I was all over the place this week, quite literally. Monday, I jumped on a plane to spend most of the week in Florida for work. After work, instead of walks on the Powerline Trail, I found myself walking on the beach. They were short walks, since even with the ocean breeze the humidity and heat of Florida were a bit too much for me. Still, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed Florida, especially the delicious food, and the Cuban coffee a coworker made for the whole office on my last morning there. Our company is spread out across the country, and this was the first time we got together as a team in one office, and there was lots of good conversation and laughter. No one in the group had ever been to Washington, so they were all curious to know if it's really as cold and rainy as they'd heard. It's so funny to me to leave home and hear how by beloved green state is perceived.
Friday, I caught an early (too early - so tired!) flight home, with plans to head north that evening to spend the weekend visiting our friends in Bellingham. The one advantage to my early flight was that I made it home early enough for a long nap before Andy was home from work and ready to leave. We made it to Bellingham in time for dinner on the patio at Temple Bar with a lovely view of the sunset. Saturday, we started with brunch, as most good Saturdays should begin, and spent the rest of the day hopping between bars, breweries and coffee shops. Sunday, we got an early start for a hike to Heliotrope Ridge on Mt Baker. On our way, we stopped at Wake n Bakery in Glacier for coffee and pastries - with a phenomenal gluten-free, dairy-free pumpkin scone for me! The hike to Heliotrope Ridge was beautiful, although Andy and I didn't make it to the glacier since the last stream crossing was much higher then usual due to a rock fall and snowfield collapse. The raging chocolate milk colored stream was an unusual and worthwhile destination on its own!
Leaving home to a beautiful sunset
Sunrise from 35,000 feet over Florida
The lights of SeaTac after dark
Pastel hues at sunset
The food at this hole-in-the-wall Thai restaurant was so good, I ate there twice!
The bulk of my time outside work was spent reading in the hotel - it was a little too hot a humid outside for me!
Back in Washington & on the way north to Bellingham!
A little obsessed with the tile in the entrance to Bellingham's newest coffee shop
The espresso inside was absolutely delicious too!
Dinner & drinks with a view - I wish there were places like this in Redmond!
