Oh my goddess! I’m at the airport, bags packed and ready to go. It’s finally happening!
I’m writing from the San Francisco International Airport as I wait for my flight to Hawaii. And I’m feeling extremely grateful that I’ve just enjoyed a week-long send-off by many loved ones as I embark upon my Round the World Trip. My send off really began back in December in Brattleboro with my Round the World in 80 Minutes Party. That night my friends gathered for a a potluck of international foods and eight of my friends shared photos and stories of places they’ve traveled.
But now it’s really happening. I’ve begun my four month(ish) international journey by road tripping to California to drop Raffi off with Isha. (My lil cat will have a vacation of his own: a change of scenery and plenty of snuggles with someone else who utterly adores him.) It felt apropos to begin this adventure on Leap Day (Feb 29, 2024). This Round the World Trip is indeed a big leap for me! Here’s to living my little life while exploring this great big world!
My best friend from high school is fabulous at making me laugh. Meanwhile, Raffi still has resting grumpy face!
My friend has a leap year birthday, so the first leg of my trip was driving from Walla Walla to Seattle to join his birthday festivities. This was my friend’s 10th birthday party so it was a big one and his party at Infinite Spaces was pretty darn epic! Delicious food. A choreographed dance. A photo booth. A hammock lounge. And soooo much chocolate cake.
After dancing and visiting with friends old and new, I spent that night in Seattle at the home of my best friend from high school. When I was little my mommy’s favorite book was Miss Rumpius and since our family copy of the book was long gone, my bestie gave me my own copy when we were teenagers. As a child, I adopted as my own the three things that Alice Rumpius commits to doing in her lifetime: traveling to far away places, living in a house by the sea, and doing something to make the world more beautiful. When I woke up on March first and stepped out onto my friends’ front porch I looked out over Seattle (my birthplace) and the Olympic Peninsula (where I lived in high school and where three of my five sisters live) and I felt ready to march forth into the great unknown, ready to travel to far away places.
Setting out from my birthplace, Seattle, WA on my Round the World Trip.
That day I drove to Corvallis via lunch in Portland with my friend and former co-worker. It was fun to catch up, not only because we’d worked together in the past and he’s a fun and fascinating person, but also because he is our crew lead for Oregon Country Fair. So he’s likely one of the first people I’ll see when I return from my international adventures this summer for My Annual Pilgrimage to the Oregon Country Fair. This trip will be bookended by his hugs and stories.
After our lunchtime visit my friend suggested a commemorative photo of my great leap with his newly created Leap Day Stick! Of course.
In Corvallis my fairy godsister and fairy god-brother-in-law welcomed me with open arms and a crackling fire. As I brought in Raffi’s things and the two bags I’m traveling with (this week has been a great test run of my gear), I noted that their house is one of the places that feels like home to me. It’s so cozy to settle in there, thanks to their hospitality.
Globetrotting was the perfect game to play in anticipation of my international adventure!
After a tasty dinner, my friends excitedly introduced me to the game Globetrotting. Each player has their own globe to mark the destinations as they plot their trips around the world based on personal and global goals. Such fun!
Taking the scenic route took me through the mountains twice in one day!
As I headed down to Sacramento, CA I was watching the weather carefully since a blizzard in the Sierra Nevadas was dumping snow and creating whiteout conditions on Mt Shasta. So I took the scenic route, snaking my way down highway 101 along the Oregon and California coasts, before cutting back to I-5. Through the mountains, along the beach, back to the mountains. It was a 13.5 hour drive day instead of a 9 hour drive day, but it was awesome traveling along the eastern side of the Pacific since my Round the World Trip will take me along the western side of the Pacific Rim!
The scenic route also included driving down the Oregon and California coasts!
My cousin and his wife welcomed me with a tasty chili and we caught up before I tucked myself into the Murphy bed in their guest room. In the morning my cousin and I walked to breakfast and swapped family stories. Then we all watched a comedy routine - a shared love - before I headed out again.
My next destination was Berkeley where I got to see my fairy godbrother, fairy godsister-in-law, and my scrumptious fairy godniece. I hadn’t yet been to their home, so it was a treat to visit and enjoy the architectural details of their charming neighborhood. Their little one was shy at first this time even though she hadn’t been over the winter holidays. So hard to be patient and let kitties and babies come to us when they’re that darn cute, right?! By morning we’d bonded again over our shared love of books and by the time I had to peel myself away she was reaching out for one more hug.
Hang time with my sister in the Bay Area
Yesterday I connected with my sister in Mill Valley. Our catch up started over Indian food in a converted house and transitioned to the studio ADU on a hilltop she shares with her partner. Their place is stunning, a carefully curated collection of the necessities and several delights that spark joy. They have a delightful garden and one of the most incredible views I’ve ever seen. Even more mindbogglingly cool, several of the houses in the area are accessed by tram! I hadn’t yet visited her home either, so it was a real treat to finally get to see it live instead of just on video calls.
Some of the houses are accessed by tram in this fairy land of a neighborhood!
Last night I finally arrived at Isha’s new digs in the Bay Area and spent the evening getting Raffi all settled in and doing final trip prep. The living room couch in front of the fire was extra cozy with my little cat snuggled up with me for the last time in a long time. Isha helped me get to the airport shuttle this morning and airport security was a breeze since I have Global Entry.
Grateful for an early morning ride to the airport shuttle, knowing Raffi will be in good hands with Isha!
So fortified by all that support, I’m head out for my Round the World Trip. Follow along on the blog if you’d like to come along for the journey!