Birthday Getaway

Thank you dear friend Kim Kilker Moger for providing this peaceful respite from a brain-draining and emotional summer thus far. Thank you for this extremely generous birthday gift of a getaway. These first two days that I have been here by myself have been luxurious, restful, and beautiful. I am excited to see you tomorrow though! It'll be fun to have friend time on this beautiful island and this absolutely lovely rental home.

Bainbridge Island -

So close to Seattle yet feels so far away. Where the letter "A" is, is where the ferry lands. That is Winslow. When I arrived in Winslow, I had a bite to eat at this little bakery and got some directions. Go directly north of there and see the little spur ("spit") at the top? That's where the house is where I am staying. It's called Point Monroe.

Through the front windows I can see the waters of Puget Sound, specifically Port Madison. Out my back windows and I can see the lagoon where a resident heron is generally in the water or perched on an old piling. This lovely home is called June's Place. I love it!

June's Place on Point Monroe, Bainbridge Island, WA

Could this be any more inviting?

View from the front windows

My heron friend in the lagoon

Visitors as the tide goes out

Once I got settled in, spent some time looking around, reading and taking a little catnap in the sun, I decided to go find a place to eat dinner. I found the Harbour Public House Pub and Restaurant, overlooking the marina. I sat out on the deck and had delicious fish 'n chips. The view was soothing, except when I could see Seattle far off on the horizon. It made me think about how close I was to the actual city, but I felt like I was in a whole different part of the world. It's so nice to get out of the hustle and bustle of freeways, crowds, and the heat of the pavement.

Dinner with a view

 

I got home after sunset, so I just curled up with a good book and read in silence except the lapping of waves on the shore.

 

Today (July 21) I slept late and loved it. I took my time getting up and getting ready. I drank my breakfast smoothie, and read, in my room, at a table by the window overlooking the water. Such leisure.

 

I wanted to move today, so I decided to take a walk in the Bloedel Reserve. The Bloedel Reserve is a unique, world-renowned public garden. The founder, Prentice Bloedel, intended for The Reserve to be a place that "provides refreshment and tranquility in the presence of natural beauty." Mr. Bloedel also stated, "The Reserve is a place that offers the visitor a variety of experiences of nature; it is a place where one is reminded of the fundamental bond that exists between man and nature; it is a place to enjoy."  I most certainly did enjoy. The weather was perfect. It was cloudy today, but not too cool. It was a great day for a two mile walk through some of the most beautiful trees and foliage I've ever seen.

 

Nature can live without man, but man cannot live without nature.

 

The entire trail was beautifully maintained.

I loved this wall of ferns!

The Reflection Pool

I love all the different textures and designs

The Bloedels' Residence until 1986

Mid Pond with a beautiful, old weeping willow

These flowers were near the residence

The bluff overlook from the back of the residence

Man made waterfall fed by groundwater

A beautiful stream

East entrance to the Japanese Gardens

Japanese Guest House

Japanese Sand & Stone Garden

The Moss Garden

 

What a wonderful way to spend a summer afternoon! It was cool and refreshing and oh, so beautiful!

 

After the Reserve, I came back to the house for a snack, some reading, and a vacation nap. Once rested I went in search of a place to eat dinner. This time I ended up at the cute little Madison Diner.

 

 

Isn't it so cute?! It's a traditional diner-style experience in a historic 50's dining car that started in Pennsylvania, moved over to New Jersey, ended up abandoned for a few years, and then purchased by a resident on Bainbridge Island and set down roots here. Yummy food and a large, refreshing root beer float.

 

And I made it home tonight in time for the sunset!