“Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.”
This weekend, I’m planning on making a few laps around this tree with that thought in mind. This labyrinth, and the Harmony Hill retreat center where it resides, is one of my favorite places in all of Washington. I’m also planning on spending my days doing yoga and soaking in the beauty of hood canal, followed by nights filled with girl talk, laughter, and the 3 Bs: booze, B-movies, and contraband bacon.
And boobs. There is always talk about boobs. It’s de rigueur at a getaway for young women with breast cancer.
I’m hoping a weekend away with women who know exactly what I’m going through is just what I need – a lot of fun. It sure was last year. And this year – no homework!
This weekend’s adventure took us to Vashon Island, meaning, with all the emphasis my bouncing 2-year-old can provide, TWO FERRY RIDES. TWO! (That’s round trip to the island for those of you keeping score. I’ve already been questioned on the count.)
Yes, that’s me. I do appear in photo’s on rare occasions (when someone grabs my camera before I can hide behind it). And look – my hair is growing back! I need a stylist, STAT!
Vashon is full of art galleries, restaurants, farms, cafes, and some of the coolest little shops we’ve ever come across.
How cool is that fridge?
SWOON!
And what’s an island without a lighthouse?
And a stunning water view
from a cottage on the beach
On days like this, I feel like I could be an island girl.
We could go back and forth for hours, but we’ve found a better solution for filling our weekends with adventure. We just hop in the car and drive. We pick a road and see where it goes, the smaller and more out-of-the-way town that we discover, the better. One of our favorite little local towns to visit is Black Diamond, Washington.
We start with breakfast in the bakery, and maybe even pick up some treats to go on our way out.
Then we wander down the boardwalk to the museum.
I love a small town museum, with it’s antique fire engine
and jail.
Then we stop by to visit the old train
before we head in to the main part of the museum
filled with the details of small mining town daily life,
from the barber shop,
to pen and ink,
and from monkey wrenches (so that’s what keeps getting thrown into the works),
to Hard Hat Harry.
But one of my favorite parts of this museum is their collection of unidentifiable tools.
Any idea what these are for? Don’t worry. The old timers don’t know either.
Do you have any favorite Pacific Northwest towns to visit? Where should we go next?
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