I never understood why anyone would want to live in Washington State.
I was bored looking at the same old trees, the same gray drizzle, and the same street I’d lived on my entire life. Our idea of getting away usually involved camping in Idaho, or a day trip across the Canadian border. Why did my parents have to choose this state to raise us in?
For the record, Canada is a beautiful country, with more Canadian cities being added to my travel bucket list all the time. It took a cross-country move to make me appreciate what I’d had all along. I missed hiking, visiting tide pools, and being dazzled by how many stars I could see when we went on our summer camping trips. Washington is a gorgeous state, and I’m always looking for excuses to spend some time soaking it up with my family.
Having lived in Florida for eight years now, we’ve developed our own traditions; things we like to do every time I come home. Mom takes me shopping, I go for at least one hike, and of course, we have to eat some fresh Pacific-caught seafood! I always have a good time, even when I’m just hanging out at home watching movies with my younger siblings. Did I mention we watched the entire Hobbit trilogy this time around?
My most recent visit was short and packed with family adventures. It was extra fun having Michelle around for most of our outings. Having just finished her freshman year of college, she also had an increased appreciation for the beautiful Pacific Northwest. I also spent plenty of time with my other younger siblings. My family is enormous. I have four brothers and three sisters, and I got to spend some time with each of them, excepting my brother Eric, who was still away at school. Don’t worry, Eric, we’ll make up for that lost time with an epic adventure next time I’m in town!
Mom has always been an excellent host, asking me what foods to stock up on, and suggesting new hikes to overcome. Since this was my first trip home since I started my blog, she was bursting with ideas on what I should visit and share with the world. It was an awesome, gorgeous trip home, and just looking through the photos we took makes me smile.
In the week I was home, we made a special visit to the Pacific Science Center to see the much-anticipated Pompeii exhibition, and to relive some of my favorite childhood memories in the exhibits that have been around for years. I’m looking at you, dino exhibit!
We ate plenty of delicious food, from teriyaki salmon to authentic French crepes. It’s usually pretty easy to pick a clear winner out of the bunch. I love The Crab Pot, a fantastic seafood restaurant with several waterfront locations. We go almost every single time I visit, and we always order the Alaskan Seafeast, otherwise known as the crab boil of my dreams. It’s so huge, and so delicious, it’s even been featured on Man Vs. Food!
While we did enjoy a heavenly lunch at the Bellevue location, my favorite dinner experience this time around was spent catching up with my younger brother Jared at BJ’s Brewhouse. One of my favorite things about visiting home has to be spending time with my now-adult siblings. Jared’s so grown up now, he even tried to pay for my dinner. Awwww.
I also got to spend some time with my youngest siblings, attending Rachel’s swimming lessons, Christopher’s band concert, and going to the movies with the whole crew. I visited Jared at work, saw my little Michelle through her coworkers eyes, and played games and watched movies with my parents. I even got to see my sister Jennifer, however briefly, before she returned to her fast-paced life in Seattle.
This may not be my most popular post, and I hope you’ll forgive me for being self-indulgent. I love my family, and I love Washington, and I truly treasure each visit to the place I will always call home. I’m excited to share a few posts with you in the coming weeks about all the fun things we did, from visiting the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival to running to the base of Snoqualmie Falls. I’ve already posted quite a few pictures on my brand new Instagram page, for those who are interested, and I can’t wait to share the details of those adventures very soon! Stay tuned!
Read the Updates
- Seeing Red in Seattle (Pompeii)
- A Rainy Day Visit to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
- A Fitting Goodbye to the Pacific Northwest
Kim Loyack says
You are so lucky to call such a beautiful place Home…I would love to try that Seafood boil!!
Adventuring The Great Wide Somewhere says
Thanks Kim! Just looking at the pictures makes me want to fly home again. 🙂
eckids says
Love living in Washington too:) I liked reading about the places you visited-my kids and I have a lot of fun at the Science Center too!
Adventuring The Great Wide Somewhere says
I’ll always love the Science Center! You all are lucky to live there now. 🙂