Hello! It’s been quite a year on my end.

First, my mother passed away in April. I never mentioned her on here, because we always had a very complicated relationship. Despite our vast differences, one of the most important things she passed onto me is my Korean heritage, which sparked my curiosity about the world.

Now that my mom is gone, something shifted inside me. I felt restless. Since her passing, the phrase “you only live once” has been ringing hard in my ears.

Leaving Seattle

After living in Seattle for 15 years, I decided to leave and embark on a slow road trip across the U.S.

Leaving Seattle for a while is bittersweet. This is, after all, my dream city. In 2010, I moved here to get a fresh start and heal, as my mental health was in shambles and I lived in survival mode. Most importantly, I wanted to be an artist in Seattle and be my real weird self in a city that celebrates it. And Seattle took me in like a lost kitten, just like that.

This city truly healed me. Now it’s time for a change.

I just made it to Portland last week to get my feet wet. I’ll stay for a few months in each city to get to know it more intimately. Portland is a good start, because I’ll need to come back to Seattle occasionally for stuff–like adjusting my braces that were supposed to have come off in February. Then I’m going to Nashville. Denver and Minneapolis are also on my list. Cities with a good art community and vegan food. In between, I’ll still travel internationally. I may take detours to stay with friends and family along the way.

Starting off with a Mini Cooper S

In 2017, I sold my car before my trip around the world. After that, I didn’t get another one for 8 years. As someone who is conscious of mitigating the carbon footprint, I opted instead for public transportation, walking, and biking. Also, maintaining a car is so expensive, at least in Seattle. At first, I was going to get around the country with public transportation. But soon enough, having a car seemed practical.

Since my early 20s, I’ve always wanted a Mini Cooper. I mean, look at it—it’s overwhemingly cute. When a friend showed me an ad for a 2012 Mini Cooper S, I knew it was coming with me. It had all of this work done to it, and the price was a great deal. The dark color with the black rims is perfect. Zippy and compact, I can open the sun roof and roll down the windows to cruise through the city while feeling so cool. Lol.

In reality, it is a pretty neat car. The only thing is that the car has 2 doors, and the back space isn’t very big, even with the seats folded down. So, I had to be selective on what comes with me across the country. And honestly, that’s not a bad thing because it makes me appreciate what I do have.

Tiny House in Portland

Last week, I moved into a 300 square-foot tiny house, where I’ll stay for the next 2 1/2 months! Nestled among the quirky art galleries and vegan restaurants in the Alberta Arts District, this adorable tiny house has a loft sleeping area, a well-stocked vegan pantry, and most of the comforts of home. It’s a few feet away from the main house.

My landlord gave the rundown of the tiny house. It’s more sustainability-focused, so we try to minimize waste. Dry goods can be purchased in bulk at the Alberta Co-Op with the reusable jars in the cupboard. We bring groceries home with reusable bags. And we try to bike, walk, or take the bus if we can help it, instead of driving. I like the way he thinks.

Since the house is small, I must be mindful of keeping it neat. The space can easily get cluttered. For instance, dishes pile up fast in the sink. The bathroom doesn’t have a sink, so I use the kitchen for brushing my teeth, washing my face, etc. There also isn’t much counter space, so I have to always keep that clear too. If things get cluttered up, it impacts my mental health as well.

Still, I’m impressed by how optimized the space is. With size limitations, you have to get creative with storing things. There are hooks, shelves, nooks, and crannies to store away belongings.

The whole property even has a garden with several fruit trees! Every summer in Seattle, I’d go urban foraging for plums and berries. This time, delicious pears, apples, figs, and grapes are readily available in the backyard. My landlord also gifted me the last of his frozen raspberries from the garden, plus some vegan protein powder. I’ve been making smoothies from all of that fruit. Picking the fruit straight from the source reminds us where food actually comes from.

Can I just stay here forever?

My First Week in Portland

I spent the first week settling in and getting to know the city a little bit. During the day, I work remotely. In the evenings, I explore.

First Friday Art Walk

On First Fridays of the month, there’s an art walk between the Laurelhurst and Hawthorne neighborhoods. It’s more like an art bike ride, since the galleries are more spread apart. You can join a group of bicyclists, and they ride from place to place throughout the evening.

I started at Sidestreet Arts, where they featured an art exhibition about cats! For thousands of years, cats have been beloved members of society. This art show honored the magnificent beings that they are. You’ll see cats of all mediums, whether they’re colorful realistic paintings, illuminated stained glass, or whimsical paper mâché figures made of pages from a book. The exhibition was rather small, though that’s what made it endearing. Cats love cozy spaces, so the setting was perfect anyway.

Mt. Tabor Park

On Saturday, I explored Mt. Tabor Park. Built on top of an extinct volcano, this popular park offers scenic walking trails, reservoirs, and an amphitheater. The visitor center was inside a small utilitarian room, manned by a jolly park employee who was eager to talk to anyone who wanted information. He gave me a super helpful map. I spent an hour and a half walking through the park. There were several events going on, like a wedding. In a picnic, a bunch of women were wearing red with colorful flower crowns, as if it were someone’s red faerie birthday party. After reaching the summit, I went back the opposite direction to see more of it.

Sunday Farmers Market

On Sunday, there’s the King Farmers Market in the neighborhood. This one runs from May until November. Since the season is slowly giving way to fall, there are lots of veggies like pumpkins and acorn squash.

I ordered a loaded açai bowl from Carioca Bowls topped with superfoods, like cacao nibs, pumpkin and hemp seeds, and berries. Then I bought the most colorful acorn squash there was, along with a pound of string beans. (Try roasting them in lemon juice and olive oil—they’re delicious!)

I fit right into Portland, and I can’t wait to show more of what this city has to offer. I’m so grateful that I get to live here in my tiny home with my tiny car.

The Redwood Forests have been on my bucket list for a long time, and sometimes forests call for an adventure as part of a self-care plan. I left Astoria on my way down the Oregon Coast, taking my sweet time down U.S. Highway 101, before landing at the Redwood National Forest.

Meandering down the Oregon Coast

Route 101 is a scenic highway that winds down the Oregon Coast, stringing charming coastal towns along the way. Blue waves crash against the rocky cliffs as you drive down the forested hills. It really is something.

I made a stop at the popular Haystack Rock on Cannon Beach, which isn’t far from Astoria. I arrived during the low tide, which revealed many tide pools with sea creatures. It’s not everyday that most of us get to marvel at starfish and clusters of sea anemones.

Driving down the Coast was an all-day adventure. I made it to the Redwood National and State Parks before it got dark. After setting up camp the first night, I spent two full days there. I camped in the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park: two nights in Elk Prairie, and the third night was at Gold Bluffs Beach.

Holy Sequoia!

One look at the Redwoods, and you’ll see why a million people flock over here every year. These grand Sequoias are over 3,000 years old and tower around 300 feet. While these are mighty trees, you feel so safe and held inside that luxurious forest. There’s really nothing quite like nestling under the gentle evergreen giants.

Day 1: Redwood National Park

For the first full day after setting up camp, I went on some shorter hikes (3 miles or less) within Redwood National Park, which borders the Prairie Creek Redwoods.

First I went to Redwood Creek Trail. It’s exactly what it sounds like: a trail running along Redwood Creek. There are two creek crossings, and most days out of the year the creek is shallow enough to ford. (It gets too dangerous to cross in the winter, when the rains come.) The first crossing was a mile and a half in, which was a good turn-around point. If you want to go further, the entire trail is 8 miles one way.

Next, I went onto Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail, one of the most popular hikes. It’s a short loop around old-growth Redwoods. The smell of the wildfires hit strongly on this path, and the smoke cast an eerie orange glow. It was still very scenic, and I almost wanted to curl up inside a hollowed Sequoia.

Then, I drove over to Trillium Falls Trail, which is a loop featuring a small waterfall. I had the whole trail to myself and did not see a single soul.

Finally, I drove back to the Elk Prairie campsite, which provides access trails. I could squeeze in one more short hike before stoking up the campfire.

Day 2: Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park and Gold Bluffs Beach

In the morning, it was time to pack up and set out for the Gold Bluffs Beach campsite.

For the second full day, I stayed within Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. First, I paid Fern Canyon a little visit. Fern Canyon is set in a stony creek and truly lives up to its name: it’s a 50-foot high gorge boasting flourishing verdant ferns and moisture-loving mosses. It’s no wonder why Steven Spielberg picked this spot to film Jurassic Park 2: The Lost World.

After the saunter around Fern Canyon, I drove back to the campsite and pulled out the paper map. This day was a good one for a big 12-mile hike among these gentle giant Sequoias.

Starting from the campsite, and across the dirt road by a creek, is the Miner’s Ridge trail entrance. This trail zigzags up a ridge before leading to another trail that ends at the previous Elk Prairie campground.

I could read the map easily, which was always a challenge before. Usually I have a tendency to get lost, but this time there was no fear or anxiety. There was a profound inner peace resting within, as this child-like curiosity returned. I felt so safe and held inside the forest. I could feel the gentle pulse of the grand Redwood forest, so very much alive.

When you’re in such immense surrounds, every worry and fear that you have melts away as you become one with the forest. Everything inside your world seems insignificant, as you’re part of a much larger one around you. Your consciousness expands in wonder with the forest.

Just let me appreciate this for a little while longer.

After reaching the Elk Prairie campground, I turned around and continued the loop onto the James Irvine Trail. I can’t say which one is better; they’re apples and oranges. The James Irvine Trail ends at Fern Canyon, where I visited earlier in the day.

The fog had rolled in as it got darker, with visibility being less than a few hundred feet. While it was only a couple of miles to the campsite from Fern Canyon, the fog was so dense that it was hard to see where I was actually going. I continued walking south until the first tents emerged.

After dropping my backpack off my tired body, I started a campfire and savored some vegetable soup and picked berries after a long all-day hike. Food tastes so much better after exploring a vast lush escape. I slowly ate, exhausted and happy, before getting ready to retire for the night.

The Redwoods beckon again

I’ve been back for a few days, and already the forest is calling me again. This is definitely something I want to explore more of. While I did traverse a good chunk, there’s definitely more to be seen and felt! The Sequoias command respect from anyone who is privileged to be graced with their presence. No wonder the Redwood Forest rests in the spirits of so many people. Once you see what it’s all about, it’s unforgettable.

From Saturday morning to Sunday evening, I took a whirlwind trip to Seattle’s quirky sister city, Portland. There’s a lot you can do in a 40-hour visit. Sometimes you just need to get lost and find your way back.

I came down via the Bolt Bus. I was mostly exploring the city on my own. Since I was without a car, I went around using the Trimet bus system. As of today, for $2.50 you can purchase a bus ticket that’s valid for 2 ½ hours. For $5, a day bus pass has more value; it lasts all day and has unlimited uses.

The Lloyd District/East Portland

Where to stay

If you don’t mind sharing sleeping space, hostels are a great place to stay if you’re on a budget. While I do enjoy staying at AirBnBs, there are a lot of hidden fees in the final price. With hostels, the prices are much more straightforward. Plus, I only use it to sleep, shower, and keep my belongings. This time I stayed at KEX Hotel in the Lloyd District. The location was within walking distance of Downtown, numerous hip bars and clubs, and that one vegan strip mall that I always visit.

The Vegan Strip Mall

I always make a stop at the vegan strip mall in the Lloyd District, which includes Sweetpea Baking Company, Herbivore Clothing Company, Food Fight! Grocery, and Scapegoat Tattoo. Herbivore Clothing is an adorable vegan lifestyle shop. That store has ethically-made clothes, soaps, accessories, books, and shoes. Everything is fair-trade and higher quality, so the prices might be higher to reflect that. I didn’t buy any vegan shoes this time, but I did pick up some soap, a pin, and another patch for my vest.

The Lovecraft Bar

On Saturday night, I made a visit to the Lovecraft Bar, a horror-themed bar that draws an eclectic crowd. I don’t drink alcohol, but at least I can still have fun and dance the night away.

All the vegan food that you can handle

First thing was first–I was starving for brunch on Saturday morning. A friend and I met at Blossoming Lotus in the Lloyd District, where I had the flavorful Breakfast Curry Bowl.

It’s no secret that vegan pastries are my kryptonite. As a marathon runner, I rationalize that I can eat as many donuts as I desire–so as long as I dutifully follow the training schedule. I’ve been wanting to try vegan donuts from Doe Donuts for years, and made it a point to go over there and get some. They have their usual flavors, and then there are the seasonal ones.

On Sunday morning, the other brunch place that I was eager to visit was Off The Griddle, which is an adorable 1950’s-themed vegetarian diner. I had the “Awesome Plate,” which is scrambled tofu, tempeh bacon, and half a pumpkin waffle.

Later in the day, I visited Back to Eden Bakery, which serves vegan and gluten-free desserts and pastries. Some of these cupcakes were so beautiful, I almost didn’t want to eat them.

For my last meal, I made a quick stop to Vtopia, a restaurant that specializes in all-vegan cheese. It’s a compact space that seats maybe up to 15 people. I wasn’t going to have enough time to sit down and eat, so I ordered a mac & cheese sandwich to go. When I have more time, I’d like to come back.

The quirky and evocative art of Portlandia

Portland seems to have more colorful murals and vegan food than Seattle does; it’s a wonder why I haven’t moved here instead. I took many walks and a 14-mile long run in this city, and found these purely by accident.

Places to visit

The Portland Art Museum also has an expansive collection of classic and contemporary art. It was my first time there. Currently, they have exhibitions on Mount St. Helens (before and after the 1980 eruption), and the controversial yet intriguing work of Robert Colescott.

On Hawthorne, I visited Fernie Brae, a cozy fantasy-themed art gallery. It’s such a magical space.

Antler and Talon Galleries, which are connected to each other, offer nature-themed pop surrealist artwork.

Street art throughout Rose City

The murals you’ll find throughout Portland are serendipitous. It’s a surprise on many corners and alleyways. Here are some of my favorites from this weekend. Some of these I’m unsure on who the artist is, so if you know, feel free to leave a comment.

And finally, will you look at this mini art installation! This teeny, tiny diorama was spotted in an alley. It’s the little things like that that give Portland its special charm.

I made a stop in Powell’s Books. One thing that makes me a little sad is that there will never be enough time in this life to read all of the books on the ever-growing reading list. I picked up a book about Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, which I’m doing a great job recovering from.

Until next time, Portland

I returned to Seattle on Sunday before midnight, a little winded, but very happy.

Santa Fe, NM is the first trip of 2019, where I got to see a dear friend and her family for the first time in seven years. It’s an artistic city, where artists like Georgia O’Keefe once lived. Native American influence is also prevalent. I went during the off-season, where it wasn’t crowded at all.

Snow in the high desert

Also known as the City Different, the small Southwestern city sits in the high desert at an elevation of 7,199 feet. For a sea-leveler like me, it can be a lot to adjust to. Altitude sickness varies for each person. It’s better to take at least a day or so to acclimate to the higher elevation than jump right into working out like I did.

The very first morning after landing in Santa Fe, I attempted to run 10 miles, which was an experience. I was so out of breath at mile 7. Pressure slowly built up in my head before turning into a full-blown headache. I slept the entire day afterwards.

When thinking of the desert, images could be cacti, cow skulls, and adobe homes under the bright sun. Snow doesn’t always come to mind. It’s the first time I saw snow in the desert, and it was quite a beautiful setting.

It is also extremely dry, so it’s a good idea to pack lots of shea butter and sunscreen. The UV rays are stronger in higher elevation. I kept rubbing shea butter on my hands every half hour to keep them moisturized. You may also need tissues, since the dryness can make your nose drip. A humidifier also helps when sleeping.

Santa Fe is a small city, and while public transportation exists, it doesn’t cover the whole area. The main lines run mostly near the attractions around the city, but there isn’t service from the regional airport. Ride sharing services such as Lyft and Uber are rare late at night or in the wee hours in the morning, which can be an issue if your flight comes in during those times. Renting a car would have been too expensive. I was lucky and found a Lyft to get me to my friend’s house at midnight.

A treasure trove of art and history

For $30, the Culture Pass provides access to multiple publicly funded museums and monuments in Santa Fe as well as several other cities in New Mexico. I highly recommend using it, as you can save money that way. There is also a free shuttle that goes from Museum Hill to the Plaza and even Canyon Road, so that’s also worth looking into as well.

Santa Fe has a vibrant art community. Modern art legends such as Georgia O’Keeffe lived in the town, the landscape often used as a source of inspiration. There’s a museum featuring her work, and it’s worth a visit. It isn’t covered by the Culture Pass, since it’s a private museum, but it still helps give a better understanding of her work and process.

Another day, I visited Canyon Road, a half-mile stretch of high-end art galleries inside old-world adobe buildings. Canyon Road features inspiring artwork ranging in style from traditional, to whimsical and contemporary. There are over a hundred galleries, boutiques, and eateries to brows through. A magical place like this makes it clear why many artists have made it their home.

There is another side to it all. I talked to one of the artists, and he said that he only paints what he does so that anyone with that kind of money can buy his work. He would like to paint what he likes, but it wouldn’t sell. While it’s always nice to be able to express yourself, it’s not a bad thing to make work that sells, even if it’s not what the artist prefers to do. It is, after all, a business.

Speaking of art, tomorrow I will go over what my experiences at Meow Wolf were like. It’s an art installation that is reminiscent of the Twilight Zone meets Alice in Wonderland, kind of. It’s trippy, delightful, and full of mystery. It deserves its own entry.

On being vegan…

The vegan lifestyle isn’t unheard of in the City Different, but not everyone is aware of what it is. There aren’t many exclusively vegan restaurants in Santa Fe, but there may be vegan options at a few places. Other than that, it’s easier to buy ingredients and prepare stuff at home. My friend graciously cooked dinner for us, since her husband is mostly vegan. She was a lifesaver.

Could I live here?

I visited Santa Fe to see and catch up with my friend… and also to see just how Ronnie-friendly is this city? The vibe is friendly enough. While I appreciated the art, the vibe caters towards people on the more upscale end. In fact, the only place where I truly felt like I belonged was at Meow Wolf, which will be a separate blog entry.

Santa Fe’s public transportation system doesn’t cover the whole city, but the bike trails might get you places as long as it’s not too icy. Finally, being vegan is possible, but options may be limited when it comes to finding a restaurant to eat.

Other than that, I very much enjoyed my stay. This is a city where I’d like to return again!