a night!
Day 2: wake up early because you have lots to accomplish today. Grab a coffee at Batdorf & Bronson downtown and then shoot over to the REI store to pick up some outdoorsy gear (or a super cute fleece-lined red sweatshirt dress, which will keep you warm and look fantastic with your brown riding boots this fall) and while you're there, decide on a few new hobbies. Then, stop by the Olympia Farmers' Market for fresh local produce and salmon for your dinner later on. For lunch, indulge in some really, really awesome crab-cakes benedict from one of the market vendors. Make sure to wander down to the boardwalk and look for starfish and harbor seals in the water before you leave. After lunch, stop home to put on your hiking boots and head out to Mount Rainier National Park for a mid-afternoon hike. Spend as much time as you need gazing at the mountain and all of its glorious scenery (this could take a lot of time). Drive back into the sunset, pick up a bottle of local Washington state wine at a grocery store and since you're probably starving from your busy day, whip up a delicious and nutritious dinner feast from your farmers' market goods when you get home. Goodnight!
Day 3: city day. No need for coffee or breakfast because you're going to have both of these things at Pike Place in Seattle. But if you want, stop for a Starbuck's on the way. You are in Starbuck's country, after all. This way, when you get to Pike Place, you can head straight for Pike Place Chowder before the big lunch line starts growing. I also recommend Le Panier, to indulge your coffee and pastry tooth (pain au chocolat like they can only make in France, I do not kid). Spend as much time as you need wandering the market, soaking in all there is to see; people watching, and sampling produce. Be sure to chew a piece of gum, bring your hand sanitizer and stop by the fascinatingly-disgusting famous gum wall in Post Alley. Add your specimen to the gooey mess. Stroll downtown for a little retail therapy. Then go down to the the Seattle waterfront and sit on those yellow adirondack chairs on the docks. Afterward, swing by the Edgewater Hotel for a couple happy hour drinks and appetizers (you have to try the mussels, the best. the. best). Leave the city about 2 hours prior to sunset so you can make it to your final destination, the Alderbrook Resort (and Spa), in time to watch the sun set behind the Olympic mountains and the Hood Canal. Spend the rest of the evening sipping wine by the fire and stargazing up at the crystal clear milky way.
Day 4: are you exhausted yet? Well, this is your rejuvenation day. I recommend a trail run in the morning before checking out of your really, really lovely accommodations. Its worth the fresh pine air in your lungs, and you'll see some very lush forest with really really big trees, if nothing else. Head in to the teeny tiny town (think, post office, deli and tex-mex restaurant and not a lot else), for a 3 egg breakfast scramble and coffee at the Union Square Deli that will cost you about $6 total...try and finish the whole thing, I dare you. Indulge the rest of the afternoon, soaking up the last of the summer sun on the Alderbrook dock, or by the pool. Watch the harbor seals swim by, skip stones until your arm is sore and take a swim in the (cold and salty!) Hood Canal. Polish off a most excellent weekend with a margarita on the deck of Dos Margaritas and try your best to memorize the incredible mountain and water scenery that surrounds you.
Perfection?
ps. some of these photos are borrowed from my friend Jodi, who came out to retreat from busy life and soak up some friend time. Thanks for everything my dear Jumbo. Love you lots and lots.
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