Three State Tour

Last month, we left the confines of Montana for our last big outing before our addition to the family arrives. The trip centered around two different events, a Seattle wedding and the Grand Teton Relay. In between the two, we spent time in Oregon with family.

We decided that in order to maximize our time in Seattle, it would be best to leave after work and camp out in the car to get a bit of rest and an early start on our day. For those of you either in the “know” or that have been following along, Jess was about six and a half months pregnant at the time. To sum up the experience: Did we sleep? Yes. How well? Marginally.

We stayed in Seattle with a college friend and his wife, to which we are grateful for their hospitality. Friday morning, we set out in downtown Seattle for a day of casual exploration. We toured Pike Place, ate some great food, took the ferry over to Bainbridge Island and walked (and walked). To cap off the evening, we attended the rehearsal/welcome dinner for the wedding the next day. The day was beautiful, clear and equal parts relaxing and active.

Our Saturday plate was full, starting with breakfast with one of Jess’s cousins. After that we went to Safeco Field to watch the Mariners, dropping the car off at the hotel where the wedding was to be held. This was my first time attending a Major League Baseball game, something Jess was excited to have me experience. The game was a bit slow, but had its highlight innings as the Mariner’s played the Rangers.

After the game, we headed back to the hotel and changed for the wedding. It was a grand event, and we couldn’t be happier for our friends. The views were spectacular, the food amazing and the time getting to know others priceless. We wrapped up the evening by walking down to our room (probably the earliest we’ve been to bed after a wedding for 3 years).

The next day we headed for The Dalles, Oregon. Jess’s parents were hosting a family baby shower for us that afternoon. There wasn’t much time to spend wandering around Seattle, but we did have some excellent breakfast at a French cafe at the edge of Pike Place.

Our time in Oregon was all about family, starting with the shower. We were incredibly blessed, not only by the gifts, but also the presence of so many loved ones, many of whom we haven’t seen for a couple years. We spent equal parts with both sets of parents, starting off with my parents in Dufur. My brother was also up for a couple days with his two girls, so it was also fun to play uncle. While there, I was able to resurrect an old project car from high school, but I’ll detail that later.

Our time with Jess’s parents took us to Lost Lake for some sightseeing and relaxation. Along our way back we stopped at one of the many fruit stands and picked up some fresh peaches, something that Jess had been craving since sampling a slice days before in Seattle.

While it was our longest stretch in one geographic region, it went by quickly and we found ourselves saying goodbye, on our way to the Tetons. This was the fourth year for us running in the Grand Teton Relay and I decided to do something “exciting” this time around. Before any worry that Jess shouldn’t be running a crazy endurance race this far along, don’t. She volunteered this year and helped keep me sane. I’d go into the details, but I think it’s worthy of another post.