“If you could pack up your things right now and go, where would you go?”

Those were the very first words I asked Frank when we met. I didn't have to wait long for an answer, because Frank has been dreaming of a place since his teenage years. A place that wears Frank's favorite colors in all facets. A place where the trees grow so high into the sky that they remind us that miracles exist on this earth. A place made up of saturated golden fields and mountains bathed in a blue haze. Coasts drawn by pastel sunsets stretching endlessly into the horizon. A place that inspirational people call home. People who know that life is worth living, drink freshly ground coffee and make their mark on the world, making us all a little more colorful. The Pacific Northwest.

three months have passed since and Frank's dream... we have made it possible over the past few months. With two plane tickets, a large enough car and two nights of pre-booked accommodation, we stood at the Zurich airport with two big suitcases and a lot of hand luggage. Our most important things in our luggage: our two sleeping bags, a three-person-tent for two, waterproof hiking boots, my favorite hammock, Polaroids film, our two Fjällräven, camera and ukulele. Our flight had a stopover in Reykjavik and then took us to Seattle with a total flight time of 12.5h, where we started our road trip along the west coast.

Seattle was a little overwhelming to the two of us going there for the first time, knowing nobody and nothing about it. Our hostel for the first night was located downtown near the subway line that connects the airport of Seattle with Downtown. as we checked in to what was midnight to us, we fell asleep immediately.

by the time we got up and walked around, a little jet-lagged, there weren't a lot of tourists, and not to deny it, we were a little freaked out about the visible inequality between people driving in shiny cars and the homeless sweeping the streets. but When the smell of good coffee caught our attention, we walked into an authentic wood furnished cafe called Zeitgeist.

The bright cafe offered plenty of hot drinks, delicious sweet pastries and bagels. Drinks were available with a wide selection of milk alternatives. After a relaxed walk towards the harbor, we met a lovely backpacker named Thomas. He was exploring the west coast on his bike and let us play on his travel guitar. What I liked very much about Seattle, especially from the beginning, is the openness of the people. they are helpful and open-minded and seek conversation.

After a good stroll around the Public Market, we were finally ready to collect the rental car for our road trip, a Toyota 4Runner. We both could hardly believe our luck, because the car was all we ever wished for. It had a Nevada license plate that said Home Means Nevada, it was large enough to sleep in the back and finally being on the road felt like the start of something new and exciting.

After picking up our luggage at the hostel, we headed to Café Flora. This beautiful vegetarian restaurant was located in a quiet and cozy outer Seattle neighborhood and stood out with colorful flowers, a cute little water fountain, and hearty people. The food was amazing. we both had a plant burger with sweet potatoes and garlic dip. If you're ever in Seattle, be sure to check it out!

Frank and I headed towards the North Cascades National Park today, where we would spend our second night in the US. We stocked up on some supplies at a camp store along the way and Walmart, and then headed out to the places that make our hearts come alive.

with 🐝 by evelyne

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this blog post is part of our one month usa west coast road trip blog series. be sure to check out the other posts:

useful information

feeling inspired? here are some resources you might find useful if you would like to follow our footsteps:

• our first stop, ever: zeitgeist coffee

• markets by the waterfront: public market, pike place market

• lovely plants & veggie cafe: cafe flora