Seattle By Morning + Portland By Afternoon

Visiting Two Of My Favorite Cities + Two Of Favorite People

Apr 27, 2026

high rise buildings during daytime — Photo by Stephen Plopper on Unsplash

A Personal Note: Thank you to everyone who reached out after yesterday’s post. I went back and forth on whether it was an overshare, but I think mental health (or lack thereof) isn’t something to be ashamed of to be ignored. It’s something to face, in whatever way we can, as honestly as we can.

I’m trying to do that. Not perfectly. Not always gracefully. But with intention.

It’s a balancing act, and I won’t always get it right. So thank you for your grace and patience. It means a lot, y’all.

P.S. I’ll reply to everyone soon. Right now, I’m recharging in motion, bouncing from place to place like a slightly overplayed pinball machine. Cheers!

Stepping off the ship in Seattle early yesterday morning, I breathed a sigh of relief. Not because I didn’t enjoy the cruise, but because I feel so at home here in the Pacific Northwest.

If it weren’t for the cold and rain, I could genuinely see myself living here. I may not tan, but I still need my sun, which is why Los Angeles has been home for so long. Even so, this city makes a strong case for itself: great food, genuinely kind people, and yes, an unusually high concentration of handsome men. I said what I said.

More importantly, it’s home to one of my favorite humans ever. My sister-from-another-mister, Miss M, who has built a life here with her not-so-little dog, Simon. Being able to spend a slow, sunny Sunday with them grounded me in ways I really, really needed. And the afternoon nap and tasty Chinese takeout didn’t hurt either.

That’s the thing about places like Seattle. It’s not just the skyline or the coffee shops or the water views. It’s the people who make the city feel like yours, even if you don’t technically live there.

Today, after rush hour dies down, I’m heading south. From Seattle to Portland.

It’s a relatively short three-hour drive that can easily turn into four (or five) if the traffic gods decide to be petty. I’m choosing to be both optimistic and realistic today.

Waiting for me in Portland is another chosen sister, Miss B. I’m excited to see her new home and spend some time in her new home town.

The plan is simple. And perfect. For me anyway.

Tomorrow, we’re going to visit to Powell’s City of Books, where it’s dangerously easy to lose track of time, space, and your budget. And the Portland Art Museum, because a little culture never hurt anyone.

We might do something fun tonight. Or we might not. It depends on how I feel when I get there and get settled into my hotel.

Two cities in one day. Two people who feel like home in different ways.

If there’s a theme to this stretch of the trip, it’s this: I’m learning to move through the world without outrunning myself. Most days anyway.

Some days that looks like doing the most. Other days it looks like doing less than I planned. Today, it looks like Seattle by morning, Portland by afternoon, and gratitude all day long.

Keep calm and carry on!
Clint 🌈✌️