Last week, we spent a few days in Seattle for a small honeymoon. Unable to decide what to do about Europe, this was the easiest way to get away without committing too far (Pittsburgh is now direct to Seattle). It was a small trip, a cold one, but one of the best yet.
Saturday
With so much time, we sat around, waiting for the hours to pass and the coffee to work and the water to thaw in the chicken coop. Antsy, we waited. Nervous to leave the dogs, we stretched our in bed and I laid my hands on the small chest of Elsa, savoring the thick undercoat of her fur before we left.
Beat traffic, through security, we waited. Headphones in, a book to read, nothing to do but enjoy the warmness of our bodies against the canned and recycled air of Alaska flight 199.
Picked up our car (provided by Silvercar by Audi).Got to our hotel, a Sleep Inn in SeaTac. Got fries and a beer to warm u around nine, bed by ten.
Sunday
The favorite for us both. The ferry day. The island day. The tourist day. The cheap coffee day. The diner food day. The Twin Peaks day.
This was my present to Nolan for his birthday, in a way. A day dedicated to the Puget Sound islands to visit the various filming locations of his favorite show, Twin Peaks.
The day started at 8:00 on the ferry dock in Seattle. We’ve never been to one, so the novelty itself was enough to keep us awake that early. Parked the car, tottered on the stairs, we found a window seat and got a quick vending machine coffee. Warmed our hands, watched the skyline fade in the fog of mist and gulls.
Made it to Bainbridge, got breakfast in a grocery store. Walked around, bought the dogs their Christmas presents. Warmed up in a bookstore then froze on the sidewalk again. Walked the main street twice, east to west, drove out to Kiana Lodge to see the log from the first episode of Twin Peaks.
The small towns we passed reminded me of home. Large fields and broken windows. Some trucks in the distance piled up. A farm shop, a mattress store. A vitamin shop next to a Dairy Queen. The magic of the islands were broken by this familiarity, it intensified it —- still beautiful despite the garish reality of commercial space against evergreens.
Made it to our next ferry, sat facing the chopping waves and wheeling gulls. Got the car, pulled out onto the small bridge into Port Townsend. Took the long way around town. Stunned by the Victorian manors, something neither of us thought would be there, in this tiny village in this distant coast.
Got lunch at the tiniest restaurant we could find. Oysters and deviled eggs. Hot tea. Buttered bread. Wine. Sat across from Nolan and fell in love again.
Final stop, down the coast. Drove into the city by dusk. Checked into our room at Hotel Sorrento, upgraded to a suite. Free wine. A dinner at Harvest Vine, a cave of a place - charcuterie and roasted vegetables and more wine.
Fell asleep in the warmth of a long day.
Monday
Woke up to head to Pike Place. Got a pastry from our favorite spot - curried rice for me, mushroom and celery for Nolan. Ate it in a small alcove by the fish vendors. Ass cold on the concrete, hands warmed around the pastry wrapper.
Nolan had a cigarette. I kissed him against the wall, tasting the tobacco, too.
We walked around, tried to warm up. Most shops were closed, but we bought some postcards. Warmed up in a French cafe. Walked downtown, exploring. Using a coupon. Tried to find something at Gucci. No success. Drove out to Snoqualmie, the small town with ties to Twin Peaks.
Ate at the diner where the Double R was shot. Got a BLT and a t-shirt. Checked in at Salish, the mist obscuring the entrance until you’re a foot away. A modern resort, rustic where it counts. We spent 5 hours at the spa. Less photos today, too wrapped up in the beauty we were lucky enough to share together.
My back ached when we were done from the massage. Thirsty, starving, we found a sushi place. Went back and were asleep, the last thing I remember was the shape of Nolan’s shoulder against the firelight.
