Oregon Trail: Ames Edition

05.23.26

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It’s been a whirlwind of a time here on the East Coast. I saw a kid graduate. Celebrated my mom’s birthday. Hugged a bestie. Raged about all the humidity and rain and traffic. And now here I am, at BWI, waiting for the flight that will take be back to my new home in the Pacific Northwest.

I was worried I’d come back and not want to leave, but if I’m being honest — an afternoon in Baltimore traffic cured me if nothing else could. (That and OMG the humidity when I stepped off the plane on Wednesday. Fuuuuuck that was rough.)

While it’s been nice coming back for a visit, I quickly realized that there were things I left behind for a reason. There were plenty of things I was sad to leave behind, but there were definitely a few things I was happy to see go and being back in the thick of it was really rough and really triggering. Some of you can probably guess and for the rest?

Maybe one day I’ll tell the story.

Some positives though!!!

The kid graduated and I cannot be more stoked for the little adult she’s turned into. I’m so proud of her and for everything that lies ahead of her in this next chapter of her life. She truly is amazing and is going to do equally amazing things. Celebrating her graduation and being able to be here for all the festivities was a true blessing. She was even the one to drive me to the airport and omg, I’m tearing up just thinking about it. Watching her drive off just gave me such feels.

Being back in Maryland also gave me a chance to enjoy some “lasts” I missed out on in the mad dash to get myself to the West Coast. I hadn’t really planned on any of it but as the opportunities presented themselves, who I was to turn them down?

The first thing I was excited to get to my fill of … something in season that they definitely don’t have on the West Coast …

Can you guess?

I didn’t realize how much I wanted steamed blue crabs until they were in front of me. After that it was game on.

And of course, enjoying the crabs reminded me that I needed to buy a little something something to take back.

Can I just tell you — the level of panic I had and the amount of googling I did to make sure it would make it through TSA. OMG. But the good news is it made it through TSA no problem and I am now bringing a spicy little piece of home back with me.

Shout out to this Reddit gem I came across while researching whether or not it would make it through.

To be fair, I think the crabs we had had J.O. on them. But I dunked them in a shit ton of Old Bay so everything turned out fine.

The last thing I made sure I got my fill of is something I didn’t even think I’d miss until the very first summery day where I was really feeling it. My disappointment that it doesn’t exist on the West Coast was palpable. I wish I was kidding.

It was everything I wanted it to be and I’m sad I won’t be able to have it for a long long time.

All in all I’m glad I made the trip. It might not have happened if I hadn’t had the graduation to attend, but I’m glad stars aligned. It reminded me of why I’m on this journey and why the distance, though not without its own challenges, has been healing. This adventure was the change I didn’t know I desperately needed and I really should be more proud of myself.

Hopefully I will be soon.

Crying but trying,

Ames