Traveling with Danielle and Paige

There are trips you plan for months—and then there are the ones that happen on a whim and somehow turn out even better. Our recent spur-of-the-moment getaway to Port Townsend was exactly that kind of trip: unhurried, a little unexpected, and full of charm in all the right ways. A Spontaneous Escape It started with a simple idea: we needed a change of scenery. Within a couple of hours, we had packed a bag, grabbed snacks for the road, and pointed the car toward the northeastern tip of the Olympic Peninsula. The drive itself felt like a transition—from routine to something softer, quieter, and just a bit more magical. A Town Steeped in History Port Townsend itself has a fascinating past. In the late 1800s, it was expected to become one of the largest ports on the West Coast, thanks to its strategic location. Wealth poured in, and the town built grand Victorian buildings to match its ambitions. But when the railroad bypassed Port Townsend in favor of Seattle, the boom came to an abr...

After months of planning and travel, we finally made it from Tucson, Arizona to Olympia, Washington for our next assignment. The journey itself felt long, but arriving in a new city always brings that mix of excitement and curiosity—especially when it’s a place we haven’t explored before. Our first day in Olympia was all about getting a feel for downtown. The streets are walkable and welcoming, lined with local shops, cafés, and a mix of historic and modern architecture. It’s the kind of downtown where you can stroll for hours without feeling rushed, noticing little details along the way.      We also made a stop at the Olympia Farmers Market , which immediately gave us a sense of the city’s community vibe. Fresh produce, local crafts, and friendly vendors made it the perfect spot to wander, sample a few bites, and just take in the energy of a city that clearly values local food and creativity. Coffee has quickly become a staple  and Olympia hasn’t disappointed. We...

One of the highlights of our recent trip to Bend, Oregon was a full day exploring downtown, enjoying a bit of nostalgia, and getting outside at Pilot Butte.   Downtown Bend We started the morning with a walk around downtown Bend , taking in the local shops, cafés, and the city’s relaxed, walkable vibe. It’s compact enough to see a lot in a short time while still feeling like you’re discovering little corners of the city.   Blockbuster From there, we made a stop at the last remaining Blockbuster . Walking the aisles was a fun throwback—nostalgic and slightly surreal, but a unique part of the Bend experience. Blockbuster Video was founded in 1985 in Dallas, Texas, and quickly became a household name as the go-to video rental chain in the U.S. Its rapid growth in the 1990s made it a cultural icon, with stores in nearly every city. However, the rise of streaming services like Netflix led to a dramatic decline, and most locations closed by the late 2010s. The last remaining ...