The Gorge in January

Last week I was sick which was a total bummer. I struggled through work for a few days because of meetings and guilt from being gone in South America for two weeks, but finally I gave up and took some much needed sick time to rest, watch Gilmore Girls on Netflix and drink a ton of tea. Most of the people in my group at work have been sick the last two weeks, I guess it’s that time of the year. I would like that time to be over now. Also, January can be over too, while we’re at it #amiright?!

Anyway, last Friday breathing was at least bearable again and my energy levels were back up to a normal-ish level and I had a hair appointment scheduled for Saturday in Hood River, so I decided to drink some coffee head home for the weekend after checking to see that there was no traffic. I had only been back “home” once (Thanksgiving) since October and had Ecuador/Christmas prezzies for everyone I was anxious to get out of my tiny apartment. Double plus, Fluffy snuggles cure all things.

When I got into town on Friday I stopped by Beth’s house to see her puppy and chat for a little bit. I then went to my parents’ to spoon with my Fluffy cat like an adult and take a little nap (driving 4 hours is hard work, obvi). Eventually I got up and after visiting with my dad for a bit, headed down to hill to have dinner with Josh and Sarah at Everybody’s Brewing. Sarah and I split the pulled prok nachos which are never a bad idea (p.s. these). We then headed over to Hood River to meet a few friends before I called it a night. 

^^Fluffy snuggs^^

^^Friendship: Gavin (who I’d never met before), Beth, Jessica and myself^^

Saturday I lounged around my parents’ house all morning, soaking up the wood heat with my fluffy cat and my family. I gifted them their Ecuador prezzies and they gave me a picture I’d been wanting foreverrr. It is a picture a local photographer took of one of the old barns on my parents’ property with Mt. Adams in the background. The picture is printed on metal and it’s so, so gorgeous. 

 
^^THIS is my picture gift!! Photo by Darlisa Black^^

^^Fluffy, who is the only animal allowed in the house + his outdoor barn cat doppelganger, Lucky^^

After hanging at my parents’ all morning I realized I was kind of ravenous and I headed to Hood River to get myself a bagel and some green juice. When I was done eating I walked myself to Dog River for a cup of coffee and some reading and some chatting with Emily (Beth’s sister) and J Bunz who were working the counter.

I eventually walked down to meet Josh and Sarah and do a little shopping downtown before my haircut. Kalyn chopped like 6” of length off my hair (small part of waist –> armpit) plus gave me more bangs plus razor cut a million layers into my hair. It seems a v, v different to me, but so far almost no one has noticed so maybe it’s really not that different? Whatevs. At least now it won’t take 20 minutes to blow-dry, hopefully.

After my haircut I walked back to Josh and Sarah’s and we headed down to Camp 1805 Distillery to meet Tonya and have a happy hour drink (my choice: the White Manhattan) before dinner at Solstice, which was delicious and amazing per usual. My favorite place in the Gorge!!

After dinner Josh, Sarah and I went to the Pub to play a few rounds of Jenga (which our friends have written all over, over the years = amazing). We ran into a few other friends and it was a good, relatively low key night.

^^Jenga!^^

The next morning I slept in before meeting Gaby for a breakfast sandwich at River Daze and then coffee at Dog River. After we had got in all of our chatting about all of the things, I headed back to Seattle.

My heart felt so full and happy leaving. Even during a low-key weekend at home I still managed to spend time with so many people who make me so, so happy. I ate good food, I visited with my family, I snuggled with my cat and with Kiva and I left with white hairs allll over all of my black clothes (standard). I wouldn’t have it any other way.