Red Wine and Chocolate

Spent a lovely Valentine's Day on Whidbey Island enjoying the Red Wine and Chocolate Tour of some local vineyards. It's a trip worth tasting! http://www.winomagazine.com/blog2/?p=821

Falling in Love

Visited the beautiful Snoqualmie Falls yesterday - just breathtaking. There is also a lovely hotel that sits on the edge of the Falls - the Salish Lodge & Spa http://www.salishlodge.com/ - definitely worth a stay if you're in the area.

Happy 2009!

Spent a lovely evening out on the Sound watching the Space Needle fireworks display, courtesy of Argosy Cruises. http://www.argosycruises.com/themecruises/default.cfm#NYE

Some video of the show - thanks to Northwest Cable News:

http://www.nwcn.com/video/featured-index.html?nvid=317818&shu=1

Hope everyone has a wonderful New Year and an uplifting 2009!

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!