Sunny Night in Seattle

Sometimes it’s fun to be a tourist in your own town.  Last year I had bought an online deal for a helicopter tour for BK’s birthday.  We finally got around to redeeming it on a beautifully sunny March evening recently.  I had never been in a helicopter before – it’s a great way to see the sights:

Weekend on Whidbey

I always forget on easy it is to get to Whidbey Island and how its like a whole ‘nother world once you get there.  In February my friend Sara rented a big house for teh weekend to celebrate her birthday and it was so fun to go hang out and do nothing for 3 days.  Ok, we did a few things – we walked along water near Freeland, we drove north a bit to explore Fort Ebey & Fort Casey, we stopped by the Greenbank Farm and we walked through Coupeville.  Good times with good friends!

Bellingham

Back in June, My friend April convinced me to register for the Bellingham Bay Half Marathon which seemed liek a good idea since I needed somethign to kick my booty into gear again.  I knew I wouldn’t be able to run teh whole thing, but haven’t already done the Voctoria alf before with zero training  I knew I would at least finish.

Saara had also been convinced to sign up, so Saturday night we zoomed north, stopping Anacortes so I could take her to dinner at one of my favorite spots, Adrift.  As we cruised down the main drag we quickly realized we were not alone – thousands of bikers had infiltrated Anacortes as well.  Luckily the wait at Adrift wasn’t too bad and we got seats at teh bar which is always fun to watch them make delicious food in a tiny kitchen.  We shared some soup, fancy non-alcoholis drinks and then I had salmon tacos:

After dinner, we continued north to our luxury digs at the local econo lodge, and slept in a bit since teh Half didn’t start until 9:00am.  The next morning we got awesome, free street parking just a couple blocks from the start and were thrilled to see the sun poking out as the weather report all week kept showing big clouds and rain drops.  BK even bought me a new shirt to wear:

The race was great – really scenic route, busy but not so many people that you feel packed in, Sunny but cool.  It was windy in spots and did start to sprinkle on us a bit at the end, but we finished just under three hours which was goal and felt pretty good.  Erin, check out my medal

The very nice guys in the tattoo shop next to where we parked let us use their bathroom to change out of our smelly clothes for the  ride home which was lovely.  Then we met April & Ryan for celebration brunch before hitting Chuckanut Drive to journey home.  Saara had never been to Bow-Edison, so of course we had to stop at all my favorites, dodging the bikers and rain that was now falling heavily.   Lime-Polenta cakes in hand, we arrived back home without being too sore.

4th of July at Hobuck

Neah Bay

This past weekend BK, Kel, Kev & I headed out to the peninsula for a quick weekend getaway.  Kelli had found these super cute cabins near Neah Bay for her & Kevin to go surfing at, and since there was also a pull-out futon, me & BK were lucky enough to tag along.  You can check them out here:  http://www.hobuckbeachresort.com/cabins.html

We left work early and despite our best attempts to beat the traffic, it still took us a good 45 minutes to make the left turn onto the Hood Canal bridge.  But we made eventually and checked out the beach immediately upon arrival.  After the ridiculous heat for the past few days it was nice to cool down at the coast, although there was a distinct marine layer at Hobuck blocking out the sun and denying us a sunset.  K & K made us a spaghetti feast for dinner along with blueberry cobbler and then we began a marathon battle of some crazy domino game.

The next morning I made my world famous sour cream pancakes, and then the others suited up for some surfing.  While they hit the waves, I lounged on the beach with my book and music, and also wandered over to end of the beach stretch.  After a couple hours I went back to make everyone some lunch, and while feasting they decided they were done for the day.  Changed into fresh clothes we drove over to Cape Flattery, the most Western point in the lower 48 states.  It’s a short but picturesque hike out to the point.  From there we drove around the small village of Neah Bay, and then headed home for nap time and to finish our domino tourney (I won!).

The kitchen in our cabin just had two small burners so we had also brought my panini press, we served to be invaluable (thanks Mar!).  I had used it as a griddle in the morning, and now BK used it as a grill for dinner for a pork loin.  We also made some quinoa with carrot & zucchini, and then a yummy corn and sweet onion salad.  For dessert, i whipped up some Nanaimo bars.  mmm…  To cap off the night we watched Stepbrothers, which is dumb but hilarious.

In the morning, K & K griddled up some French Toast, and then they and BK hit the waves once again before check-out time.  Once the Jeep was all packed up again, we drove over to hike into Shi Shi Beach, supposedly rated one of the Top Ten “Wildest” beaches.  It’s a two mile hike to get in, and then down a short steep hill.  I was amazed by the number of folks hiking in to camp down there – it’s beautiful, but not much to do once you’re there. 

After hiking back out, we stopped in town for pizza since all the taco trucks were closed.  The pizza was good, but service was almost non-existent.  Once fed, we stopped the Makah Musueum for a quick  history lesson before beginning our long drive home.  With the reader boards touting a 2-hour wait at Kingston, we drove down to Bainbridge and hopped right on a ferry which was great, landing back at home around 9:00pm.  A fun, full weekend!

Bloomsday

2009 was finally the momentous year that Kelli had been waiting for: running Bloomsday on her actual birthday. So, on Saturday morning, Kel & Kevi Kev picked up me & BK in Kev’s new Jeep and we set off across the state to Spokane for the big day. We arrived into town just in time for lunch at the Milk Bottle. Despite talking a big game, BK went with a side of fries instead of Ice creams, so Lauren continues to reign as the Dairy Queen  

With some time to kill before family dinner and not many options for entertainment in Spokane, we stopped by the North Town Mall to see Wolverine (which was ok). Up in Colbert we took a quick nap in the Strawberry Shortcake room, then joined everyone upstairs for our traditional pre-Bloomsday dinner of lasagna, salad, garlic bread and layer cake. Yummy as always! Once the fam left, we watched How I met your Mother, a bit of the Sounders game, and then crashed, BK’s feet hanging off the end of his small twin bed…

It had been rainy the night before so we weren’t sure what to expect for race day. Luckily things turned out pretty well for us. As usual we parked near Spokane Arena, walked over the falls, and then went to find our designated areas. Kelli was in the highest group for our crowd, yellow, followed by Kevin in Green and me & BK in Orange. Since I hadn’t been running at all, I wasn’t expecting much which was fine. It s such a fun event I never care about my time. At 9:00am, the 51,000 participants slowly started taking off, I love seeing all the families and different groups participating, as well as all the bands and folks having parties along the route. It’s such a positive community event. After tackling Doomsday hill my hip was started to hurt so we didn’t run much after that. In the end we crossed the finish line around 1:45 – slower than usual but still fine. Picked up our light blue finisher t-shirts and found K & K at the coffee shop with Anne-Marie’s mom and Aunt. Unfortunately AME was sick and didn’t come down, despite all of our begging pleading.

We stumbled back towards the car, and back to Colbert for lunch and showers, we gorged on leftovers from the night before, then loaded up to head home. Since BK had b=never been to Zip’s though, we did pull off in Ritzville for milkshakes. Mmmm…

Anacortes

For the weekend, Mar, Sallie, Fede, BK & I headed up north for the Tour de Lopez bike ride once again.  Porkchop & Kevi Kev were supposed to join as well, but they instead jetted off to NYC. (You can read about the great New York Cupcake Quest here:  http://kelwarner.wordpress.com/2009/04/29/the-great-nyc-cupcake-quest/  ).  Since we had so many problems getting off of Lopez last year, we decided to try a new tactic this year by staying gin Anacortes and just walking on the ferry, which turned out pretty well.

Friday afternoon Mar, BK and I squeezed three people, three bikes and three sets of gear into the Jeep and headed north in hopes of making it to Bow-Edison before 7:00pm, when Breadfarm (http://www.breadfarm.com/) closes.  We made pretty good time as traffic through Everett wasn’t too bad.  As we speed along Chuckanut drive, it was going to be close.  We pulled up to the front door at 7:02pm!  Mar jumped out of the car to see if they’d still let us in an they said yes, so we quickly parked and ran.  They were totally mopping the floor so we just had to point and grab, but we got a loaf of potato bread and a couple bags of chocolate cookies (The Cocoa Nib ones are delicious.  The chocolate ginger ones were too gingery for me but the others liked them. 

From Breadfarm we headed back up the road to the Rhododendron Café (http://rhodycafe.com/) for dinner which was really good.  They had a three-course for $25 deal going on, so I got that with seafood chowder, salmon and ice creams.  BK did the same with Paella instead, and Mar got some veggies cakes and mussels.

Since we had the Jeep, we used the GPS system after dinner to take the backroads into Anacortes and found our super cute house.  Sallie had found it on Craigslist and we were the first guests so we weren’t sure what to expect, but it turned out pretty perfect for us.  It was about 10 blocks from Commercial Drive, with three bedrooms, bath, kitchen and living room.  The woman renting it to us actually lives there, but she had started fixing it up to rent too as she had recently lost her job and wanted to make some extra cash.  It had a southwestern décor theme, lots of bright colors, and a funky fun front yard.

 

Saturday was the bike ride.  Sallie & Fede biked to the Terminal, while we drove and met them there.  We stopped along the way for coffee where I spotted a sign for the monthly Iron Cupcake competition – awesome idea!  (Info:  http://www.alteredrecipes.com/ica_2.htm)

 

At the dock we joined the masses in line waiting to walk on with our bikes.  Arriving on Lopez I walked up the first part of the hill before hopping on to get over to the park for registration.  And then we were off.  All but Fede had planned to do the 31-mile route but as we got going, that prospect seemed bleaker and bleaker to me.  It was kind of cold and I didn’t remember their being as many hills at the beginning of the ride.  I was definitely struggling in some parts and quickly realizing that three rides on the Burke were not the same as having done this ride last year right after the Lavaman.  BK was feeling the same way (or at least being nice to me) so at the decision point near Shark Reef Bay, we turned to do the 17-miler instead of the 31.  The main factor for me was knowing there were more hills coming on the 31 that I knew I would struggle on.  I think if it had been warmer out I probably would have gone for it, but I was cold and tired and ready to be done.  It was still a good ride, just not as good as last year.  BK and I rolled into Lopez Village, parked our bikes and warmed up in Holly B’s bakery which I was delighted to see was open.  We loaded up on baked goods and then walked over to the BBQ.  We grabbed a table at the back to get whatever sun we could when it poked out from behind the clouds.  Slowly the rest of our group gathered and we all hung out around the Village for a couple hours since the ferry wasn’t until after 4:00pm.  We did have like 5 more miles to get back to the ferry though, so that warmed us up eventually (especially the last climb to the ferry dock) and the sun was out when we got down there which was nice.

Back in Anacortes, we took turns showering and then headed downtown for dinner at a spot called Adrift (http://www.adriftrestaurant.com/).  We had a bit of a wait which tired out our already tired group, but the food was well worth it – they have a wide variety and use lots of local vendors.  I had sweet potato and pork tacos that were yummy.  Back at home Sallie had brought some games to play, but we all crashed pretty quickly.

 

Sunday morning we packed up and drove back to Bow-Edison to visit the Farm-To-Market Bakery, home of the Lime Polenta Cake (http://www.insiderpages.com/b/3723386117).  I didn’t see any when we first walked in, but luckily they were just coming out of the over.  Mar, BK and I each bought two.  Mar and I also split a piece of quiche and a maple walnut scone that was also fresh from the oven.  (And the good news was BK & I would be back up there in a couple weeks for the Skagit Spring Classic and more yummy goodies!)  Sallie & Fede met us there too, but then hung around Edison while we took off through the Tulip fields.  We stopped at one daffodil field and tulip field for a few photos before hitting the highway home.

Other Local Faves

while we’re at it though, here’s my list that I recently gave to a new hire, with a couple additions from Shelby C:
Subject: Kendra’s favorite restaurants

Nice

All Tom Douglas restaurants:  http://www.tomdouglas.com/    (Serious Pie is casual though)

La Spiga: http://www.laspiga.com/

Flying Fish: http://flyingfishrestaurant.com/

Boat Street Café: http://www.boatstreetcafe.com/index.html

Matt’s in the Market: http://www.mattsinthemarket.com/

 

 

Casual

Volunteer Park Café:  http://www.alwaysfreshgoodness.com/

Pies & Pints: http://www.piesandpints.com/

Tamarind Tree: http://www.tamarindtreerestaurant.com/index.php

La Rustica: http://www.larusticarestaurant.com/

all Chow Foods restaurants:  http://www.chowfoods.com/   (Skip Hi-Life though)

Chinooks: http://www.anthonys.com/restaurants/info/chinooks.html

Divine: http://www.divineseattle.com/

Fu Man dumpling house: http://www.nwsource.com/ae/scr/edb_vd.cfm?ven=32332&s=nws

Baguette Box: www.baguettebox.com/

 

 

Ethan Stowell is making quite a name for himself – his restaurants aren’t my favorite but in case you want to check them out they are: Union, Tavolata, How to Cook a Wolf, Anchovies & Olives.

Same goes for Matt Dillon – his restaurants are Sitka & Spruce and the Corson Building

 

Haven’t been here yet, but I think it’s gonna be good:  http://oddfellowscafe.com/,  springhillnorthwest.com, http://www.table219.com/, www.spinasse.com

 

ADD:

Harvest Vine http://www.harvestvine.com/

Pair http://www.pairseattle.com/

Barolo http://www.baroloseattle.com/

Rock the Wok

Technically I haven’t gone anywhere to warrant a blog posting on my travel site, but I’m posting this info for anyone who may be traveling to Seattle, ’cause it’s a good list.  All credit goes to Mar, who has guest-blogged here before.  Heidi asked me for good chinese restaurants in Seattle, but I deferred to the real expert – here’s her list and commentary:

Question: Are the out of towners native chinese or non-chinese? Are they from a city with good Chinese food (Vancouver, SF, New York, Los Angeles)? If native chinese, then avoid places like Judy Fu, but otherwise, you could go to any of these:

My parents really like Chiang’s Gourmet on 80th and Lake City Way – by the old Mojito Cafe. It’s got consistently good food – my parents know how to order and also has the favorites that tend to be liked by most westerners. However, KMJ, they have your honey walnut prawns too.

Up north, there is T&T seafood, which is by the Ranch 99 but that’s getting close to Lynnwood

In Wallingford, a small place is Rocking Wok (near Stone Way and like 43rd or so, one block east of Stone Way). We went there a few times, but haven’t been lately. My parents are creatures of habit.

Judy Fu’s Snappy Dragon is good for some things – hand cut noodles, pot stickers, but caters more to a americanized chinese palate – not that I don’t like their food, I love it, but my parents tend to only like it for those things, less their main dishes.

Kendra is a big fan of Fu Man Dumpling House up in north Greenwood (Greenwood and 140th). Great dumplings, but no rice/meat/veggie dishes.

Over in Bellevue – there are more options cause there are more Chinese people over there, so over there off 520 beyond 405 there is Ming’s Chinese Garden, in downtown Bellevue there is Sea Garden (also in the ID). Top Gun used to be in the ID, but is now at Factoria. They are also quite good and have Dim Sum.

Down in the ID, there is Sea Garden for dinner, but for dim sum you could try Jade Garden – often crowded though. Dim Sum at Noble Court in Bellevue is good too.

I think our family consistently goes to Chiang’s Gourmet. We like them a lot. Hmm…I’m going to save this list.

Seattle Burger Wars

One Sunday morning a group of girls headed out in the rain to tackle three Seattle institutions and declare one as having the supreme burger.   Since one of the girls didn’t eat burgers (me!), the group also rated grilled cheese and onion rings. At each spot we shared one burger, one grilled cheese and one order of onion rings.  Below, please find our results:

Red Mill

Price $11.08/ $4.09/$3.34/$2.59 (total/burger/cheese/rings)

Burger got a 4.  Bun sesame seed and toasted.  good/fresh condiments on burger.  special sauce, unevenly distributed but good flavor.

Cheese got a 2.5.  Tillamook cheese.  wheat bread.  not evenly toasted.

Rings got a 3.5. 

Wait time 10 min.  Overall 3.75

 

Kidd Valley

10.76/3.65/3.65/2.69

Burger got a 2.5.  Sesame seed bun, not toasted.  special sauce like salad dressing.  toppings not as fresh.

Cheese got a 4.5.  American cheese, sour dough bread.  grilled evenly.

Rings got a 3.5.  not very oniony.  crumbly.

Wait time 5 min.  Overall 3.25

 

Burgermaster

11.90/4.39/3.79/2.99

Burger got a 2.  NOT sesame bun, yes toasted.

cheese got a 4.  good but not as good as kid valley.

rings got a 3.5.  even though they were frozen!?  not crumbly and more oniony.

Wait time 5 min.  Overall 2.  SICK!!!

 

Final Summary:  Red Mill, of course, was the clear winner for burgers, but Kidd Valley will always probably be my fave.  The most shocking point of the day was actually the downhill slide of Burgermaster – the one at U Village was just gross dirty, and not very economical for what you get.

Also Noted:  D’s bathroom trips.

Only two.

12:16 Redmill

1:47 Burgermaster