NEXT 5 PICS = research photos for Tb meetup, looking at this hotel as an option for people to stay for the sept. 6-7 meetup(view of the ballpark from some rooms and the pool.
Day 2: So we had a good last half of the day friday out exploring, now was time for day two of the "Erins visit" explorations.
We woke up saturday and we were excited, as it was supposed to be about 70 degrees or so out and the warmest day since probably september(seems like a lifetime ago). We went to get Erin coffee, so she would behave herself for the most part that day(like a kid begging to go to the toy store - coffee coffee coffee i want i want...lol) she is not really that bad, but sounds funnier that way ;) so we get the stuff we need for the day loaded and go get coffee and we make our way to Seattle. First stop is to check out some hotels for people to stay at for the sept. seattle meetup. Things are a bit crazy cuz the Dalai Lama is in town so police are out and happy happy people are walking to the event. We check out a couple hotels, I show Erin some of the area close to the hotels and tell her of some of my thoughts and plans for the meetup and then we decide to leave the area and all the hubbub and go catch the ferry.
View of Seattle from the ferry
Erin wanted to take a ferry ride if possible while in town, and it just so happens there is a winery on Bainbridge Island, and if you know Erin , you know she likes her wine :) So upon hearing her mention the ferry ride and that Bainbridge has a winery, I contacted the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce for other suggestions of things to do and places to eat and got a couple ideas I thought we would enjoy.
The ferry ride was nice, , man it fealt good to be on the top deck before we left, sun beating down , nice and warm. Then we start moving , HOLY CRAP BATMAN - it got windy and cold up top in some parts, but was a relaxing ride and good vantage point for photos.
We arrive on Bainbridge (the island is the size of Manhattan i am told, but like 1 millionth the population) and we head to our first destination, also referred to by some as "the secret gardens" .
Bloedel Reserve: I was excited when they lined up like this :)
Keep in mind you have to make a reservation ahead of time(gets very busy in the summer, or nice days), and the last tour is 2pm (make sure you get to the ferry early and it does not fill up). So we head like 6.5 miles to the
Bloedel Reserve, the pics and the link to the website will tell you what you need to know, it was just very calming and peaceful. After two hours of walking we were ready for a break from the walking. So we headed down the road to the
Bainbridge Island Vineyards & Winery to do a wine tasting. We tested and enjoyed some wine, Erin bought some wine and I bought a few collectible items. The winery owners collect antiques and glassware, etc. and they display some of the items, which adds to the experience and if you really like, many are for sale which is nice.
Erin had fun , the owner of the winery was actually the one doing the tasting so Erin chatted with him about stuff way over my head :) (grapes and the process and techniques and yada yada...lol). After all this we were a bit hungry and decided to head to the final destination, on my list of suggested "to does while in bainbridge".
We head to the Harbour Pub to get a bite to eat. Now this place was recommended by two different sources, and it did not dissapoint. Good food, friendly staff and the view of the marina was just awesome on a nice day like it was. Erin and I took a stroll down by the boats and down the road to see some other stuff, as we tried to walk some of the food off. Their bathroom was filled with funny sayings on the walls, including one that read "Used Beer Department" over the mens urinal :) (see photo)(also see link at bottom of this for review).
After our dinner and stroll, we catch the ferry back into seattle, and i freeze my tooshy off at the front of the boat trying to get more pics as the wind knifes thru me. Once back in Seattle we then head to alki beach in West Seattle. Do to my fed ex experience i know the streets there well which was good, we were able to escape up some roads others did not know were an option. The whole waterfront was packed , it being a beautiful saturday and just at the end of sunset. All the low rider cars and people cruisin. Its a 2 lane road with no outs for like 3 miles or so, so we were just barely creepin along... We break free from the masses and head home after 1/2 hour of snail pace crawling, but Erin got to see lots of cool waterfront properties and the tail end of the sunset(from the car) so it was ok. It was a long tiring day, but it was so worth it, now it was time to rest , still plenty to do before she headed back to Cali.
UPLOADING PHOTOS RIGHT NOW, LAST PHOTO WILL BE OF THE END OF A SUNSET
Please see the review below to see pictures of the food.
Links used for this review:
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/
http://www.bloedelreserve.org/
http://www.bainbridgevineyards.com/
http://www.harbourpub.com/
http://www.bainbridgeisland.org/
http://www.bainbridgechamber.com/ click here to locate member businesses
Nice dining experience by the marina
The harbour Public House is a nice relaxing place. They have good food, the pita bread was very good as were the crab & artichoke dip and the humus that the pita bread was for. My friend Erin (poohstanggt) enjoyed her greek salad and I liked the fish and chips. (however beer, pita bread, and battered fish and chips was all a bit heavy for me, my bad thinking when ordering). I got a good laugh from the signs in the bathroom(see my journal), the view of the marina from the restaurant and the ability to walk along the marina make the experience even better. I recommend this as a destination when it is nice out and take the time to try and get a seat outside. Not sure if they take reservations, but they seem to be a very popular choice so maybe try it at off peak hours..
