I’ve been a bit grumpy these past couple of months.
I love Seattle. But there’s a caveat. I love Seattle more when we have beautiful summers. It’s what makes the 9 dreary months of the year worth enduring.
These past 2 summers, however, have been pretty cool and rainy. Recently, I’ve even been tempted to turn the heat on in the house. But, seriously, who could turn the heat on in July?
I’ve posted my frustrations on Facebook and hear a big “Amen” from Seattleites and “Please send it this way” from the rest of the country.
I know that I shouldn’t allow exterior events affect my happiness, but my mood immediately changes when the sun comes out and I am so happy. Really. I just need 15 minutes.
Part of my “problem” this year is that I’m going to be gone for much of the month of August while I’m traveling in Papua New Guinea. So, for me, I feel like Seattle’s summer is over before it’s even begun. By the time I return home in late-ish August, I’ll be lucky if temps reach the 80’s and it’s likely that the nights will be cool enough that we’ll have to shut the windows.
Having said all that, I finally managed to see through my own whining a couple of days ago and realized that there are huge swaths of people across the country in desperate need of some relief from the oppressive heat. As bummed as I am about our lack of summer, there are millions of people who would be thrilled to have weather in the 70’s and, dare I say, the overcast skies we’ve been living with.
So how ’bout this? I can’t bring the cool weather to you, but how ’bout y’all come on out to visit us? Sweltering in Chicago? Melting in Hot-lanta? Dripping in Detroit? Come to Seattle! We’re really a delightful place to visit – quite friendly and a huge variety of food. Good coffee, too.
And to lure you, here are some of my favorite spots that you should visit:
No visit to Seattle is complete without a visit to Pike Place Market. This is the famous fish stall that’s featured in commercials where you order your fish and then duck out of the way because the guys toss and wrap ’em up.
If you’re lucky to be around over the 1st weekend in August, you’ll be here for Seafair, when the Blue Angels and other interesting aircraft perform over Lake Washington.
Get an early start to your day and you might catch a sunrise like this. I’m lucky to have this view from our living room window (of course, it doesn’t always look this spectacular!).
Ferries run regularly from Seattle to the many islands in Puget Sound. You can walk aboard or drive and make a day of traveling around the outskirts of the city.
If you do hop on a ferry and head away from the city, you can venture up to Whidbey Island and over Deception Pass, where you’ll cross a bridge back over to the mainland.
Mount Baker dominates the skyline in the Bellingham region a couple of hours north of Seattle.
OK – that’s your mini tour.
Convinced yet? I hope so. While I’m waiting for you to visit, I’ll try not to complain and instead remember why I’ve been here for more than 21 years.
And if you’re thinking about a summer vacation elsewhere… check out some other photo essays from my fellow Travel Blog Mob peeps.
Facts About Cinque Terre and the Italian Riviera for Families: Ciao Bambino
Top 10 Beach Towns on Michigan’s Sunset Coast: Wandering Educators
Our Best Days Ever: BootsnAll
3 Cool Ways to Share Photos While You Travel: Spot Cool Stuff
Travel Well,
Beth
Photo credit:
Frown: GlennFleishman
lovely photos!! and yes, i LOVE seattle. then again, when we’ve visited, it has been nice at least half the time. 🙂
I just got back from visiting the Northwest last month. I was able to spend nearly three weeks exploring the Northwest. I flew into Portland and spent a day with friends, drove up to Anacortes to take the ferry toSan Juan island. Spent several days camping and kayaking on San Juan Islands. Took the Victoria Clipper back to SEattle where I stayed for a couple days. Then headed South to the Oregon Coast and finished with a week in Portland. What a trip! It was so amazing. My first time to the west coast and I am already planning my return.
I am cheap, and found a great place to stay in Seattle at the Green Tortoise Hostel, which is about a 1-2 minute walk to Pike Place Market. I went there everyday just to watch people and explore the beautiful colors of produce and flowers. Green tortoise is a great place to stay if you’re on a budget. I got my own room, just sharing a bathroom for only like $60 per night, which I split with my travel partner and it included breakfast and dinner most nights I was there. It was a bit loud, as it was a hostel, but the had so many perks like free internet and PC usage, and so many interesting people from all over the world who were staying. I def recommend it!
Beautiful photos. It’s been a very rainy summer where I am (Edmonton), so I know you got to appreciate those sunny days.
When the sun shines in Seattle, there’s no other city like it. These sunny summer days remind us why we live here in the first place – a good thing, because I was really beginning to wonder!
These past few days have almost made the wait for summer worth it. Almost. I hear you about needing a little more sun. A friend recently heard from the doctor that Seattlites shouldn’t wear sunscreen. We get such little sun that we need all the Vitamin D we can get.
These are great photos! It’s too bad about the weather. A lot of my friends live just north in British Columbia & have been experiencing a very disappointing summer – hopefully it will turn around in August.
We flew to Seattle several yeas ago in August and the weather was delightful. Saw all of the sights you mention and show in this email. Also went across the rope bridge. Drove to Vancouver and took the Ferry back. Was a wonderful experience. I would recommend a visit to everyone that hasn’t ventured out West.
Woke up to sunshine in Whatcom county today!!!!!!! Typical for the first week in August 🙂