Day 5 - Seattle - Port Townsend, WA

The rain returned today.  We've heard that even for this area, this amount of rain is unusually high, in fact, landslides have been reported in several locations.  We are grateful we had the break yesterday for our visit to the mountains, but for today, the rain gear, hoods, and hats were on for sure.

After our final breakfast at our inn, we took the light rail into downtown Seattle so we could visit the Amazon HQ building which houses the grocery/convenience store called Amazon Go.  After downloading an app to our phones, a QR code appeared on our screens.  After placing our phones on a scanner, an automated turnstile opened and let us in.  All the items in the store have a tracking/scanning device on them so you just pick items from the shelves, put them in your bag, and walk out.  The store itself is about the size of a really nice convenience store back home, but the items are nice with a focus on organic, fresh choices.  In fact, as we approached the store, we could see kitchen staff preparing sandwiches and other meals for sale inside.  We selected some items, put them in our complementary bags, and walked out.  The turnstile devices near the front door scanned our items as we walked out and a receipt appeared on our phones within minutes.  I admit it felt a bit like shoplifting.  The building itself is very attractive and as we made our way back to the light rail, we passed the Amazon Spheres.  These geodesic domes are for Amazon employees and include greenhouses, nature spaces, and more, right next door to their HQ building.

Leaving our inn, we headed north to Mount Vernon where the annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival was in full swing.  We stopped at the RoozenGaarde farm and, even through the rain, were treated to a sight I've never seen.  The fields were teaming with rows and rows of vibrant colors of tulips.  There were even amazing garden areas where tulips, daffodils, and other flowers were planted in beds, around trees, and in special shapes.  I really can't put into words the amazing sight, so I'll have to let the pictures speak for me.

It was late afternoon and we still had a drive to make, so we headed west on Highway 20 from near Anacortes, down the Whidbey Island Scenic Way.  We pulled over as we approached Deception Pass as the sight of the upcoming bridge spanning a narrow portion of Puget Sound was gorgeous.  Further down the road we stopped at Fort Ebey State Park where surfers were valiantly trying to catch some waves.  Next up was the Coupeville/Port Townsend Ferry which would deliver us to our final destination.  A short trip and we were driving to the Bishop Victorian Hotel.

Port Townsend had a population boom in the late 19th century which caused many of the downtown buildings and houses to be built in the popular ornate Victorian architecture.  Unfortunately for the town, the boom quickly faded and no new industries grew so the buildings were left abandoned, but not knocked down either, preserving them for 100+ years.  Our hotel is one of the old buildings and it's quite charming and Victorian.  It includes modern conveniences, but the hallways, decor, and layout are from the olden days.

Our dinner tonight was at the fantastic Fountain Cafe just two blocks from our hotel.  Probably THE best meal I've had in a long time and warm gingerbread for dessert.  The view from our window seat was pretty spectacular too.

Tomorrow we head to the Olympic National Park and we'll get sight of the Pacific Ocean!

Day 2 - Seattle

Our first full day in Seattle began with an amazing breakfast cooked up by our inn host, Melanie.  It was enough food to energize anyone.  We then made our way to Seattle Center, which is the area around and including the Space Needle, which was designed for the 1962 World's Fair.  We walked past the home of the Pacific Northwest Ballet, the Seattle Children's Museum, an outdoor fountain which danced to music, and made our way to the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit.  The exhibit opened in 2012 and showcases the artwork of Dale Chihuly who was born in nearby Tacoma.  I've not been a huge fan of his work (I certainly appreciate it), but getting to see it up close really does make you wonder how he originally came with the ideas that led to the pieces.  The exhibit has an indoor art gallery feature, but there is also an outdoor garden which has his artwork intermingled with flowers, shrubs, and trees.  I found this to be the most beautiful as nature and art intertwined.

Wanting to return to Pike Place Market during the day, we hopped aboard the Alweg monorail (also built for the World's Fair) and were soon passing Amazon's headquarters on our way to the Westlake station.  What trip to Seattle would be complete without a stop to Starbucks?  After refueling on some treats and drinks, we headed downhill to the market.  It did NOT disappoint as the entire east side was full of local farms selling bouquets of tulips, daffodils, peony tulips, sprigs of quince, and more.  Bouquets were available for $10, $15, and $20 or you could buy individual tulips and daffodils for $1.50 each.  Between whiffs of fresh seafood (being sold on the west side), we would get wafts of fragrant blossoms that instantly made me forget the gray mist outside and think about a great sunny Spring day.  I'm happy to report that I picked up a $10 bouquet which now adorns my bedside table.

As we headed back to the monorail station, I ducked into a local outlet of Goorin Bros.  This is a national, but small, chain that makes and sells hats of all sorts.  Today I felt the need to pick up a new flat cap that will be perfect for Arkansas this late Spring and Summer.  Once back at Seattle Center, we made our way to the car and returned to our inn.  Carolyn had the first session of her conference tonight and needed to prepare. 

A short time later, we zipped north to the University of Washington's Center for Urban Horticulture, the conference location.  After dropping her off, I made my way to a nearby Italian restaurant, Mama Melina.  It was 6:00 Friday night and the place was hopping; good thing I made a reservation for one!  Eating at a nice restaurant by yourself is always a little odd as you don't have anyone to talk to, but you can easily listen in on other conversations (for better and for worse).  You can also read/look at your phone without offending anyone!

After dinner, I texted with folks back home as severe weather and tornadoes were moving through the area.  I stopped in a Safeway parking lot just to be able to pull up a radar and offer my weather advice.  I ended up driving to Golden Gardens park which has a beach on Puget Sound.  It offered some great views of the Sound although it was too cloudy to have a great sunset.

The Seattle Mariners team store in Bellevue was my next stop, where I hoped to procure some gifts.  The store is located in Bellevue Square shopping center which is home to an Amazon book store, Macy's, Nordstrom's, a Tesla dealership and more!  Happy with my purchases, it was time to pick up Carolyn. 

A great first full day in the Pacific Northwest.  No sun today, but no soaking rains either.  I'll call that a win!