Eating Our Way Across the Pacific Northwest…
Thanks everyone for your good wishes. Your kind sentiments were effective in influencing the weather, and we enjoyed seven wonderful days of pleasant temperatures and mostly clear skies with only a few stray drops of rain. Not wanting to be overwhelmed by a quintessential tourist vacation, I asked for suggestions about the best places to explore that are often overlooked by travelers. Not only did you have awesome suggestions, but you even took me on a guided hike.
Our trip was a mixture of touristy things like, Pikes Place Market, the Museum of Flight, a ferry ride, and more subdued activities, such as the waterfront trail at the Washington Park Arboretum, and driving through the mountains to Oregon.
The Mister and I have different taste in rental cars. But he agreed to do all the driving so what could I say, other than, “Sure I’ll be happy to read the map as long as you don’t drive in the wrong direction down one way streets.” Only once…almost…thank goodness for speedy u-turns.
Meno was kind enough to take us on a guided hike elevated walking path to Rattlesnake Ridge. Okay, so she didn’t call it a hike, but since the average elevation climb where I live is less than fifty feet, I’m going to embellish and call it a hike because the view was spectacular. It was nice chatting with Meno again. It sucks living so far away, but at least blogging makes the world more accessible.
Yes, Meno is as tall as she claims, and me…I am not.
We took the ferry to Bainbridge Island. I noticed this homemade bow on the shore near the boat marina. It wasn’t very long, maybe two-feet, but it reminded me of the ones I used to make as a kid. I like finding signs of humanity and imagination. Many of the places we visited had wild blackberries growing along paths (Cannon Beach, Bainbridge Island, the Arboretum, and the trail to Rattlesnake Ridge.) They were the snack of choice.
We went Chittenden Locks in Ballard to watch the boats, but the Mister was utterly captivated watching the salmon jump. If we had more time, he would have probably chosen to spend the day there. Afterward, we walked along a waterfront trail at the Washington Park Arboretum. It wove around the water and over small islands. There were plenty of blackberries to fight off hunger pangs. On the way back to the car, we walked up on three women trying to kidnap a duck. They were armed with a fishing net and an empty diaper box. It reminded me of home.
When we drove to Oregon it was overcast and hazy so the pictures were blah. We ate at Camp 18, where I was able to photograph Sasquatch, just for Liv. We stopped at Ecola State Park, overlooking Cannon Beach, Mister Hombre almost stepped on a bunny. Nope that isn’t a euphemism. This little guy was familiar with humans.
On the last full day of our trip, Egan mentioned the Museum of Flight. I knew if I told the Mister, we would spend the entire afternoon there (and did). The Mister is a flyboy at heart, and it would have been wrong not take him.
The trip was everything I hoped. Actually it was better…
All thumbnails can be enlarged by clicking on them.
September 18th, 2007 at 1:18 pm
It looks and sounds like a great trip. I’m really hoping to get out west within the next few years (we don’t travel much).
September 18th, 2007 at 2:22 pm
It’s always nice to have a quality photo of Sasquatch. I have a little statue of him in my bathroom. Yes, I know. I’m weird.
September 18th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
Oh what a wonderful trip. The pacific northwest always makes me just want to decompress
September 18th, 2007 at 4:02 pm
Ahhh….vicariously living through your photos. Isn’t Cannon Beach the best? Isn’t Meno even better than Cannon Beach?
September 18th, 2007 at 6:31 pm
I am so glad that you made it to the ocean. Pretty spectacular huh?
Come back again and i’ll take you on another stroll, weather permitting. You do need to come back soon, as the cookies are all gone.
September 18th, 2007 at 8:56 pm
you and Meno tearing it up. I love it.
September 18th, 2007 at 10:35 pm
De, I’m a big believer in traveling to new places. It helps me maintain my sanity.
sari, is the statue peeping over the top f the shower curtain, ’cause that could be fun if you have guests.
flutter, decompressing was a good start. It really made me want to relocate, but that’s not a fair statement, since humidity makes me want to relocate too.
Nancy, the best way for me to describe Cannon Beach would be to call it the North American Stonehenge. I brought home a bag of sand and three rocks in your honor.
meno, spectacular and colder than a witches titty in a brass bra. I couldn’t help myself I had to walk in the surf. I will definitely bee back because I have homemade cookie dough in my freezer (for emergencies) and an art museum, zoo and aquarium I to visit.
jen, what can I say? It was perfect.
September 18th, 2007 at 11:16 pm
still pouting. don’t talk to me.
okay, talk to me, but you’ll have to smooth my feathers.
September 19th, 2007 at 12:29 am
Sounds like a fabulous trip. I’m sad to say that even though I live on the west coast, I have never been north of Eureka California. One of these days…
September 19th, 2007 at 11:59 am
It’s really too bad all things can’t be enlarged by clicking on them. Oops, I didn’t mean to go there.
Love the report back to the bloggers on your trip. You took some great shots and I’m glad the weather cooperated for you. I’m very lucky to call this part of the globe home. There’s so much to do here. Meno hooked you up with some solid suggestions. Oh, I’ve spent a good amount of time on Rattlesnake Ridge doing what all forestry students do, staring at trees.
Next time you come, it would be great to meet.
September 19th, 2007 at 12:11 pm
So, so jealous. Of the whole thing. Those pictures make me miss home. I had no idea the Oregon coast was on the itinerary as well ~ or if I did, I forgot. You really covered some ground for a pipsqueak!
September 19th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
Wow…those are some great pictures! It makes me want to visit the Pacific NW again. My short time in Oregon last fall wasn’t enough to see all this stuff.
Thanks for sharing!
September 19th, 2007 at 6:00 pm
no, he’s a little statue. but i love him! and it’s in my bathroom, not the one guests use, i don’t share him with others, ha ha.
September 19th, 2007 at 8:20 pm
Liv, awe doth sumbody haf a hed cod? Okay I should probably try harder than that. You did it, Sister! After months in a holding pattern, you are a free independent woman! Rejoice!
Lynn, there will be time. Maybe you and Joan should plan a swinging sister road trip.
egan, you meant that, and you know it! I was disappointed I wasn’t able to meet you. When you mentioned the Air Museum, I found myself in a conundrum. I couldn’t not mention it to the Mister and have a clear conscious, he has such a passion for planes.
QT, unfortunately the the side trip to Oregon didn’t require chaps. It was a cliff notes tour. That’s the disadvantage of living so far away; so much land, so little time.
Armalicious, have rental car will travel. We spent a looooong day on the road when we drove to Cannon Beach, but it was totally worth it. This trip raised the bar for vacations.
Sari, I like it! I used to decorate my house plants with gremlins and happy meal toys, just ’cause.
September 19th, 2007 at 9:36 pm
Yay for good, restoring, deserving vacations! Welcome back.
September 20th, 2007 at 2:27 pm
Funny, but I got that vibe from you too. “Dammit Egan, you had to mention the Museum of Flight. I was hoping the husband would forget about it”. My bad.
September 20th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
wayfarer, thanks. There’s a lot to e said for a refreshing break from the monotony.
egan, the phrase, Caught between the Boeing store and the Air Museum means the same thing as caught between a rock and a hard place. I WILL return!
September 21st, 2007 at 10:57 am
I see your comments all the time on Meno and Liv’s sites. I HAD to find you today, though, to tell you how awesome that drawing is that you did for Liv. Really spectacular. You captured so much. It’s so personal. Loved it.
September 21st, 2007 at 12:15 pm
mama P, thanks. It’s so much easier to throw together a quick sketch, after you meet people. Liv is such a vibrant person, I wanted a sketch that captured the nuances of her personality…even if I couldn’t capture a good likeness.