Bloedel Reserve ~ Bainbridge Island, Washington
A Favorite Bookstore ~ Eagle Harbor Books, Bainbridge Island, WA
Author: Journeys with EileenDiane
Port Townsend, Washington
Olympic Peninsula’s Port Townsend has retained its small town charm. As you stroll along the waterfront, browse the many unique shops and note the interesting architecture.
My favorite restaurants include Silverwater Café, The Fountain Cafe and Doc’s Marina Grill (on the water).
In Season (May-Sep), you can go on a full day whale watching tour including a two hour visit to Friday Harbor. Every September, the town hosts the Wooden Boat Festival.
You can take the ferry to nearby Whidbey Island (great place to explore) where you can continue your journey (to Seattle or Anacortes and the San Juan Islands) or after touring Port Townsend, you can continue your drive west to Port Angeles and the Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest. It’s a gorgeous area for you to explore and create memories.
A Favorite Bookstore ~ Imprint Bookstore, Port Townsend, WA
A must browse shop as you tour Port Townsend, conveniently located on Water Street.
- Very helpful staff
- Good selection of books, including references and ideas for writers
- Readings and signings
- Writing workshops
- “Quiet Write” rooms
Travel Memoir ~ Nepal
Traveling solo to Nepal in the mid 1980’s was the first time that I encountered the beautiful word “Namaste.” Instinctively, I knew that it was far more than a simple greeting. A guidebook translated “Namaste” as “I welcome the gods that dwell within you.”
Another translation I found: “I honor the place in you in which the entire universe dwells. I honor the place in you which is of love, of truth, of light, and of peace. When you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, we are one.”
When I hear “Namaste” or see it in print, I think not only of the various translations but also of the fabulous time I spent in Nepal and the many beautiful people whom I met.
I think fondly of a smiling father proudly showing me his young son and the waiters who had such delight when I ordered native food and drink and of people on a local bus giving up their seats for visitors to their country. Read more
Gig Harbor, Washington
Updated Aug 22, 2018 ~ Hazy, smokey day due fires in eastern Washington. Unhealthy air quality. Mt Rainier not visible.
April 11, 2018
Kitsap Peninsula’s Gig Harbor has retained its small town charm. Walk about the harbor ~ gaze at Mt. Rainier in the distance ~ explore the local shops and art galleries ~ check out the local coffee shops & restaurants, including Il Lucano (fabulous, Italian), Cutter’s Point (local artisan roasted coffee), Green House, Morso, Tide’s Tavern and Devoted Kiss Café ~ rent a kayak, take a gondola ride, walk Cushman Trail. Located near Tacoma (take time to explore Point Defiance Park), Bremerton (ferry to/from Seattle) and Port Orchard, Gig Harbor is a terrific stopover when exploring the Pacific Northwest.
Photos ~ Southport & Wilmington, NC
Approximately 75 miles north of Myrtle Beach, you will find the southern end of the beautiful Outer Banks. Enjoy exploring and finding your special place.
My favorite restaurants in the area include ….
- Southport
- Joseph’s Italian Bistro (josephsitalianbistro.com)
- Taylor’s (taylorcuisinecafecatering.four.food.com) Fabulous breakfast (sweet potato pancakes are incredible) and lunch
- Wilmington
- Elijahs (elijahs.com)
- Le Catalan (lecatalan.com)
A Favorite Bookstore ~ Eagle Harbor Books, Bainbridge Island, WA
If you live near or are visiting Seattle, take the ferry to Bainbridge Island to explore Eagle Harbor Book Company.
A short walk from the ferry, on Winslow Way, you will find everything you desire in a bookstore:
- Helpful, knowledgeable staff
- Comfortable surroundings
- Terrific selection
- Genres include Military History, Native America, Northwest Travel, Local Interest
- Wide array of staff selections and book club readings
- Ample room to browse
- Interesting non-book items include “Knowledge Cards” (“Great Lines from Great Movies”), tote bags, socks, cards, calendars.
- You can go online and sign up for their monthly newsletter and check upcoming events
https://www.eagleharborbooks.com/
Photos ~ Bainbridge Island, WA
Tips: Traveling Cross County Solo with a Cat
Take a deep breath — you can do this! Make a to-do list and be flexible.
Plan your route. The USA has a terrific interstate highway system with rest stops and information kiosks with very easy access to hotels, gas stations and food.
Reserve your room the day prior, considering weather and how far you think you will drive the next day. Reserve a ground floor room as you will be bringing not only your stuff into the room, but also your cat and food and toys and litter pan. Flexibility is key. Pick a hotel chain where most of the chain accepts pets. I used Choice Hotels and would recommend them.
- Visit your vet
- A sedative may not be the answer, especially if a small cat
- Buy disposable cat litter trays (supermarket or pet store) for each night plus several extra
- Pack your trunk and keep everything you need in the back seat and your cat (in carrying case) in the seat next to you
- Always keep your pet in a carrying case while driving
- Have food or water handy in case your cat wants something (at a rest stop)
- Have a towel in your car to shield your cat (in her carrying case) from the sun
- When you arrive at your motel, bring everything into the room, put out your cat’s food, toys & litter pan (put a towel under litter so litter does not get on floor/rug, have garbage bags for disposal) and then open the cat carrying case and let your cat explore
- Pack a dust pan, brush and pet cleaner in case of any accidents
- Have flexible travel plans
- Enjoy your journey, think of it as an adventure.
Here is a link about my cross country trip from western Washington to South Carolina. I have many great memories of the trip with my cat, Shadow. She was the best navigator and I am so glad that I was fortunate to make such a memorable trip.
Cross Country with Shadow ~ A Cat Tale
Journeys with Eileen Diane 