More Relaxed Tourists

After a couple of very fast-paced tourist days, we decided to tone things down a bit. To start things off, we slept in and had breakfast downstairs at a relaxed pace, instead of at the standard eat-and-run pace we had been keeping up previously.

Then we headed out and found our way to Gas Works Park (I was actually able to follow the directions this time). A beautiful day again, and the view across the lake was simply wonderful. Interestingly, there seemed to be fewer homeless people here than at the piers downtown. Perhaps this is an unwritten (or even a written) code someplace, but it seems that a more relaxed setting, with less noise, would be more conducive to living – and sleeping. But what do I know? Perhaps the lesser flow of foot traffic has its downside.

Next we took a scenic route to Woodinville, and along the way stopped for some more of those wonderful taquitos from 7-11 (and a Mountain Dew Slurpee). Yum.

When we arrived in Woodinville, we stopped at the Columbia Winery for a few samples of their wines. We didn’t really care for any of the complimentary wines, though the premium (you have to pay to sample) may have been okay. We didn’t, so we don’t know. We also picked up some sample-size Tillamook Cheese to munch. Unfortunately, their tour wasn’t leaving until 2-something, and it was pretty early, and, well, there isn’t anything to do, so we left.

We went next door to the Red Hook Brewery, and while the grounds were larger and they have a restaurant of sorts, we had just eaten. Their tour also didn’t leave for a while, so we left.

Then we went across the street to the Chateau Ste Michelle Winery. It had been a while since I had been there, but the grounds of this winery are simply beautiful – very enjoyable for simply strolling along. And the people were so much more friendly than the other two stops. While it was 45 minutes or so until the next tour, the place just begged for us to sit and wait. So we did. This is how all destinations should be – we realize that not all of them will offer a tour or services all the time and they may require waiting, but if the place is inhospitable, we’re not going to wait. I suspect that others won’t either.

After we waited for the requisite amount of time, we went on our tour, and finished it off with a handful of samples. Not only was the wine quite tasty, but the tour guide gave wonderfully detailed instructions on the sampling process that made it simply wonderful. We then grabbed a small bottle of wine, some crackers and meat and some Oregonzola cheese from the Rogue Creamery and proceeded to an impromptu picnic on the lush lawn. Wonderful!

Once we finished our little lunch snack, we went out to Snoqualmie Falls and hiked to the bottom. That wasn’t a long hike, but there are some steep spots. Keep your eyes peeled for the lower parking lot. I have no idea how to get there, but it’s a whole lot closer to the bottom! The falls were beautiful, and I still can’t get over how warm it is and how few clouds are in the sky – not to mention the lack of rain of any kind. Supposedly it is coming later in the week.

After we came back to the room and relaxed for a bit, we had dinner at Crow, a nice little neighborhood restaurant that’s just up the street. While the food was okay, I can’t say that we were impressed. Maybe because we passed a 7-11 on the way and were thinking about those tasty taquitos (yes, again). No matter, it was a filling dinner and we went back to the hotel and had a quiet evening to get ready for another day’s adventures. More tomorrow!