Wandering Washingtons

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Wandering Washingtons

We are Melissa and Rob Washington. We are weekend wanderers sharing adventure travel tips and guides.

02/14/2024

Been loving you all over the world since 2015 🥰

1-Kauai, HI
2-Kauai, HI
3- Iceland
4- Yosemite NP, CA

12/06/2023

It’s hot spring szn babyyy ♨️ which one are you choosing?!

While Rob’s favorite winter activity is snowboarding, I like to find some warmth so last winter I was on a mission to hit as many hot springs as possible.

Let me know your favorite below!

1. Crane Hot Spring, Oregon (while this may not look like a hot spring the tub is fed by a hot spring that’s open for use outside my little fence!)
2-4 Idaho
5. Utah
6-7 Oregon

Hot springs are very delicate systems. Be sure to not wear any products/lotions/deodorant into the water, be aware of others waiting to get in at the more popular ones, do not bring glass as it could break, drink lots of water, and as always clean up after yourself ☺️

11/08/2023

Here is your sign to to nix the big wedding and get married on top of a mountain instead ⛰️ You just can’t beat nature’s beauty as your backdrop 🤩

While 2020 might have had a hand in our decision, it forced us to get creative and decide what really mattered to us in our wedding plans. As two nature and adventure lovers, hiking up a mountain at sunrise and getting to marry your best friend sounded like the perfect plan 🥰

These will forever be our favorite mountain photos.
Cheers to 3 years and many more filled with mountaintop sunrises, crisp autumn hikes, and lots of adventures✨

08/23/2023

Why did I decide to try backpacking for the first time on a group trip? Rob and I could have easily tried it together.

Because I wanted to go with someone who had gone before so I could ask questions, have gear provided because I had no idea what to get, and because I have been missing having a community out here since we moved across the country.

What did I learn?

I have found that every time I put myself in a situation with like-minded people, beautiful connections are formed.

Pushing your body to see what it can do is so rewarding. Being surrounded by beautiful sights is inspiring. Being among other adventure lovers is empowering. And spending a weekend in the quiet of nature and no phone service is healing.

It is never too late to try something new, make new friends, and learn from others.

You have only one life to live, might as well make it an adventure.

Is there something you’ve been wanting to try? Let me know in the comments!

📷: (thank you for making me feel beautiful in all these photos💕)
⛰️Trip guides: .bloomquist and

06/16/2023

I might be biased but the PNW has some of the coziest cabins I’ve ever stayed in 😍 tag your bestie in one of .pnw cabins and plan a weekend getaway together💕

Shoutout for being the bestie that planned our getaway💕

📷:

03/29/2023

For every one picture in a batch that I love, there’s about 10 that look like this ➡️ (swipe past 2 to see said photos🙈😂)

Idaho quickly became one of our favorite states this winter from the hot springs, the jagged mountains, the quaint towns, kind people, and the scenic drives. We had no idea what to expect from Idaho but upon leaving I knew we had to add Idaho hiking to our bucket list for the summer months. While we got to fully experience the beauty and warmth of the hot springs in the freezing cold temperatures and snow, we didn’t get to explore the mountains. It’s a rarity for me to find somewhere that I enjoy fully in all seasons, and I’d definitely say Idaho is a rare, underrated gem.

Is Idaho on your bucket list?!
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03/21/2023

Anyone else excited to chase some wildflowers this spring?!

I found this spot by accident on my longish drive to Silver Falls State Park last year and while I was excited to get to the park to hike I decided I had to pull over to snap some photos😍

Little moments like that remind me to slow down and enjoy the journey, not just the destination.

Just as we impatiently wish away winter to get through spring to get to summer, we are always looking forward to an end goal without appreciating where we are right now and where we came from. Spring is our gentle reminder to slow down, acknowledge our growth, and enjoy the process.

Where will you be slowing down to enjoy the wildflowers?!

03/16/2023

The desert is the first time I ever experienced an all encompassing vastness. Not in a scary way but a beautifully unfathomable way. From the canyons that run miles deep, the limitless ever changing shades of orange, the dark sky against more stars than my eyes could comprehend, and a silence so loud you can hear your blood rushing.

When a place makes the world feel that big and you that small, it puts life into perspective and allows you to see life for what it really is: a gift. A chance to grow and create your wildest dreams.

I’m addicted to finding places that bring me this feeling. Places that invigorate my soul and expand my growth. Isn’t that what exploring is all about? Finding places that evoke something inside of you and light you up. Reminding you to appreciate life. To take a breath when life gets hard. To remain present. To live your dreams. To never stop exploring.

Is there a place that makes you feel like this? Somewhere that’s special to you?
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03/01/2023

On our travels through the states recently, we’ve had many people say to us that we’ve seen more of their state in the minimal amount of time we’ve been there than they have while living there. And that got me thinking. Why is it so easy for us to do new things in a new town but not to do new things in our home town?

I challenge you to see your city or state from a tourist’s eyes. What are the must sees? Is your hometown known for something? Take a guided history tour or ghost tour. Try a new activity like a rock climbing gym or glassblowing, go to a bookstore in another town, explore a part of your state you’ve never been to. Research your hometown and plan as if you were traveling there for the first time. What are some things you normally check out or like to do when going somewhere new? Use a travel search engine to search your own town or state and see what is recommended.

Sometimes you don’t have to travel far in order to experience something new. Sometimes you just need a fresh perspective.

What do you normally use to research your travels? Google and blogs are our best friends for travel research. Research your hometown and let us know some new fun things you discover! 👇🏼
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02/23/2023

I had seen this spot a million times on the gram and dreamed of going. But after reading about how overly crowded it gets, I was afraid I’d get there only to discover people filling up every pool, with clothes and towels everywhere, and no chance of solitude. I wondered if the 7 miles round trip in the snow would be worth it.

But I am happy to share that not only was it worth it, this place was even more magical in person! The water is really that milky aqua blue with two translucently green pools. And to add to the magic, I had this place all to myself! It was like stepping into a fairy tale forest🧚🏼‍♀️

If you are like me and have dreamed of going here, save this for inspiration, add it to your list and make it happen!

I will be sharing more about this hot spring and advice for getting it all to yourself in the coming week!
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02/10/2023

We are all like walking mirrors; we are reflections of ourselves. What I mean by this is what we see in someone else is actually a reflection of what we see in ourselves.

Have you ever been triggered by a characteristic in someone, felt an irrational annoyance towards them? Examine that and you will most likely find that you are jealous of that trait in that person or you dislike it because you dislike the same trait within yourself. For example, you find yourself annoyed at someone for constantly showing up on stories or creating a podcast. Why? Because deep down you are afraid to share your own voice and you are jealous that they have the courage to share theirs. It’s like a defense mechanism- it’s easier to feel annoyed by them than to admit to your own flaws.

But social media is a highlight reel, only showing people at their peak and not their process of getting there. We didn’t see that same person struggling with their limiting beliefs, repeatedly redoing their stories or recordings because they don’t feel like what they’re sharing is good enough.

In a world of constant consumption, it is easy to get lost in jealousy and when not examined properly, we are losing an opportunity to improve ourselves.

But social media can be a powerful tool if used appropriately. If you ever find yourself feeling jealous of someone or of a characteristic of someone, use that jealousy as inspiration. Let it fuel you to take action to change yourself and your life. Let people inspire you. Let us be inspiration for one another to be the best versions of ourselves. ✨

01/26/2023

❗️Save this for future planning!

Tucked away in the southeastern corner of Oregon amid the hills of the high desert, you will find Crane Hot Springs.

With many overnight options to choose from, you can make this a stop over on a road trip or make a weekend out of it.

I booked one of their teepees (includes a heater for winter stays!) that includes a personal hot springs tub, clothing optional since my teepee and tub were fenced in 😌

Would you stay here?

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http://youtube.com/@wanderingwashingtons

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