What’s better than a road trip with a good buddy? Some of you thought: husband maybe? Others of you protested, no way, it’s my dog, of course. But girlfriend, boyfriend, husband, dog, your current stud muffin…… A good road trip friend is a great friend indeed.
Just think what you find out about this friend on a road trip: the music they like while driving, favorite snack foods, if they have a wandering spirit or if they go straight to the destination. Can they read a map? Do they know the value of a cup of bad coffee and funky cookies at critical rest stops? Can they handle a gas pump and get those ugly yellow squishers off the windshield? Can they harmonize to “Runnin’ on Empty?” Okay. That’s for extra points.
What have I forgotten? Tons I’m sure.
Last fall, my friend, Susan, and I went for a week to La Conner, Washington, a trip of about 250 miles from Portland, where we both live.
I wish I could say it was purely for fun, but the fact is we had so much fun that next time, we won’t need an excuse. No, Susan and I went to look in on my Aunt who had suffered some life-shattering losses within two years time: the death of both her husband and her daughter Jenny. It is such unimaginable loss that she has needed lots of support. And, in that magical way that these things work, I needed some support of my own. In stepped Susan to fill a pretty big void. I had not even thought someone would be ready and able to make such a trip with me, but Susan was. And boy was she the best.
Have you noticed as we age how much we rely on our friends? I don’t know what I would do without mine. I am grateful for them every single day.
It is possible that we don’t even yet know the depth and kindness of our friends, and how they help make life worth living. But as the years go by, I know my love and appreciation grows.
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La Conner is a charming small town that has retained all it’s appeal even as more folks have discovered it. When you go, you’ll see the famous Rainbow bridge that connects La Conner to Fidalgo Island, which includes the city of Anacortes—jumping off point for ferries going to Vancouver, Victoria and parts of the San Juan Islands. The Swinomish reservation is there and the center of town is a historic district, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
If you have never had an opportunity to visit the San Juan Islands, they contain some of the most magnificent scenery in our country. They form an archipelago in the northwest corner of the contiguous United States between the US mainland and Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The San Juan Islands are part of the U.S. and Washington State. Four islands are accessible by passenger ferry operated by the Washington State Ferries system.
April and May are great times to visit La Conner and actually all of Skagit Valley, because the annual tulip festival is in all its glory. My Aunt describes the tulip festival as “rainbows on the ground.” Short of hopping on an international flight to Keukenhof Gardens in Holland, you can’t find a more exquisite display of acres and acres of tulips. Just be sure and book your accommodation early! Thousands of visitors go to the Skagit Valley in April.
And for you gardeners, you may enjoy the small, but lovely Butterfly Garden in the historic part of La Conner. (I loved seeing the Life Cycle of the Butterfly at the entrance.)
As we left La Conner, we drove slowly through the Skagit Valley stopping to sample farmer’s markets and flower stands along the way. The weather was perfect, Mount Rainier was brilliant in the sunshine.
And then we yakked all the way home.
I remember our trip as the best that life has to offer–even in tough times–the love of family and friends, beauty, and lots of laughter.
What do you look for in a road trip companion? If you say someone who stops for immodest ice-cream cones, you’ve got my vote.
A good friend is so important and I am glad you were able to take a trip to such a beautiful location and have some fun…. The photos show that well. I was sorry to read about your cousin’s passing. We have also watched another woman lose her life from it….. Michelle
Thank you Michelle. If you’ve never visited this part of the country, I think you’d love it. I just learned that the sister city for La Conner is Kenmare, Ireland. Now that is one of my favorite places in this whole wide world–so that says a lot about La Conner. Did you enjoy the Butterfly Life Cycle? Looked like your cup of tea…please feel free to use either photo in the Nature Notes meme this month. Susie
I did Susie..I am hoping to see any butterflies this summer…
Your friend’s name is also Susan :-). Ah! I love long road trips. My hubby and sometimes our dogs have been the companions of such trips, and I enjoyed every moment of them. The road-trip partner has to be adventerous and open-spirited, and have extreme love and care for nature, wild-life, environment and beautiful mother-earth. S/he should be fun to be around but also at the same time gives you silent moment when you wander around nature and become philosopher and thinker. S/he should not be too finicky and yes, should enjoy both bad and good food and ice-cream and chocolate-cake must :-). S/he should be someone who enjoys life and have lots of things to talk about (just not gossip, I hate gossip). Oh! I don’t know…you know..you just click with some people. So, I guess that clicking person is required in the road-trip.
KL, what a fun comment!–I laughed out loud. Yes, you’ve picked out some pretty important things. I guess it is all about “clicking” with someone. I have known many a dear friend that I wouldn’t want to travel with though..funny how that works isn’t it? We love people for so many unique qualities. Susan was so flexible–she educated me about travel. And my Aunt just loved her; that was a part we couldn’t be sure of, but I was so grateful. About the Susan thing: you have no idea! Susans here, Susans there…it is enough to drive us nuts. Was there some movie star who was huge in the 1950s? Susan Hayworth maybe?
A total YES on the immodest ice cream cones and to anyone who can yak all the way home!!!
Amen to that Ginnie! I bet you and Astrid are world-class travelers…
Oh and as you already figured out, Skagit Valley’s tulip festival is the United States’ answer to the Keukenhof Gardens–not as exquisite really, but pretty darned great, and in the spirit of the Americas, covering hundreds of acres of tulips with the magnificence of the Valley and mountains in the background. I feel pretty lucky to have seen both in my life.
You had me when you wrote that you yakked all the way home!
A very dear friend and I took a Saturday road trip to a beautiful place a while back. I was amazed at how much we talked, all the way there and all the way back!!! Why was I so surprised that women could talk so much?
For me, a travel companion has to share an interest with me, and I with them. Then the conversations just flow and we can enjoy the experience together. And mutual respect for each other and our personal ‘space’ is a must. Very much like photo walks with my two friends (who are young enough to be my daughters!), we just are comfortable together.
I loved reading about your road trip and viewing these lovely images!
Thanks for visiting Deborah! It’s so nice to have friends from Vision & Verb stop by. As a photographer, you would have been in heaven. The landscape is gorgeous. I also like your comment about personal space when traveling with another. That is also a ‘must’ for me. And with a good friend, quiet times between each other is a very natural thing isn’t it?
Wow, it’s lovely there. I’ll have to put it on the bucket list! Yes, I would love to have some immodest ice cream. My sister and I had a fun road trip last weekend to visit my daughter at college north of here. Great conversation and a wonderful opportunity to bond. Sorry about your aunt’s difficulties and yours.
Oh yes Beth, make it one of those trips you plan for. I didn’t talk much in the post about the San Juan Islands, but they are particularly special. In the day, I would have kayaked all around them, but probably not now. Glad you had an opportunity to bond with your sister on a road trip. And thank you for your kindness. My friend Susan not only helped me, but she brought a unique perspective on things for my Aunt.
Susie, I love this story. It is a good reminder to me to take a girl trip very soon. Thanks for letting me take a stroll with you.
Thanks so much Katie. It is my pleasure. Girl road trips are really special, we need ’em.
I need a free spirit who likes music and chatter. I rarely have a time deadline and don’t mind detours. If I’m driving, we’re going to get lost, anyway. I can’t eat ice cream but will stop for other tasty delights. La Conner is beautiful!
Tammy, you are so funny that you should charge people to take road trips with you. You think I’m kidding? I’m not kidding. And yes, La Conner is beautiful.
Susie, now you have made me want to see La Conner. It has been so long since I’ve taken a road trip, I almost forgot how enjoyable they can be. Thanks for the reminder and sharing your love of your friend, that touched my heart. You are one of those friends I am grateful to have in my life and I know I would love to take a road trip with. xo
Hi Sandy, Thank you for this very kind comment. You know, you are not that far from La Conner and the San Juans–I do hope you will come and stop to see us along the way. Also, I think we may have a road trip in us yet Sandy. We have known each other now for….what?….twenty-five years? What I realized in writing this is that time is a passin’….we should take these trips!
You gotta love that “immodest ice cream cones” sign. What great advertising. Looks like a fun trip for you and your buddy Susan. I hope your aunt is doing better. Have a great weekend.
Thank you Grace. Time does heal, but there is no planning for those moments of grief that come out of nowhere and make you feel as though the loss was just yesterday. It’s just not linear is it? You know that sign tickled me so much, I asked Susan to turn the car around and drive a ways back so I could photograph it. Somebody has a great sense of humor, dry and just a little goofy. Perfect!
Several years ago I was a stand in to help drive a dear friend to her new home in NM. I packed and left on a moments notice and we had a blast driving across country. I miss her terribly…and I agree. A good companion is one who would stop for those cones.
You’ve done something, Donna, that I wish I could do–leave on a trip with just a moment’s notice. I’m kind of working up to it, but no where near that goal yet. A cross country trip like that must be a great memory to have. I hope you and your friend still keep in touch.
We do as we are close..we just don’t get to see each other often enough.