Old Haunts!

Writing has been on my list to do! With warm affection and relief I received a friend's comment today that she is glad I don't post too often. She can get overwhelmed when her inbox is inundated with update notifications from the blogs she follows. So when I finally do post, she looks forward to it and clicks immediately on the link. OK, she didn't say "immediately" but I'm sure that's what she meant!

So, I did return from Seattle and environs. We went in summer so I packed for the summer - a BIG mistake for Grays Harbor County which is out on the coast, about 2 hours from Seattle. That's where Brian's family is from so it's always a part of our itinerary. No matter the time of year I will never make that mistake again - bringing layers from this point forward. Westport, WA is making itself more of a destination location (for the summer months!). They already have a winery, where my my favorite is the Mermaid Merlot. We've been several times and for those of you who like sweeter wines their Duckleberry Grunt and Bog Berry Blush are dangerously drinkable! New additions have been added to the repertoire in this coastal town. This time we we went to a local brewery (out of someone's barn) with our daughter and her fiancé, Jeremy. Both Jeremy and Brian are into beer so there was much anticipation and enthusiasm about this outing. This was my first beer tasting event, and a very positive one!
I do have to say that after some tooling around town we then stopped at a coffee place - more my cup of "tea"! The Tinderbox was inviting, well appointed and had some killer caramel brownies!! Not to mention the necessary and invigorating espresso I relished. All in all, good family time and the younger generation also showed us new tips and tricks for our technology productivity! Always appreciated. :)

After a week, we were onto Seattle. Surprisingly, we were able to take a couple sightseeing opportunities! I had really hoped that this trip would allow for sometime downtown and it did on 2 occasions!! Naturally, we went to one of my favorite places - Pike's Place Market. There is a relatively recent addition to the area. Yes, it's the Gum Wall - absolutely disgusting! How the idea got started I have no idea. Unfortunately it, the idea, was well embraced and expanded beyond one wall. Much to the chagrin of many businesses I'm sure. Thankfully, this wall is not part of the main flow where people walk. The picturesque produce and colorful blooms are still in place, along with the creative eats and tasteful souvenirs, albeit a bit pricey.
We also made it down to the waterfront. An old haunt for both of us since we worked downtown is Ivar's Pier 54 fish bar, where the feeding of seagulls is encouraged! It was a must for lunch that day. Seattle has added a huge ferris wheel as one of the waterfront attractions. The area is still an awesome place for people watching, wandering the shops on the piers and great vistas of Puget Sound and the Olympics.

We had a wonderful time catching up with family and friends. However, whether or not you have family in this area, I hope you take a trip to Seattle at some point in your life. It's laid back, breathtaking, and has a ton of activities both inside and out. For the best weather go in May, August or September.

Seattle, Where Coffee is King!

In one of my more recent posts, East vs. West, I mentioned I was from Washington State originally - where coffee is king. Actually to be more specific, the castle and, therefore, throne room for this king is in Seattle. I was born and raised in Seattle - I love Seattle. With that being said, I'd like to also say Seattle is the best place to be from! It will always be one of my "homes."

Granted each city is unique; although being a coffee enthusiast, I so appreciate the coffee culture there. In this regard, Seattle is like no other. I found a blog post/article about this wonderful city that I'd thought I'd share in part.

Seattle, The Caffeine City of Gourmet Coffee.
For a lack of better description, Seattle is indeed Caffeine City. Hence it is no wonder that as an avid gourmet coffee drinker, I could not believe my good fortune on my first business trip to Seattle a couple of years ago. The impression is still so vivid, it is like just yesterday. I got up early morning and took a walk near the hotel. The moment I stepped out of the front entrance, a tantalizing, wispy, coffee aroma enveloped and welcomed me. The entire city seemed to permeate a strong coffee culture, perhaps due to the fact it is the birth origin of a certain large international coffee chain.

It does continue and you can read more as the author, Sarah Osborne, wafts her way through the aromas of my beloved Seattle.

In case you might take a trip to Seattle in the future, here are a few of my favorites around town. Pike Place Market is probably my top pick, but you have to be ready for lots of people. Nonetheless, the sites, sounds and smells are amazing! Maybe you'll see a flying fish, and that's no fish story! An added benefit to this area is the oldest location of that "certain large international coffee chain" - Starbucks and another great one nearby. Not far from Pike's Place is the waterfront area with all manner of shops, restaurants, an arcade pier, ferry docks, Ferris wheel, harbor tours and great people watching opportunities. If you want to get out on the water I'd choose a ferry ride to one of the islands and then explore the little town at the other end, getting ice cream to cap off the excursion. The Space Needle is a classic and not to be overlooked, like that's really possible! ;-) For the museum goers, my top three are the Seattle Art Museum, The EMP (music) Museum and the Museum of Flight.

Well, those are a few ideas. Enjoy your time! I'll be there in a couple of days, maybe I'll see you there?!

East vs. West

The battle of the coasts. Before I launch into a discussion about cultural differences, I hope everyone bears in mind that stereotypes are gross generalizations which have a basis in fact or they wouldn't have become a stereotype. However, no convention of this type is true across the board. There are always layers, derivations, and definite exceptions. The United States is big; we can't deny the "regions" within it. I have a friend who was born and raised on the east coast. In fact, she lives there to this day. When she heard I was moving to "her" side of the country (my term not hers!), she found the concept difficult to imagine. For her, it was easy and enjoyable to visit the west coast but she didn't think she could ever make the switch. And this comes from a woman who has lived in The Netherlands, Hungary, Greece and Albania to name a few places!

On the other hand, since it was Florida in particular, I reasoned the differences would be minimized. I never saw Florida as fully east coast, nor did I consider it part of the deep south. It was neutral in my mind and rather nondescript. Silly me!

The west coast has it's own stereotype, I know. California takes that image even further. Although I have to say that the typical image of California applies more generally to southern California - image obsession, plastic, tanned, and liberal. There is no doubt that I am a product of the west coast environs (Washington in specific), where the living is laid back, recycling is nearly an addiction, and coffee is king!! :-) Granted the coffee is needed to keep the chill off and give a little spark to another dreary day. (However, for me it'a a comfort drink wherever I am.) I would also say that although we are friendly, we are not a warm group of people. Northern climates don't lean in this direction - there are layers to us just like our sweaters and coats!

Now, on this (the east) side perceptions are a little different. I'm still learning about this area so my thinking could change in the future. At the moment, I see "the south" here in customer service - warm and personable, and going to church is a commonplace part of life. As far as "the east" goes, people are more pushy and passionate. Lastly, the driving is just schizophrenic. Either they are beyond aggressive or mighty pokey. Perhaps the "pokeyness" brings out frustration and therefore aggression.

Tomorrow it will be a month since my arrival. Let's face it - I'm a newbie!