a helicopter tour of seattle, helicopters northwest – a friendly, laid back group & a very fun activity to see seattle from a different view. tour started just south of downtown, over to the east side to bellevue then to uw and north to green lake and up to golden gardens, shoreline down to the ballard locks, over queen anne and right by the space needle to downtown, right above the stadiums and back!
mount si – one of the most popular hikes in washington state. just about a 45-min drive from seattle, it’s a close and good 8-mile round trip hike with all the characteristics of what makes the pacific northwest what it is. the shaded trail keeps you cool through the 4-mile incline. the rocky summit makes for a great lunch (with caution) on its stone stools. bring a light jacket or long-sleeve for the wind at the top!
destination: orcas island – san juan islands - washington
a beautiful pacific northwest destination, listed by the nytimes as the #2 place to go in 2011. a cozy winter getaway characterized by its brisk and absolutely fresh air of all good things in nature – trees & wildlife, fresh & salt water, rocky edges & sprawling fields, fishing & farming, hiking, local restaurants, dog-friendliness. truly, all the reasons why the pacific northwest is my home.
a 3-hour trip from seattle – an easy drive from the city and north through small historic towns & a scenic ferry ride from anacortes through the san juan islands.
orcas island is the largest of the san juan islands and also marked by the fourth largest washington state park, moran state park. we enjoyed an easy winter hike and experienced a bit of everything – the gray skies & rain, blue skies & morning sun and also a drizzle of snow. i can only imagine the springs & summers filled with kayaking, fishing, reading under the sun, whale watching and the autumns with its foliage & colors.
ferry ride through the san juan islands; a classic pacific northwest day of grays
driving along & making stops along the winding roads & coast
doe bay
[moran state park]
38+ miles of foot trails, bicycle trails in the summers, 5 freshwater lakes and mount constitution is the highest point in the san juans at 2,409 feet with panoramic views of the islands and cascade mountains
mountain lake loop
an easy 3.9 mile trail around mountain lake, with plenty of further exploration
[lodging]: isle dream cottage - all dream cottages / duration: 3 days, 2 nights
an absolutely romantic, incredible cozy studio cottage for two. i just had a feeling about this place when i came across it searching for lodging in the islands. a turn off the main road and slow drive into seclusion, at the end of the road with your eyes searching through the trees – and there is the signature red door with a coastal backdrop.
walking down the path with growing excitement and falling in love with its adorable details. the vibrant red chairs & accents overlooking the water on the wrap-around deck, plentiful firewood, the large window panes letting in all the views and natural light. a quaint wood-burning stove, your bed right at the windows with a sprawling view, two-person shower with skylight gazing up at the trees, and perfect little kitchen.
with its seclusion and all its necessities, we cooked up a menu for the entire stay. romantic cooking & dining together, couldn’t have asked for more.
adore.
wrap around deck
sunday snow
sunday morning sun shining
perfect little kitchen, gas stove
classic woodburning stove
skylight shower among the trees
views of the east sound & eastsound village
walkway to the water
firepit & hammock for the summers
[food&drink]
- friday’s dinner menu -
2009 catena malbec, argentina
before heading out on friday morning, started at pike place market to pick up fresh crab & salmon for our first dinner
grilled lemon & pepper salmon
pesto pasta w/ sliced olives & tomatoes, parsley
- saturday morning’s breakfast -
cheesy hashbrowns, sausage patties, veggie scramble & mimosas
saturday morning prep for a classic pot roast in the slow cooker, 10 hours
- saturday night’s dinner -
spent the day out on the trails & exploring, to come home to something warm & hearty
a classic pot roast, potatoes, carrots, celery & mushrooms w/ green beans
- sunday morning breakfast -
egg, sausage & cheese breakfast sandwiches & bloody mary’s
cheers!
destination: oregon coast – cannon beach & seaside, via ocean shores, wa
a wonderful retreat from the city to the coast. from seattle – drive 2.5-hours to the washington coast at ocean shores in gray’s harbor. take another 2.5-hour scenic drive south through the northwestern point of oregon and see yourself through small historic towns, like astoria and visit around the coastal town seaside, or – and just another 15-minute drive will bring you to cannon beach, or.
via ocean shores, wa
off of state route 109 from gray’s harbor city to ocean shores, you’ll find lytle seafood & oysters - if you’re an oyster lover, stop in for some oyster shooters!
to seaside, or
to cannon beach, or
walk along cannon beach you’ll find haystack rock, a sea stack and nesting grounds to local sea birds – during the low tide you can walk right up to it
hiking annette lake
[notes: 7.5 mi roundtrip + a bit of a walk around the lake (tho trail doesn't go entirely around lake), not much area to sit around right at the water, camping at lake, some incline on the hike - a comfortable hike overall. a great first hike of the [verylatearrival] of summer in seattle]
@ blanca lake, wa
after going on my first hike in years, i figured it deserved a post. think of it as..a fun way to work off the previously posted food..?
[notes: 2-hr drive north-east of seattle. 8-mile round-trip hike, 3-mi incline followed by 1-mi deep decline to reach blanca lake, luckily, in the shade of the trees. lake is a stunning greenish-blue. great logs to have lunch on, small virgin lake on the way, camping]
getting there
blanca lake
[thanks for the hike, lieu!]
FYI
blanca lake
washington trails association
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