Just for the fun of it

Northwest Trek

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So, after many years of wanting to experience Northwest Trek in Eatonville, WA, it happened. We missed seeing the moose calves by a week 😦 but enjoyed seeing bison during the Wild Drive. Much of the time spent was viewing and learning more about black and grizzly bears during Bear Camp. The rangers and those that educate and take care of this beautiful park are amazing – Thank you! Grab a bite, bring in a picnic, get some swag, take a walk amongst the park’s trails, and enjoy the nature around you.

For more info and tickets, see https://www.nwtrek.org/

nwtmap_7-22-webDownload

Hood Canal Experience

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Last minute road trip in the #pnw Puget Sound area. Great weather. The Olympic Mountains showcased their beauty.

Seattle to Union to Bainbridge Island.

Stopped at Bent Bine Brewery in Belfair, WA. Enjoyed Skogkat Red and took one to go.

Sleep, Dine, Self Care and the natural beauty of Alderbrook Lodge & Spa area. https://www.alderbrookresort.com/

Love my https://eqpdgear.com/ bags for travel and more.

Ridgetop Red…my favorite from Silver City Brewery in Silverdale, WA. The beer is good on tap or in a bottle. https://silvercitybrewery.com/

My intention was to stop at Bloedel Reserve but cell service isn’t the best in this area and they require entry tickets purchased online in advance. https://bloedelreserve.org/

Japanese American Exclusion Memorial, Bainbridge Island. Volunteer Carolyn is priceless. https://bijaema.org/

Bruciato – enjoy your Napolitano style pizza, cutting it with scissors. Bainbridge Island on Winslow Way E. https://www.pizzeriabruciato.com/

Bainbridge Island Art Museum. https://www.biartmuseum.org/ Especially loved the Indigenous artwork of Peg Deam (Suquamish). Go! Experience this lovely exhibits and all it has to offer. I really liked that it is all current work.

Ferry ride makes for a true #pnw experience. https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/washington-state-ferries

Living the best life when I can.

Local Appreciation Day

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Pike Place Market is celebrating all things local. January 28th started it off with a shopping bag (love it!) giveaway for the first 500 shoppers who spend $50 or more at the shops and restaurants in the Market area. Entertainment was showcased too.

There will be weekly prizes throughout the month of February. 

So, go and experience the Pacific Northwest vibe and shop local. See the charms, the gum wall too. Participate. We did.

pikeplacemarket.org

October

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October is not the same around the globe. Those of us in the Northern Hemisphere may get the cooler temperatures and change of color, seeing the beauty of the yellow, red, or orange. And then there are others where the rainy season ends and the dry season begins.

There is something incredibly nostalgic and significant about the annual cascade of Autumn leaves – Joe. L. Wheeler

You ought to know that October is the first Spring month. – Karel Capek

Here’s to October!

Alberta, Canada

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Oh, Alberta. It’s on the bucket list of many and it certainly is, was on mine. September 2022.

The beautiful Canadian Rockies. Within four hours reach via airplane. It is worth it and a must see.

Canmore. A resort town of sorts. It definitely is a place to consider home. A great community to stay while you’re exploring the area. A favorite for brunch, breakfast was at Graze. https://grazefoodanddrink.ca/ The Graze Egg Classic was all-around fabulous. Hats off to the chef who contributed, did it all.

Banff. Walk the town. Take in a meal. Do the Banff Gondola. See the sunset. Have a bear (or a beer) at Three Bears Brewery https://threebearsbanff.com/, a lunch at Nourish (especially if you’re vegan). The Boss Bear Burger was a hit as well as their cocktail of the day. https://www.nourishbistro.com/. And for a real treat, have dinner at The Bison. https://www.thebison.ca/ The ambiance with the live music and the tasty meal is a showstopper. The Bison Burger, The Bison Caesar (pork belly croutons) and the Sunrise Meadow cocktail and Black Sage Cabernet Sauvignon was a hit! We missed seeing the elk herd walking the streets of town. https://banff.com/banff-gondola/

Check out the Jasper National Park… Icefields Parkway. The glacier blue lakes, the exquisite cliffs and jagged mountains against the blue sky. We took the trip to https://icefieldsparkway.com/ https://jaspercolumbiaicefield.com/ Staying here would be an amazing experience at the right time of year https://www.banffjaspercollection.com/hotels/glacier-view-lodge/

Lake Louise. Walk the trail or get in a canoe. Take in a bite and a view at the Fairmont Chateau Hotel. https://www.fairmont.com/lake-louise/ I can recommend the Candied Farmers Vegetable Bowl. So good.

Don’t miss out. Plan ahead. Enjoy the beauty, the landscape, the destination.

Dogwood

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“Soon everywhere, with glory through and through,

The fields will spread with every brilliant hue.

But high o’er all the early floral train,

Where softness all the arching sky resumes,

The dogwood dancing to the winds’ refrain,

In stainless glory spreads its snowy blooms.”

– Dogwood Blossoms. George Marion McClellan

Taken from the North Cascades National Park Service Complex post…Pacific Dogwood are in bloom throughout the park! Its white pedals are found throughout the park such as campgrounds and the North Cascades visitor center.

This may be a Kousa dogwood… check out the varieties here: https://www.thespruce.com/twelve-species-dogwood-trees-shrubs-subshrubs-3269662 Late May 2022, Renton, WA

Deception Pass State Park

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So, Deception Pass State Park. The most beautiful multi-beach park beauty. I want my ashes spread at Rosario Beach, Deception Pass State Park…one day. Whether it be the views of the waterways, the rocky beaches and the walking trails, views of the most beautiful area of the world. #pnw It is peace and it contains Rosario Beach, Bowman Bay, North/West Beach of this beautiful part of the Pacific Northwest. I may edit this but on this last day of April 2022, I need to celebrate and share my pics of 04.09.22. It was a very windy day. A few of these pics are of La Conner, WA too. A great starting point of a beautiful #pnw day.

https://stateparks.com/deception_pass_state_park_in_washington.html

Of Winter’s sunset and fog

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On a mid-January day, Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park was a great landing spot for views of Lake Washington, the Olympic Mountains, fog on the water and the beginning of a sunset worthy of viewing. The Puget Sound area was entertained by colorful skies and fog that continues to show itself.

In nature, everything has a job. The job of the fog is to beautify further the existing beauties! – Mehmet Murat ildan