Well that was awkward. I didn't post anything for the entire month of September.
Lest you think I was being lazy, it's quite the opposite. We'll start with the leisurely part of my month, where Patrick and I went to Seattle and Portland for a nine day vacation extravaganza to celebrate 10 years of marriage. Our actual anniversary was in May, but I like September traveling. Kids are in school, prices are lower, and temperatures are not just beginning to heat up.
We flew from CAE to SEA for $699 for two people (tickets bought about seven months in advance). Our Seattle itinerary included the Chihuly Museum, the Space Needle, riding the monorail(!), visiting family farther up Washington, and visiting the Fremont area.
Seattle
Can't visit Seattle without seeing the Space Needle! It wasn't as big as I thought it would be!
We stayed in Columbia City, southeast of Seattle and visited Flying Lion, their neighborhood brewery.
Patrick went to visit a relative, the Fremont Troll.
The Chihuly Museum was enchanting but a short visit.
Pike Place Market was different than I expected. Overall Seattle was a bit grittier than I thought, with much more of a huge city vibe and everything that comes with it.
Then we took the Amtrak train through the Cascades to Portland, OR. The train ride was gorgeous, inexpensive, and EASY. I highly recommend it but DO book your tickets as far in advance as possible, as prices do go up, as we found. Portland was a return trip for me, a first for Patrick.
PDX
Portland brought a lot of fresh meals, like this breakfast plate from Vivenne's Kitchen in the Hollywood neighborhood. Breakfast SALAD. I loved it.
The Portland Japanese Garden was as nature-y as we got on this trip. And let me tell you, we got our freaking hiking in on this one.
We also got to see Woody! And Kellie! They both used to live with us. It was so good to see them and it's like no time passes at all between us getting together.
I ate so much on this trip, but we also walked about 7 miles on average per non-traveling day.
Airbnbs
This was our Seattle Airbnb. This one was really nice. The bed was comfy, the bathroom was enormous, the shower was GLORIOUS, and the outdoor area was sublime. I ate some of their cherry tomatoes growing in the yard. We didn't hear or see these folks at all, that's how well insulated this thing was.
And this (the large house to the left) is part of our Portland Airbnb. This one was not as spacious or well appointed as the first but it did have a hot tub and the location is right across the street from a transit center, so lightrails and busses ahoy! It's also right next to the interstate, but that isn't a big deal except that Lyft and Postmates drivers have a hard time finding the house on the first try.
As for what else I've been up to, I'll dedicate a whole post to it later, but I am starting a business. I'm becoming a solopreneur, with a business license, an LLC, and a business bank account. Needless to say, I have been busy getting it off the ground and working full-time, plus my regular freelancing. Once everything gets settled with that I'll be back to blogging on the regular. I miss creating new recipes and sharing them!
I really, really needed that nine day break though. I didn't do any work on the entire trip and it felt utterly reviving. No real work, no freelance work, no business work.