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Roadtrip plans (Washington, DC → Seattle, Washington)

July 15, 2015

 

Map

**For all the geography gurus out there, I know my stars aren’t perfectly aligned with the cities I’m visiting.  There’s a reason I’m not going to grad school for cartography 😉

Hi everyone! Happy Wednesday! Have you entered my very first GIVEAWAY yet? Make sure you enter before the deadline next week. For those of you who have entered, yippee!  Remember, you get an extra entry on every day that you tweet about it!

Today, I thought it would be fun to share my preliminary road trip plans with y’all. For any new readers around here (welcome!), I am moving from Washington, DC to Seattle, Washington in just over a month to start the coordinated MPH/RD program at the University of Washington.  I’m taking just what I can fit in my car (and my mom!) We are still working out the details of our road trip, but we have the general route planned.

First of all, we need a name for this drive because no epic cross-country trip should be without a name ← taking suggestions! Second of all, I would love restaurant suggestions, pit stop ideas, must-see tourist sites, off-the-beaten-path stops, etc. if you have any to offer along the general route listed below, please suggest away! 

  • Day 1: I’ll start the first leg of our journey in Virgina and drive as far as I can (probably around 8 hours) before stopping at a hotel. Podcasts and books on tape are a must for this leg!
  • Day 2: Drive another 7-8 hours and arrive in Columbia, MO to spend a few days with my family.
  • Day 3: Rest day at home with the fam
  • Day 4: Push through a 10-hour drive to Denver, Colorado!
  • Day 5: Rest day in Colorado 
  • Day 6: Head to the Grand Teton National Park (7-8 hour drive)
  • Day 7: Spend a day at the Grand Teton National Park ← checking something off my 30 before 30 list!
  • Day 8: Drive to Missoula, Montana.  Thanks to Laura for the suggestion!
  • Day 9/10: Spend some time in Missoula (possibly a whole day) before our final stretch into Seattle! (7 hours)

There is some room for flexibility/stops along the way, but our main goal is to get to Seattle swiftly so my mom can relax and enjoy the city; and if I’m totally honest, I’m really looking forward to utilizing her design skills when setting up my place and making it look cute 🙂 ← aren’t parents just the best? 

My mom also loves Seattle and has missed it a lot since we moved (15+) years ago. This trip not only gives her and me some one-on-one time, it’s also a chance for her to visit with some close friends.  Perfect!

Today, I get to dissect a fetal pig in my Human Anatomy Class.  Pretty sure I may pass out (I really need to get my act together before I start working in a hospital!)

Let’s chat:

  • Did you ever had to dissect anything in class?
  • What is the longest you’ve ever ridden/driven in the car?
  • If you could visit anywhere in the US, where would you go?

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13 Comments | Grad School

About Lauren

Lauren Rice, MPH recently graduated from the Coordinated Dietetics Program at the University of Washington. In January 2017, she opened Nutrition Elevated, her anti-diet, #bodypositive nutrition counseling and consulting small business (www.nutrition-elevated.com).

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Comments

  1. Gretchen | Gretchruns says

    July 15, 2015 at 11:26 AM

    I absolutely love road trips so this sounds so fun for me!!! I also love how you designed that map. Adorable! My longest trip was from Pittsburgh to Chicago. I was going to run a half marathon and we drove back right after the race…thank goodness for compression socks!
    I’ve only been to Colorado from this list, and you MUST see Boulder or Red Rocks/Garden of the Gods (they’re on opposite sides of Denver so it might be a lot to see both in a day). The entire state is gorgeous though so you can’t go wrong!
    I hope you have a great trip and can’t wait to see all the pictures and see your recaps!
    Be sure to check out Gretchen | Gretchruns’s recent post: Wednesday Reviews : LuluLemon Favorites

    Reply
    • Lauren | Just a Pinch says

      July 16, 2015 at 8:47 PM

      Thanks, Gretchen! Driving in a car after a marathon would be miserable – props to you for doing that! Thanks for the suggestions in Colorado. I will definitely try to make it to one of those stops!

      Reply
  2. Amanda @ Slimplify Life says

    July 15, 2015 at 11:59 AM

    Yay, this is so exciting! We also plan to do Grand Teton National Park, I am so excited!! Can’t wait to see pictures from your trip!
    Be sure to check out Amanda @ Slimplify Life’s recent post: This process isn’t easy – Seattle apartment hunting day #2

    Reply
    • Lauren | Just a Pinch says

      July 16, 2015 at 10:46 AM

      Whoo hoo! Can’t wait to see your pictures too!!!!

      Reply
  3. Laura @ This Runner's Recipes says

    July 15, 2015 at 1:04 PM

    I know I said this on Twitter, but I am so excited for you! Ryan’s and my road trip out west was seriously one of the best trips we’ve ever had. We went to Iron Horse Bar in Missoula, and they had a great selection of local beers, huge salads, and creative burgers (plus lots more) and it was really good. Coeur d’Alene makes for a great pit stop in Idaho, it’s beautiful and a bigger size town.
    Sorry for the novel, I just love all things travel!
    Be sure to check out Laura @ This Runner’s Recipes’s recent post: What Runners Should Know About Overpronation and Underpronation

    Reply
    • Lauren | Just a Pinch says

      July 16, 2015 at 8:48 PM

      Thanks, Laura! And thank you again for the Missoula suggestion 🙂 I’ve actually been to Coeur d’Alene for a festival and it was really cute!

      Reply
  4. Dani @ DaniCaliforniaCooks says

    July 16, 2015 at 4:08 PM

    I’ve never done a cross country road trip, but my boyfriend’s siblings recently did a trek from Charlottesville to visit us in SF. They had a blast!
    Be sure to check out Dani @ DaniCaliforniaCooks’s recent post: Falafel Collard Wraps with Tahini Coleslaw

    Reply
    • Lauren | Just a Pinch says

      July 16, 2015 at 8:49 PM

      Oh wow, they probably covered a similar distance! I’m excited to try this once…but probably never again 😉

      Reply
  5. Marisa @ Uproot from Oregon says

    July 16, 2015 at 4:45 PM

    Yay Denver! Let me know what day you’re driving through and if I’m still around I’d love to entertain you!! 😀 Funny to read this post today too since I am currently sitting in the Missoula airport, waiting for my parents to meet me here from Portland to drive up into Glacier National Park.

    Have a blast!!
    Be sure to check out Marisa @ Uproot from Oregon’s recent post: Cucumber Honey Lemonade

    Reply
    • Lauren | Just a Pinch says

      July 19, 2015 at 8:41 AM

      Too funny! Glacier National Park is definitely on my list of places to see. I will definitely let you know when I’m in Denver – would be so cool to meet in person! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Jess @hellotofit says

    July 18, 2015 at 8:15 PM

    I remember dissecting a pig in class….blech! But interesting ;). You’re a driving champ – I can go two hours before I start falling asleep; it’s terrible!
    Be sure to check out Jess @hellotofit’s recent post: Vietnamese style beef stir fry

    Reply
    • Lauren | Just a Pinch says

      July 19, 2015 at 8:42 AM

      I’m not big on sitting in the car for long periods of time, so I’m going to have to find some entertainment. Having my mom with me will definitely help – and lots of coffee 😉

      Reply
  7. Meghan says

    July 20, 2015 at 5:42 PM

    Hello from a long lost and way too silent blend! I’m slowly but surely catching up (and will start posting again soon) and started w/ this post of yours because I wanted to see where you’re going! Such an awesome outline. I’ve never been to the Grand Tetons but have heard that they’re absolutely gorgeous so think it’s a great idea to go there. You’re brave w/ some of the long drives, but I think you and your mom will have a fabulous time!
    Be sure to check out Meghan’s recent post: Friday Fancies | Foggy by the Bay

    Reply

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