Fall City, WA Tall Chief Campground

Seattle Visit—I was excited to visit Seattle. Pike Place Market was something to behold. There was a fish market, flower and produce stalls, and many food options. There also were crowds at every turn. Being gluten-free left me without many options, but the excitement of the market was enough for me. The Space Needle had long waits, but the ride up to the top was worth it. The panoramic views of the city were incredible, and at one time, there was a restaurant. I would have loved to have dinner overlooking the nighttime glow of the city. A must-stop is next to the Space Needle – Chihuly Glass Museum. The creativity and the vividness of the colors used to create these glass masterpieces leave one in awe. There are exhibits throughout the country, but this is one of the most extensive collections I have seen.

Snoqualmie Falls—One of Washington’s main attractions is this 268-foot waterfall over granite cliffs. There is an overlook where you can see the falls from the top or enjoy the view from the bottom. We started from the top and hiked down to the bottom. A parking lot is at the bottom if you’re not in the mood for a hike.

An unforgettable kayak ride on the Snoqualmie River – I love kayaking down a river, enjoying the sun glistening on the water and the birds singing above.  What I don’t want is getting wet.  I am not a great swimmer and prefer to stay dry throughout the trip.  Mitch knows this and ensures even my water shoes don’t get wet.  Yes, it sounds like a prima donna, but it’s my reality.

This time, not only once but multiple times, he and I both landed in the river through no fault of Mitch’s excellent kayaking skills.  It was a malfunction of the equipment.  We have an inflatable kayak, which has been great for the last five years of our journey. However, our luck ran out.  As we floated down the river, we noticed the kayak was not as sturdy.  You guessed it!  We had a leak and no pump.  It was challenging to maintain our balance.  The first rapids pulled us in, and we had no maneuverability.  We tried to get to shore, but we both went into the water.  Thankfully, the water wasn’t deep, but we contemplated what to do next.  There was no way to cross the river, and no soul was around for help.  My boy scout husband resorted to manually blowing into the value to try and get some air into the tube, hoping it was sturdy enough to get back into the kayak and make it back to the boat ramp.  We had to stop a few times to inflate the kayak manually, but we made it back, albeit falling into the water while trying to get in and out. When we returned to the ramp, we both looked at each other and laughed, knowing this was the unexpected part of our journey. The positive highlight of this trip was seeing a mother and baby harbor seal for the first time.

Side Trips—Leavenworth is a Bavarian Village nestled in the Cascade Mountains. It has quaint, charming shops and many restaurants featuring German cuisine and locally brewed beers. Christmas is a central event in this small town; many come from all over to experience the Christmas spirit exuded by the local community.

Woodinville – Our trip wouldn’t be complete until we visited Washington’s wine country. While Walla Walla is the leading wine area, Woodinville offers over 100 tasting rooms. We stopped at three for the day. St. Chateau Michelle was the most impressive, but we enjoyed Darby Wines the most. The host was attentive and amusing, and time passed quickly. It also had a hidden room, which added intrigue to this local winery.

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