july date: whatcom winery

We had an original plan to tour a few wineries on this date. We had a late start to our date and only managed to try one. We have driven past Mount Baker wineries for years but this was the first time we have stopped to check it out. We sampled and purchased a few wines and the afternoon flew by. For dinner we headed out to Lake Whatcom and sat on the patio of The Fork restaurant. Very yummy and definitely a new favorite (despite the long drive out there).  The sun was still shining and we didn't need to rush home because the kids are away this week so we went down to Boulevard and strolled the boardwalk soaking up the evening sunshine. A wonderful date day.

june date: orcas island week end

Thanks to an incredible internet deal, Dale and I were able to go away for a whole week end close to the cost of a day trip to one of the islands. My parents arrived Friday afternoon to take care of the kids and we headed to Anacortes to catch the ferry to Orcas. The rain was pouring and our ferry was delayed so we sat in the backseat of the Volvo and steamed up the windows by.... eating seven layer dip and sipping red wine. We arrived at our cabin in the dark and were a little scared that our internet deal was going to turn into a 'deluxe cabin of shag carpet and orange/brown floroal' but we were pleasantly impressed with a spacious nicely decorated cabin with it's own 2 person hot tub on the deck overlooking the water. Saturday morning we woke up and enjoyed coffee in the hot tub ad watched the rain continue to drizzle but the rain was predicted to stop by lunchtime and it did. We wandered the farmer's market in Eastsound and had lunch in town. After a delightful afternoon nap we headed to the Rosario Resort to listen to a local pianist and learn the history of the island. Sunday I braved the twisty hilly roads of the island and rode my bike to Moran State Park. Dale cloaked me in the car and had to pick me up 3/4 way up the mile high hill. That was really tough! Once we got to the State Park Dale had surprised me by picking up a picnic lunch in town and after riding our bikes around the park. We drove up Mt.Constitution and enjoyed our lunch overlooking the archipelago of the San Juan Islands. Then it was time to wait in the ferry line up to go home.

may date: lame-o old people style

Saturday night we had our monthly date. Live music at the Wild Buffalo. Dale has been wanting to go since we were in college and it's never happened. That's what this year is all about. Going out and crossing all those things off the list! We went out for a drink at Boundary Bay because my meticulous internet research told me doors open at 8p and the band started at 930p. I wanted to arrive 'fashionably late' a few minutes after 9p. Backtrack to Boundary Bay.... Dale ordered a blond ale but they didn't have any... in honor of Cinco de Mayo they had brewed their blond ale with chili peppers. Dale gave it a try.Halfway through he said he was really starting to feel the heat. He didn't quite finish his pint. It was close to 9p by then and I wanted to make sure we got a decent seat at the Buffalo. We arrived at the Wild Buffalo, paid for our tickets and entered a COMPLETELY empty bar. Of course we secured the best seat in the house and grabbed a few drinks. Sat down at the table and checked our phones. 910 and the first band was slated to start at 10p ( contrary to my Internet research). Dale was starting to feel the effects of his chili pepper beer with a wicked case of heartburn. So what do two ( late) thirty something's do in a bar when it's just the two of us. We pull out our phones and start texting other people (how romantic). We quickly realized we weren't that lame comparative to other people our age at home sitting on the couch watching pvr'd episodes of Jimmy Fallon! Finally around 1030 the first band started. The music was okay but we were waiting for the headliners.....1140p Five Alarm Funk finally took the stage! They were good but by then we were $50 bucks in for the sitter and feeling like it was bedtime. We made it home shortly after midnight and called it a night. Maybe something to try again when the kids are out of town....

San Francisco day three

On our third day we did another tour. This time to wine country! We crossed the Golden Gate again and headed out of town. Our first stop was Muir Woods where we were given a few hours to wander the giant redwood forest. It didn't feel too different from our forests in Washington but it smelled of eucalyptus and there was no mud. Then it was noon and time for our first winery, Jacuzzi, from the hot tub fame. There weren't any hot tubs at the winery but it was the same family that had invented the 'Jacuzzi'. We found a few tasty reds we liked but will have to order online because they are a small winery that doesn't distribute. Afterwards, we went to the town of Sonoma for lunch. Dale and I had a great meal at the Sunflower Cafe. Then we drove up to Napa and stopped at Madonna Estates for another tasting. We toured the vineyards and soaked up more sunshine. We decided to be dropped off in Sausalito again that evening and enjoyed a beautiful dinner on the water at Scoma's.  It was pretty sunset ferry ride back to the city.

San Fran day two

Super steep Lombard St. that has eight switchbacks down one city block.

Exactly.

Chinatown

The Painted Ladies from Full House fame!

DeYoung Museum lobby

Palace of Fine Arts

Golden Gate Bridge

Sausalito

Alcatraz

Ferry building

Embarcadero street car.

We started our second day in San Francisco with a city tour. We hit all the famous landmarks and highlights. The tour finished with a drive over the Golden Gate bridge. We ended in Sausalito which was a charming Mediterranean style tourist town with lots of little shops and restaurants. The weather was much warmer over there compared to San Francisco. We had an outdoor picnic and soaked up the California sunshine. On the ferry ride back we cruised by Alcatraz and that was the closest we got. Tickets are sold out at least a month in advance so if you want to see "the Rock" book your tickets early. I still can hear Dale grumbling under his breath! When we arrived back to San Fran we took our first cable car ride. We had great 'seats' which meant we were able to stand. That evening we headed down to Fisherman's Wharf which turned out to be our least favorite part of the city. Maybe it was because we were there in the evening and all the lively fishmongers were packed up for the day. Lots of cheesy souvenir stores and it is freezing by the water at night. We did check out the Bourdin Sourdough museum from the street (San Francisco has a museum for everything) and shared clam chowder in a sourdough bowl.