Jenss Family Travels: Coast to Coast

Rainer Jenss and his family are in the midst of a yearlong around-the-world trip, and they're blogging about their travels here at IT. Keep up with the Jensses by bookmarking their posts here.

I am a big fan of Michael Palin for two reasons. First and foremost, I love Monty Python. But perhaps my favorite work of Palin's comes not by way of his comedy, but for the series of travel documentaries he produced for the BBC over the past 20 years that feature him traveling Pole-to-Pole, Around the World in 80 Days, and Full Circle. What I'm particularly intrigued by is that he makes it a priority to travel over as much physical landmass as possible during each of his journeys and whenever possible, does so without the use of aircraft. His objective is to capture the true essence of what lies between different geographical locations, gaining the perspective that distance, space, and time provide.

In retrospect, watching these programs probably helped influence our decision to travel around the world for a full year, without stopping or coming back home for the duration, as much as anything else. As a frequent business traveler, I have taken my fair share of cross-country flights from New York to the West Coast, and noticed that rarely do passengers look out the window or know where they are during the roughly six hours on board the plane. Instead, we get in our seats, sleep, eat, read a book, work on our laptop, or watch a movie and then BAM - we step out into a different city thousands of miles away that still speaks English, and has plenty of Starbucks and copies of USA Today. Frequent flier is really a more accurate term for who we are and what we do. After all, a true travel experience provides you with a sense of place, something a cross-country flight just can't capture. Never before had I had the time or opportunity to do it the Michael Palin way, until now.

For the last six weeks, I've blogged about our family's cross-country trek that took us through 18 states (and two provinces in Canada), covered 7,600 miles, and didn't find us in a single airport. We witnessed incredible scenery, met warm and friendly people, and experienced the country in a way too few people get a chance to do, along one continuous trail from one coast to the other. As a result, I don't think any one of us will quite look at a map of the U.S. the same way again, or board a plane without appreciating the distances they cover and landscapes they fly over. So as we drove into Seattle six weeks after we left home, we celebrated the fact that we had now officially driven across the country, and there was still so much more to see and do.

The Pacific Northwest has always been a place I've felt connected with. When I traveled to Seattle, it was usually for business, so I rarely had the opportunity to expand my activities beyond meetings and client entertaining. Now with the family in tow and plenty of time, I could finally explore much more of what the area has to offer. As it turned out, this could have been collectively our favorite part of the U.S. trip so far; Seattle certainly offers enough to keep families busy and entertained. We felt almost obligated to visit Pike Place fish market, and apparently, so did almost every other tourist in town that weekend... it was packed! We also went to the Seattle Center, where we decided to spend our money on the Experience Music Project/Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame instead of going to the top of the Space Needle for a quick view of the city and Puget Sound. The following day, we easily got tickets for a Mariners baseball game at beautiful Safeco Field. Unlike in New York, this park sold salmon sandwiches and Thai food at the concession stands, much to Carol's delight. But it's beyond the city limits that offered us what is truly unique about the Northwest.

At the strong recommendation of friends and people familiar with the region, we were told the San Juan Islands are a must; It didn't take long to see why. The ferry ride from Anacortes (90 minutes north of Seattle) to Orcas Island was one of the more scenic and relaxing boat rides we've ever taken. Using TripAdvisor as a resource, Carol booked us at the Buck Bay Bed & Breakfast for 4 days, just enough time to take in all that the island had to offer. If you want to capture what makes Orcas Island so lovely, it's important that you do it at a relaxed pace. The bohemian vibe and artistic community gives the island its laid-back charm. The B&B doubles as a lavender farm, and the boys where just as content to hang out at there as they were to go to explore any of the rocky beaches or hike along the many trails of Moran State Park, which features Mt. Constitution and its magnificent 360 degree views of the Cascades, Seattle, the Sound, and British Columbia. But no family vacation to the San Juans would be complete without going out to see the family of orca whales that inhabit the water between spring and fall. 

Finally, to put what we'd accomplished in perspective, there's the story of Dave, our guide who took us sea kayaking out of Deer Harbor. Upon learning that we had just driven all the way out to Orcas Island from New York, he told us that last fall, he and his girlfriend cycled across the country as well, covering roughly the same route we had just traveled. I probably can't appreciate the intimate experience he must have had traversing this vast country, just as I couldn't have imagined driving cross-country just a short time ago. But while the idea of such an experience is indeed intriguing, after hearing about how he had to ride through a snowstorm in the mountains of Montana, I expect we'll stick to the car for now.

Photo: Stephan in a lavender field, by Rainer Jenss

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Comments

[soultravelers3]

I love the picture of your son with the lavender! (We use to grow it and I can almost smell it from here in Sweden!).

I REALLY can relate to your words about traveling over land mass without a plane and how that can enrich the experience. We have been traveling the world going on our 3rd year now, been on 4 continents and have only taken two planes. ( One of those was just a short one from Marrakesh to Madrid and it ended up taking longer due to delays than going in by land).

We have done almost every mode of transportation ( from camels to a punt on the Cam) along with more ordinary things like tons of walking, hiking, biking, trains, buses,ferries,funiculars and subways, but our primary mode is a camper. We drive & take our home with us & ship it over seas.

My parents took us on road trips in the 50's,I Took a 6 month road trip from Boston to Key West, SD and up to SF in the 70's & now we are traveling the world as a family on a road trip as we think it is the best way to see the world.

I am so glad to hear your perspective on this! What a great time to be in Seattle too ( and Sweden ;)).

We have also fallen in love with ferries and have crossed 11 seas in this wonderfully slow, old fashion way. Surprisingly freight ferries are the best w/just 12 passengers aboard.

If you walk the land, drive the land, bike the land, cross seas slowly & take time to let it into your soul, you are richer for it and I think the land is too because a traveler tends to bring new, grateful eyes! Ahh, & the people you meet...such a joy. I think the hardest part will be finishing your journey once you have tasted this nectar as a family.

Sending travel blessings your way and looking forward to more!

[Carol A]

Hey Rainer...Congrats on making it across the USA! Pictures and stories are awesome. I look forward to hearing more and am sending best wishes to you and the family.

Off to South Africa in 10 days...can't wait!

Take care. xo

[donna t]

Rainer - i LOVE the picture of Stefan in the lavender field! I can almost imagine the incredible fragrances from here. You've done it - crossed the US and it sounds like the whole family is still getting along! (i don't think i could count on that with our family ...) i can't wait to see the pictures from HI. Let me know if your posting the rest of your photos somewhere to see. Love the carol & the kids! miss you guys!

[Carrie Trotter]

Hi Rainer! Todd and I just returned from our WONDERFUL trip to the Pacific Northwest, and we fell in love with it. We spent 4 days exploring Olympic National Park - Hurricane Ridge, Hoh Rainforest, Lake Crescent, and the amazing coastline. Also spent a day in Sequim at the Dungeness Spit and another day at Mount Rainier. We finished off the trip with a concert at the Gorge Amphitheater, by far the best concert experience I've had. What an amazing place. We can't wait to go back.

Sorry we couldn't connect while we were there.

Congrats on making it across the US. Can't wait to hear about the rest of your adventure!

[Mark Gross]

Thanks for making Seattle one of the stops on your odyssey, Family Jenss! It was great meeting the whole crew and breaking bread one last time before you depart the motherland (well, adopted homeland in your case, Herr Jenss :) for exotic eastern climes. All your friends at Xeko HQ bid you a fond bon voyage!

[The Enchanter]

What an excellent adventure thus far, as you have successfully traversed across the great USA. What a country! I have truly enjoyed keeping up with you all through your very colorful weekly entries. Thank you for sharing the wealth of a well planned trek -- I often feel as though I am with you all on the ride. Keep them coming Rainer. Please pass on our best wishes to Carol and the boys for smooth travels ahead. Cruise successfully.

Maximum Respect - every time.

Your friend,

Tmac

[Jennifer Papenfuss]

Hi! Was just reading your blog as well as the kids on NG kids. What a great thing you are doing and love the site for our kids. Just 4 years now (twins). Anyway, I see you are going to Germany, where? We live in Munich now (from San Francisco) and would love to take you for a beer while you are here, or show you around. (not sure where you were born). If this sounds good, send me an email. Best wishes for a safe and fun trip.
Cheers,
Jennifer

[John DeWilde]

I was glad to find your web page mentioned in a recent National Geographic Traveller. I was even more intrigued to read about your trip accross the country. Many of your objectives and observations reflect ours. We left in July to take a year off with our children (8 and 10). We began with a driving/camping trip accross Canada. We were left with a sense that we live in a country rich in diversity and that we could spend much more time here. We arrived today in Nicaragua and will be here for two months. After understanding our country a bit better, we are looking forward to exploring a new culture and country. I will be reading your blog with interest and feel free to follow along with us at www.dewildejourney.com. I'll also get my kids reading your children's blog. Happy trails.

[Carol Altarescu]

Hope your travels continue to be wonderful.
Howard and I spent 4 glorious days at Grootbos in South Africa. We loved meeting Michael and seeing the wonderful work he is doing. The resort is so fantastic...thank you so much for setting us in that direction. South Africa altogether was amazing and we loved every minute. Hope to get more updates on your trip.
Best regards. Carol