Sweaty Bandits II: Pacific Northwest, July '23

Notes from Big Tony’s perspective (redacted for character count):

Day 1 - 7/16/23
Mass at 8a at Holy Redeemer, 7min walk from John’s. Brunch at Julie’s afterwards. Blueberry pancakes, eggs, mango, berries. Leave Portland at 11a, food shopping, then drove to Mt Hood. Super sunny and warm today. We did a 3.4mi hike at Tamanawas Falls, then drove to Multnomah Falls for a quick stop. Aaron left his water bottle on top of the penny smasher machine. Crossed into Washington (state 46!) Listened to a podcast called “Sasquatch Chronicles” about people seeing squatches. Got to camp at Seaquest State Park at 8:20p. Dinner was chicken, rice, carrots, salsa, tortilla chips.

Day 2 - 7/17/23
Edgar Allen Crow woke us up at 6a. Oatmeal for breakfast and out of camp by 8a. Picked up a map at Mt St Helen’s visitor center and drove an hour to Johnston Ridge only to find it closed. Tried to get a view of the mountain but it was obstructed by clouds. Turned around and drove 3hrs to the other side of the mountain.
Drove route 26: bumpiest road in America, and had a parking lot picnic. “I don’t know what a Pine Martin is,” “Are you coming, Bob?” Hiked 4.5mi round trip out to a view point of St Helen’s and it was still covered in clouds. “I saw a Sasquatch eating 3,000 mice skewered in barbecue sauce.” Drove another 2hrs to Mt Rainier and got to camp at 7p. Played 2 truths and a lie (or 2 lies and a truth) on the way. Pulled pork, rice, and green beans for dinner. Had a nice fire going and toasted marshmallows. In bed at 10p with white noise from the rushing stream.

Day 3 - 7/18/23
It was a bit chilly last night. 46° when I woke up at 5:40a. Oatmeal/grits for breakfast and out of camp at 7:45a. Picked up a map at the ranger station and he gave us suggestions for how to spend 4-5hrs in the park. Aaron and I hiked to shadow lake, glacier overlook, and frozen lake. About 4.5mi total with spectacular views. Had lunch at a picnic area where we heard a guy gagging and/or puking, so Aaron made puking sounds back at him. 1.5hr drive to the Seattle Public Market, walk around the market, walk 25min to Space Needle, grabbed GF Cheese curd lasagna before getting back in the car for 2hr drive to Sequim Bay state park. We met Dorothy from Kansas at the gas station and picked up salt & pepper kettle chips. Into camp just after 8p. Our campsite was next to the highway with an awkwardly talkative neighbor. Earplugs needed.

Day 4 - 7/19/23
Out of camp at 7a right as the ranger was opening the front gate. Made it into Hurricane Ridge at Olympic National Park and hiked 2mi uphill on pavement to the top of hurricane ridge. There were 2 deer in the parking lot when we got back. Got some sun at Crescent Lake and chilled for a few mins. I jumped in. It was cold but refreshing. Hiked 1mi up to Marymere Falls through a 𝒅𝒐𝒑𝒆 looking rain forest. Drove 1.5hrs to Neah Bay, (Cape Flattery) the northwest tip of Washington. Then 1.5hrs to camp at Mora, WA, which is still part of Olympic NP. Along the way we passed Beaver, WA and stopped at the Beaver Grocery Store. Into camp at 7:50p. Taco roast beef & rice for dinner. F-22’s flying overhead which were SO LOUD.

Day 5 - 7/20/23
Heard 2 owls and a Squatch in the campsite at 3a. Idk what time I woke up but probably about 6a when Edgar Allen Crow was screaming. Our camp neighbors used their car doors excessively. Out of camp at 9:20a. Walked along Rialto Beach to the Hole in the Wall. Played with some hermit crabs, starfish, and anemones, “the open ones are sticky but the closed ones and slimy.” Drove an hour to Hoh Rainforest. Did the Spruce Loop and Mosses Loop, total of 2mi but we DAWGED it. In between Hoh and camp we found a .5mi nature trail off the road in Amanda Park, WA. Honestly better than the trails at Hoh. Into camp at 7:15. Nice hot showers.

Day 6 - 7/21/23
Out of camp at 9:15a. Stop in Aberdeen, WA to pick up supplies for the wedding potluck. Stopped at Kurt Cobain’s house and memorial park and saw his air guitar. Got lunch at a local seafood place. Arrived at the Sou’Wester at 2p. “They’re all coming in, Mary.” Potluck dinner with smoked salmon with all the wedding guests. Talent show after dinner, I played a couple sing-alongs on guitar.

Day 7 - 7/22/23
Wedding day! Breakfast with family. Walked .5mi to the ocean. Ceremony at 3:30p with lots of eating and drinking and socializing afterwards. A jazz band in the art room before dinner. I love how the wedding lasts the whole weekend. It really feels like 2 families meshing together. Jimbo gave the safety brief before his toast, emphasizing safe use of propane in the trailers. DJ and dancing in the art room until 10p, then bonfire on the beach. This beach is now the 3rd place I’ve seen the Milky Way. Stargazing with Dave & Amanda until 12:30a. We saw the ISS pass by twice.

Day 8 - 7/23/23
Sleep in til 8a. Pack up and breakfast. Piñata in the art room at 11a. Rachel & Aaron drove back to Portland and I went with Mom, Dad, and Theresa to Seattle.

Видео Sweaty Bandits II: Pacific Northwest, July '23 канала Aaron Westbrook