Home on Whidbey: Pacific Coast

Sweet Sorrow

We have been very lucky folks these past few months. Brad's friend, Yessi, has been visiting the United States (more specifically Whidbey Island) since May. Yessi and Brad met in New Zealand near the end of Brad's Te Araroa tramp in the spring of 2012. They met up again in China in November of 2012 when Brad traveled to China for dental work, a Nepal trek and, of course, to see Yessi. Then Yessi came here this spring where she completely wiggled and giggled her way into all our hearts. Thursday, August 15, Yessi returns to China. Missing her will be prominent in all our hearts, but especially prominent for Brad.

During Yessi's visit she and Brad hiked and camped and hiked and camped and hiked and camped some more. When on Whidbey they lived in a sweet little cottage in the woods. They traveled from Washington to Oregon to California and back again -- from the Canadian border to the Mexican border. They hiked Big Sur, Mt. Rainier, Glacier Peak, San Juan Islands, Olympic Mountains, Whidbey Island and even made it to the PCT kickoff in California's desert.

Yessi at the Pacific Ocean, CA

Brad & Yessi travel to their hiking and camping destinations
on the BMW bike

Brad and Yessi at Mt. Rainier

Brad and Yessi celebrate Brad's birthday at Hamma Hamma, Olympic National Park, WA

Saturday evening Yessi generously treated us to dinner at the Wild Ginger in Seattle. She also hosted us to a tour of Boeing's Everett Plant, which Ed had done years and years ago but I never had, nor had Brad. Boeing, being an interesting and integral part of Seattle's history, probably should be toured by all of us so we understand more about our economic reliance on this region's huge and important company. Thanks to the influence of a wonderful young woman from China, our family has learned more about one our region's most influential companies. Like, for example, for just a few million dollars I too could owe a Boeing plane. Between Boeing and dinner, we made a stop at Ibex in University Village where Yessi purchased a new outfit at their 50% off sale.

Yessi at Boeing

Yessi & Brad shopping at Ibex in University Village

Brad and Yessi showing off their Ibex labels

Ed and Fran took a dinner-out-turn and treated Yessi and Brad to dinner at Cafe Langley on Tuesday evening.

Brad, Fran, Yessi & Ed at Boy and the Dog Park in Langley

“Parting is such sweet sorrow that I shall say goodnight till

it be morrow.”

William Shakespeare

Moving up the coast headed north...

Leaving Big Sur on the trusty BMW, Yessi and Brad are back on the road again. They stay on the coast from the Big Sur area to Mendocino, where they stop for lunch and some exploration, before cutting over to I-5 for the long, boring haul home.

Brad & Yessi

Yessi & Brad on the Mendocino bluff

Stunning beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean from Mendocino bluff trail.

Many of the old water towers in Mendocino have been converted into shops and residences.

More Beautiful California Coast

Having been born and raised in California I have a tender spot in my heart for my home state. There are still so many parts of California that are remote and wild and beautiful. And, who can argue with the weather? It's nice to see my son, Brad, get to know and love my home state, although we both are deep to the roots Evergreen State enthusiasts.

Hiking Big Sur certainly gave both Yessi and Brad a feel for California's central coastal landscape, both beautiful and brutal. Brad has always expressed a huge preference for liking to be up high, and the PCT was too perfect. Following the crest provided drop-dead stunning views The lower elevation hiking, despite the ocean hanging out there, just couldn't compete.

As Brad tramped the wild coasts of California with Yessi, I did 24 days in Whidbey General Hospital. I think he and Yessi had more fun!