Where We've Been: Northwest Camp

When asked about the inspiration behind his recent camping trip to the Pacific Northwest, terrain traveler Chris D. shared a quote from author and mountaineer Jon Krakauer: "The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun." Chris told us, "My wife, Colleen, and I take this quote very seriously-- it's at the core of our motivation to put ourselves in places and situations where we feel small, overwhelmed, and in awe. How can you feel alive if you don't?"

With such fantastic inspiration, we were thrilled to share photos from the duo's latest adventure, a "bucket list" camping trip including all their dream destinations out West. The two thousand-mile odyssey began in the high desert of Washington, progressed to Oregon's Crater Lake (that's Chris cliff diving into 40 degree water!), and ended at Big Sur on the California coast. Starting their days with percolated coffee made with beans from Stumptown HQ in Portland, they explored an ancient redwood forest, set up camp on the coast, and caught a Phish concert at the Gorge Ampitheater-- a remote venue perched on cliffs over the Columbia River. The most memorable moment? Peeking out from their yurt-style tent in Big Sur to see a pod of Minke whales swimming in the Pacific. Chris says, "I've never seen anything like it in my life-- the coast seemed like a wildlife refuge. We spotted barking seals, pelicans, lizards, porpoise, and our first California condor! I could have stayed in that exact spot, staring off the coast, for weeks."

Chris added, "I'm eternally grateful that Colleen and I got to experience all these things together; this trip reminded me once again how lucky I am to have found my perfect match. Taking adventures is what brings us closer and keeps us feeling alive. We were completely blown away by that wild coast-- it was so inspiring and encouraging to see like-minded people respecting their environment and working to preserve it. It truly was the trip of a lifetime."