Hi, friends! I have finally gotten around to going through my photos from the last two months and sitting down to write a little reflection. A lot has happened!

Since the last post, I have driven from Breckenridge, Colorado, through Moab and Salt Lake City in Utah, blew through Idaho, drew on the hospitality of our friend Olivia in Bend, and arrived at the Pacific coast at the border of California and Oregon. I drove Highway 101 through Oregon and Washington and hiked to the westernmost point of the lower 48 states, completing my easternmost to westernmost cross-country drive.

Highway 101 was my favorite part of the trip so far. I found the Pacific coast to be contradictory to its name–loud, violent, and rocky–especially compared to my home puddle of Long Island Sound. I was surprised by the size of the massive driftwood from the old trees. Ocean sunsets are a true West Coast treat.

Afterwards, I forded the atmospheric river, continued north through Olympic National Park to Port Angeles, and took a ferry to see Bryce and Maggie in their sweet and slightly damp new apartment in Victoria. There was also a brief hop up to Tofino to keep my kook surfing skills sharp.

This drive has put into perspective for me how large North America is. After all this time, I reached the southernmost point of British Columbia, not to forget the entire state of Alaska farther beyond.

After recharging with family and a great NYE with friends, I am back in the PNW and heading south. I am excited to see and ski my way down the coastal mountains (and slow down the pace), but I hope to return and explore even farther north one day.