PNW, PART II

In between PNW, Part I and PNW, Part II was a week in Whistler, which culminated in my PMBIA instructor certification (yay!), and also a painful hip injury (boo!). Even if I hadn’t sustained that injury, it was time for me to take a little break from the bike. I had been riding nearly every day since March 6th, and I was burned out (and, obviously, injury-prone).

Luckily, the stars aligned to meet back up with Jeremy. We booked adjoining sites at an absolutely beautiful waterfront campground in Anacortes, WA. And because it was on Native land and run by the local Tribe, it was actually affordable. Jeremy had never spent time in the PNW and I was excited to show him around.

There was a lovely paved walking trail that ran right through the campground and extended miles in each direction - one way into the adorable little town of Annacortes, and the other into a wildlife sanctuary. Since I couldn’t ride, I took great joy in walking miles and miles with the girls every day while Jeremy worked.

*The walking path to the wildlife sanctuary.*

*Kiva was confused, again, by everyday life, but also by art along the walking path.*

I was determined to make it out to the San Juan Islands during this PNW chapter. After a bunch of research, we decided to pay for the car ferry so we could bring the girls and we could explore more of an island than we’d be able to on foot. Orcas Island was the winner, and although it was quite chilly, it was a great day of exploring together.

*Sunday was not a big fan of the ferry.*

*We enjoyed the ferry trip much more than the girls did.*

*We hiked to the top of* *Mt. Constitution, where we were treated with this view*.

*We explored the historic* *Orcas Island Pottery, where we climbed a giant treehouse, and I handled every single piece of pottery in the whole place.*

*Who didn’t want to live in a treehouse as a kid?*

*This sunset was a beautiful way to end a fun day of exploring the island.*

The next day, I showed Jeremy around the Bellingham area, revisiting a few of the places that Karen and I had discovered. We started at the Farmer’s Market, drove the Chuckanut, explored Bellingham Bay on foot, and hiked with the girls on the Galbraith trails. We ended the day in style at a fun little brewery and another glorious sunset.

*Yes, that’s a whole flat of berries. For $9. A whole FLAT for only $9.*

How do you not love a brewery named “Wander”?

*Treats for humans and doggos at Wander.*

*I’m not sure exactly what I’m supposed to do here, but um, thanks for telling me?*

*Why is the little guy running away from the wave when he’s LEAVING the tsunami zone, but not when he’s entering it? I’m so confused.*

After several days in Anacortes and Bellingham, we made our way down to West Seattle to visit family. I hadn’t seen Brookes & James (son and daughter-in-law of my ex) since before COVID, which is completely unacceptable. Jeremy was able to join in the fun for a few days before he had to head back to work. We ate sushi, toured Pikes Place, and went for lots of walks along the harbor.

The West Seattle waterfront, less than a mile from Brookes & James’ house.

*Despite an absurd number of people, it was fun to play tourist.*

*One of the many fish mongers in Pikes Place Market.*

*Grilled cheese and beer? Twist my arm.*

*Brookes and Sunday had many in-depth conversations.*

*Brookes spoiled the girls with more toys and treats than they had ever seen.*

The big event of the visit was going to the Seattle Kraken game at Climate Pledge (a/k/a/ Amazon) Arena. Brookes and James have been season-ticket holders since the beginning, and they brought us as their guests. This was my first ever NHL game and it was a lot of fun. The fans are ALL IN - like, up to Boston sports fan level. We had such a good time just doing something totally different, and of course, spending time with Brookes & James.

*The Kraken didn’t win this one, but our seats were awesome!*

The whole visit with Brookes & James filled my soul, and I wish I could have stayed another week. Alas, I needed to start making my way down to Oregon for the next big thing on the schedule: bike mechanic school.

I had a few days to get there, and I desperately wanted to bring the girls to a real ocean beach. The weather cooperated (so un-PNW-like) and gave us a beautiful day to run and explore and play in the surf in Newport, Oregon. The most amazing thing about Oregon is that the shore is all public land - meaning that you don’t have to be a billionaire to walk along the water. We walked a total of 9 miles that day and could have walked another 10 if any of us had the energy.

*At the rocky end of Nye. We had fun climbing and playing on all those rocks!*

We camped for two nights at an award-winning estate cellar and vineyard deep in the heart of the Willamette Valley. Cardwell Hill Cellars was part of the Harvest Hosts program that I’ve written about in the past - camping is free if I spend $30 in the hosts’ establishment. Gee, um, I don’t think that will ever be a problem at a winery.

*I’m usually not a Pinot Noir fan. But this was really really good.*

*Sunset over the vineyard from the door of my camper.*

And that, my friends, is the end of this chapter of my PNW adventures. Stay tuned for stories from bike mechanic school and the Ashlandiest Place in Ashland.

PNW, part I

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