Day 9 - Day 12: Settling In
I loved my stay at the Even Hotel so much that checking out just didn’t feel right. Instead, I extended for another four nights—perfect timing since with IHG rewards you get the fourth night free when you book with points. (If you’re curious, I even have a referral link if you want to join the program yourself, LOL.) Weekends are always the trickiest and most expensive nights to find hotels, so this felt like both a win and a relief.
The location was surprisingly perfect. Directly across the street was a shopping plaza anchored by a Market of Choice—basically Portland’s answer to Whole Foods but with a local, curated feel. There were also Japanese and Vietnamese restaurants, a pizza place, and, my favorite discovery, a cluster of dog-centric businesses: an animal hospital, a groomer, a pet supply store, and even dog boarding. For a dog mom on the road, it felt like landing in guardian heaven. Just knowing a vet was nearby gave me a sense of calm I don’t often feel while traveling.
Behind the neighborhood was a small trail, tucked between apartment buildings and single-family homes. It wasn’t anything epic, but it was enough for Max and me to stretch our legs without driving anywhere. This was suburbia, and usually I run from the suburbs—the rows of sameness, the predictable quiet. But here, the safety, the space, the parking, and the little conveniences made me feel cared for. It was exactly what I needed.
Over the next four days, I let myself just be. I shopped at nearby plazas and visited some of my favorite familiar stores—TJ Maxx, Ross, PetSmart, and even an REI. It was like slipping into a version of home, but in a new place. I was in heaven. And because I was finally still long enough to receive packages, I went ahead and ordered a Starlink. I figured it might come in handy for future camping trips in the forest, where cell service can be spotty.
So I stayed put. I rested, I stocked up, I let myself breathe. Sometimes, the best part of a road trip isn’t the movement, but the pause.
