Taking in Life Around Me....#SundayStills....Theme: Road Trippin'

This #sundaystills challenge is hosted by Terri from Second Wind Leisure. I've also been loving visiting the blogs of the other participants and being inspired by their interpretations of the theme. Sometimes I'm a week late commenting but I do try to visit everyone. After all, if you take the time to produce something, you sure hope people visit.

This weeks theme is road trippin'. Now, I'll say this, we have taken a lot of road trips. From vacations to soccer tournaments. To me, anything over an hour is a road trip! However, I have a family that likes to just get to where they're going, no stopping frequently to stop and smell the roses. I kind of chuckled because in October my hubby and I are celebrating our 30th anniversary and we're taking a trip through the New England States. Ummm....he does know I'm going to want to stop frequently to take photos or hit a cute town...and we're going to be there at peak season for fall leaves. So excited. 

When I looked up the term road trip one site said a road trip is anywhere from one week to ten days. Well, we've never done that. I'm still sticking with my thought...anything over an hour and meant to be done for pleasure, especially if it's spontaneous...is, in my book, a road trip 

Anyways....before I digress further. 

Some fun road trip quotes:

"Roads were made for journeys, not destinations"

"Making memories, one road trip at a time"

"Sometimes all you need is a good friend and a full tank of gas"...I have never gone on a road trip with a girlfriend but I think it would be fun.

I suppose many of our trips might be considered day trips if we went there and back, however, for longer times on the road, I'll consider them road trips. Our favorite places to travel longer distances here in Washington/Oregon are Lincoln City, Canon Beach/Seaside, basically Oregon Coast...and then Sunriver, Oregon. we frequent those the most. Would I love to do a cross country road trip? Yes, I would. I've always thought it would be fun to travel the United States trying cuisine local to the areas and seeing the sites. Will I do that? I'm not sure, but I'd sure love to. 

When we went to Italy and Switzerland in 2019 we rented a car and traveled throughout the countries. What a great way to see the sites...and have a few heart attacks in Italy because the roads were so narrow. 

Here are a few photos I chose from places we've gone. The reality is, how often do we reserve things for big vacations and don't take advantage of small trips or day trips closer to home. There is so much to see around us. I know I haven't fully taken advantage of this, but I also know we've taken advantage of it more than others have. 

The beach for us is a common trip. It can take us anywhere between 1 1/2-4 hours depending on what beach you're going to, and they each have their own significant features.

Last August Kevin and I traveled to Orcas Island, Wa. It's about a 4ish hour drive to Anacortes where we would get on a ferry and travel to the island. From there we spent 4 days exploring that island, as well as Friday Harbor, which is a little town on San Juan Island. We had a great time. 

We also love heading to Hood River Oregon and the surrounding areas. There is so much to see and do. Every fall they have the Fruit Loop, A loop featuring many farm stands, farms, businesses etc...

A unique rural farm experience awaits you in the beautiful Hood River Valley, where you will encounter 27 on-the-farm fruit stands, wineries, breweries, cideries and fields of flowers

We've visited in almost every season and we love it, from day trips to a long weekend. 

A trip north about 3 hours took us to Gig Harbor area where we stayed on Fox Island. That was a fun trip! 

When we went to Italy, we rented a car at the Como train station and traveled around that area for a few days before heading back to Switzerland. Driving in another country is definitely interesting. 

A trip to Orcas Island (a 4 hour drive to the ferry terminal in Anacortes) was a wonderful long weekend getaway. Lots of time spent on the deck, exploring the area, relaxing. Below is one photo from the sculpture garden. All the sculptures (there are a lot of them) are actually for sale so they change regularly. They are so cool!

My photos are all mixed up...sorry. This was in Switzerland. We were traveling to an area that I can't remember, but we had to drive our car onto a train and traveled about 30-45 minutes to our destination...that was an experience. 

We have spent many trips driving to Central Oregon. It's one of our favorite spots. 

In this location above in Switzerland is in Basel. In this spot, you are standing in three countries. France, Germany and Switzerland. Driving in Basel is not for the faint of heart...we made quite a few mistakes, and even had a police escort help us find a parking garage...haha..they probably laughed at the "dumb tourists".

Waiting to get on the car train. 

There you have it. I think I could've done a bit better, but boy, I'm just tired! I can't wait to find out what everyone else shared. 

With Joy Unquenchable,

Kirstin