"Well I looked at him and caught him lookin' at me I knew right then we were playin' free in Oregon"--Loretta Lynn

so on we go to orrovile, california!

one of the first things we did when we arrived on the farm was clean out the muthaf'n van.

i really wish i could have a do-over when packing for this trip. it was so rushed and it came from a weird place for me. i meticulously planned and packed for africa. however on this trip, i knew i would be hiking and camping and also going to cities like LA, i wanted options for this trip. the reality: i packed things i haven't used at all. sure, some randoms objects have provided comfort or been useful at times, but really, i could do with out. and the amount of stuff we have in the van stresses me out. it becomes messy and disheveled so quickly and it makes me uneasy. a reoccurring thing for me on this trip is a desire to simplify and reduce. i realize the more possessions i have, the more complicated life becomes. you live and you learn. and that seems to be all i am doing on this trip!

we visit with our gracious hosts, andrew and big jon. first plan of action: practice hooping!

it is so nice to have some down time while we are here. every place we go to, we want to see as much as we can, but this also can be exhausting! i am so appreciative for some time to just chill out.

we gather up the group and head to a beautiful spot, in the middle of nowhere. i realize now the difference in the statement "it is not that far away…" spoken by people that live in the country. we set off on this adventure not knowing how far we would be going, that it was a wind-y dirt road up and down a mountain and we have very little gas. what would be a nerve-wracking drive anyway was now kicked up a notch with the idea that it was quite possible we could run out of gas in the middle of nowhere. it is times like this that i have learned so much about my relationship. i have a pretty solid claim on being the one that freaks out all the time, but eric being the driver took that role for the moment. and so, it was my turn to be the calming, positive force. and guess what? it all worked out! 

we make it and all make our way down to the river, even baby hannah! she is so adorable and such a good baby.

we spend some time by the river, but it is all too short as it is on the verge of getting dark and we may or may not run out of gas on our way out.

but that is what friends are for! i think that is what helped me relax into the situation: i knew we were with good peeps who would take care of us. and we made it!

later that night, we have a grand cinco de mayo fiesta! a whole crew from ohio was there and it was totally festive. the following morning, we loaded the boys in the family van and went to climb bald rock.

it was so beautiful, i felt like i was on top of the world. the boys were such good sports with our dance video. 

my time on the farm was also the realization that the auto harp that i begged eric to take with us on our trip, that i convinced him that i would learn, proved to be very difficult. tuning it is really hard and it is really tricky. i am not giving up! (definitely discouraged though :( i need a crash course in music 101.

the time on the farm was full of beautiful land, doggies and babies. eric was able to do some work and i did some work for me. 

who knew that all i ever wanted was to live in a trailer? i learned how much judgement has been associated with folks that live in trailers. was their any consideration that it was a choice? it doesn't have to mean you fucked up. it can mean that you live on a beautiful piece of land, where your priorities are to be outside, a vast home isn't important. i was so surprised by how enjoyable trailer life was….you really don't need much. and it seems to be much easier this way.

eric and the boys were working on framing a chicken coupe while i tackled the dishes.

all in all, it was nice to visit our friends and get some exposure to farm life. 

i so enjoyed spending time with baby hannah and mama breezy. them babies sure are some work though. 

it was really great getting to know big jon and andrew. great fellas. this shows the usual shenanigans:

it is sad to leave our new settled life and our little family, but it is time. i get to realize a dream and go to the sierra nevada brewing company!

we didn't really have time for a tour, but we filmed some sweet dance videos and i got a growler. one step closer to my dream of being known as 'growler courtney'.

ummmmm, funniest sign, ever?

back on the road! the long stretches can be hard, but the key is stretching and hydration!  i have gotten really good at peeing on the side of the road. for realz.

it is also hard to be on the road when you don't feel good. i am not sure what my deal was, but i wasn't fully right on our drive to arcata. thank god arcata is a badass town. we arrive and find a wonderful co-op. this is the perfect example of the kind of town i want to live in: when eric asked one of the co-op workers where would be a good place for us to park and stay in our van, he replied with right in their secured parking lot. awesome. it was also so perfect that it seemed to be a gallery hop of sorts going on. we walk around the adorable town, through the town square where there was a keyboardist gathering. everyone looks cool, there are some cute shops and a cool record store. we bunk down for the night at the co-op. we wake in the morning to the arcata arts festival! what luck!

we tried to get an early start to the day as we had quite a drive a head of us, but we just couldn't pass up an arts festival?

i really liked arcata. it definitely made its way on to my potential living lists.

we make our way up north, seeing many interesting sights on the way.

our destination is florence oregon to meet up with columbus friend rachel and her husband eddy!

it is so great to see them and it is so great to be with folks that enjoy the things we do and it is always a good learning experience.

our hike in was hardly noticeable as i am so excited to see and catch up with rachel. we chat it up as we make our way through the woods. i just adore this girl…

the woods open up and become dunes, right on the ocean! the most desirable camping spot  with ocean view is occupied, but we bunker down by the lake, not bad at all.

we set up camp and even though the lake water is rather cold, it can't stop eric the fish nassau!

after we set up camp, we hike back up to watch the sunset. climbing the dunes may be the best calf workout…ever?

it is so nice spending time with these folks. they are just so easy to be around and i feel like i learn a lot from them about hiking and camping. and of course, how to be awesome.

what a better time for a photoshoot? 

i

we get totally silly

we all trade camp cooking tips and tricks over our little camping dinners. we have a fire from whatever we can find. how awesome that eddy carried ipa beers in all the way? well done.

our spot. no rainfly. sweet stars.

i think hammocks may be in my future. these ones were super comfy.

the hike out in the morning was super hard. straight up hill and will the pack…yikes.

i am so glad to be up the hill!

we then head down to see the ocean. as we get down to it, it become extremely windy!

ninja in training

but nothing can bum this crew out! we head onward!

the whole trek back, albeit very challenging was super pretty. 

i feel so grateful that rachel and eddy took the time to meet up with us. they are so wonderful and the whole experience just warms my heart. now we are off to portland!

we stop in veneta, oregon to meet up with another friend from columbus, bones!

he was really nice and we perked up with some much needed coffee. it was so cool of bones stop what he was doing to meet up with us.

we stop in eugene to get vegan cupcakes at the divine cupcake! the whole place, all vegan. and so many flavors, i feel like i am in heaven. i want to get one of everything, so i do!

these are but a few of the delicious cupcake that were devoured

Tune in next time to hear about how a bunch of ladies, who are totally awesome people in portland, oregon will eat these cupcakes.

the road can make you weary, but seriously y'all, i am having the time of my life! everyday is something even more amazing. i feel so grateful for this time.

i hope you are well!