Summer 2010
June 22-23
We began our day with a stop at Top Pot doughnuts. It is supposed to have exquisite doughtnuts, the likes of which we haven't tasted yet on our trip. So...we each chose 2. After sampling every single one, with the exception of the old-fashioned glazed (which I am too familiary with), I would have to say that my favorite is called Chocolate Sandcastle. It is a cake-style chocolate donut dipped in something sugary. When I asked the woman at the counter what the Chocolate Sandcastle was, she merely said, "All sorts of heavenly chocolate goodness". Just talking about it is making me go looking for the last third of the donut in our scrappy donut bag. Yum.

The 90 minute drive to Anacortes where we will catch the hour long ferry ride to Friday Harbor, San Juan island is uneventful. The ferry ride is beautiful--surrounded by fog for part of it, we are all reminded of the ferry ride to San Francisco.

Friday Harbor is so quaint and beautiful it seems unreal. I know it is incredibly touristy and yet as we sit for lunch at the Market Cafe, locals keep talking to each other and then to us, about where we're from and what's good to see (one local lived in Petaluma in the 70s).

Our 2.5 hour orca searching event is quite exciting. The 'zodiac-style' boat is very fast and makes for some fun wave bouncing. We discover a pod of orcas and follow them for an hour or more. Every minute or so we see some variation of orcas...an orca breaching in the distance, two calves swimming side by side, a mom and calf swimming by, an orca pushing his nose out of the water. It is an adventure, having never seen an orca in the wild before. Later we catch sight of, and follow for a bit, a Minke whale swimming off on its own.

Wednesday is our 24 hour train ride from Seattle to Emeryville. I love the sounds and smells of train stations. I've noticed that I love the smell of docks, train stations and used bookstores. I always feel as if there's something special about to happen.

24 hours on a train, 2 separate sleeperettes, 4 people. Will we end up with cranky, bored, stir-crazy, claustrophobics or calm, peaceful, adventure satisfied train lovers?

I've discovered we all have very different ideas about what the ultimate vacation would look like. Mine might included a safari. Mark's might include skiing in the Alps. Max would like swimming and playing in a water park with NO plans to do anything -- and maybe a cruise thrown in there. Ella isn't sure...she feels to much pressure in trying to decide right now.

Time to get home and veg for a while.