Seattle was three months of raindrops, coffee mugs, old friends, oysters, mountain glimpses, late night happy hours, crowded streets and discovering people that truly loved their city. Some of the best people in my life have fallen in love with this place and I couldn't call my self a traveler without exploring everything Washington had to offer. I've been terrible at blogging during this assignment- so I'm going to spare you the rambles and just play the highlight reel. Ready? Go.
Our ADORABLE little house in the neighborhood of Ravenna. Our basement apartment was simply the cutest. Not gonna lie, house jumping is one of my favorite things about traveling.
Yep. View from our back deck. Not too bad, Seattle. Not too bad.
Cue basic Pike Place Market pictures....
By far my favorite day in Washington was this one. For my Christmas gift, Caleb surprised me with a day on the water harvesting oysters. We packed our bags with lemons, cocktail sauce and white wine. After a ferry ride, a long drive and waiting for the tide to roll out-- we waded into the ice cold water. At first we didn't see anything and we wondered if we had come all this way for nothing. But all of a sudden we came upon hundreds of fresh water oysters. Minutes later, we were sitting on the beach, shucking oysters and sipping wine. After weeks living downtown, a whole day on a deserted beach was so needed. Though there is a certain beauty to the bustle of the city, Caleb and I have realized on this assignment how much we crave our solitude.
Hogwarts? Or the most fantastic library at University of Washington. I'll be Luna.
Route planning! I love each assignment. But when you get down to that last month- all I want to do is stare at maps and day dream....
Can I freak out about this little Bavarian mountain town for a second!?!? If you ever wanted to go to Germany for Christmas just go to Leavenworth-- or go to Germany-- because that would be cool too. But really. These lights stay up well after the holidays so us die-hard winter fans can stroll down the tiny streets, sipping hot chocolate and giggling with glee over the Christmas charm. No really- I could barley contain myself.
Outdoor brewery fireplace? Christmas lights? Great Beer? Yes. Yes. And Yes. Always. Thanks.
Yes Seattle is awesome. Loved it. So much character packed into this city. BUT--- this assignment had something that none of past ones have had, and none of the future ones could ever had. FRIENDS!!! Dear, dear, dear friends from all the best parts of my life. My oldest friend Megan moved out here with her hubs a few years ago. We met at 4 years old and have more childhood memories than a Mary Kate and Ashley movie. Growing up- I knew she would just be the greatest mom one day. I knew this at like age 7. When I found out she and David would be welcoming their first while I was in Seattle- the stars just aligned. Weeks of watching the bump, and then waiting, waiting and waiting some more for Hudson appear were days I treasured. It felt like our friendship had come full circle. And meeting that little guy Christmas day? Pretty. Stinking. Great. Traveling over the holidays is always hard- but this year, we felt like we were with family and will always be grateful for the time we got to spend with this fam.
And that adorable fuzz ball? Yeah that's Grizzly. I know right?
Another Seattle fave is my high school best friend- Kate. This girl basically embodies everything cool about Seattle. You think we travel hard? Enter miss international. Her grace and zest for life makes me feel like I missed the class in school that taught how to be effortless and carefree. She photographed our wedding and continues to kill it in the city with her incredible talent. Honored to know her and three months in her zip code was clearly not enough. But I think the years of friendship have proven that zip codes don't matter. Also- we should have just been each other's prom dates.
My fellow state hopper, my constant, my most intentional friend, Jessica. Her support and companionship over the years is one of the dearest things in my life. She's in med school, I'm a travel nurse and yet we text probably ten times a day. Whether it's a stupid thought, or a tear jerking trial- she is there. She is the epitome of friendship. And yes- we have dedicated one day a year for our friendship anniversary. Because relationships in life that bend and sway with where you are in your life are special. And our 36hrs together after her drive from Portland was enough to recharge my heart for a year,
*exhale* Seattle. You have been good for my heart, Thank you.