Offbeat Northwest: Coeur d'Alene & Wallace, Idaho

I'll admit it. Us Western Washingtonians can be a little snooty. The Cascade mountain range that

separates our state is the marker of a different climate, both meteorological and socially.

Western Washington is largely liberal, techie, rainy, and green.
Eastern Washington is more conservative, desert climate, and traditional values.

It's a common perception that it just gets worse the further east you go. Thus our trip to Spokane resulted in comments like

"Spokane? Shit that town is sad. What the hell are you doing there?"

Offbeat Washington: San Juan Islands

Me: "What do you mean you've never been?"
Ian: "I've never been to the San Juans!"
Jaw, meet floor.
I expected that the San Juans, like Leavenworth, were just a place every native Washingtonian went to (that's right folks, we're Wash-a-tone-ians). So when we were making plans for our triumphant visit home, (ok, maybe not triumphant but a definite visit to the NW), the San Juan Islands was one place I couldn't let my native East Washingtonian husband avoid any longer.

Offbeat Washington: Leavenworth - A German Village in America

Growing up in Washington State, trips to Leavenworth are practically mandated. Christmas, summer, or for one of the largest Oktoberfests in America (not quite like the real Oktoberfest). It's cute. It's kitsch. It's a tourist attraction.  

We love it.

Offbeat Washington: Spokane

Even though Ian & I are native Washingtonians, we have never been tempted to actually visit Spokane (pronounced Spo-Can or SpoCompton for those in the know). It is 92 miles (148 km) south of the Canadian border, 20 miles (32 km) east of the Washington–Idaho border, 196 (315km) miles east of Yakima, and 232 miles (373 km) east of Seattle. Located past a long and desolate stretch of road, whether you are coming from western or central Washington, Spokane is simply out there for most of us.

However- as the second largest city in Washington, it is home to a lot of Washingtonians. For the over 200,000 people that live here, the city is home to attractions like "Spokan Falls", a growing microbrewery scene, and the prestigious college, Gonzaga University.

Seattle Brewery Tour - Love from Afar

In yet another of this-would-never-happen-in-Seattle moments, Ian has formed a friendship with one of the parent's at the Kita over his first love - no, not me - BEER. After receiving the gift of a nice ale, there has formed a reciprocal relationship of beer love.

Love letter to the Northwest

My aunt & uncle are planning a trip from N California up to Washington in April & were asking what things they should do. Suddenly, I was waxing poetic about the Great Northwest, our forsaken home.

"...beautiful places with breweries. Snoqualmie Falls is really pretty- bigger than Niagara. The restaurant's there have killer pancakes. There is a tiny brewery in town that makes a mean sandwich & tasty IPAs (http://www.fallsbrew.com/).

Bellingham is where I went to school, about an hour & half north of Seattle & it is a stunning beauty. It sits on the bay looking out at the San Juan islands and is a quirky college town. Larrabee Park is my favorite place to gaze out at the water. Plus- Boundary Bay Brewery is very popular (http://www.bbaybrewery.com/).

Bellingham- view over the water

Leavenworth is also always fun. Touristy, but a good time, with tasty German food & pretty mountain views."

Leavenworth

Oh Northwest, you are so lovely. We've been in Berlin for 3 months now and are truly enjoying  the city, the people (not joking), the food, the experiences. We love being abroad, and more importantly being here in our adopted city.....but, there really is no place like home- is there?

Seattle Thunderstorm

For more NW Brewery love, check out our Brewery Road Guide 

East Side I Spy

Another glorious weekend on the east side of the state brought these sights to our eyes:

• Bluetooth Count : III (low!)
• KISS's "Lick it up!"
• Many ddrunk people in public. During the day. Like 10am
•  Facedown scarecrow in the grocery store. What?

• 
  

• One Racist Rant about "brown people"
• A woman buying 3 mammoth containers of peanuts with a check
•  Car featuring Jesus fish, and picture of Bush "Miss me yet?"

• Tumbleweed Count: III (again, surprisingly small)
• 2 Antique Airstream tailors over the pass
•  Baby Doll facedown in Wallmart
  (2nd doll taking a faceplant...odd)

• 3 speed traps
• Glorious Hops
  

Tri-City Bloggin'

Been sitting at the local "Espresso World" here in Kennewick, and I realized that I need to post something on our blog! So here goes... Been a nice last couple of days here, the sun has been shining, as well as the sweat on my brow, but it sure does beat the overcast clouds that had been haunting us in Seattle before we left.

It's been really nice catching up with my mom and dad the last week, and I would recommend it for anyway planning on going away for an extended period of time. I don't understand some people that only go home for a day before they leave. I feel like I owe it to them and myself before setting off on a trek half-way across the world... plus, it's been really nice being taken care of like in the good ol' days. Mom, dad, give me money for the movies!

As the date grows nearer, just under a week-and-a-half now, the excitement is growing more and more. I have also probably done more research in the last week about our travels, than I have the past six months! It's really exciting looking at all the cool sites that I'll soon be at. It's gonna be quite a chore too, trying to figure out which things to see, and which things to leave behind. Do we visit the Heineken Brewery, or do we not??? A question haunting me and keeping me awake until the early morning... (amongst many others) But I think when all is said and done, beer will most definitely win out.