Weekend Adventure: Return to Bainbridge Island

So back in 2008 Greg and I took a lovely Saturday Day trip out to Bainbridge Island to picnic and visit a highly recommended vineyard and winery (Bainbridge Island Winery). (And yes, it's been scrapped. Here's the minibook for that trip.)

Aside from being super fun and romantic, there was another reason we decided to go and repeat this adventure. That winery makes a really amazing raspberry fruit wine. Seriously delicious stuff. But it's rare. So when we found out that they had it in stock again, we had to make the trek out.

So after a bit of sleeping in followed by a stop at the bakery for coffee, we headed down to the Ferry Terminal to catch a boat over.

After our slightly chilly ferry ride, we got to Bainbridge and started driving around looking for a park to picnic at. We only had a partial map (tiny google map pdf on my ipod) so it took a bit of driving around tiny scenic winding roads to find someplace suitable. The park we went to last time appeared to be closed, but we found another park. It had an observatory, really nice walking paths, and a supercute pagoda. There was also an abundance of wild birds, including a heron.

So we took a bit of a walk around the park, and then busted out the picnic basket. We're total picnic foodie snobs, so we had blood orange soda, three kinds of cheese, fancy chips and artisan mustard. That's how we roll.

The sun came out for a bit, but it was still pretty windy. We took a brief tea break to warm up in the car (thermos technology is the best) and headed out to the winery.

When we got there, we had a chance to sip some pinot with the owner (who is a super adorable lady) and admire the antiques (I totally scored an awesome white pyrex dish for $1). Also, we bought the very LAST CASE (all twelve bottles) of the raspberry wine. And when I say the last case, I mean the very last commercially available set of bottles that will be able to be had for the forseeable future. And I feel we totally lucked out. 

Again, this stuff is crazy delicious. You understand, right?

Anyway, after our triumph at the winery, we followed the road away from the highway and found another awesome beachside park for picnic, round two. 

I love me some beach walking. 

After that, it started to get a bit colder and there was a bit more rain, so we decided to catch the ferry back. That part didn't go so well (the first ferry filled up about three cars ahead of us, and then the car battery died as we attempted to drive onto the next ferry....argh), but we got home eventually all safe and sound. 

The weather even cleared up a bit. 

So, overall, a pretty great day out. Next time though, better maps will be brought. ;)

Our (very brief) Snow Day

Sorry East Coast people... we have just not been getting any snow up here. Until last week. For about 12 hours. We finally got some snow. But it was gone in about a day. Didn't even get to stay home from work as, predictably, the city proper was not impacted very much... but the 'burbs had some pretty nasty icy roads for a while.

Extra socks and hot cocoa pretty much saved the day. After work I made Greg make his famous steel cut oatmeal for dinner. And then I hid out in my jammies and read a book. 

And that was how I handled our teeny tiny snowpocalypse 2011.

Bumbershoot 2010

Last weekend I decided (quite at last minute) to attend the 40th annual Bumbershoot Music and Arts Festival.

I have quite fond memories of attending Bumbershoot back in my teens. Many many adventures were had. In fact, I can claim to be old now, officially, because I remember when it used to be FREE to get in. Sigh. They fixed the pricing structure this year, but previously, it got pretty out of control.

Anyway, on to the recap!

I started off with a blown glass demonstration by the Mobile Hot Shop (Tacoma Museum of Glass folks). And it was quite a fine show.

My next stop was Flatstock, which is basically, a rock poster market. So much eye candy!

After that, a bit of wandering. Fair food was a must. Mmmm elephant ears and roasted corn. Yum!

And then of course, a stop by the indie crafts market. I absolutely adored the Ork Posters booth. I bought some cards made out of discard posters. They will be appearing in minibooks very soon. And that's a promise.

Then I got to see some derby-bicycle-clown people performing an interactive show.. followed by girls doing a high-wire act... with a motorcycle. Ah, the spectacle of Bumbershoot....

After that, I caught some music videos that were a part of the Film Festival. It was.... interesting? Artistic? Definitely something I've wanted to try.. maybe next time will try a longer film. Indie cinema can be pretty hit or miss.

I did a bit more wandering, photo taking, and amused myself for a while listening to various bands....

And then I got in line and waited for an hour so I could see Patton Oswald (and friends) perform at the comedy stage. Totally annoying to wait that long, but the show was SO worth it.

The festival was mostly wound down by the time the show let out.. except for Weezer who were rocking the mainstage (and I do regret slightly, not upgrading my ticket).

I walked around the neon-lit Seattle Center and then when Dandy Warhols proved to be too smoky to breathe...I called it a night.

And that was one of my weekend adventures last week.

This weekend plans to be just as packed, as I tackle various social engagements including a trip to the Puyallup Fair!

Craftiness will happen soon hopefully. I'm still on the hunt for that good journaling pen. Thanks for all your sweet suggestions on the video! Next time I promise to be more articulate and have better lighting. :)

Happy Friday!