Hiking Guide: Family Friendly in the Pacific Northwest

For those of you who don’t know, Geoff and I started our lives out here in Washington just over 4 years ago. Two newlyweds, hype on ambition and love, anxious for the unfamiliar, and excited to start our lives together. Our first year of marriage was spent apart as Geoff was deployed only days after we married. And in anticipation of his return, only days before his arrival, my mom and I drove across the country to set up the first place we’d call home. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, those first few years were a struggle for me at times. Moving here from the South…well, things are just different out here. ???? And like I mentioned here, I left a bit of my heart there, so allowing my heart to grow new pieces took some time, albeit worth it. But, alas, grow it did and I came to find many people and places to love out here in the Pacific Northwest. ❤️❤️ So, instead of a sad ‘see ya later’ post, I’ve decided to do a ‘let’s relive all the joys’ post…because there are so, so many to relive. I’ve discovered pieces of myself I didn’t know existed, and I have my experiences out here to thank for that. Specifically, God’s unabounding love and purpose for my life, my husband’s without ceasing ability to support and encourage all my creative pursuits ???? and the infinite possibilities of adventures here in the PNW.???????? Well, and not to mention the friendships that got me through the dreary days that can seem 365…until heaven opens and the best Summer’s you’ve ever seen appear from above! ???????????????? I started this blog a little over 3 and a half years ago to share our lives with our friends and family back in the South, and it’s become more of an outlet I could have ever expected. In those three years, I’ve obtained my second Bachelor’s degree in pursuit of becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist and a Child Life Specialist, multiple small business ideas, and continued my passion and 10+ years experience of working with children in a clinical setting (all the while still figuring out what I want to do when I grow up). Ha! ???? I’ve become a mother, and continue striving to be a better woman and wife. I’ve learned so much about myself,  grown in ways I never thought possible, and failed at goals I thought were a sure thing. I’ve met so many inspiring people, found new passions, and expanded my mind in ways only possible through God. To be completely honest with y’all, I have no idea where this blog is going! haha! But I’m up for the adventure and hope y’all will continue along with me! I’ll continue searching for new experiences, new places, and faces all the while sharing my passion for photography, adventurous spirit, and entrepreneur opportunities. I’ve realized over the years those can all manifest in there own way, so I’m embracing the possibilities to come. And to end this PNW chapter on a high (altitude) note, here are my Top 5 *edit 6* favorite adventures in the P-N-Dub in no particular order (this is so.hard.y’all!)… 6. Naches Loop – favorite hike 5. Mt. Rainier for my birthday – sweetest memory 4. Blanca Lake (hurt so good) – first and worst hik 3. Lower Lewis (any time) – but this time, first camp experience 2. Mt. Rainier (so many to choose from!) – family  hike 1. Ok, I lied…there is an order, and this is NUMBER ONE – the day I became a mom Honorary mentions: Alaska! Visits over the Canadian border – Whistler and Victoria For more hiking, outings, and the in-betweens, check out the PNW Life drop down menu at the top of LtL! As always, thanks so much for reading along, y’all! I hope you’ll stick around and see where this next chapter takes our family. It’s been an amazing experience so far and can’t wait to see what’s next… ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Lemons to Love, Lindsay *Side note addition: A special thank you/I love you/I miss you to all my friends out here who’ve loved me, laughed with me, cried with me, and supported me. Your friendship and the connection we share will never be forgotten. I will always cherish our time together…and if you ever are in the South, you know how to find me. ???? Love you beyond the words I can find right now and (already) miss you tons. ???????????? #allthefeels]]>