A trip back home.

Home. Technically I consider my "home" to be here in Germany with L, but somehow, the Pacific Northwest still feels like home too. I was talking to some friends about this, and they said that after 10 years or so abroad, that feeling of the place you grew up as home, starts to leave. But I am not so sure. I think that I will always have this feeling of comfort and content as I am flying over the Cascade mountains, even though I don't live there anymore, and I think that's okay. I mean, no one says you only need one "home" right?!

 One of the things that I understand more and more through traveling, is how often we don't explore our own neighborhoods and communities. Constantly looking for the next getaway, we forget about how many interesting things are right below our noses. Also having L there, someone who is not from the area, helps me to get out more and explore my town. We found this amazing waterfall and hiking trail, about 20 minutes from the house! Something I never knew was even there!

 We also took a day trip, just the two of us, to the Dungeness Spit, in Sequim, the longest Spit in the world (I think.. or at least in North America). Basically its one giant sand bar, with a protected nature reserve on one side. Thankfully we didn't have rain, but it was typical PNW winter weather, cloudy, drizzly, and cold. I haven't been there since I was a kid, so it was nice to go back and see it from an adult perspective.

 Quality time with my nieces and nephew was a must, and channeling our inner winter Olympians, we took to the ice! And thankfully didn't fall!

We spent the last two days with my sister in the city, with beautiful sunny winter weather, had a walk at Seward park, went to a concert, and just chilled before our flight back to Frankfurt. Overall a great trip, but too short, like always!