The Mortgage Porter

Sunday Drive to San Juan Islands

We recently took a family vacation and celebrated my husband's birthday with our teens in the San Juan Islands. San Juan Island is beautiful and really not that far away from Seattle if you catch the non-stop ferry out of Anacortes.

Gardens at Roche Harbor.

The Mausoleum and exploring the history of Roche Harbor is a must when you visit San Juan Island.

Lighthouse at Lime Kiln State Park where you can watch whales in a distance.

Our ferry back home was delayed so we were able to spend a couple hours in Friday Harbor bowling and enjoying some ice cream.  Here's a link to more photos from my San Juan vacation.

Walla Walla Weekend

Earlier this month we decided to travel to Walla Walla for a "wine weekend". The scenic 4-5 hour drive from Seattle takes you over the Snoquamie Pass via I-90.  I relied on an app from the WSDOT on my Droid to provide us up to the minute pass conditions and information on traffic.

We like to stop in Ellensburg for lunch at the Yellow Church Cafe; I recommend their burgers and the tuna melt.   Ellensburg is a wonderful old town and my husband went to Central so it's a fun place to stretch our legs before heading on towards Yakima (another great area of wine country in Washington) before reaching our final destination.

Some of my favorite places we visited this trip are Rotie Cellars, Seven Hills, El Corazon, Basel Cellars and Zebra Cellars.

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express which is actually just on the outskirts of Walla Walla.  If you want to be more in town so that you can walk to different wineries and tasting rooms, you may want to check out a local B&B, the Marcus Whitman Hotel or another location.  If you have a favorite spot to stay at in Walla Walla or wineries to visit, please comment and let me know!

Next time we're planning on visiting Red Mountain.  Col Solare is pictured above and they require an advanced appointment tastings.

Check out more of my photos of our road trip to Walla Walla.

Sunday Drive to Mount Baker

We decided to spend the long Presidents Day weekend at Mt. Baker with our kids for a short family vacation.  We rented a condo at Snowater, in Glacier, just minutes from snowboarding, skiing or inner-tubing in the beautiful scenary of Mt. Baker.   The condo at Snowater is located just off the north fork of the Nooksack River and did not have internet access or cable tv...yep, we were unplugged for the weekend and it was wonderful!   Snowater does have other ammenities (indoor pool, ping pong, etc.) which our kids really enjoyed.  A majority of our time was spent on Baker. It takes about 2-3 hours to reach Mt. Baker from Seattle.   Do check driving conditions (chains may be required) for Baker.

 

 

Check out the more of my photos of our Mt. Baker Baker vacation by clicking here.  By the way, I used my new Sony Bloggie (pocket camera) to capture these photos.

Seattle Scenes

Just a few photos I caught with my Droid-X while we were cruising through Seattle today.  With the "s" word in the forecast, we stopped by REI for some mittens and other warm winter wear.  

The first two photos are of Seattle's historic Steam Plant.

 

 

 

You can just see part of Qwest Field, where the Seahawks and Sounders play, to the right of King Street Station from Pioneer Square.

Take a Sunday Drive to Alki Point Lighthouse in West Seattle

The Alki Point Lighthouse in West Seattle is open to the public on weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day. 

 

Here's the panoramic view from the top! 

It's an amazing bit of Seattle history and a beautiful place to visit.  Established in 1887, the current tower was first lit in 1913, the lighthouse will be celebrating her 100th birthday in a couple years.  

Come check it out before Labor Day!   Here are more of my photos of the Alki Point Lighthouse in West Seattle.

Sunday Drive to Andrew Will's Winery on Vashon Island

 

 

Last month we had the opportunity to go to Andrew Will's 2007 Release Party on Vashon Island.  My husband thought it would be funny to do a "play on words" with my Sunday Drive series...so the video above is of me..."driving"!

Andrew Will's winery is fantastic and typically not open to the public.   It is a large "compound" and at this event, they serve great food including brick oven pizza along with sampling the wines.   This is unlike anything you'll find in Woodinville.

I highly recommend this event...I believe you if you sign up to be on Andrew Will's mailing list, you may receive an invitation.   And the wines?  They're fantastic!

You can check out more of my photos from Andrew Will's 2007 Release party by clicking here.

Puyallup's Fall Art & Wine Walk is next Saturday

This is a guest post from Kevin Nehls, friend, client and co-owner of Dog Daze Natural Pet Market located in Puyallup, Washington.

Come on out and stroll around downtown Puyallup for the Fall Art & Wine Walk which will take place on October 3, 2009 from 3:00 - 7:00 pm in downtown Puyallup.

This is a great chance to get out and enjoy a wonderful downtown atmosphere while enjoying some excellent wines and admiring the art scattered around the downtown area.  This season's theme is influenced by the Beatles, "Come Together", is exactly what this event all about. 

The inspiring piece of art for this year's theme is titled "I Am Saved" created by Jack Widmann, Vice Principal at Kalles Jr. High.  This piece of art is comprised of 190 pen and ink drawings, with each drawing representing the artist's impression of a single Beatles' song.  The entire piece, when assembled, is a composition of the Beatles. 

While strolling around to the different shops, sampling fine blended wines, you will be treated to music by the famous Haggis Brothers as well as works of art created by members of Valley Arts United and Arts Downtown.

This season the Fall Art & Wine Walk is also supporting Multicare's Grannies Attic through a children's clothing and toy drive.  Please bring any new or gently used clothing and toy items to the participating downtown merchants who will have a sign in their front window or bring items directly to Grannies Attic anytime they are open.

Tickets are $20 per person and you get a commemorative wine glass and 8 drink tickets.  Additional drink tickets are available for $1.  Tickets can be purchased here.

Sunday Drive: Skillet's Gourmet Streetfood

Hopefully you won't have to drive too far to find Skillet Streetfood...in fact this mobile delight travels throughout the week to several Seattle neighborhoods, including West Seattle, Queen Anne, Capitol Hill, Fremont, SODO, Bothell and Redmond.   

Last weekend, I decided I could wait no longer...I had to check out the infamous Skilletfeaturing gourmet bites created in an airstream trailer. 

My nose found Skillet before my eyes did at the West Seattle location just a block or so away from the Farmers Market.

I had the Steak Sandwich with a Melon Mint Fresca.  It's not cheap eats--it is "gourmet" and very delicious.  The fries are perfection.

   

You can read more of my review and others on Yelp by clicking here.  

Sunday Drive: Southbound on the Alaskan Way Viaduct

I enjoy driving down the viaduct...northbound is prettier than heading south in my opinion but I love this old structure.  I'm going to miss it when it's gone and I think it's really concerning that our elected officials have no regard for the citizens who voted to keep the viaduct.  Instead, they are blazing ahead with plans for a tunnel.  Why vote when your officials don't honor the voice of their citizens?  Adding insult to injury according to this article, Seattle homeowners may get the bill fo cost over-runs.  Your thoughts?

Just as some have boycotted Safeco Field for similar reasons...I will not drive in the new tunnel when/if it happens.   You can read many article regarding the controversy of the viaduct vs. the tunnel here.

A Sunday's Drive to Seattle's Georgetown

Just south of downtown Seattle, you'll find historic Georgetown.  My husband and I decided to check it out a few weekends ago in search of authentic Italian style pizza.  The restaurant we wanted to go to was closed (we'll go definitely go back and give you a full report) but we're not disappointed.

Georgetown was settled in 1851 and became it's own city from 1904-1910; fighting annexation into Seattle to avoid prohibition.  This is the home of the old Rainier Brewery, reported to once be the sixth largest brewery in the world.  Portions of the brewery remain and are office and space for artists.  Airport Way  and  the side streets are lined with shops and restaurants.   We wound up at Smarty Pants for "beer, booze and grub".  Actually we opted for a very spicy Bloody Mary and brunch.  I had a breakfast burrito and my husband could not resist The Trouble Maker.  It's a great spot and I look forward to checking out other restaurants in this neighborhood. 

Georgetown is also home to Hat n' Boots which is located at Oxbow Park between the 6400 block of Carleton Avenue South and Corson Avenue South. 

Speaking of Corson...I understand The Corson Building is a new restuarant featuring a chef who was featured as one of Food and Wine's top 10 new chef's of 2007, Matt Dillion.  Reservations required...well in advance.

Want to know more about Georgetown?  Check out these links:

Blogging Georgetown

The Georgetown Neighborhood

More of My Georgetown Photos on Flickr