Seattle TravelGram

Dennis and Nola Palmer get "Sublime" ready to transit the Chittenden Locks. Photo: Scott McMurren

Nola and Dennis Palmer took me for a brief boat trip on their sailboat “Sublime”. We motored from the boat yard on Lake Union, through Hiram M. Chittenden (Ballard) Locks to Puget Sound. From there, we motored north to Shilshole Bay Marina. The locks are fascinating! Check out the video! Great day for a boat ride!

Whoa. Great sail on the Washington ferries around Puget Sound. Above, coming in for a soft landing at Mukilteo aboard the m/v Cathlamet. First, from the Seattle terminal over to Bainbridge Island. Then, up to Poulsbo and over the Hood Canal floating bridge. I had time for a cup of coffee at “Better Living Through Coffee” in downtown Pt. Townsend before catching the ferry over to Whidbey Island. From there, it was a scenic drive over to Clinton to catch the quick ferry to Mukilteo. From there, it was a 25 mile drive back to the Homewood Suites. One great road trip=one great ferry system. Watch the video!

Honestly, we love these guys at Kenmore Air. Above, the “Metrosexual” Turbo Otter (DHC-3) pulls into Victoria’s Inner Harbour after a flight from South Lake Union.  Fly to Friday Harbor, Port Angeles or dozens of other destinations around the San Juan Islands and British Columbia.

Now, you can earn Alaska Airlines miles when you fly with Kenmore Air. Under the new agreement, you get 250 miles for each segment. Earn double miles (500 miles per segment) between now and May 31. You have to register at Alaskaair.com to qualify.

Plus, there is a 2-for-1 ticket in the Seattle TourSaver for flightseeing around Seattle with Kenmore Air. Love it! Watch the video!

Oh–we had a nice visit to the Homewood Suites on Pike Street. Mind you, there are a couple of Homewood Suites in downtown Seattle. One is over on Western Avenue near the Seattle P-I building. Our home-away-from-home is just upstream from the Washington State Convention Center on Pike Street (MAP). We dubbed our experience “My Suite Life” ’cause everything was included: daily hot breakfast, free dinner/beer/wine reception four nights per week, free wi-fi…the works. Check out the video–and be the first on your block to enjoy “My Suite Life”!

Seattle and the Northwest region is known for its wonderful restaurants. Seattleites are extremely picky when it comes to seafood. Because of the many types of fish harvested in the nearby waters we demand fresh seasonal fare. Whether your choice is fish, clams, crab, oysters, mussels or a variety of other salt water treats you will find it well prepared at McCormick & Schmick’s.

McCormick & Schmick’s has always proven to be a great choice for lunch or dinner. Each individual restaurants menu is printed twice daily, featuring the signature “Fresh List” highlighting an impressive number of fresh seafood verities to choose from. If you want something other than seafood your choices are impressive also.

Pictured here: Perfect for the “crabby eater” in your group. The “Crab Tower” at McCormick & Schmick’s.

There are three locations in Seattle and one in Bellevue that each have a cozy friendly atmosphere. My favorite location is on Lake Union in Seattle where the you can watch Kenmore Air Seaplanes landing or taking off between sailboats on the water.

The Northwest is one of the most beautiful regions in the world. I am here to give you some ideas on the clichéd stay-cation, because really…there’s no other place to stay.

What’s that? You say you’re looking for a whale of a vacation? Then you want to scurry up the I-5 freeway from Seattle and and take a beautiful Seattle ferry ride over to the San Juan Islands, one of the Northwest’s premier destinations for whale watching. This little slice of heaven not only gives you the all-in-the-wild Sea Worlds experience, but takes your breath away with sublime serenity and reminds you to appreciate the simple things in life.

Consisting of 172 islands, the San Juans are nestled in the jigsaw puzzle of land and sea between Bellingham and Victoria, BC Canada. The four main destinations are Shaw, Lopez, Orcas and San Juan Island. While each of them boast their own unique charm and splendor, it’s the combination of colorful history, outstanding hikes and outdoor activities, quaint lodging and incredible restaurants on the namesake San Juan Island that I will give you a peek into now.

The first thing you’ll want to do is set up your whale watching excursion, the most famous and popular activity on the island. About 90 endangered Orcas make their home in the San Juans, and while whales can be seen year-round, they are most commonly spotted between May and October.

Let the expert guides from San Juan Excursions take you under their wing… uh, flipper. Take your pick from a three-to four- hour boat tour or a kayaking adventures from San Juan Island Outfitters.  Whichever you decide, the guides make sure you get an education by interpreting the natural history, geography and wildlife during the leisurely trip.

Roche Harbor

To set your own pace, rent a moped from Susie’s Mopeds and tour the entire island’s many vistas and attractions. One of the best places in the world to view the whales from shore: the Lime Kiln Point State Park, aka “Whale Watch Park.” Bring a picnic lunch and sit on the shores during the whale watching months and you’re sure to see a pod or two.

If you decide to make a night of it in Friday Harbor, lay your head down at the Harrison House Suites or the Tucker House Inn Bed and Breakfast and Cottages. Both are two blocks from the ferry, have a water view, kitchenette and are pet-friendly. Be prepared for a deep sleep on the luxurious lines and a mouthwatering breakfast made each morning by the friendly inn owners.

As the sun sets on the harbor, take advantage of the idyllic setting for a romantic meal. Check out the Duck Soup Inn, where owner/chef Gretchen Allison will craft you a meal from scratch. The delicate flavors of this Northwest cuisine will leave you craving more.

With enough time, you’ll also be able to trek to the other end of the island and explore the sleepy village of Roche Harbor. The historic village celebrates its past by preserving founding architecture like the 120-year-old Hotel de Haro, where John Wayne spent many a night, and looks to the future with modern attractions like the Westcott Bay Reserve, a captivating 19-acre sculpture garden. Nestled between Roche Harbor and Friday Harbor is Lakedale Resort at Three Lakes. The resort sits on 82 acres with three spring water lakes.

Boarding the ferry back in Friday Harbor, you’ll probably find yourself longing to stay on the slowed down “island time.” Even though you have to return to the real world mainland, the sort of the graceful whales and friendliness of the communities will linger, smoothing out the bumps on the road of everyday life.

By Jacqulyn Diteman

Located 5 miles south of downtown Seattle, Georgetown is Seattle’s oldest residential neighborhood.  This area has a growing retail district and  a thriving creative community. Georgetown is considered by its residents to be the last bastion of a cohesive creative community in the city. Visitors have the opportunity to shop and dine in over 20+ galleries, studios, boutiques and cafes mostly along Airport Way.

Among some of the highlights we found on our visit to Georgetown were a great Café bar called Calamity Jane’s where we had a delicious late lunch and then we were off for more shopping. One of our favorite finds was Great Stuff which has a collection of the most unusual things from industrial artifacts to modern kitsch. We stopped into Fantagraphics Bookstore and Gallery where they had a whole room with just comics. Spend an afternoon visiting this unique, historic and artistic neighborhood

Just 35 minutes north of Seattle in Everett is the Future of Flight Museum and the The Boeing Tour which is one of Western Washington’s favorite destinations. The Boeing Tour features the only public tour of a commercial jet assembly plant in North America.

At the Future of Flight’s theater you’ll watch a short movie about the history of Boeing and then hop on a bus to the nearby assembly plant where 747, 767, 777 and 787 airplanes are assembled.

No cameras are allowed on this tour and all purses, cell phones, back packs must be left behind. The Future of Flight has lockers where all your personal items can safely be locked up. Children under 4’ tall cannot go on this tour for safety reasons. There are many stairs and quite a bit of walking on this tour so plan accordingly.

When you return, shop in the new Boeing Store and Future of Flight Store for all your plane buff friends and family.  Reservations are advised for the Boeing Tour that starts right at the Future of Flight.

Future of Flight is just one of the Seattle TourSaver partners that offer 2 for 1 discounts on tours, attractions and accommodations.

Now that I’ve been on the Boeing Everett Tour and the Future of Flight Museum, I’ve moved this to a “must do” if you are in the Seattle area. Drive north for about 35 minutes from Seattle on I-5 and take the Paine Field exit and head to the Future of Flight Museum.

The Future of Flight is a visual and hands on museum that takes you through plane building, engineering, and the marvel of commercial jet aviation in a 28,000 square-foot Aviation Gallery.  Take your time with the interactive learning zones equipped with touch-screen computers that operate an interactive program that lets you design your own aircraft.

Shop in the new Boeing Store and Future of Flight Store for all your plane buff friends and family.  Reservations are advised for the Boeing Tour that starts right at the Future of Flight. Future of Flight is just one of the Seattle TourSaver partners that offer 2 for 1 discounts on tours, attractions and accommodations.