Seattle/Portland 2010

Last week I went on a quick 3 day trip to Seattle & Portland.  I met up with my friend Kelly, who lives in Seattle, and my friend Jenn, who flew in from New Jersey.  We had this trip planned for months, but in God's providence it couldn't have come at a better time as the previous week had been quite hard on me (more on that in a later post).  I even contemplated not going, but I'm so glad and thankful that I did.  

On Thursday we took a ferry to Whidbey Island.  Kelly took me there several years ago, and it's just so beautiful. The weather was idyllic and we enjoyed a beautiful hike by the water.  Later that evening we had dinner on her rooftop deck that overlooks the city and mountains. 

After doing some consignment shopping on Friday, we drove down to Portland.  Have you ever been there? I love new experiences/places and Portland didn't disappoint.  It's laid back but lively, friendly, eccentric, quite liberal, and fun.  We spent that evening in the Pearl District and ate at Fenouil, a nice French restaurant with  the "best burgers in the world" according to my friends.  It was quite tasty.  Our hotel that night was called "The Ace Hotel."  It's a newer chain with a hipster style. It's best described as a cross between a hostel and a nice hotel ... very clean, unique & modern style, but we had bunk beds and shared a common bathroom with other guests (sounds gross but it wasn't at all).  

On Saturday we ate brunch at St. Honore, a popular, authentic, rustic, French bakery.  (I guess we were really into French food on this trip.)  Most of you know that I have a picky palate so this was quite a stretch for me, but peer pressure still goes a long way these days.  I pushed my limits and, without complaining, I gained a little more confidence in the food department (but still no ranch dressing, please?! : ) After eating, we stopped at a salon and I got my first ever pedicure. I really don't think that's a big deal but everyone seems to gasp when I tell them that. Did you gasp?  I guess that's my frugal and low-maintenance side coming out, but I just might be hooked!  Can we squeeze it into the budget, John?  Anyway, we spent the rest of the day/evening at the local street fair which, even after several hours, was still fun.  

We drove back to Seattle that night and I left the next morning.  Even though I wrote mostly about the things we did, the best parts were all the good talks, tears, and laughs.  Those moments just can't be described, but they're so memorable.  It was a great trip with treasured friends. 

(photos in random order)