Thank you Alaska Air for the non-stop from HNL to Bellingham, we spent less time getting there and more time Being There! And it saved Chris the 2 hour drive to and from SeaTac. The stress-less arrival was just the beginning of our restful, relaxed week in peaceful upstate Washington.
Arriving quite early, we had a wonderful crepe breakfast at Mount Bakery in downtown Bellingham. This was the first time we got to see the town & harbor. It has a wonderful, small town feeling and such a pleasant change from our city life. Chris left us at home and went off to work. Russ and I thoroughly enjoy the deeply forested Sudden Valley and can just sit and relax, having coffee and reading. Aaahhhh....
Wednesday we took the ferry from Anacortes to the San Juan islands. Docking in Friday Harbor, we walked uphill to explore the little town. It's rather quiet during this, the off season, but we had a nice time and a delicious lunch at Cask and Schooner. The hard cider was a treat; Chris took home a gallon jug
Thursday, Thanksgiving Day. We drive across the Canadian border to Vancouver, BC. It was raining in Bellingham and as we neared the city of Vancouver, it began raining even harder. So we decided to forgo biking through Stanley Park with a snack at Thomas Haas Chocolatier! Good choice!
Dinner at Bacchus in the Wedgewood Hotel was beautiful and gave us a chance we rarely get in Hnl, a chance to dress for dinner. Russ & I stayed true to form and had the turkey dinner. Wow! and with Chris' choice of wines, Yum!
Driving back to the USA, we waited in line to cross the border. So many Canadians were going into Washington for the late night/early morning Black Friday sales!
Friday morning dawned sunny and bright! Chris says, "we must take advantage of the good weather by hiking one of my favorite running trails in Sudden Valley."
After 1.5 hours, the trail looped back to the beginning. It was a good mix of flat, uphill and downhill. The forest is so green, peaceful and smells so clean. There were a few others hiking off their Thanksgiving dinner too. Time for some shopping--no we avoided the mauls. The little town of Fairhaven, also along the water, has many small boutiques, cafes, and even a running store. Russ got a pair of the new high-tech Nikes. He'll be much faster now. "Man Pies" for dinner!!
Saturday we shopped the Bellingham Farmers Market then headed to Seattle for our dinner in Ballard, but not before getting a pedicure.
Chris was gracious in letting me explore two shops that I'd read about: High 5 Pie and CakeSpy both in Capitol Hill. Then on to Ballard Ave. with so many little shops that we ran out of daylight!
Sunday was a lazy day, with lunch at Blue Fin Japanese Restaurant. The tempura udon was nice and hot and the broth delicious! After perusing Henderson's Books, and a brief stop at the Whatcom Museum, I was fading fast. So a nice walk along Bellingham Bay with a cup of coffee did the trick!
Our Turkey dinner from Trader Joe's. Just heat and eat!
Alas, time to go back to reality. Monday morning Russ and I packed, vegged out, read and enjoyed walking Oakcrest Circle. Not much cell reception here so we stayed close to the house. Since we would be sitting on a plane for 5+ hours, Chris suggested a walk around Lake Padden, then lunch at Old World Deli.
It was a wonderful, memorable Thanksgiving week. Thank you Chris!
Dinner at Bacchus in the Wedgewood Hotel was beautiful and gave us a chance we rarely get in Hnl, a chance to dress for dinner. Russ & I stayed true to form and had the turkey dinner. Wow! and with Chris' choice of wines, Yum!
