Amanda O. Latz, Ed.D.

The drive from Walla Walla to Bellevue, WA was, again, stunning. I90 traveling west was just majestic. I drove through the Snoqualmie Pass, and landed in Bellevue where I spent two nights with one of my teammates from college (GO DUKES!).

We reconnected, ate Vietnamese pho, and retired to her front porch for the evening. After breakfast the next morning, we drove east on I90 (back the way I came) to hike the Snow Lake Trail. Such a beautiful destination.  It was awesome to get out and stretch the legs! The sights were unbelievable. The vistas were so perfect, they looked fake. I assure you, however, the photographs here are real places. *smile* After the hike, we stopped at DRU BRU for a pint and late lunch.

We stared at a giant mountain as we ate, and it was a great way to cap off the afternoon.

On the way back, we hit up the local grocery story in anticipation of making a light, late dinner, which ended up consisting of a grilled salmon salad. YUM. The rest of the evening included more porch sitting, music listening, and story telling. “Do you remember when . . . ?” A lovely four words!

This morning, after a late brunch, two cups of coffee, more porch sitting, and packing up, I left to head south on I5 toward Portland.

In Portland now, tapping away from the Brooklyn Neighborhood, where I’ve rented the upstairs of a cool old house. I’m out on the back porch daydreaming and admiring the neighbor’s gigantic black walnut tree.