Sunflowers and Wine

So, we've been fortunate enough to have several days of pampering here in Union. Sunning on the deck, massages, reading, hot tub soaks, and on our final evening, with one more beautiful sunset to watch, Linda and her husband, Greg, invite us for a little wine tasting. Can it get better!?










As morning dawns, we reluctantly ready for our next adventure. Columbo, their very sweet dog, looks a little sad, as well. We know he'll miss us as much as we'll miss being here. We take one final stroll around our little haven with Linda and Greg, Columbo and coffee, and realize that, of course, Linda has placed fresh sunflowers in her side patio the morning before we arrived.













They each grab a shovel and watering can to aid in a very special planting this morning. Linda is wearing sunflower yellow for the occasion. In their beautiful garden, we are sure to have a sprouting, no doubt!


















Goodbyes are especially difficult this morning. But, in the continuing vein of helpfulness, Linda has connected us with a friend of hers who has a little beach cottage on the Oregon coast. We'll have yet another special place to call home for our initial trip into Oregon. It eases our departure having this comfort. And, we'll be in touch with these special folks for a very long time coming!
















As we exit Union, it is a must stop at the winery that produces the delicious wine we sampled the evening prior. Walter Dacon Winery is en route to the coast, just outside of Shelton, Washington. And, what a lovely place we find. Holly is our hostess as she shows us about and allows us to taste many of their beautiful wines, including the 2006 C'est Syrah Magnifique. (Be sure and click on this link, the website is really special as it includes several videos created by our new friend, Linda. They are really good! Especially take time for the Appanage and Robin Hood Restaurant video, you'll see why we loved it so!)


It is incredible and we purchase this and a few other for our long road trip ahead. The perfect finale for our Washington experience. This is a state certainly asterisked on our list. And, the Hood Canal area a dream spot. With all it offers, and Seattle less than two hours away, we will be hard pressed to find a more special place!

At Home in the Hood

Our plan in Washington is to make our home at the Hood Canal in the quaint artsy town of Union. The drive from Port Angeles along 101 south is every bit as beautiful as we've been told. Arrangements to stay at a little carriage house have been very easy as our hostess, Linda, has been more than welcoming in all of our correspondence.











And, what we find when we arrive is even more than we've been promised. Our little 2 BR place is adorable, stocked with all sorts of goodies and boasting a water view that's stunning. We are welcomed to Pebble Beach Place with a little tour around the property while we sip wine. A peaceful zen garden provides a quiet retreat, a gorgeous deck offers a hot tub and fire pit, and a wonderful dock sits and rocks on the water. We plan to spend many hours in all three places!


After a day of travel from Canada, we welcome our cozy respite, and rest very very well in wonderfully comfortable beds.



Fresh and ready, the morning brings yet another sunny day - we're being very spoiled with all this amazing weather - and enjoy a bountiful breakfast that has been provided as one of our many creature comforts.

Fortified, we venture out just a few miles to Twanoh State Park for a breathtaking rain forest hike. The trail traverses along a babbling creek and slowly climbs through the huge trees to the top of the mountain. We virtually have the path to ourselves this morning and savor the beauty that reigns in every direction. It's truly one of our favorite hikes. The beach across the street provides the perfect spot to set up our chairs and have a little picnic as we watch several sail and power boats have fun on the water.

As the afternoon warms, we saunter back to our little dock back at the house, sit, read and soak up the sun. We are so relaxed by day's end. A short drive for dinner at the Robin Hood keeps the day perfect. Lemon drop prawns, stuffed squash blossoms, grilled ceaser, and curried lollipop lamb chops provide scrumptious tapas tastings with a wonderful french wine. Excellent service and a darling atmosphere makes this one of our all time favorite restaurant finds. One more excellent recommendation by Linda!

A late night soak in the hot tub brings one of our most perfect days to a blissful end. Needless to say, we love Union, Washington. We may never leave!

Strait to the Mountains

Our final evening in Victoria brings a beautiful golden moon posing beside the magnificently lighted Parliament House - a perfect send off.




















The Coho Ferry whisks us away this morning and bring us back home to these United States. The route takes us across the Strait of Juan de Fuca, crossing the same waterway we've walked and beached for the past week and we arrive in the city of Port Angeles, gateway to the amazing mountain range at Olympic National Park.









A climb up Hurricane Ridge for a picnic in the same mountains we've eyed across the waterway is a surreal experience. The clear skies offer a view which feels like we can actually reach out and touch these soft peaks. It's breathtaking. The only way for a picnic!

Ferry to Bainbridge Island

More family to see and today a trip on the Washington State Ferry out of Seattle over to Bainbridge Island is our start. The skies are relatively clear for this area's standards and the route over presents some beautiful city scapes. It is truly a gorgeous sail.










Celeste's nephew, Sal, meets us at the dock on the Island side and begins a grand class tour of his haunts. He is an expert guide and I really enjoy this little town. Very green, very pretty.





The views of the Olympic Mountain range are evident everywhere and Puget Sound spectacularly frames. I'm thinking this is the best of both worlds here. A charming island, beautiful landscape, water and a quick ferry over to Seattle - this is the place!


We have a little picnic at a charming waterfront park and continue our afternoon back at Sal's home where we meet the ruler of the nest, Rocky, an adorable parakeet who entertains us thoroughly.


We're soon joined by yet another nephew, Tony, and the party begins.


Sal's adorable girlfriend, Demi, is the birthday girl today. Sal decorates her cake, we all gather and head to meet a great group for a celebratory dinner. A great, fun crowd and we all enjoy thoroughly. Celeste is in her element with all of her family around.

It's another full day and evening and we just miss an earlier ferry, so we have a bit of a wait to return to the mainland. (This, I guess, is one of the downfalls of this otherwise perfect place.) The lighted skyline welcoming us back is all we've heard rumors of and certainly worth the late hour.

We've managed to have the perfect send off for our ultimate journey ahead. Bags are packed and Vancouver is our destination for our sail away to the start of the ultimate Alaskan adventure.

Can you believe it? We're almost on our way!!!!

Streets of Seattle

Seattle is a delightful city and we take time this first morning to do a little exploring of the downtown area. We're told that a very interesting little tour of the underground is a must see and get a bit of history as well. There is more to Seattle than initially meets the eye, it seems.













































After the tour, we find more interesting sights before locating a small Irish pub to quench our thirst. This touring can certainly wear you out! Local brew and fish and chips gives us revised energy and we continue our explorations.





































Bonus today is meeting up with Celeste's nephew, Vince, and partner, Kyle. Both are absolutely adorable and the Pike's Market area a bustling and fitting place for a visit. We enjoy a rooftop experience before a rain cloud chases us away. The surrounding market and view of the sound both remarkable backdrops. Fun time catching up, laughter and a cocktail make for the perfect Sunday afternoon!





















Our stroll back to base camp provides a few more interesting scenes and we find that we have enjoyed our leisurely day in Seattle quite a bit!