Chelsea Booker

Deputy Editor, Travel Lemming

Chelsea is a Seattle-based freelance writer on a mission to explore as much of Washington state and the Pacific Northwest as she can. An avid storyteller, she spends her days travel writing and her evenings scribbling away at whatever novel she’s got in the works. When she’s not dragging her husband on adventures, you’ll find her nose-deep in a fantasy or romance book, tending her growing houseplant jungle, or training for her first half-marathon.

🏠 Local to: Seattle, Washington

🌟 Favorite Destinations: Seattle, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Scotland, Ireland

🎓 Education: Seattle University (BA, English)

✔️ Fun Facts: I have 60 thriving houseplants and counting. I’m almost always the shortest person in the room (I’m under 5 feet!). I’m very active and enjoy bodybuilding, running, hiking, and being outside as much as possible. I’ll never say no to french fries.

Meet Chelsea

Chelsea Booker with her husband at the Mount Vernon in Washington — Mount Vernon, WA

Chelsea Booker smiling while holding a pastry in Alcobaça, Portugal — Alcobaça, Portugal

Chelsea Booker during her hike at the Mount Rainier National Park — Mount Rainier National Park

Chelsea Booker posing for a photo in Edinburgh, Scotland — Edinburgh, Scotland

📚 What was Your Favorite Travel Experience or Story?

I don’t come from an outdoorsy family, but I married into one. Ten years ago, I would have balked at the idea of going backpacking. But when my in-laws convinced me to take my first backpacking trip on Washington’s coast, I thought I’d give it a go to impress them (plus, they described it as an “easy beach hike,” so how hard could it be?)

Well. The hike to the campground on the first night was pleasant enough. We set up camp, kicked off our boots, and watched a beautiful sunset that seemed to last for hours. The second day was another story.

The hike to the next campground took us through a part of the coast lovingly nicknamed “Purgatory,” and it became apparent why. We hiked through miles of stinking, rotting seaweed, past multiple seal carcasses, washed up tires, boots, and other debris with the sun baring down unceasingly on our backs.

We tried rushing through this unpleasant part, taking few breaks, and short ones. It was grueling. The pace, the sun, and the effort it took to climb over rocks and walk over stretches of sand that gave way beneath every step began to wear on me. I found myself bringing up the back of our group, my energy rapidly depleting.

We had one last headland to cross, but by the time we reached it, the tide was coming in. There were now two choices: take an alternate land route, which involved hoisting ourselves up an impossibly steep path, holding on to a rope for dear life as we scrambled up one side and down the other. Or we could camp where we were.

I didn’t voice my thoughts at this point in time (they were something along the lines of I will probably die if I try that overland crossing). But I’m pretty sure they saw it on my face. We decided to stay and camp.

I sat stewing for a while, certain I was the only reason we hadn’t reached the original beach we wanted to camp on. But after a long heart-to-heart with my husband and everyone plying my half-dead self with chocolate and electrolytes, I began to see things differently.

The beach we were on was stunning. There were other backpackers here who were friendly and kind enough to offer us beer (how they managed to get all those heavy cases down here, I still don’t know). Gray Pelicans lounged just off shore, diving into the water every so often to catch fish. A fog rolled in from the ocean, cooling off our overheated bodies. By nightfall, I realized that despite the harshness of the day… this was actually pretty fun. I was beginning to understand why my in-laws liked this whole backpacking thing.

I approached the next day with a totally different mindset. I survived the overland and scrambled over rocks and boulders like an overenthusiastic child. I took time every once in a while to actually look out at the seastacks and the ocean to admire the horizon as far as I could see.

We almost didn’t make it around the final headland. I still remember the look of panic on my father-in-law’s face as he pulled me up to a higher rock and away from the Pacific Ocean raging at my feet.

But the accomplishment I felt after the journey taught me two things: 1) stepping 100% out of my comfort zone to do this was 100% worth it and maybe I could become something of an outdoorswoman, and 2) chocolate and electrolytes were now a non-negotiable packing necessity, always.

🗺️ What’s Your #1 Expert Travel Tip?

Don’t be afraid to work in some slow days when you travel. Whenever I go somewhere, I leave room in my itinerary for some downtime to enjoy quieter moments.

Sipping coffee while journaling in a cafe, people watching in the park, and taking a stroll through a market can be just as rewarding as hitting up big attractions. It’s a great way to discover things more organically. You’ll also be much more energized for the remainder of your trip and will avoid the dreaded travel burn out if you go a bit slower.