Digital Nomad Life: Month 135

Month 135 was spent half on the road and half at the Gorge, hiking a lot and working two sold out shows. 

I started the month hiking in Lassen Volcanic National Park, where I had one more day before continuing on to MacArthur Burney Falls State Park to see the waterfalls. Next up was Crater Lake National Park, where I spent a night camping in the park and doing a few short hikes and driving part of the loop road.

The last night of my trip was spent in Bend, with a stop to hike Paulina Peak in Newberry National Volcanic Monument along the way.

Toby had to travel to Denver for three nights for the memorial service of his mum’s husband so I stayed onsite at The Gorge with Joni, visiting Wenatchee for the day but mostly laying low onsite. I had a night in Seattle to run errands after that but also fit in some fun stuff.

My boss was visiting The Gorge from Vermont so I headed back to site early to catch up with her, then a few days later our busy two show run began for Dave Matthews and Above & Beyond. I escaped site to hang out in Leavenworth between shows then left the day after Above & Beyond finished with Toby and Joni for Seattle.

We had two nights in the RV in Seattle, visiting some of my favorite spots, then had two nights at a motel in Lynnwood, which we had booked to see Beck at Chateau Ste Michelle, but unfortunately the show was canceled. We still enjoyed our time there relaxing, and I had a wonderful afternoon at a Korean Spa with my friend Rachel.

I said goodbye to Toby and Joni and continued my trip alone to the small town of Glacier, via the lovely small coastal town of La Conner, which I absolutely loved. I spent two nights in Glacier and a day hiking the long but extremely stunning Ptarmigan Ridge trail in Mount Baker Wilderness.

I finished up the month with two nights in Vancouver, and as usual, I loved my time there.

Now onto the stats!

Countries Visited: USA, Canada

Places Visited:

• Washington: George, Wenatchee, Seattle, Leavenworth, Lynwood, La Conner, Glacier
• Oregon: La Pine, Bend, Crater Lake National Park
• Canada: Vancouver
• California: Lassen Volcanic National Park, MacArthur Burney Falls State Park 

National and State Parks, Monuments, and UNESCO Sites: Lassen Volcanic National Park, MacArthur Burney Falls State Park, Crater Lake National Park, Newberry National Volcanic Monument, Mount Baker Wilderness, Capilano River Regional Park.

Islands Visited: Blackbird Island in Leavenworth.

Days on the Road: 15 days.

Best Meals: Raspberry scone, and egg and cheese muffin sandwich from Sisters Coffee in Bend; Breakfast sandwich with egg, avocado, teriyaki, and nori seasoning on a Hawaiian roll from Ampersand in Seattle; Sweet potato banh mi from Yodelin in Leavenworth; Crispy garlic prawns with sticky rice and rice crackers from Kin Len Thai Night Bites in Seattle; Chicken tenders, fresh roll, mashed potatoes, and peach cobbler from Ezell’s Famous Chicken in Lynnwood; Thanksgiving pie from Pie Dive Bar in La Conner; Chicken souvlaki pita from Parthenon Market in Vancouver.

Hikes/Walks:

• Lassen Peak trail in Lassen Volcanic National Park, CA 5.3 miles
• Manzanita Lake loop trail in Lassen Volcanic National Park, CA 1.95 miles
• MacArthur Burney Falls loop trail in MacArthur Burney Falls State Park, CA 1.22 miles
• Watchman Peak Trail in Crater Lake National Park, OR 1.9 miles
• Annie Creek Trail in Crater Lake National Park, OR 2.2 miles
• Garfield Peak Trail in Crater Lake National Park, OR 3.65 miles
• Plaikni Falls Trail in Crater Lake National Park, OR 2 miles
• Paulina Peak Trail in Newberry National Volcanic Monument, OR 7.06 miles
• Deschutes River Trail in Bend, OR 4.6 miles
• Blackbird Island and Enchantment Park riverside trails in Leavenworth 2.4 miles
• Cave B Waterfall Trail in George, WA 3.9 miles
• Green Lake loop trail in Seattle, WA 2.8 miles
• Ptarmigan Ridge Trail in Mount Baker Wilderness, WA 12.1 miles
• Seawall loop in Vancouver, BC 6.2 miles
• Capilano Canyon Trail in Capilano River Regional Park, BC 3 miles

Watching: Cape Fear, Ted Lasso, Dark Matter.

Reading: The Storyteller by Jodi Piccoult, Stay True by Hua Hse, The Indifferent Stars Above by Daniel James Brown.

New Posts: No new posts this month.

Highlights

So Much Hiking

I did so many incredible hikes this month! Highlights were hiking to the top of Lassen Peak in Lassen Volcanic National Park – a stunning hike and a nice little challenge; the short but steep hikes up Garfield Peak and Watchman Peak in Crater Lake National Park that afforded incredible lake views; and I loved the Paulina Peak trail in Newberry National Volcanic Monument that had outstanding views over old lava flows and Paulina Lake.

In Washington, I did a day hike in the Mount Baker Wilderness – the Ptarmigan Ridge Trail – which was the best of the lot. The fall foliage was coming in, there were lots of huckleberries and blueberries to pick, and I saw multiple pikas, a marmot, and even two ptarmigans.

Exploring Crater Lake National Park

I finally made it back to Crater Lake National Park after a quick visit with my Dad in 2010. I didn’t have time to do any hiking on that visit, so I was happy to do four beautiful hikes this time around, as well as staying at a campsite in the park, visiting the historic Crater Lake Lodge, and driving part of the lake loop drive. It really is such a stunning lake – the color is insane.

Spending Time in Seattle

I spent three nights in Seattle this month, and as usual, I had a really nice time. I got treats at Ballard, Fremont, and Pike Place Markets, watched the sunset at Alki Beach and Golden Gardens Beach, spotted seals and salmon at Ballard Locks, walked around Green Lake and Gas Works Park, and explored the University District. 

Dave Matthews Band at the Gorge

Dave Matthews is always one of our busiest shows and this year wasn’t any different, although we all agreed that the crowd was the best we have had in five years and everything went well. Our boss was visiting from Vermont, so we went in one night with her, watching some of the show and having a drink at the Cliffhouse.

An Afternoon in Leavenworth

I got to visit one of my favorite places in Washington this month: Leavenworth. It was a stunning day and I shopped, ate at one of my favorite spots: Yodelin, walked the riverside trails, and even went for a quick and refreshing dip in the river. It was a nice little recharge between two busy shows.

Relaxing at a Korean Day Spa

I had my first Korean Day Spa experience this month and I absolutely loved it! My friend Rachel showed me the ropes and I loved the hot tubs, different relaxation rooms including a salt room and a charcoal room, the delicious on-site Korean restaurant, and the full-body scrub (although it was painful, I felt so smooth afterwards).

Initially, I was nervous to be naked during my body scrub and in the pools but I quickly felt comfortable and it actually felt quite empowering.

Visiting La Conner

I decided to stop in the cute town of La Conner on the Salish Sea on the way from Lynwood to Glacier, and I quickly fell in love with this adorable town.

The attractive downtown and waterfront are perfect for wandering, I had incredible pie at Pie Dive Bar (the Thanksgiving pie in particular was to die for!), and I enjoyed the live Celtic music being played along the harbor walk. I also enjoyed the independent shops and boutiques and the free art gallery – Museum of Northwest Art.

A Cozy Stay at Mount Baker

I booked a small condo in the tiny mountain town of Glacier so I could hike a trail that has been on my list for a few years: Ptarmigan Lake. I mentioned the hike already in my highlights above but another highlight was my cozy condo. When I wasn’t hiking, I was relaxing there – cooking dinner, watching DVDs, and burning my pumpkin spice candle. It was so cozy and a great welcome to fall.

Walking the Seawall in Vancouver

Walking or biking the seawall in Vancouver always makes me happy and I walked it this month on a gorgeous sunny day. I don’t think there is a more beautiful city park in the world.

Lowlights

Multiple Closures at Crater Lake

Although I really enjoyed my short time at Crater Lake, it was frustrating that three of the main attractions were closed including the full crater loop drive, the hike to Cleetwood Cove, and boat trips on the lake and to Wizard Island. 

Dad in Hospital

My Dad landed in hospital this month with a blood clot. He only spent a couple of nights in hospital under observation while the blood clots dissolved, but then was readmitted a couple of days after being released because he had a mini seizure.

They couldn’t find what caused it so he was then sent home again. I hate being so far away when things like this happen, so it will be so much better when I am closer.

Mum’s Health Getting Worse

I had a frank talk with my Stepfather this month and my Mum is much worse than I realized. While we are still planning to buy an RV and travel during the summer and autumn in New Zealand early next year, after that we will be heading back to the Auckland area to look for a base, whether it will be a rental, a house or a piece of land, so we are closer to both of my parents and I can help support more.

Poop Explosion in the Staff RV

I’m putting this on the lowlights even though I was away at the time and didn’t have to directly deal with it. A worker was playing around with hoses out the back of our staff RV and accidentally filled up the black water tank, causing it to overflow waste and water into the RV.

Toby caught it pretty fast so it didn’t make it through the whole RV but it covered the bathroom floor and spilled onto the carpet outside the door, so Toby spent days cleaning it over and over again and airing it out. By the time I came back to site a few days later, there was no longer a smell and you couldn’t tell what had happened so he did a great job but I felt so bad for him.

Spending

I don’t include international flights in my recaps. Some of my costs are shared with Toby or other travel partners.

Total: USD$2751

Accommodation $856

My 10 nights of paid accommodation for the month included one night car camping at MacArthur-Burney Falls State Park, one night car camping at Mazama Village Campground in Crater Lake National Park, one night at a motel in La Pine, one night in a private room at a hostel in Bend, two nights at a motel in Lynwood, two nights in a condo in Glacier, and two nights in a private room at an Airbnb in Vancouver.

My 21 nights of unpaid accommodation for the month included 18 nights onsite in the staff RV at The Gorge, and three nights car camping in Seattle.

Food and Drink $727

I spent more than half the month onsite at The Gorge this month where my meals were mostly paid for by work, so my food and drink costs weren’t as high as usual.

Clothing/Shoes $0

Transport $299

• Gas $279
• Seattle Water Taxi $10.50
• Vancouver trains $9.50

Activities $0

Other $722

• U.S. Phone plan $35
• Spotify $14
• OneDrive monthly storage $2
• Garmin monthly subscription $14
• Netflix $10.50
• Apple TV $16
• Toiletries $148.50
• Charity $120
• Spa tips $28
• Ice $5.50
• Import Permit for New Zealand for Joni $78
• Cat food $27.50
• Tape measure $4
• Flowers $15
• Cat toy $14
• Toby haircut $40
• Luggage scale $4.50
• Large suitcases x 2 $128
• Cat outdoor tent $17.50

Website Costs $12

• Keysearch One Month Subscription $12

Vehicle Costs $135

• RV and van insurance $70
• Car oil change $65

What’s in Store For Next Month

I still have a day to explore Vancouver and a night in Seattle before returning to the Gorge to work our last show of the year: Jack Johnson.

My friend Mel is visiting from Denver and I am excited to show her the Gorge at possibly my last show working there ever. Hopefully it will be a great show and the weather will cooperate.

After Jack Johnson, I am going to be catching up with work stuff, travel planning, and life admin, as well as helping out when needed at our sister site, The Vineyard, for the last show of the year – John Summit (Oasis is not open for it). 

When the show ends, I will be doing my last PNW road trip of the year, spending just over a week visiting Winthrop, North Cascades National Park, Darrington, Seattle, and either Leavenworth or Mount Rainier. I am looking forward to a lot of fall color hikes – especially larch hikes in the Cascades.

I’ll then be heading back to site to finish cleaning out the RV, and then Toby, Joni and I will be heading back to Denver. Depending on how long we have to get back, we may stop somewhere fun along the way, otherwise we will be traveling the fastest route back via Boise and Rock Springs over three days.

We’ll be spending the last few days of the month in Denver, seeing friends and family and packing for our seven-week trip to Brazil!

To read additional Monthly Recaps, you can find them here