Victoria, British Columbia

A couple years ago, I asked for my birthday gift
to be a weekend in the "City of Gardens".

Getting to Victoria: We took the COHO foot ferry which leaves from

Port Angeles, this is the cheapest, quickest route and arrives at the 

downtown harbor.  A lot of travelers prefer the convenience 

of the Victoria Clipper leaving from the Seattle waterfront, 

their package rates that include a hotel can be worthwhile.

The not so impressive, but prettily pink view from our room.

Ocean Island Inn was a memorable experience. Our first impression
was that by the end of the weekend, we would contract a foreign disease
and with awkwardly thin walls, whispering would be required. In the end,
not having a TV, we talked more and played tons of gin rummy. 

We decided our vacation budget would be spent on the ferry, 

lodging and dining, so we filled our itenerary with free things, hence: 

touring the Capitol Building.  It was pretty fascinating and educational.  

If you have the funds, Victoria has a lot of great museums. 

Everyone wants to have tea at the Empress, but $51 per person wasn't
for us. We really enjoyed our tea and scones at Murchies on Government
St. They bring you a tray with your own individual pot and the 

scones sprinkled with powdered sugar come with whipped cream and jam.

 We got some delicious rich lattes here a couple times, 

their beans roasted by Chicago roaster Intelligentsia. 

Sleek decor, you just feel cool being there.

 Old architecture

 Maybe the only two story McDonalds in the world, 

and probably the only one with a chandalier.

We rode the bus to the Oak Bay neighborhood, which tour guides
claim to be "more English than England itself". We got an AERO bar 
at the drug store and relaxed a few minutes in the park, 

I admired the Tudor homes surrounding us.

 Always interesting live entertainment at the waterfront.

 Love this guy.

This alleyway was so romantic.

 According to Wikipedia, the city's Chinatown is the second
oldest in North America after San Francisco.  They had a great 
farmer's market, I think it was on Sunday afternoon. 

 Bastion Square was probably my favorite filled with restaurants 

and outdoor seating. We ate at Irish Times on the corner--so much fun.

And of course, it's always good to get home.

Other stuff we learned:

• The Blue Fox Cafe, recommended by locals, on Fort Street is worth the walk.
• Don't get up early for breakfast, the entire town sleeps in.
• Be prepared for panhandlers to approach you on every street corner, actually everywhere.

Victoria is a unique corner of the world filled with beauty and culture, I hope you'll get a chance to go!

Bremerton

I spent a lot of my childhood in Kitsap spending the night at my Grandpa and Grandma's house, celebrating holidays with Aunts, Uncles and playing with so many cousins it's not even fair, but it wasn't until I was an adult that I discovered downtown Bremerton while on a boating trip with my husband's family. My father-in-law tries to make it to the Blackberry Festival every Labor Day Weekend to enjoy a scone.  This is a fun hop on the ferry for a Saturday afternoon trip that will keep you busy for a couple hours.  I always enjoy sitting by the fountains, if I remember right, there is a water show set to music on the hour, you will definitely get your fill of "Chariots of Fire" if you are there for an extended stay. :) If you're lucky enough to be there on a Friday night in July, you might enjoy catching a flick as part of the Movies on the Roof series. Bremerton has worked hard to recreate their image and make themselves a destination--good job guys.

 You can watch the ferries come and go

 USS Turner Joy Ship Tours

Fritz European Fry House

For more photos and reviews click here.

A good place for a cup of independent Joe.

Other eating and drinking opportunities include: Starbucks, Subway, Cold Stone, Taco Del Mar, Anthony's Homeport, One World Bagel and Pizza Co., New Delhi Indian Cuisine, and Daisy Fish and Chips.

If you want to extend your visit, you might enjoy taking the foot ferry across the bay to Port Orchard for more  gift shopping.

For Bremerton Ferry Schedules click here.

Winslow, Bainbridge Island

For an on foot day trip, consider taking the Seattle Waterfront Ferry to Bainbridge Island. This 30 minute scenic ride across the Sound, transports you from the hectic city to quiet sea life. Coming from the terminal , you will be greeted by Winslow Way, the main street through town lined with boutiques and restaurants. No matter what your interests, there is a store for you: Antiques, Books, Yarn, Candy, Paper, Clothing, Home Decor, Toys and Sports. They do a good job at making everyone feel at home here, whether you are the earthy, organic type or the retired, classy type and of course anyone in between.  We particularly enjoy finding candy from our childhood at Bon Bon Confections, stopping in at the Town & Country Market for their fabulous olive bar, and coffee with pastries at Blackbird Bakery. They host a Farmer's Market on Saturdays from April-October. One place we like to go for a little bit of nature is near the Marina, heading West there is a short walking trail that follows the harbor. My favorite place in all of Winslow, it feels like you're in a fairytale book.

For the rafter...

 For the crafter.

 It's hard to find seating here, which tells you

 a little something about their pastries.

For live music on weekends check out

www.pegasuscoffeehouse.com

For all things Winslow visit:

http://www.bainbridgedowntown.org

Vashon Island

The Puget Sound gems are it's islands with their picturesque harbors and town centers.  Vashon and Maury make up the largest island in the south sound.  You can get there by ferry from Fauntleroy in West Seattle, Point Defiance in Tacoma or Southworth in Port Orchard. It is most convenient to take your car. We have gone on foot with our bikes, it is a pedestrian friendly place with a metro system, just be prepared for steep hills and a long ride. There are more than a dozen parks, including the Point Robinson Lighthouse with a beautiful view of Mount Rainier.  The town of Vashon is charming with small shops: Books, Local Art, Quilting, Gifts, Home Decor, Coffee and Tea, and several independent Restaurants and Burger joints. Thriftway is great grocery store for packing a picnic, they have a fun selection of bottled sodas. There are a number of small businesses along Vashon Hwy SW, take the time to stop, they are delightful. 

  Picnic at Dockton Park. We were able to pick up a map 

in town which had more information than Google Earth.

Disc Golf at Burton Adventure Recreation Center

http://www.vashonparkdistrict.org

Jeremy and Locals agree this is the best coffee on the Island.

http://www.tvicr.com/

 The largest selection and best designer fabric I've seen.

Our traditional cup of coffee at Cafe Luna.

Probably my favorite spot on the island,
the drive between Tahlequah and Burton along the water.

Oh, and be sure to notice the Deer signs!

For Ferry Schedules and Fares: www.wsdot.com/ferries/schedule

For Events, Shopping and Dining on Vashon: www.vashonchamber.com/

Port Townsend

As a little girl I loved going to Port Townsend for family events, seeing the Victorian homes and dreaming of moving there someday and opening a Bed and Breakfast. A few years ago we drove there on a spring Saturday and set out to find the best coffee and cafe in town. We walked up and down, back and forth, in and out of every coffee shop and restaurant and finally decided on a single room, second story pizzeria, which I cannot guarantee, but according to Google maps, and I am pretty certain is called "Waterfront Pizza". They had Trivial Pursuit cards on every table to play while you waited for your order. The coffee shop we HAD to sit in because of their cool barstools at the window, was Tyler Street Coffee House, which served Cafe Vita, one of our favorite roasters.  There is a great kitchen shop, and a completely organic store. Who knew clothes could be organic?? I didn't.

 Be sure to drive a few miles north to Fort Worden State Park to see Point Wilson Lighthouse and a West side view of the Sound.

 You can take a ferry across to Whidbey Island from the downtown.