The ride over is only 30 minutes and we spent it in our car with the windows partially down. It's a lovely view the entire way so we felt thoroughly spoiled and happy. We didn't really stop in Kingston. We just headed straight for Poulsbo. It was adorable (Thanks Angie for the recommend). We were super hungry so we both got to enjoy some yummy Norwegian Pastries (or just normal ones) at Sluy's Bakery.
After Sluy's we decided on some hot chocolate at Odin's Brew (haha). It warmed us right up. We walked the rest of the street but most everything was closed since it wasn't quite 10. Thankfully it was near enough to 10 that by the time we got to the other side of the street some shops had opened up. We went to the best bookstore I've ever been too (Liberty) and we also went to a cute little gift shop. We picked up some chocolates and saw a really neat little shop that had all sorts of naval and manly stuff in it (pipes, telescopes, captain's wheels, etc).
After we tore ourselves away from Poulsbo we headed south through Bainbridge Island so that we could get the ferry that would take us into the heart of Seattle. That ferry ride was a little longer and a little colder but still lovely.
We had conflicting directions from locals so we ended up making some silly mistakes but we eventually got it all straightened out. We paid an arm and a leg for close parking to Pike's place but it was so neat we didn't mind (plus it was really close which was great for Mom). I desperately wanted a wool sweater (I think it was Alpaca) but they didn't seem to have my size. Maybe next time. We got to see the guys throwing the fish but it wasn't that exciting. They only did it because people wanted them to, not because anyone was buying anything. All the food and all the shops were really fun but it was lunch time so we really wanted to eat. We left Pike's place with our hands smelling like chocolate (seriously, it was amazing) and we headed to Ivar's.
Everyone kept telling us that it was impossible to park near Ivar's so we were a little leery going over there. Turns out there is a parking lot right across the street from it. It was expensive but much better than fighting for street parking. We ordered the Calamari, clam chowder and fish and chips. They were delicious and we loved every bite.
We tried to tour Seattle after that. We got to see the space needle which looks much smaller in person than it does in photos. Then we wanted to head back downtown. I might have taken a wrong turn and we might have ended up under a tunnel and on a bridge where we didn't mean to be. Eventually we turned ourselves around and decided to just head for our next stop. Thankfully we did because traffic was a mess. Between the rain and the city traffic getting to our next hotel was a little stressful. I always pick the wrong lane. We got into Vancouver WA later than we anticipated. And since we had such unhealthy (but delicious) meals we decided to skip dinner and just snack, if we wanted. Our hotel was so adorable. It was a lodge and it had the logs, the cedar shakes, bird chirp noises in the hallways, Pendleton wool blankets on our beds, coyotes on our lights and best of all: a balcony of our very own. It was perfect.
Throughout the entire trip I kept telling Mom how I could see myself living in each of the places we visited. I think the place I would most like to live would have to be Poulsbo, or the island in general. It was so cute and so small and not overly crowded. It was also beautiful and hilly and just plain lovely. Maybe one day. I would settle for living in Vancouver WA though. It's pretty nice, even if it is just right off Oregon.
I can't wait until we can take a trip up to Seattle. Looks like such fun!
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