One of my goals this year was to go Washington state to visit my son and the daughter of my heart. I don't know why, but I've always felt drawn to this area even before they moved there. I read novels that take place in that region. I've always been interested in anything "Seattle". I "love" Starbucks! I even like a brand of coffee called "Seattle's Best". The Cinnabon and Henry's blend are my favorite flavors. Debbie MaComber's Shop on Blossom Street series are my favorite novels. My favorite webcam is the Space Needle cam found @ EarthCam.com. One of my favorite movies is Sleepless in Seattle. So when I flew into SeaTac May 21st, I felt like I was coming home.
The Puget Sound area is as beautiful and exciting as I imagined. For dinner the first evening my son and daughter of my heart prepared fresh salmon on the grill. It was absolutely delicious! The next day we drove through the Olympic National Forrest & along the Hood Canal. We headed south from Tacoma and made a complete circle which took us to Bremerton to the north. We rode the ferry from Bremerton across Puget Sound to Seattle's waterfront. Seeing Seattle's skyline from the water with my own eyes was a dream come true. After exiting the ferry, we explored the waterfront and had supper at The Crab Pot where we were given bibs and mallets before a pot full of steamed crabs, shrimp, mussels, clams, sausage and corn were dumped on the table. It was awesome!
On the drive down I-5 back to Tacoma I was happy and "full". We finished the day hanging out, watching the season finale of Grey's Anatomy which takes place in Seattle.
The next day (Friday) we headed to downtown Seattle for the first ultrasound of the new grand baby due in January. It was such a beautiful sight. Even though I'd seen so many wonderful things,looking back, the ultra sound was my favorite. After that we explored Pike Place Market, ate Thai food for lunch and attended a folk art festival below the Space Needle.
Saturday was spent exploring Tacoma. From Point Defiance Park, I saw the peak of Mount Ranier. It had been hiding behind clouds since my arrival. We ate lunch at Sushi Revolution. I had it in my mind that sushi was nothing but fancy raw fish. I was so wrong! It was delicious. There is cooked sushi and uncooked sushi . I was a little nervous about the uncooked but found that it wasn't raw after all. It was cooked by the salty brine of the ocean. Talk about misconceptions!
Sunday morning was spent at a local nursery selecting plants and a large planter for my "domh" for the front steps of their home which is a 1929 Craftsman Bungalow. Sunday afternoon, a cookout was given in my honor. I had a great time meeting my children's friends, playing games and enjoying good food.
Monday was Memorial Day. I enjoyed hanging out at the bungalow, walking the dogs through the neighborhoods, admiring all the flowers and greenery. Rhododendrons were in bloom everywhere! We attended a Mariners game at Safeco Field in the evening. I proudly wore my new Mariners t-shirt with Mom on the back. Even though the Mariners lost, it was such a great experience. The "people" watching is so entertaining!
Even though I missed my family in AL, I hated to leave Washington on Tuesday morning. The last thing I did in Washington, after saying goodbye to my children, was to buy a Cinnamon Dolce @ SeaTac's Starbucks. Delicious! After hiding behind clouds for most of the past week, Mount Rainier was in full view through the plane's window as we flew over it. It was as if it was bidding me " goodbye and comeback soon . I'll be waiting for you".
Each day since my return to AL, I've looked at my photos and thought about how some day I want to live in the Puget Sound area. Life there has so many options in so many different areas.
In the mean time, I'm trying to bloom where I'm planted. I've gotten many good ideas and examples for embracing the green lifestyle. It is more of a challenge here on the gulf coast, but I'm trying. I loved how in WA so many people walked or biked rather than drove to where they wanted to go. I hope to break out the bike this winter and drive less. The 90 degree temps make it too hard to do here in the summer. In WA recycling is the norm rather than the exception.
I always thought that Montana (where I lived for 12 years) was God's Country, but I now believe that He has expanded it further west to include Puget Sound.
