Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

Couldn't have asked for a more perfect White Christmas for our first holiday here. Loving the snow - although a little nervous driving around in ice for the first time in a long time. Hope everyone is safe and warm!

It Was A Dark and Stormy Night...

Actually, it was a gorgeous night, but I thought that was a better intro for Halloween. Stayed the night at Thornewood Castle, an incredible property and gardens. The Presidential Suite hosted Presidents Roosevelt and Taft, among other dignitaries. An overnight is required for a tour and to experience the benevolent ghosts for yourself!

Happy Birthday to Me

Been out of touch for a spell - had relatives in town for a few weeks, which gave us good excuses to get out and see even more of the area. And it was my birthday - thanks to Anthony's on Pier 66 for a wonderful celebration.

We also managed a drive up to Anacortes to do some late season whale watching - that's late season Orcas, early for the rest, from what we understood. Check out Island Adventures for an unforgettable trip.
And of course, October marks the beginning of king crab season. Shout out to the boys on the Time Bandit. Come home safe.

Cherry Pie...and a Damn Fine Cup 'O Coffee

On the way out to Ellensburg to hunt the elusive blue agate, couldn't help but stop in North Bend to see the area made famous by a cult phenom of my era called "Twin Peaks". The area is every bit as striking as it was in the 90's and the food still worth the drive. For fans of the show, there's a great blog with Then and Now shots of the series most famous locations: http://www.intwinpeaks.com/

And no...we did not find the blues - but will return!

Locks of Love

Spent the day wandering about town - Fremont and Ballard to be exact. Checked out the Fremont Sunday Market - quite interesting. Then ventured over to the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks. This is something you don't see every day - unless you live in the Panama Canal Zone:

These are the boats waiting in line for their passage (note water level before and after)...

Okay - so it loses something in translation. What doesn't get lost in translation is the incredible calamari at the Lockspot - don't miss it if you're in Ballard.

Mad About You

Took a drive out to Mt. Rainier National Park yesterday. I can't describe how absolutely beautiful this place is, so here's a link to some photos:

http://picasaweb.google.com/marklaura.walters/MtRainier?authkey=tUxfQ0E5ySk#

Needless to say, you should go. The Park Service even has annual passes good at all National Parks for $80 per passenger vehicle. And there is a volunteer program for those wanting to spend more quality time on the trails and lend a hand in keeping these magical places preserved for generations to come.

Wonderful Weed

Pics: Blackberry bush in my yard = non-viable product. Blackberry Vino from this year's Blackberry Festival = very viable (and delicious) product.

Getting out and about to see some of the local sites - ended up at the Bremerton Blackberry Festival this past weekend. For any of you who haven't been you really should. I've not considered myself a huge blackberry fan to date - but this gathering truly expanded my frame of reference for just what this wacky weed is capable of. The wine is especially good, and available at the festival (and some local grocers) for a limited time only.

Maybe next year, I'll raid that bush and perfect the blackberry-chello.

B.S. - Before Seattle

I have arrived! First visiting the Pacific Northwest more than 15 years ago, I knew then I wanted to live here - and have been on a quest ever since to move back. Having finally made the transition, I wanted to start a blog to relay impressions from having "Gone Native" in the city I've been dreaming about for so long.

So here it is! I hope others will freely rip off the Gone Native - Your City blog idea and start giving the lowdown on all the great cities of the world - whichever happens to be your passion.

For the moment, it seems as if my B.S. life - Before Seattle - never really existed...or existed in some far off other lifetime (like bad relationships). Having spent the past two and a half weeks getting settled into an old farmhouse I rented on three acres just a stone's throw from downtown (or at least it seems so from where I came from - Houston), I can barely recall my life before being here.

First impression - there are thousand shades of grey here - and every one of them is beautiful.

Pic - view of the sunrise from my back porch.