I love the smell of salt in the air. I find the scent of the sea intoxicating.
I ended the month of August by leaving Canada and meeting John on the Olympic Peninsula. We spent the first two nights visiting his family in Port Townsend. His family owns The Public House, a great restaurant right by the ferry. John and I spent a beautiful, blue sky day exploring Port Townsend. I really like this town. The beautiful Peugeot Sound and a lovely harbor on one side, and Olympic National Park on the other. Paradise.
After leaving Port Townsend, John treated Kodi and I to a cabin right on the ocean in La Push, WA. Anyone who reads the Twilight series of books knows this area, next to Forks. Although we didn't see any vampires, we still managed to have a wonderful time. The sunset that evening was one of the most incredible I have ever seen. The sheer beauty of it actually brought tears to my eyes. Very romantic!
After La Push we headed to the city. We stayed on Bainbridge Island, not far from the harbor and the ferry. It was such a refreshing break to park the car (I mean Gypsy wagon) for 3 whole days and just walk and ride the ferry to get around. We were brave and went to Pike Place Market on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend. Although the crowds were a bit overwhelming we had a really great time. We even figured out how to get free shots of gourmet espresso right at the market! (Sur la Table) We ended our time in the city by having a nice late lunch and a couple of beers at a table overlooking the sound.
Our last few days together John and I took it pretty easy. Just wandering around Bainbridge Island, hanging out at coffee shops, visiting friends and family and learning to play chess. I have always wanted to learn chess and I am finally getting around to it. Thanks to modern technology John and I can have an ongoing game of chess on our phones. So far I lose every game against him, but have hope that in 10 or 20 years I might learn enough to beat him!
After taking John to the airport and sadly having to send him back to Colorado, I headed south. My friend Trish, who I know from working together in Colorado, lives most of the year in a beautiful home overlooking the Columbia River Gorge. I've always wanted to visit her in the summer and am grateful I have the opportunity this year. This area by the Hood River valley is very bucolic.
With Mt. Hood looming stunningly over the horizon, vineyards and orchards everywhere, the lush abundance is striking.Tomorrow I am off to Portland for bookstores and gardens. Everyone has told me I have to visit Powell's bookstore, and the Portland Japanese garden is world famous. I'll also be visiting family in Portland that I haven't seen in 25 years! I'm sure none of us has changed at all!
After Portland I'll be off to the Oregon coast for a few more nights of camping next to the sea. I need to smell that wonderful sea air one more time before heading back to my landlocked home.
With Labor Day over, the summer is winding down, and so is my trip. A month from now I'll be back to work. In the meantime, I'll savor these last weeks.
