On the Sound

Seattle. I looked forward to this trip for weeks, for the sights and sounds. It all started with Lucero playing at the Tractor in Ballard, May 22. Sure, we could have seen them in San Francisco the week before, but it seemed like a perfect excuse for a quick trip up north.


I woke up in Capital Hill, The Maple Apt E. Cute 1-bedroom apartment with a deep bathtub perfect for soaking in. Walking around in Capitol Hill is like walking around in Jersey, lush plants, tress, flowers and shrubs everywhere. Community gardens in every neighorbood. Old brick apartment buildings. And of course the views of the Sound, the Space Needle and the mountains in the distance. Yes, I could live here.


Friday, 7:30 a.m., the air is fresh, the sky is blue, and we can't find a place to have breakfast up the hill so we start heading back down the hill. 8:00 a.m. still can't find anything open so we have to go further down the hill until we end up at Glo's. Mental note for next time, eat a bigger dinner so you're good till 9:00 a.m., at least.

Elliot's Oyster House supposedly has a progressive happy hour where starting at 3:00, oysters start at $0.50 and go up $0.25 every half hour. I think though, the trick would be get there at 2:00 along with all the other tourists and not 3:30. Luckily, Elliot's isn't the only spot on the wharf to serve up oysters.

Lucero at the Tractor rocked!

After packing up the car Saturday morning, we head down to Juanita's for breakfast at a respectable hour of 11:30. Veggie omelette with half cooked veggies wasn't quite the culinary delight I hoped by the shot of Bailey's in my coffee was just what I needed.

The drive through Whibey Island was spectacular. And although the saloon in Langely was not open (until Summer!?) lunch on the rooftop and shopping in the Star Store was a perfect stop as we continued towards Coupeville. It probably had a lot to do with the weather but Coupeville was the idealic waterfront town with its historic homes, fresh cut grass, and everyone walking around with ice cream cones. And the best part, our spacious studio with views of the sunset over Penn Cove ...yeah, I could live here. We strolled into town for a few cold ones and rather mediocre food at Toby's Tavern. Well, we certainly had to treat ourselves to some rockie road ice cream after that at Kapaw's Iskreme. Savoring each lick on the walk home, it's so obvious why people live here.

Sunday morning began with a basket of goodies Charlotte left outside the door which we took to the patio overlooking the cove to feast on, baked eggs, bagels, yogurt with granola and fruit. We headed out after noon and hopped the ferry over to Port Townsend, another quaint historic port town. After lunch, we began the long return back to Seattle, heading over Deception Pass.

We rolled up to the Fairmont tired, thirsty and hungry. We took Julie's recommendation and headed back up to Capitol Hill to Oddfellows. With tall boys and a full bar, this was just the place we needed. Mac and cheese, steak, pork chop and greens, we were stuffed. It was until after we asked for the check that we realized our fatal error, we hadn't left any room for homemade chocolate pudding. We contemplated sitting there until space became avaibable but we would have been sitting a very long time. After a stroll down the hill back to the Fairmont, we slept well our last night in Seattle.