Skip to main content

First Days in Olympia

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’ve already tried a few local coffee spots, each with its own character—from cozy, laid-back cafés to places that double as community hubs. It’s been a fun way to slow down between walking around and exploring the city streets.



So far, Olympia feels like a mix of small-town friendliness and city accessibility. Every corner we turn offers something new—whether it’s a historic building, a colorful mural, or a café tucked on a quiet street. We’re excited to continue exploring, and it already feels like a city where slow mornings, good coffee, and afternoon walks are perfectly suited to our pace.



Our time here is just beginning, but the first impressions make it clear that Olympia has its own charm—relaxed, vibrant, and full of local character. It’s a great start to this next chapter of our travels.

Popular Posts

Utah's Mighty 5

  Utah’s “Mighty Five” national parks offer one of the most concentrated displays of geologic diversity in the United States. Over the course of this trip, we moved from the red rock fins around Moab to the high plateaus of Bryce and the sheer canyon walls of Zion, structuring each stop around early starts, scenic drives, and focused hikes.   Our trip began in Arches National Park just outside Moab . Sunrise at Delicate Arch provided the clearest view of the park’s most recognizable formation, with low-angle light emphasizing the texture and color of the Entrada Sandstone. We continued to Landscape Arch, notable for its extreme thinness and span, and stopped at Balanced Rock to see one of the park’s most accessible examples of differential erosion. A ranger-led experience through the Fiery Furnace highlighted the complexity of the park’s sandstone fins and narrow passages. After dark, we returned to the Windows Section for stargazing; Arches’ designation as an International ...

Desert to Sea: Our Baja California Road Trip

There’s something unforgettable about a Baja road trip—the wide-open desert highways, cactus forests that stretch for miles, fresh seafood pulled straight from the sea, and rugged Pacific cliffs that feel untouched and wild. Our four-day drive down the eastern and western sides of Baja California was the perfect mix of adventure, history, and coastal relaxation. Here’s how the journey unfolded. Day 1: El Centro to Gonzaga Bay We began in El Centro, heading south for our border crossing into Mexico. There’s always a little buzz of excitement when you cross over—knowing that just beyond lies a completely different pace of life. 🌮 Stop in San Felipe Our first stop was the colorful coastal town of San Felipe along the Sea of Cortez. It’s laid-back, breezy, and known for its seafood—and we made a beeline for fish tacos at La Morena. Fresh, crispy, perfectly seasoned, topped with bright salsa and lime—they were exactly what you want on a Baja road trip. Simple, authentic, and eaten ...

A Weekend Exploring the Redwoods and Beyond

There’s something quietly humbling about walking among ancient redwoods—their immense trunks and towering canopies put everyday worries into perspective. This weekend we got to spend time at Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, took a unique brunch on the water, and wrapped it all up with a hands-on visit to a local lavender festival. The heart of the trip was hiking the trails through the redwoods. Stout Grove is an accessible, peaceful trail lined with some of the tallest and oldest trees in the park. It’s an easy walk, but every step feels meaningful in the shadow of those giants. Nearby, the Grove of Titans is a must-see for anyone fascinated by nature’s grandeur. The trees there are even more massive, and though the trail is shorter and less developed, the experience is unforgettable. It’s a place that invites you to pause and take in the scale and stillness. Next decided to pursue a scenic drive up the Oregon Coast to Brookings, taking time to stop at viewpoints along the Samuel ...