High Desert to Hawaii: Our 2014 Itinerary

And then there were threeOregonians, with new adventures ahead!

Ted and I managed Pacific Coast beach runs and northwest road trips in 2013, but last year was really all about returning from our journey around the globe, pioneering life in Oregon once again, and growing a sweet little girl from scratch.

This year, we’re pulling a few repeats, but we’re also branching out, braving border crossings, and attempting a few plane rides with a baby. (Speaking of border crossings, I need to get Passport paperwork done for the wee one.)

While this current winter snowstorm pummels us here in Portland, I’m anticipating trips out and about to Oregon’s high desert and rocky coast, rural Texas, “Beautiful British Columbia,” and (!) out into the middle of the Pacific Ocean to the warm and welcoming Hawaiian Islands. Here’s a sneak peek of where you’ll be seeing us in 2014:

F E B R U A R Y
Terrebonne, Oregon, USA
Three Story Lookout Tower Vacation Rental

Next week, we kick off the first trip of the new year with a visit to cold and sunny (and snowy?) Central Oregon, to stay in a gorgeous lookout tower near Smith Rock. I’m most excited to cook meals in the kitchen with 360° views of the high desert…and then sneak out to the hot tub for a soak under the wide, wide skies.

^ A snap from last year’s quick visit to Smith Rock in Central Oregon…
Next weekend, we’re heading back to stay nearby at this beautiful Airbnb.com property:

A P R I L
Cannon Beach, Oregon, USA

Manzanita last year, Cannon Beach this year: we’re continuing the Oregon Coast fun with our friends Alyssa and Bryan. Looking forward to spending time out at Haystack Rock – my last visit was in November 2011, just weeks before our gallivant overseas. The peacefulness that helped calm pre-trip jitters promises to be a welcome stress-reliever in this season of Ted’s grad school studies and our 24/7 baby raising.

Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach, Oregon

M A Y
Longview, Texas, USA

All good things must come to an end…including my little brother’s college career.

Lucie and I head to Texas this spring with the family to celebrate Drew’s graduation from LeTourneau University.

Wish us luck – baby’s first plane ride!

I visited Texas once: an emergency trip to Dallas in 2011 (long story). I also worked remotely on the Warrior and Family Support Center’s therapeutic gardens project at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. But this will be the first time to see the countryside on the way from Dallas to Longview. This trip to the eastern part of the state – not far from Louisiana – should offer at least a tip-of-the-iceberg look at America’s big-little-country-within-a-country.

After Googling to find images of what to expect out of Longview, I found a few historical postcards and snapshots…

…and then got completely sidetracked by Texas landscape painter David Forks’ work. See a bunch of his other beautiful paintings over on Pinterest…

Longhorn Study | Oil on Panel, 8″x10″ | David Forks

J U L Y
Whistler, British Columbia, Canada

Come midsummer (just after Ted’s and my 8th anniversary!), we’re making our way to Canada with Lucie to join our friends’ wedding celebration.

Panorama Ridge Trail | Whistler, B.C.

During our three week visit to Beirut, Lebanon in June of 2012, my good friend Jodi introduced us to two lovely souls, Jimmy and Madeleine. Together we enjoyed hiking through the Qadisha Valley, eating scrumptious homemade preserves at a charming little guest house, sitting in the shade of the Cedars of Lebanon, and swapping stories and dreams and hopes and ideas for how our lives might pan out…

Since those summery days, they’ve moved from Lebanon to the Pacific Northwest, started new academic and work endeavors, gotten engaged, and we’ve returned to Oregon, added a little person to our family, Ted’s in a terrific grad school program, and I’m continually patching together my all-over-the-map experiences into one full day-to-day life.

We’re so excited to see Jimmy and Madeleine again (and Jodi…and Andrew…and Lindsay…) and stay in this Airbnb rental that Jodi found:

Um, the Whistler Rental even comes with a crib for Lucie. How perfect is that??

On the way home from Whistler, we’re hoping to make a pit-stop in Vancouver, B.C.

(Home of the 2010 Winter Olympics — has it really been four years already?)

2010 Winter Olympics Torch | Vancouver, B.C.

The plan is to visit our friend Karen (who we met in 2010 during our stay at her Parker Heritage House B&B) and to take Lucie to Commercial Drive (where we loved eating mango gelato and listening to cheers during the 2010 World Cup soccer matches).

At the Vancouver Olympic Torch on our fourth wedding anniversary trip, July 2010

We honeymooned in Canada during the 2006 World Cup, vacationed in Canada during the 2010 World Cup, and we’ll be back again during the 2014 World Cup. Anyone care to wager where we might watch the 2018 Russia games?

D E C E M B E R
Maui, Hawaii, USA
Kaanapali Beach Hotel

Last, but not least, the most daydream-inducing destination of our year: beautiful Maui!

We’ll be on the west coast of Maui for a December stay with my parents and brothers, grandma, aunts, uncles, and cousins on the Buck side of the family.

Current daydreams include: eating pineapple, finding waterfalls, searching for beautiful rainbow eucalyptus trees (do you see that picture below?)…

(Also, we’re sure to be wondering if we’ve applied enough sunscreen to baby skin, searching for the darkest corner of the room for naptime, and hopefully taking advantage of the surplus of willing babysitters so that twoOregonian might have a few mini-travels once again!)

By the time we reach Hawaii, Lucie will be a year and a few months old, ready to rock her little swimming suit on golden shores!

Maybe we can aim for an updated version
of this 50 year old Surf Guide magazine cover?

But truly, we’re so excited to anticipate a year ahead full of of fun times with family and friends. It’s energizing to have travel plans on the calendar again.

Now I just need to sort out how to pack light with a baby in tow…

I’ll have to get back to you on that one.

-Bethany

In the meantime, for a taste of Hawaii with a wee one, check out one of my favorite travelogues from last year: Ashley, Aron, and Hudson of Hither & Thither visit Maui. Ashley did such a beautiful job of documenting their family’s trip to Maui, showcasing sandy beaches, palm trees, tropical fruit, and their curious little 2-year-old blondie.

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A note on Images: I love using my own photography on this site, but since this post includes places we haven’t yet visited, I’m adding a few pictures from around the web. Hover over the picture to see the source.

A note on Vacation Rentals: We’ve now rented in North America, South America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and New Zealand. If you haven’t yet used Airbnb, check it out! It’s great for foreign vacations and local weekend getaways. P.S. If you use this link to peruse listings and book a trip, you’ll put $25.00 into our coffee fund! If you go, drop us a line and send us a picture from your trip…

How about you?

If you’re going to daydream, are you more about high desert lookout towers or palm tree lined resorts? If you have travels planned for 2014, where are you most excited to visit?

Um, any tips for packing with a baby…?