Seattle, WA

Seattle, my old stomping grounds. I trained to become a North Pacific Groundfish Observer here four years ago. It is hard not to reminisce on such an adventure I had. Completing the course was one of the most difficult things I've experienced. The highlight was the amazing friends I made then who are still actively apart of my life now. I cherish them and that time in my late 20's. 

We left the camper in Sequim, WA, where I may hang out while Bri-guy is at sea, and stayed at an Air B&B walking distance to downtown Seattle. Air B&B is my new favorite thing. You can't beat the price and the comfort. We've had great experiences thus far with it. It was great to show Brian around and also do the touristy things that I hadn't had the opportunity to do before. And we did it all. We were there during the super moon and despite the cloudy skies, we tried our best to see that giant round rock in the sky. From the top of the Great Wheel to the tip of the Space Needle we climbed. She shone brightly but from behind puffs of white. Besides chasing the moon, we perused through Pike's Market and strolled along the waterfront popping into various restaurants for happy hour. I made sure Brian saw the gum wall, had a beer from Pike's Brewery and savored a brie sandwich from Le Panier. We also celebrated our belated 5 year anniversary by dining at Seattle's most secretive restaurant, the Pink Door. The literal pink door led us to foodie haven as we enjoyed our wooden anniversary. It was lovely. 

Seattle is such a great city. It's clean, it's easy to navigate and there is so much to do and see. For not being city people, we both absolutely love this town. Our Seattle visit brings us to the end of this trip. Another one for books, I can hardly beleive it. We're headed home for Thanksgiving and a wedding to celebrate two of our bests. Thanks for sticking with us and following along, we will be back next year for many more adventures. Stay tuned. 

Love, B&D. 

Pike's Market

 The Great Wheel

 Puget Sound

The Space Needle

 The Pink Door 

The gum wall!

 City lights

Next Stop: Home for holidays

North Cascades National Park, Washington

North Cascades National Park, our 4oth park!! I'm starting to feel like a broken record by saying this but once again we were limited by time, weather and seasonal closures at this park. Brian set up the tent for us in the rain at Goodell Creek. We were nestled under Conifers dripping of moss and raindrops and lulled by the rushing creek. With extra blankets and pillows from home, our tent became an insulated nest. Relentless rain led to a soggy breakfast and a day to enjoy driving around the park, stopping to visit points of interest and short walks to peak a boo views through the fog. 

In 1968 North Cascades became apart of a preservation complex also including Ross Lake National Recreation Area and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. By the power of U.S. Congress, the preservation encompasses "certain majestic mountain scenery, snowfields, glaciers, alpine meadows, lakes and other unique glaciated features" ... "for the benefit, use and inspiration of present and future generations." Say what you will, but I am colossally greatful for federally managed lands. I really think more should be conserved. 

The road closure at Ross Dam turned us around and sent us back through, around and out of the Park but not without our fill of flowing cascades. I bet you can guess what I'm going to say next. If you suspected I would end this short write up by saying we would love to come back and visit because we simply did not have enough time here, then you would be correct. I must say, hitting 40 Parks is a huge mark for us. Our love and admiration for the National Parks continues to grow with each visit we've been fortunate enough to have. 

Diablo Dam

Diablo Lake

Next Stop: Seattle, WA

Olympic National Park, Washington

Ah, the coast. It's been a while. The stormy sea, rumbling clouds and soaring winds heightened our senses and brightened our souls. We found a gap in the rain and a grace in the tide to take a long walk on the sand among the sea salted drift logs on the beautiful beach of Kalaloch. We also parked the camper in a site with a killler view. We rearranged our living room by turning our seldomly used leather chairs to face the ocean. I think if we could always find a campsite such a spectacular view, we would use them more. Anyway, it was a perfect setup for reading, writing and tea drinking. 

Olympic National Park protects 922,651 acres and encompasses three distinctly different ecosystems - mountain ranges, the raging coast and old-growth temperate rain forest. Undoubtedly we wanted to see it all but with one night at the coast and one day to see the rest of the park we drove the 101 from west to east. On that day we awoke to discover the result of the 2016 presidential election. I'm only referencing that event for historical relevence, I do not want to discusss it any more than that. But it was a big part of our conversations that day. On our way through, we pulled off at east end of Crescent Lake to take our thoughts outdoors and enjoy a picnic on the dock. A cheese and meat board and two brown bottles of beers paired well with our view and water front table. And before we left we got the blood going by taking a quick hike up to see Marymere Falls. Waterfalls are Brian's favorite. 

From Olympic we are headed to the camper's new temporary home. For the moment we are leaving the old Hideout at an RV park in Sequim [Skwim] while we fly home from Seattle. But before we leave we are going to pack the truck with our camping gear and spend a night in North Cascades National Park.

Kalaloch

Storm King Ranger Station

Barnes Creek

Marymere Falls

Next Stop: North Cascades National Park