Travel

So you wanna attend a music festival?

Left: me normal. Right: me festival.

I’m fresh off the three music festival weekend that is Sasquatch and by no means would I consider myself a “festival expert.” But I would like to share a few tips with you that came to mind as I transitioned my way back into real life.

DO

Pack snacks/lunch/dinner
Food at the Gorge kinda sucks (besides the elephant ears of course!) and is also expensive. Hello $11+ beers! Bringing in a few treats will keep your bank account and stomach happy!

BYO a water bottle
Hydration stations abound and are def the way to go. Water is key for 12 hour days of music festival-ing.

Rent a locker
You are bound to have a few items that need stashing over the weekend. Fork over that cash to save your back from breaking. Plus your dance moves will vastly improve without having to shake it with a pack on!

Sneak in glowing items
Even if you aren’t a hardcore raver, it’s still fun to rock some glowing gear at night.

Define a meeting space
We had a group of 5 of us and not once did someone get lost. Pick a place close by a stage so if you do end up waiting a bit for someone, you can at least enjoy some music.

Throw your hands in the air! So what if this band or that isn’t really your thing. Listen, take it all in and just go with it! Trust me, your dance moves will be just as good as your neighbor’s.

DON’T

Think a bra is a top
OMGeee….I saw way too many of these. Ladies, I know it covers the same “parts” as a bathing suit top but bras are, well, bras.

Dress normally
I’m not saying you should wear a head to toe penguin suit (unless you really want to), but this is your time to dress a bit more funky. Head to toe neon? Sure! Funny hats? Why not? My concert gear is def not something I would wear normally, but that’s what makes it fun!

Sit on the hill
The sound royally sucks on the hill people! I know, I know standing on cement isn’t always fun, but rock out on the floor and save the hill for resting in between sets. Why pay for a music festival when you put yourself in a place where the sound blows?

Forget the sunscreen
Cloudy can still mean sunburns. Duh.

What are your tips and tricks for making it though a music fest?

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We made it!

Feeling good on day 2!

Well consider Sasquatch 2014 a wrap my friends! I can’t believe it’s over. Phew! What a weekend! I’ve been to many shows in my lifetime, but this was my first multi-day festival. I was a bit nervous about it – the heat, the endless standing, the crazy people…..but I made it out alive abet on the tired side.We stayed at Wildhorse Campground (highly, highly recommended) which had a shuttle to the festival, hot and more importantly clean showers, an espresso stand AND a grill that made wraps and burgers. People, this is the way to go if you are to visit the Gorge. That GA camping should be banned. Seriously. Ick.

Highlights of the weekend included: Outkast, Queens of the Stone Age, Big Freedia, MIA, Phantogram, Phosphorescent, Major Lazer, Crystal Fighters and Lucius.

Observations of the weekend included: bras as tops (wtf ladies?), glow bracelets are confiscation material, Gorge elephant ears aren’t exactly elephant ears but taste awesome anyways, open air showers rule, conversations with strangers are always entertaining,  earplugs are nerdy but necessary and tater tot nachos are actually kinda good 🙂

The crew.
The Bigfoot Stage – some of the best performances were here.
Taking a seat.
The end of a weekend. Yes, I’m old and wear earplugs.
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Duffy’s.

Nothing says legit like razor clam sandwiches.
It’s been a few weeks since our trip to the coast but I thought I would share this little story with you – about my mild obsession with, well, a greasy spoon in the little town of Aberdeen, WA.
This weird little restaurant has a little piece of my heart peeps – Duffy’s. Sigh. It was the meeting place of all of the Heuer/Sugiura family members as we made our annual February trek to Quinault Lodge. As my family pulled into the parking lot, I recalled always scanning around for my grandparents truck. More often than not, they’d beaten us there by a mile and were inside enjoying the clam chowder and wild blackberry pie, which is to die for I might add.
We’d then take off and drive another 45 minutes to the lodge where we spent a week of childhood bliss splashing in the pool, playing ping pong in the game room, begging grandma for chex mix and Coca Cola and walking the trails of the PNW rain forest. It was always pouring down rain or doing that misting thing that our state does so well which was fine by me. The lodge had tons of old chairs and couches and a GIANT fireplace that was stoked with 5 foot logs. The fam would play board games and the card game Hearts all evening long, drinks in hand (for the people of age). Some of my best childhood memories came from these trips.
Sadly, Duffy’s is also the place where I last saw my grandpa before he died. I’ll never forget that day…..how he was laid up in the truck, not able to head inside for his favorite slice of pie. I knew something wasn’t right that day. He passed away later that week from pneumonia at the local hospital. Who knew that the parking lot Duffy’s would be the last time I’d see him?
So whenever I’m passing through Aberdeen, a stop at Duffy’s is always on the list. Their food might not be the best but the memories it holds for me are pretty darn special.
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The beach.

Just a few of my fav shots from this past weekend at Pacific Beach, WA. Peeps, this is MY JAM. Screw Cannon Beach and all of those other silly Oregon coastal towns. The Washington Coast is where its at. Nuff said.

Stella is also an avid beach lover, just like her Mom.

Log jam.

Iron Springs.

Weekend crew. Good times, good people.
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Kubota Gardens

Luckily, there were many professional photographers around to take our picture!

We visited the Kubota Garden over the weekend to take in the fall foliage and have a lil date time with my #1 guy. I had read about this garden a little while back and figured that it would be pretty spectacular around this time of year and man, was I right! I also read that cars get broken into ALL OF THE TIME in the parking lot. For safety’s sake, we took the truck. I’m happy to report it did not get burglarized 🙂

The garden is actually a city park so there’s no admission fee AND dogs are allowed, which is always a bonus. Although it might not be as well maintained as the Seattle Japanese Garden in the Arboretum, I thought this park was in good condition with lots of trails and walkways to explore. It also has tons of photo opps – I can’t tell you how many people had those fancy cameras and tri-pods in hand! Be sure to check out Kubota the next time you want to get a urban fall fix!
Love the yellow contrasting with the black!
Stella taking in the sights.
Pretty bridge.
 
So many colors and textures!
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