Allens Head North: Spooner Farms (Corn Maze), Washington
Our last day up in the PNW (Pacific Northwest for those not in the know), was spent with my husband's wonderful cousin and her growing family. They were just the best hosts and found a beyond amazing corn maze to get lost in. Let me tell you, no corn maze in Southern California can ever ever compete with this gigantic field. The photo to the left shows just how massive this truly can be (from 2011). Not only do they have the corn maze but you can also get your Halloween pumpkin (30 cents a pound) or choose from dozens of various squashes and other pumpkins. But our first event of the day was getting in on the pumpkin throwing contest. If you hit the target you win a prize! Jason came close but no gong. I just adore Ethan's face in this next photo, mischief was about to ensue I am sure! On to the corn maze we go, if you're scared of clowns, not sure you would make it passed the entrance. Everyone was given a map which was actually quite accurate to the maze itself. One "cheater map" was given that showed various landmarks throughout to orientate you. Randomly placed
Allens Head North: Gas Works Park
Gas Works Park is another really unique aspect to Seattle. Until the mid 50s, it was a gasification plant but since its closing, it has been opened as a public park. Andy's favorite part is walking up the "Great Mound" to see the view of Seattle across Lake Union. (Watch the bird poo!) While I love the view, and those clouds (!!), I was quite excited to take pictures of the remaining gas structures. Thank you Andy for patiently following me about! This park is great for dogs, picnics, and flying kites! There's even a sheltered area for kids to play on. At the time we went, the kids area was housing some bums though. :( Obviously I love the weather and the natural beauty in the northwest, just look at these amazing red autumn leaves taken in one of the most beautiful parking lots! Oh how I love thee! Tomorrow, Spooner Farms' corn maze!
Allens Head North: Pike’s Place, Seattle
If you were to ask me what my favorite part of our Washington trip was, I would have to say that I just loved spending time with my husband. Sadly, time together has become a rare occasion this year. Our trip allowed us to reconnect because it was simply just the two of us traveling around, in one of our favorite places, during our favorite time of the year. Another great thing about our trip was that while staying in the city of Seattle, our hotel was a mere block up from Pike's Place, the public [farmer's] market. Andy and I lost count how many times we actually made our way down there whether it was for breakfast (best donuts ever!), lunch (sandwiches from the Italian deli!!), or dinner (tamales from the Mexican grocer!!!). Oh and for fruit (mmmm best honeycrisp apples everrrrr!)!!! And of course, just visiting the various shops. We were able to just take our time and meander through the whole market, which I had never done since there's usually never time for it. Pike's Place is quite the tourist center, but all the shops are built by the locals so there's a great combination of cultures, i.e. great
Allens Head North: Cartlandia, Portland, Oregon
Does a post about our Tuesday night dinner really merit its own post? Why yes it does when the food is that good! As I was driving the last leg to Portland, Andy was looking on Yelp on a good place to eat—our original plan was to go to Big A** Sandwiches but they closed at 6 and we weren't going to make it. :( Anyway, we love food trucks so when he found a place called "Cartlandia," we knew he found the hidden gem to this trip. So Cartlandia is pretty much one big closed in parking lot where food trucks set up and stay permanently for any given amount of time. Many were closed on that evening, some for the winter and then some just weren't open as much during the week. We walked around all of them to see what would be our dinner. Andy settled on Cheesesteak Nirvana while I got my first Thai food in the PNW. Seriously you guys, the food was AMAZING! The very very best philly cheese steak and pad thai I have ever ever had! So so good. After devouring our food we then went on to the dessert round. The Sugar Shop had so many
Allens Head North: Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls
After our first night in Redding, we spent the second night in Portland with dinner at Cartlandia. The next morning we drove through the Columbia River Gorge, a windy two lane highway by which you pass waterfall after waterfall. The first one we stopped at, Wahkeena Falls, had a short .2 walk up closer to the falls. It was just gorgeous, and super cold! I loved it! Below is some rare proof that Andy and I were on this trip together. The next waterfall, Multnomah Falls was so breathtaking
Allens Head North: Introduction
The week after our good friend's wedding, Andy and I made an escape to Seattle, celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary and his 30th birthday. We made plenty of stop along the way which helped to break up the 20 hour drive. The timing of this trip was jammed into the couple weeks between weddings and right in the middle of huge work projects, but Andy turned 30 and we had to celebrate. We actually left on the day of his birthday and made it to Redding in 10 hours, finishing the day with dinner at a Kobe teppanayaki grill. So so good! If you've been following me on Instagram, you've seen the food posts and the weather posts and the posts of all the little babes but since we've been back many have asked what my favorite thing was. I would have to say my favorite part was just getting away with just my husband in tow. We haven't taken a trip with just the two of us since our second wedding anniversary cruise! Not only was it just the two of us, but it was to a place that we both just come alive. The cooler weather is just invigorating. Andy and I