SEATTLE AGAIN.
Thursday, September 27, 2012 at 9:12PM 
Tightly rolling clothes to snuggle into carry on luggage. Packing snacks. Watering the plants one more time, and tidying up for the simple pleasure of coming home to a clean house. The anticipation of going away builds by way of lists and errands - trying to make life out of a suitcase as easy as it can be. I'm always fascinated by airports and all the people going places (where are all of you going?). There are nuances of the actual traveling that are charming in their way, which is why I think both the heading out, being away and coming home are all so special. While packing up, I'm anxious for a change of pace. Trying new food, long strolls down new streets with my favorite person, and someone else making my bed, but am also challenged by living outside of my daily comforts and routines. Said routines are lively these days, but they are still routines, and I am happy in that.
Included in this entry are a few images Hugh captured (via iPhone and Fuji X100) while we were visiting Seattle. We had some really great food, I met some truly lovely readers at a couple book related events, spent time with dear friends, and reveled in the excuse to sit in coffee shops and read without feeling the self-imposed guilt of "being productive." Away. Home. The cycle keeps me feeling alive.
Favorite Seattle spots: Analog Coffee, Milstead Coffee, Essex, Paseo Carribean, Revel, Walrus and the Carpenter, Sitka and Spruce (holy heavens, this beet dish, I will try and replicate because I'm still thinking about it), The Book Larder and Ashley Rodriguez's cookies.
Reader Comments (65)
So much I can relate to in these words... "While packing up, I'm anxious for a change of pace. Trying new food, long strolls down new streets with my favorite person, and someone else making my bed, but am also challenged by living outside of my daily comforts and routines. Said routines are lively these days, but they are still routines, and I am happy in that." I feel like we need a second chance in Seattle. We spent 24 hours there as part of our 6 weeks in your part of the world in 2010. It wasn't long enough to find the fantastic cafes, walk enough streets and begin to understand the city. Hopefully another chance will present itself. I am a new reader to your blog and enjoying it immensely!
ohhhh how I love this. Still denying the fact that you aren't staying in that little Inn a mere mile from my home. It felt so natural to have you guys so close. Like you had always been there. Thank goodness I get to see you in a couple weeks. Thanks so much for coming and spending time with us. Already looking forward to the next visit.
looks fantasitc-great photos.
i have never been to seattly-but have a feeling i would love it.
as you said though-always nice to return, no matter where you visit
Hah, I'm a Seattleite and I haven't been to any of the places you mentioned. How embarrassing! Hehe. Then again, Seattle has so many great neighborhoods. Anyway. Adding them to my places-to-go-to list!
Seattle is pretty awesome. Lovely photos!
Was planning a trip to Seattle, gonna definitely going to check those places. Thanks for the tip!
Hugh has such a great eye; these pictures really seem to capture the essence of Seattle.
I love that photo taken through the glass brunch menu. A lovely photographic post!
love that hippie sign!
and such beautiful photos. i certainly hope to visit Seattle one day.
I used to live in Seattle and these photos bring back great memories! love it!
I loved looking at all of your photos!
I can't show this to my honey because he would put the hippie sign on our front door for me! :)
You visited some great spots! Ive yet to go to Essex but it is next on my list :) It was lovely meeting you at Book Larder!
Lauren
Balue/Co.
These are really beautiful.
Great pics! Isn't Paseo ridiculous delicious!? I"m glad it's not very convenient for me to get to becuase I would probably go way to often :)
Lovely photographs...makes me want to hop on a plane too!
Beautiful. I'm getting ready to head to Kansas for some quality family time, which will be lovely, but this makes me wish I were heading to the Northwest instead!
I just took my first trip to Seattle! Definitely hit Milstead, but Paseo was closed the days I was there. I guess it just means I need another trip soon.
pretty city, pretty lady.
Such lovely photos - almost makes me feel as though I took a trip myself. Thank you for that ...
Several things: (1) I think just exactly that when I travel -- who are you, where are you going, what is your story...?? So many delightful mysteries. (2) Excellent collection of photos from Hugh. (3) Love your yellow shoes! (4) So happy to hear you had such a nice adventure away. xoxo
Hope you liked Revel! I work there :) come back and try Joule our sister restaurant web it reopens (October)!
Never been to Seattle but want to go after looking at your beautiful photos. Looks lovely and fall like - not like LA which has been very hot for a while. Love your shirt - what brand is it? Thanks.
these photos are just LOVELY. You make me miss Seattle something fierce!!
Beautiful photos! This makes me want to explore Seattle...
Gorgeous pictures, wishing for a Seattle trip now!
Fab fotos! Love your perspective.
Always fascinating to me to see my hometown from an outsider's point of view. Thanks for the new perspective. ^_^
literally tearing up i miss seattle so much. beautiful pictures.
Lovely pix!
Oh my God- these images are so gorgeous. And it looks like you lucked out with some nice Seattle weather!
Seattle is so dreamy. So many delicious places and really good coffee! I just tried Sitka and Spruce for the first time a few months ago and was completely smitten - all of the dishes are so creative and packed with flavor! Love that pic of you - gorgeous!
total babe.
Oh that self imposed guilt! Funny how it can't be shaken off until we leave our normal everyday life. (well, for at myself anyways!) So glad you are enjoying yourself on your travels! So exciting!! :) These images from Hugh are beautiful. I feel transported into one of the coffee shops. Thanks for sharing these!
Love these :) looks like you had a great time xx
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Walrus & the Carpenter and Revel! I'm dying to try Essex, it's on my list the next time I can get back up there :)
Such beautiful photos from what sounds like a wonderful time away! And I'm with ya- one of my favorite things about being out of town is the chance at "me" time to actually finish a book and wander aimlessly and not feel like I'm taking time away from completing something I "should" be doing.
Sounds like you hit all the good spots. Those are places I want to go when we visit in November. Especially Revel and Sitka and Spruce. Only sorry you didn't get a meal at my old house.
devine images...
Awesome images, Hugh. I really love the last photo and the B&W kitchen shot. Just found your guys' blog - looking forward to seeing more!
It was so great to meet you at Powell's, Sara. And great Seattle suggestions!
I love this line: "Away. Home. The cycle keeps me feeling alive." This is exactly how I feel. It's been too long since I've been away for more than a couple of days!
Also, I love your photos! Nice shot of the leaves with your yellow shoes :)
ah, this post makes me smile! it was so so wonderful to meet you [& your mom] in portland, you are just as sweet as can be! happy you enjoyed seattle - the place I call home :) come back and visit any time, please!
Faaabulous, fabulous! I LOVE Sitka & Spruce. Betsy (Ree's sis) took me there over the summer. Fell. in. love. and. onto. the. floor.
Come to KC!
GREAT photos!!
Love the hippie sign. Someone on our street has a sign advising hippies to use the back door. ;-) Some really nice photos - great natural light. And it sounds like you had a great time - thanks for sharing.
Love Love Love the photos. Just lovely. You and everything else in them.
I live in Seattle. I love Seattle. I also love Paseo, and also the other places you visited. So good.
P.S. your pictures are beautiful and this post was really wonderfully written. Your take on travel anticipation really resonated with me.
Seattle has had lovely weather this September. I'm so glad you're visting when you can enjoy all your favorite spots without dodging the rain.
Yes yes yes PASEO. Once, we planned our whole trip around it and then realized it's closed on Mondays. So we had to plan another trip, just for the #2.
yay, walrus and the carpenter! that's my 'hood. hope you tried their moscow mules!