When the temperatures hit triple digits in Texas, nothing sounds better than being surrounded by water, mountains and evergreen forests.

These features are the staples of the Pacific Northwest. And recently, we have been blessed enough to be able to explore all up and down the Puget Sound.

Downtown Seattle

47.6062° N, 122.3321° W

At the point where the Pacific Ocean meets fresh water runoff from surrounding Washington watersheds, Puget Sound is formed. We learned that this sheltered arm of gentle ocean made for a beautiful and striking home for Chief Seattle and other Native Americans. Seattle was founded on this body of water in the 1850s and has since grown to encompass it completely.

what we did

Sky View Observatory | Rode an elevator up 73 floors (1,000 feet) to the tallest public viewing area in the Pacific Northwest. 360° panoramic overview of the city we will explore. We could see Mt Rainer, Bellevue, the Cascade Mountains, Mt Baker, Elliot Bay, the Space Needle and the rest of the sprawling city of Seattle. 

Elliot Bay Book Company | A cozy book store all wood and brick with reading nooks. Natural light and green plants fill the space as you roam around with a hot herbal tea, sourced from a local farmer served at their cafe. 

Red Hook Brewery | Popped in for a flight of the local brews. Mana Vault was both our favorites! The vibe is great and we made fast friends with two eclectic Seattle Natives. They suggested we eat dinner at one of the many Japanese spots, which we did and it was Worth it. There is a huge Japanese influence here in Seattle due to it being the closest port to their islands. 

Yoga | I love traveling to new cities and popping into their local studios for a drop-in class. I chose Sweatbox Yoga this time and wow they lived up to their name! 90 min hot yoga that renewed my entire world! Their instructors were so kind and they have a great locker room and showers for this drifter to rinse and get ready for a day of exploring. 

where we stayed

Capitol Hill District | Charming, accepting and you can honestly feel the love and unity here. We walked the Neighborhood full of green and popping off with blooms of all sorts of flowers I’ve never seen. It smelt divine! I respectfully foraged a few to press into My travel journal. Strolled through Cal Anderson Park during sunset where all walks of life played soccer, danced, picnicked, strolled their babies or sat against a tree reading a book.

Post Ave | An alley lined with red brick and Irish pubs. Centrally located on Mario Street Ferry Walkway, mere steps from the pier or the historic Pioneer Square.

where we ate

Capitol Coffee | gorgeous well lit coffee shop where we spent our quiet times two mornings in a row. 

Juice Box | Fell in love with this tiny spot that served the most delicious healthy meals! I will admit that I ended up eating there three times! Micro bowels, beet mash toast, Miso Oatmeal with chili oil and matcha lattes. I was so thankful to find “Kara approved” food on the go.

Jujubeat | Super place for some superfood! The staff was super friendly and was as likely to offer up some local wisdom as they were to serve us Cinnamon Oat waffles w/ COCONUT whip cream or a northwest harvest bowl.

Biscuit Bitch | we balanced out our healthy choices by diving face first into biscuit bitch! Serving trailer Park to Table Southern Inspired Fixin's and Kickass Espresso. I’ll have a Hot mess Bitch! (biscuit and gravy smothered in cheese and topped with a grilled louisiana hot link, and JALAPENOS)

Elliot Bay

47.6074° N, 122.3708° W

We adventured up Alaskan Way to the Seattle Aquarium, which hangs off the pier and merges with the waters of Elliot Bay. We slowly made our way through the exhibits with the perspective of being under the sea. It was the perfect harbor to spend a gray rainy morning.

ONCE THE SUN BROKE UP THE CLOUDS  WE CONTINUED NORTH UP THE BAY TOWARD OLYMPIC SCULPTURE PARK. LUSH GREEN GRASS WITH TINY WHITE BLOOMS, COTTON TAIL BUNNY’S DARTING ALONG THE TRAIL, WE TOOK OUR SHOES OFF AND EARTHED ON THE COOL GRASS. FOUND SOME SEA DRIFTWOOD TO LAY UPON IN THE SUNSHINE AND STICK OUR FEET IN THE PUGET SOUND WATERS, SO ICY COLD IT STINGS. MADE FRIENDS WITH A PROFESSIONAL ROCK STACKER AND WITNESSED A BALD EAGLE SOAR IN FRONT OF US. THE EXTRAORDINARY HAS BECOME THE ORDINARY! WE ENDED OUR THE DAY AT QUEEN ANN BEER HALL TO WATCH THE SUNSET OVER CALAMARI AND AN IPA.

Bainbridge Island

47.6249° N, 122.5210° W

We made our way to the Seattle Ferry Terminal and decided to take a day trip out to Bainbridge Island. We watched the Seattle skyline grow smaller and smaller the further we drifted into the Puget Sound. Soon we approached the forested Bloedel Reserve with pine trees, Blue Herons and sail boats. Its gardens and trails landscape this small art city and we walked the water front featuring views of the Cascade Mountains and Puget Sound. We enjoyed Alaskan cod caught on a line fish and chips overlooking the harbor. Later we were treated to some live music at the charming Pegasus Coffee. Rode the  35 minute ferry back to Seattle during golden hour. 

Pike Place Market

47.6085° N, 122.3406° W

As the sun burst through the Seattle clouds creating a perfect weather day, we geared up and hopped on Jump bikes to cruise up Waterfront to the bustling open market. It was filled with fish, fruits, veggies, donuts, buskers playing their fiddles, flowers and people from all over the world. B and I had a blast picking out massive and gorgeous bouquets for his clients and then we love bombed them as we strolled on foot to deliver the arrangements to their office buildings. Popped into Beecher’s Handmade Cheese Shop and Market Spice for chef inspired ingredients to bring back to the Buse kitchen.

Orcas Island

48.6331° N, 122.9290° W

How we got there

We hopped a ride on the Amtrak Cascades northwest to the corner of Washington state. While on board we reserved tickets on the Anacortes Ferry and after a quick exploration of DeCeption pass, we were boarded and enjoying brie cheese and salami with crackers in the warm sunshine as we chugged up the Puget Sound.

After a quick stop at Shaw Island to drop off other passengers, we had arrived on Orcas Island, the largest of the San Juan Islands. Heaven on earth! It was so quiet, all you could hear were birds singing so we spoke to each other in a whisper, it only seemed right. We stayed in a picture perfect cottage on an island where mist from the sea rolls over the tall pines. We drove down dirt roads lined thick with an enchanted forrest, past orchards growing apple trees and spotted blacktailed deer eating the fallen fruit. Old classic trucks are parked near moss covered homes, manicured to perfection with perfectly stacked firewood.  

We followed Old Pottery Road into the Mystical Woods where the speed limit is 10mph and the pines grow so close that I could reach out and touch them. At the end was a charming pottery shop with gardens and a view of the ocean. We climbed in theIR tree house and took an hour to pick the perfect mug to take home with us. 

One morning, we ventured out to Deer Harbor Marina to see about some whales, before we new it, we out at sea with a couple of sailors who gave us a tour of this piece of the ocean. At one point out on the Salish Sea, we spotted Canada in the near distance :) Bucketlist goals were achieved when we followed a humpback whale around for an hour as he breached and dove deep to eat.