Seattle/Victoria

There was only one thing keeping me from visiting the Pacific Northwest: the conviction that if I saw the glory firsthand I'd have to move there. Between the mountains and the climate and the coffee we were pretty much hooked... I think the only thing that saved us is that we didn't go to Oregon.



















Planning our trip was difficult because we could have spent a week in each place. Instead, we afforded Seattle only a day and a half. Luckily, we had a good tour guide--our college friend E.
























He took us to some of his favorite neighborhoods and haunts (who knew salmon could climb stairs?), ate nostalgic Canadian food with us at Pike's Place Market (the Steelhead Diner's poutine; they also make a mean martini), nearly threw up from the dizzying views with us at the Seattle Public Library, finally, crashed sleepily with us at Gas Works Park.

We allotted the amazing Olympic National Park just a day and a half as well... enough time to hike to Sol Duc Falls, soak for hours in the hot springs, and drink local beer on the porch of our cabin and stare in awe at the mountains.



















Canadophiles that we are, we gave Vancouver Island and the city of Victoria two days.





Highlights included a visit to the cute waterfront town of Cowichan Bay, our fabulous campsite at Goldstream Provincial Park, and touring Victoria, including the Royal British Columbia Museum, smoothies at Rebar, Munro's Books, and having cocktails and yes, more poutine, at Canoe Brewpub.

But alas, it was in Victoria that disaster struck. When we arrived midday on the ferry, there were huge crowds and detours in the city proper. A quick peek at our guides confirmed it was the 150th anniversary of the founding of British Columbia. Instead of coming back into town after setting up camp, we headed north. The next morning we learned from a chatty young storeclerk that the BC150 event culminated in free concert by Feist! Oh, the pain! Husband and I stood struck dumb. It was minutes before we could utter cries of anguish.

We spent out last night on Whidbey Island... and man, I could have spent a week at the gorgeous, historic Captain Whidbey Inn, going on runs around the coast, sipping local wine on the patio at dusk, reading on the dock, and sleeping in the softest, most perfect bed ever.




































It was a fabulous trip!

Next time in the Pacific Northwest:
1. More camping and hiking at Olympic
2. Vancouver
3. Oregon