Sounds like "Bed Pan for Poopie"

I'm a little gullible and naive. 

Traveling alone might not be a good idea, but fuck it.

When I planned this excursion, I realized I was going to be attending a baseball game in Seattle a week before leaving for Cambria. Deciding to make a trip out of it, I figured I could travel by the seat of my pants and make my way down to Cambria through the week, crashing on couches, camping, and maybe splurging on a hotel room at one point. I thought, "Oh yeah, that will be perfect. . . It's the end of the season anyway, everyone is going back to school." I had the forethought to arrange a place to stay in Pendleton and Seattle but that's it. . . noooooo problem. It wasn't until about 12 hours before leaving that I realized I would be doing all of my unplanned travel during Labor Day Weekend. Crap. . . screw it, I'll figure it out.

 Dan and Bev super rule. 

I stayed with the Kinsleys in Pendleton. They are a rad couple that have two guest rooms in their home on the outskirts of Pendleton, Or. After their kids were all moved out of the house, Dan and Bev one day decided to open their home to young poor touring musicians that were passing through, playing at places like The Great Pacific. Great food, beer and wine, and great music is to be had if one were to patron this establishment, not to mention a high quality food menu that will cater to my gluten intolerant self.

I have to say that every person I have ever met in this town has always been kind and genuine. Dan and Bev are certainly no exception. If anything, they are the folks that are setting the bar. I always know there is a warm bed and meal in Pendleton  should I ever need it. Not to mention a hot tub, a dog or a cat to cuddle with, and most likely a glass of wine to enjoy over good company. Dan and Bev graciously sent me on my awkward self away with a full belly and smile on my face so I could make it to Safeco Field in the best way possible. But first, I had to stop in Portland to pick up a friend that I basically forced to come to the baseball game with me.

Nick. . . well he's kind of a dick. 

But, he was willing to come with me to a baseball game in Seattle, forcing him to hang out with me for at least 24 hours. He can't be that bad if he's willing to do that. Nick Jaina has a way with words and makes music, he's really good at these things. At least, I think so. As a matter of fact, I like it enough to post a link to one of his music videos. So here's a song that he wrote called Sleep Child. 

I get to Portland later than I should, but feeling confident that we will still make it on time to the game. We get in the car and make each other laugh a lot because it seems that's what we are really good at together.

Also, he's not really a dick.

Yes, I know the Mariners suck. But we got to the game on time. 

Overview of the day in Seattle:

1. Trying to park when a cop directing traffic yells at us and makes me more confused and flustered than a cat with tape on it. He was just icky and mean. I hope the other cops in Seattle are a little nicer.

2. We saw the good game where they lost in extra innings because the pitcher done made himself a balk, and was the reason they lost the game. I had no idea what I was seeing.

3. I gotta see my fellow Doom softball team mates Rick and Whitney! GO DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

4. Apparently I met a famous guitarist. His identity is a secret, but I will totally give you a hint. . .  One of his band names sounds a lot like, "Bed Pan for Poopie".  He was a very nice guy, and his girlfriend was very nice too, which is really the main thing I care about in anyone that I meet.

Nick was kind enough to let me stay at his place when we got back to Portland. 

We ate Korean BBQ at Toji . It was amazing.

Of course I can get a first come first serve camp spot in the Redwoods. . . on Labor Day weekend. Why would I be worried?

The good news is that heading above this sentence is totally true. But it's only true because I was trying to find a camp spot on a Thursday, and even then, the site was full. The super REAL truth is there was a gal from the Bay area camping alone at my choice spot.  I showed up around dinner time, and she was kind enough to let me camp with her for a couple of days in exchange for splitting the fees. She was nice. I was feeling fortunate, double fortunate actually, as earlier outside of Grant's Pass I was pulled over for talking on my cell phone and going 15 over the limit in a construction zone. I had no idea that I had broken the law, oops. I thought I was screwed for sure. BUT, the nice lady cop let me off on a warning on both offenses. Then she was kind enough to let me know that driving while talking on your phone is also illegal in California. I super learned stuff that day. Yesss!

Anyway, I hiked through Fern Canyon alone for about 8 miles. At times it was eerily quiet. You can hear your own heart beating type of quiet. Quiet enough that I had my pocket knife handy, just in case I some how would be able to overcome a mountain lion attack. I totally had a fool proof plan all worked out in my head. I was for sure going to kick that mountain lion's ass. It's a good thing he decided not to attack me.

Okay fine, he would have eaten me, a lot. . . I'm really glad there was no mountain lion.

Also, the trees are ummm. . . GIANT trees, as you can see to the left here. You can also see how much I suck at using my panorama option on my fancy pants iphone. Some of the redwoods were burnt out, and the hollowed out tree was big enough to house a dinner party for ten. Those old trees really are something to marvel at, and a really good reminder of how tiny and vulnerable I am. A good reminder that there is so much we are not in control of. And that's okay.