Well hello, friends. When last we met, I was bragging (not really) about how long it had been since my last post. 13 weeks, I advised. 91 whole days. Clearly, I’m a blogger extraordinaire, prolific in my ability to pump out fresh posts.
Yeah…about that.
As it turns out, I’m such a slacker that I’ve now officially bested myself and broken a new record: Over 14 weeks since my last post. 99 days to be exact.
No use crying over spilled tequila. Let’s move on, shall we?
My last post cautioned that I might die while attempting to complete the epic vacation plans I had made. Enough of you care enough about me that you warned, cautioned, cajoled and ultimately convinced me to change my plans. So change them, I did.
Buh-bye wilderness backpacking adventure into the back country of Wyoming, where it could take hours if not days for help to find me, should I need it, and hello epic road trip up the northern California and Oregon coastlines and the Columbia River Gorge.
I wanted epic.
I got epic.
I took this picture at street level, the base of Multnomah Falls.
And then I climbed that bad boy.
And since I hadn’t died making the climb, I decided to do the entire 6.5 mile loop, where I was treated to several more waterfalls.
And another:
And another:
There were more but by now you get the drift.
Awesome, awesome, awesome!
This trip also offered up massive trees. The kind you can drive right through.
Or make a home inside.
Very humbling to be surrounded by the oldest living things on the planet. The giant sequoias stole my heart.
There were beaches.
And gorgeous coast lines that hugged the cliffs and kissed the shores.
And then there was Crater Lake, still a winter wonderland at the end of May.
Breathtaking.
Be still my heart, indeed, Oregon.
Most important of all is that I didn’t die doing a single activity on this Plan-B-but-still-epic-vacation (which I may well have done on the other one). So there’s that bit of awesomeness.
Next up is the epic trip to end all epic trips. SOMEBODY is turning 50 in two months. And that somebody has booked a trip that makes that somebody pee her pants a little each time she thinks about it. Squeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
I’ll be sure to publish a teaser post before I leave. Then again…who am I kidding? That would mean another post within 60 days. Not. Gonna. Happen. Well, maybe. Hope springs eternal, after all.
In the meantime, if you liked these pictures and want to see more, follow me on Instagram @nancytex.
Keep moving,
xoxo nancy
There you are! I was about to send the Canadian Mounties after you. The photos are beautiful, Nancy. Now, what is all of this talk about vacations and pee? 😀
Rob, I am SO STINKIN’ EXCITED about this trip I’ve booked. Epic doesn’t even begin to describe it. I cannot wait!
Spill the beans, Nancy! Tell me about it! Wait – you can tell me as long as I don’t pee.
Patience, mon ami. Patience.
But you know how impatient I can be! 😀
Sorry, need to nail a few more details before I share the news. 🙂
Fine. In the meantime, I’ll go find my favorite photo to pass the time. 🙂
Oh. My. Goodness!! This looks amazing!! I love waterfalls, and trees you can drive through??? TAKE ME THERE!!!
I’m very glad you didn’t die!
Me, too, Bev. Me too!
Wow!!! The 99 days were worth the wait for those amazing waterfalls. 🙃 I love the Oregon coast as well as the Redwood groves in Northern California. Good to see you back in the blog-o-sphere. Looking forward to seeing your next post in 60 days or so, maybe. 😉
Hahahaha… I so miss this place, Pat – but work has been absolute madness. I travel at least twice a month for 3-5 days at a time. I try to keep up on blog reading, but writing is a pipe dream at this point!
p.s. I *almost* reached out to you when we arrived at SFO (we flew there, rented a car for the trip). We spent the first 3 days of the trip exploring Marin county and then wine country before heading up the coast. Couldn’t find your contact details easily on my (new) phone. 😦
Congratulation on not dying 😉
Great shots of some pretty spectacular scenery.
Looking forward to hearing about the next epic adventure.
In the meantime, play safe 🙂
Trying my best to stay alive so I can ring in my 50th in style, Norm! 😉
woohoo for not dying!! I did technically already know that…but it is still a woohoo thing!!
I love love you pictures, even though I have seen most of them on instagram, I still love seeing them again…
99 days is a long time…however I am not one to talk, i suspect it was a similar amount of time before I wrote about my mountain adventure!! also I am now cheating by reblogging other people’s work to keep my posting habit up!!
I noticed you are doing some creative workarounds to get new stuff published. 🙂 I’m all for creativity! (Because no way I’m increasing the frequency!)
creative like posting things that I starting writing a year ago 😉
i have another one in the offing…
Atta girl! Now that’s creativity! #BetterLateThanNever 🙂
exactly!!
😀
Nice to have you back! Even if it is only briefly! Also good to hear you didn’t die. But you’ve made me want to live in a tree…
Living in a tree; that can only mean one thing, Linda: You are moving back to Latvia.
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!
Bah ha ha! With stuff like this in Berlin? Never!!!
https://eyeonberlin.com/2016/08/19/the-cock-of-kochstrase/
Sweet baby Jesus.
Ha ha ha ha ha!
Hi Nancy! I’ve missed you. Glad to see you are still alive and kicking. The photos are gorgeous and evidence that you are working ALL the time. I’m looking forward to at least hearing about your exciting birthday trip. Until then…have fun! ~Kathy
Thanks Kathy! This ‘work’ is the fun kind! It’s the other work that is keeping me from the blogosphere.
Hope you and Thom are keeping well!
I’ve done that road trip! Stunning! But I missed Crater Lake which looks incredible. Oregon is such a pretty state. Glad you lived to tell the tale and more besides even if they are infrequent!! I turn the big 40 this year. Seems we are both crossing off milestones xx
Crater Lake and the Columbia River Gorge are both inland. The Oregon coast was stunning, but the interior was equally impressive – in a whole different way!
Hint about my trip: I’ll be VERY close to you. 🙂
Oooooooooo can’t wait to find out X
Stunning pics, Nancy! I so want to BE there now!
…and who knows, you might get another post out before Christmas 😉
Snort! I certainly hope it’s two posts between now and Christmas. I’ll have some killer pictures to share from the October trip, I’m sure.
I may even try to photograph some cake, to entice you to stop by. 🙂
Cake or no cake, I’ll be there.And I don’t say that to a lot of people…
You must like the fact that I use all the swears, all the time. 🙂
I saw a meme yesterday that said, “10 minutes at work and I’m using ‘fuck’ like a comma.”
YASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!! This is me 100x over!
p.s. Did I tell you that I got a cat??????????????????????????????
WHAT??????? …the fuck have you done with Nancy, whoever you are?!?
In fairness, my husband got the cat while I was on a business trip, so I wasn’t involved.
He’s growing on me.
Aw, it’s a boy 🙂 Name? Colour? Details, woman, we need details!!!
Name is still a moving target. I pick a new one every day (and it’s been two months). He’s a blue tabby, 4 months old, adopted from a shelter. He’s a combination of cute and the kind of evil that looks like he’s plotting your death. 🙂
Are you on Instagram! I’ve posted way too many pictures of him. I’m becoming crazy cat lady. This makes me sad.
I’m not on Instagram and have never considered it. Until now. Blue tabby – SQUEEEEEE!
You don’t need to join it, just go to Instagram on your laptop and you can browse without having an account!
Darn… I knew that… it’s getting late… add to that the kitten factor and goodbye to any rational thinking.
Because I like you, I will send you one on FB. 🙂
I’m looking at him NOW. In his sleeping bowl. With his cuddly blue star.MORE!!!
He’s such a little prick! So destructive. Tore apart two beautiful orchid plants. Grrrrrrrrrr He’s lucky he’s cute.
You still have plants…?
Really ugly, bare ones.
Lush pot plants, intact curtains and stylish black clothes – I only hope you’ve said your goodbyes.
I’ve detested the two curtains that came with the house we bought last year but they were functional. So low on priority scale while we spend on other things like all new windows, a new kitchen, new bathroom, etc.
Pablo, AKA Simon, AKA George, AKA Ozzie Pawsborne, AKA Shithead has demolished one of the two, so guess what’s just moved up on the priority list (shutters though, not replacing with more curtains). 🙂
Just call him Arnie – The Terminator…
I like it.
Beautiful pictures! You should frame some of those and put them on a vacation wall!
That would be lovely, Jana. And it would require time… 🙂
First – HOLY SPIDER-MAN!!! What an adventure!! Climbing a waterfall!! Wow. Wow. Wow,
Secondly – 50!!! TRIPLE HOLY WOW!!! Early happy birthday wishes and I can hardly wait to hear what you’re up to next! 🙂
I’m pretty psyched, Joanne!!! Type A me wants to plan every last detail; live in the moment me wants to play it by ear and book accommodations as we go based on what we like and want to spend more time exploring. I’m arguing with myself daily! 🙂
I’m excited by your excitement 🙂
Actually, rather than keep it a big secret, I may actually post about the 2 locations I’m headed to poll my readers who may have traveled to one or both and see if they can offer up tips and must-see/do stuff. GAH! Now I have to write ANOTHER post. 😦
Yippee!! another post with a big reveal!!
Oh wow, I want my next vacation to be along the California and Oregon coastlines. Gorgeous! Great to hear you had such a wonderful time.
Do it, Carrie! Such beautiful country!
That trip really seems epic. Awesome views!! Looking forward to reading about your next trip. Within 3 months😉
Hahahaha! I will do my best to post before 3 months, Vilma. No promises though!
So glad you didn’t take a trip where you could die! LOL! I love the coastline and think it’s pretty spectacular, so now I’m really interested in hearing about what’s coming next! How exciting, Nancy!
It’s not so much that Yellowstone would have killed me, and more so that the guided 3 day backpacking trip through the back country while my BP was high and heartbeat erratic/high put me too remote to get help should I have required it. Still planning to do that same/cancelled trip next August!
The next one in Oct is a good mix of adventure and pampering/luxury, Debra. Can’t wait!
Welcome back and glad I’m not the only one on a blogging hiatus. (insert a sliver of guilt) And awwwweeesommme amaaaazzziiinnnggg sttunnnniiinnng pics! Clearly worth just getting out there living! 🙂
Totally, Carissa! I had to keep pinching myself. From rugged coastal hiking down to pristine beaches with nary a soul on them, then the giant redwoods…incredible, and the Columbia River Gorge…stunning. More waterfalls than you can shake a stick at. Every day brought a new adventure.
I love Multnomah Falls, the way you get wet from the spray even if you’re standing a long way off. And the whole Columbia gorge is…. gorgeous. I’ve not seen Crater Lake though. Those pictures are amazing.
It genuinely felt like I was seeing places that just got more and more beautiful each day. An amazing vacation!
I do love Oregon and Washington. Those huge, mossy forests… but it’s sad to see the spots where they have clear-cut.
Miss reading your blog! We saw the waterfall last September but never hiked up! You are amazing’
Honestly, the hike up to the top of Multnomah Falls was the hardest part. We had two choices: hike straight back down, or keep going up and around to do the 6.5 mile loop with a payoff of 4 more waterfalls… It seemed a no brainer!
It’s funny, when we got to the bridge (half way up) I took a short video where you hear my hubby and I arguing if we’re going all the way up or not. 🙂 Not only did we get to the top, we hiked an extra 5 miles. Posted it to Instagram if you’re on there! 🙂
Stunning shots. What a wonderful experience it must have been. Thanks for sharing that. Glad you lived through it
That entire stretch of country was most impressive. We’ll definitely head back to spend more time in Oregon as well as Washington state. Amazing hiking trails, and the foliage keeps them nice and cool.
How nice to see you Nancy! Tons of epic beauty captured by your camera, thanks for sharing these majestic views and falls. I hope you’ll get a ‘breather’ like this every now and then to sustain your body and soul. XX
The next BIG trip is less than 2 months away, Helen! I couldn’t be more excited!!! Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Very happy to hear you’re still alive and kicking, Nancy! That trip really does look awesome – amazing photos! And you’re nearly 50?! I don’t believe it! So, where are you off to? You can’t leave us all hanging like that!
I was going to keep it a big secret until I posted shots in a recap blog post, but it occurred to me that some of you might have experience in one or both of the countries I’m heading to, and I can benefit from your experiences! Watch for a post soon, soliciting ideas/feedback from y’all! 🙂
Oh my Goodness! Stunning! Now I want to go!! 🙂
You should, Laurel! Not very long a drive from Van!
I’m planning on going to cannon beach, Oregon in October. Maybe the falls are close enough to check out too. Also, love your photo of the car in the tree 🙂
The Columbia River Gorge is east of Portland so it’s a ways from the coast but so worth it!
Also, glad you’re back in the blogosphere, I’ve missed you.
Impossible to make time for it these days. 😦
Nancy your photos are absolutely stunning! We want to do a 6 month-ish trip and discover the whole west coast…we’ll see when that actually happens. 😉
Cannot wait to hear your plans, or your options, for the big 50 trip! Yay!
I can’t recommend Oregon highly enough. Breathtaking coast and the interior is outstanding!
The October trip should be mind-blowingly awesome, Lynne! I cannot wait!!!!!!!!!
Hope you’re keeping well. I’m headed to Atlanta in a few hours!
Looking forward to reading about your next adventure! We are in Arkansas having a mini-adventure now! Enjoy Atlanta…
Enjoy Arkansas!
50 in two months? You’re catching up to me. Careful . . . and have a blast on that trip. Peace, John
7 weeks and counting. And I am jumping out of my skin excited about this trip!!
This post was worth the wait, but I still missed you. The photos are effing spectacular. Just might drive me to use the real word… Oh My Fucking God – so there.
This all is proof positive that you are doing well, and I’m so glad to know that! Happy early birthday – and don’t let that number keep you from enjoying more mountains in the future… keep reaching, striving, climbing… it doesn’t have to be all “down hill” due to a silly number unless we let it be, right?! Fuck no!
So good to see you, Nance! xo
Slow down because I’m turning 50? Fuck no! Wait til you hear what my trip plans are… no slowing down there. 🙂 🙂 🙂
You rock! So fucking inspirational! Will look forward to hearing those plans around Christmas time… right??!
Bahahahaha! Actually, I realized that there are likely readers who have experience in one or both of my destinations, so I’m going to do a reveal post and solicit reader feedback on must-see/do from those who’ve traveled to those locales!
Fabulous idea, Nance! I’ll be sure to chime in should I have any nuggets of wisdom to share… I am very well-versed on what to do in Pittsburgh, I’ll have you know, since I’ve traveled there every week since February… oh yes, the fun is never-ending in my life, let me tell you! lol 🙂
These photos are just breathtaking – I want to go to there 😉 The waterfall in particular – there’s something about waterfalls that just fascinates me, and I am deeply impressed that you climbed the whole thing, it almost certainly would have killed me 😉
I thought it would kill me, too. Turns out it just made me use all the swears as I grunted my way up. 🙂
It’s possible the same might happen to me…!
SWEET! Enjoy planning your next trip and Birthday Bonanza!
Less than two weeks now. Super excited.
Hey lady! I did that climb up Multnomah Falls last year! Stunning! What a gorgeous state. I want to go back. I did get to the coast, but not the Sequoias. I’ve been to the Muir Woods in CA, but I really want to see the Sequoias someday! I mean, I’M THE TREE LADY….I MUST SEE THOSE TREES. 🙂
You absolutely must see those trees. Humbling doesn’t even begin to describe the experience.