Getting Lost in Seattle Part four: At the beach

When visiting the Seattle area I feel it's important to take a moment to check out a beach or spend a day near the water.  In Larry Gets Lost in Seattle the author mentions Alki Beach which is a great place to visit.  It was the first area that settlers landed in November of 1851.  Located in West Seattle, Alki Beach offers many great views of downtown Seattle and the Olympic Mountains along with a sandy beach, a great waterfront dining.

For Dallas however I opted to take him to the Mukilteo Lighthouse Park.  It is located close to the ferry terminal which takes you across to Whidbey Island, another excellent place to visit in the area.  There are many lighthouses to be found in the Puget Sound region and I suggest you seek them out.  If you'd like to tour inside one do check ahead of time as many have limited visiting hours.  Lighthouses of Washington is a great guidebook to all the lighthouses in the area.  If you decide to take the ferry over to Whidbey make sure to check out the Admiralty Head Lighthouse as well!

Grab some fish and chips at the Ivars Fish Bar and have a little picnic on the beach like we did.  (We actually grabbed our fish and chips up from a little place in Everett that I can't recall the name of but Ivars would do the trick.)

Make sure you take the time to stroll along the beach looking for

mussell shells

 or starfish skin (aka sea kelp),

skipping rocks, walking along the driftwood, and hunting out abandoned forts!

List Twenty One: Thanksgiving Gratitude

Taken at Thanksgiving last year!

A short and not at all a comprohensive list of things I am thankful for this Thanksgiving.

1.  My in-laws for coming out to visit and making Thanksgiving a little more special.
2. Hearing my mom's giggle on the phone this morning as she called me from the car with my dad and grandma to wish me a Happy Thanksgiving.
3. My dear friend Liz who is such a comfort to talk to on the phone and who is a second sister to me.  I am thankful for our Wednesday afternoon chats!
4. My husband for all he does for me including brushing my tangling, wet hair after a shower. 
5. Homemade rolls that my grandma always made and now is my honor to take to our Thanksgiving.  How I hope they taste as good as hers always have.
6. The expectations of a new addition to our little family... more on that next week.
7. Warm blankets and big comfy sweaters to keep me warm on this unexpectedly cold Thanksgiving.
8. Old friends who I'm able to stay close with by way of facebook!
9. My Seattle family, Derek and Tatiana and Pauline and James, who make the holidays easier to be so far from home.
10. Sausage from PCC, because it was SOO good in my scrambled eggs this morning and I know it will be delicious in Patrick's stuffing this afternoon.
11. My friend Susan for making me laugh and bringing such warmth into my heart.
12. My nephews and niece who fill me with joy and awe.  (Bonus: it's so fun to make little gifts for them at Christmas time.  If only I can finish them all.)
13. All my family whom I miss so much and can't wait to see at Christmas.
14. To you lovely readers who continue to bring such thoughtful and kind comments into this space.  It's been so fun writing for you and taking the time to breathe that Simple Breath.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Snow Day

Enjoying the white little snow flakes especially since it's meant cuddling inside with my husband all day!