Impressed by the Northwest

Washington state may be the best in the west, and perhaps even in the US! The diverse landscape offers mountains, forests, rain forests, the Pacific, lakes, rivers, quaint small towns, as well as the urban epicenter Seattle.

Our first stop coming into Washington state was Spokane. What was meant to be a quick stop at the famous Frank's diner, turned into a day in which I consumed more calories than Michael Phelps training for the Olympics. After an amazing meal at Franks, we stopped by the visitor center to get a map where we were informed that the annual "Pig Out Festival" was in taking place. So naturally, we booked the only hotel room of the entire trip and went to the festival, not once, but twice! It was a Mecca of local food vendors serving up amazing bites, in addition to live music. 

24 hours and 5,000 calories later, we were off, to burn it all off, in Washington's harshest terrain at Northern Cascades National Park. There, we took a four-day backpacking trip into the tiny town of Stehekan, only accessible by boat, plane or 18-mile hike. And despite being sick, getting stung multiple times by bees, developing crazy blisters, experiencing temperature extremities (ranging from high 80's to low 30's), rigid terrain and high elevation gains--the experience was amazing.

Next up on the agenda was Vancouver; a city full of pronounced glass high-rises, situated on the water amidst mountains. We enjoyed great sushi, the sunset from "Top of Vancouver" and even won some prizes at trivia night! But the most memorable experience had to be the Grouse Grind or "nature's stair stepper." This entailed climbing steep boulders for an hour and 20 minutes to the top of Grouse Mountain. Buns of Steel had nothing on this workout!

Then we were off to Seattle aka my new favorite city. Of course we checked out the iconic Seattle public market, the space needle, all of the neighborhoods, Volunteer Park, an ultra-fun Ty Segal concert with lots of crowd surfing and even performed a show as a newly formed band at the  Experience Music Project Museum.

We also had some of the trip's best food in Seattle: fried oysters at the Walrus and Carpenter, tea and crumpets at the Crumpet Shop, seafood at Ray's, cupcakes at Cupcake Royale and one of the "20 Burgers Before You Die" at Red Mills. Yummmmmmmm.

And what better way to finish off Tour de Washington than taking a ferry to Olympic National Park--home to Mt. Olympus, the Hoh Rainforest, Sol Duc Hot Springs, and the most beautiful rocky beaches. We definitely ended things off with a bang by hiking out 13 miles along the Seven Lakes Basin loop, where we saw breathtaking views of Mt. Olympus and a bear hanging out on the trail eating berries. As if that wasn't exciting enough for one day, we hightailed it to the coast line, set up camp on the beach and enjoyed our first spectacular Pacific sunset. We finally made it across country!

Next up on the map? Portlandia!

The Great North

The morning after mosquito park, we broke camp at record speed and were off to one of America's greatest natural wonders--Glacier National Park, MT. The park has become so popular that even after submitting a backcountry itinerary six months earlier did not get a spot. Nevertheless, we did get to do a few multi-day loops in the park. Glacier is one of those places where the landscape keeps you asking, "Is this real life?" over and over, as it is hard to fathom that such natural beauty exists.

Since it was harder to get overnight hikes in Glacier than Paul McCartney tickets in Winnipeg, we got to see the less popular parts of the park. But it actually worked in our favor because we got to see great spots like Lake Otokomi.

We also got to do the Quartz Lake Loop, a less popular destination on the west side of the park. There we met some awesome people from Chicago that gave us, just because they were nice, homemade gourmet dehydrated dinners. If you guys read this, go into business--it was top notch!!!

On the the final backcountry trip, the landscape was very multi-faceted. We went from a forest, to prairies amidst mountains, and of course walked along several rivers and lakes. But here we found a gem off the trail that most people don't know about, which is Margaret Falls. 

While driving on "the most beautiful road in the US," Going-to-the-Sun Road, to get to our trailheads, we found the most amazing little town. With a population of no less than 50, Polebridge only has a bakery and a bar. But the greatest bakery with the greatest huckleberry bear claw ever...ever!

We also happened to run into a family friend from Chicago in this tiny town.The odds!

After ten days in the backcountry, three pounds of huckleberries, $100 worth of baked goods, four burgers, three-six packs of local brews, two stays at the luxurious campground with a hot tub, we finally parted with Glacier National Park. Then we were off to Sandpoint, Idaho under the pretenses that it was the most beautiful small town in America (according to our atlas). And it sure was.

We checked out the beach--yes a beach in Idaho--the farmers market, and went to a happy hour hotspot where a local radio station was hosting a raffle. With the stars aligned, we won two tickets to a to a rodeo! There we also met the nicest people, who let us just pitch a tent in their lovey backyard for the night. We even woke up to a note on a French press saying to help ourselves! You guys rock.

What's next? Why the home of apples, evergreens and 90's grunge!

From Prairie to Prairie

Coming out of Isle Royale, we were dirty, deprived of substantial food and in need of relative luxury, like a cheeseburger and a beer. And lured by false pretenses of a Thunder Bay City Guide, we were off to Canada to check it out. It was our first time crossing the Canadian border and with the guide in tow, our hopes were set high--showers, food, beer, people! Well that is exactly what we did not get. I still have no idea where the photos from this guide came from. However, we did manage to find an amazing little backpackers hostel for the night with an amazing communal feel and great people. 

In the morning, just as we were ready to head back to the US, my mother informed me that my uncle and aunt live in Winnipeg just, oh, a mere 8 hours away...well, why not?

Driving to Winnipeg, we saw the mountains dissipate and the great pains appear. They really are that flat. We also stumbled upon a Canadian favorite: Poutine (translation) the most amazing gravy cheese fries!

When we arrived at my relatives' home, we were treated to the luxury we (I) have long dreamed of--crudités, meats, cheeses, spreads, breads, desserts, wine, showers, and finally a bed! We were given a city tour, saw the Leo Mol statue garden and I happen to come across a statue of me!

We also had a chance to check out a metal show headlined by The Sword.

After the amazing hospitality, we were finally headed back to the US, more specifically to the state you don't hear much about--North Dakota. It proved to actually have a magical oasis at the Lewis and Clark State Park, of course after endless fields with rolling tumbleweeds. 

And lets not forget, we did also spend a night at mosquito park at the Nelson Reservoir in  Montana. What is on the map labeled as "Buffalo Hot Springs" is actually an abandoned town with non-working water slides. And the free campground is free for a reason--you won't want to get out of your car or you will in fact be eaten alive by Mosquitos. Seriously, over 10 bites a minute. They are hungry out there! Thus in our NY plated car, we sat in the car, eating dinner, blasting AC and did not even care. 

Next up--grizzlies in Glacier NP!