as this is the exact time of year she was set to avoid. Despite the chill in the air, there was warmth in her heart as she got to spend time with some of her favorite people. Scroll below to see some pictures of many lovely humans on the East Coast <3 <3

The trip began with a hot Galentine's date with Kaili (Trisha's badass nursing school survival sister and meemaw mountain adventure partner). Honey Paw was playing Mariah Carey on vinyl, if that doesn't say romance, I don't know what does.

Aurora's new babe - just a fresh little Earthling born in December

Bestie and her turnip

As Erin said "classic Trish and Aurora pose"

Queen of the house (Trisha knit that crown... pretty crafty, aye?)

Let the tea party begin!

Just some gallivanting 

Trisha also got to see some good pals in Fryeburg - Kate, Andrew, and Liam - but they stayed so present during the visit that no photos were taken. They ate good food, talked about the horrors of capitalism, predicted their next existential crisis, and played some games. Huzzah!

Babysitting duty with baby JJ (Charlene's quilt deserved a photoshoot)

"don't you dare put me down for one minute, auntie" -- luckily he is adorable

Pops dropping Trisha off at the train station for the billionth time

Photoshoots at mom's house <3

Mike and Ava wanted in on the fun, too

And a visit to Gram's 

None other than THE Em Pappas - what a love. She gave Trisha a tour of Maine Beer Co. behind the scenes, what fun!

Certified fork lift operator - certified to steal yo' woman! HAWT!

Back to the West Coast

And off she goes again...

Trisha Heads (back) West

Trisha flew back to Portland, Oregon to pick-up the truck and make the drive to California. Unfortunately, just as she was arriving, so was a wild storm blowing in off the Pacific Ocean. It was a rush and hustle to try to beat the snow and wind through the mountain passes of Oregon and Northern California, but she just made it. With her trusty weather woman (mom) helping from afar, Trisha was able to navigate the passes safely and make it to the safety of the valley just in time. 

Riding the line of the storm

Almond blossoms in California - they bloom in late February/early March. Trisha was there at the perfect time to see their beauty.

Trisha's home for a few nights at Hidden Villa in Los Altos Hills, CA (Silicon Valley area) where she was teaching a WFA

Heading to the coast, taking a hike :)

Home for a few days at the Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel

Fun fact: this lighthouse was originally standing in Wellfleet, MA - it now stands in Montara, California

A hike through the coastal hills

Up next: Tisha is Northern California dreaming ~ teaching wilderness medicine, rock climbing, exploring, and living it up.

Until soon, groovy people xo