Making Memories in the PNW

Pike Place Market

Our trip to Washington kicked off with a day in Seattle, and no visit would be complete without a stop at the iconic Pike Place Market. We arrived early but it was buzzing with people by the time we left.

We wandered through rows of colorful produce, watched fishmongers tossing fresh fish through the air, and couldn’t resist sampling local bites – from warm pastries to local seafood chowder. It was the perfect start to our Washington adventure before heading toward the The Lodge at St. Edward State Park and then the peaceful shores of the Hood Canal.

The Lodge at St. Edward State Park

We spent two nights at The Lodge at St. Edward State Park, and it totally surprised us – in the best way. It’s this beautifully restored old seminary tucked into the woods just outside of Seattle, and it feels like a mix between a peaceful retreat and a boutique hotel.

See that photo of the doors without doorknobs? Those appear throughout the hotel because during the restoration, they combined two rooms into one larger space – so some doors are purely decorative reminders of the building’s original layout.

Another fun part of our stay? Stepping right outside the door and onto the trails. We biked beneath towering trees, soaked in the crisp, fresh PNW air, and got a great workout along the way – truly a hidden gem!

Salty’s on Alki Beach

One of the highlights of our time near Seattle was dinner at Salty’s on Alki Beach, a waterfront restaurant with stunning views of the city skyline across the bay. We went to a dock nearby the restaurant and found an actual photographer to snap a few photos.

The salmon and halibut were exceptional – fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. We also learned that our waiter was from the same tiny suburb outside of Dallas. He and his young family spend summers in the Seattle area. Small world!

Our Airbnb on the Hood Canal

After the energy of Seattle, our Airbnb on the Hood Canal was just what we needed – quiet, cozy, and tucked away in the trees with a beautiful view of the water. It felt like our own little hideaway, where mornings started with coffee on the deck and nothing but the sound of birds and waves.

One of the sweetest surprises of our stay on the Hood Canal was getting to watch seals swimming by almost every day. We’d spot their little heads bobbing in the water, just drifting or diving for fish.

The Tides on the Hood Canal

The tides in the Hood Canal were something we noticed right away as they changed the whole look and feel of the shoreline throughout the day. At high tide, the water came right up to the edge of the rocks and close to our Airbnb. But at low tide, the beach transformed, revealing a stretch of barnacle-covered rocks and an incredible number of oysters clustered along the shore.

So Many Seals

One of the highlights of our trip was watching the seals in Hood Canal. Every day, we’d spot them bobbing their heads above the water, curiously peeking at us before slipping back under. It became a little ritual – we’d grab our coffee or a glass of wine and head out to the dock to see what the seals were up to that day.

While eating at a little pizza spot on the canal, we spotted a seal (see below – with a fish in its mouth) bobbing up and down as it tried to swallow a fish that seemed far too big. He worked at it for the longest time, and we couldn’t help but cheer him on – completely entertained by his determined dinner battle.

On one of our pontoon rides, we spotted a lively seal and I even managed to catch him leaping out of the water! It was such a thrill to see, and by the end of our trip we were joking that we’d become professional ‘seal watchers’. Yes, I’m obsessed!

Pontooning

One of the most fun parts of our trip was renting a pontoon boat for a couple of two-hour adventures. Cruising along the calm water with the mountains in the distance and the sun on our faces felt like the ultimate way to soak in the beauty of the area. We took our time exploring, spotting seals, jellyfish, and even a few bald eagles overhead.

Kayaking

Kayaking on the Hood Canal was such another fun way to get out on the water and explore from a different perspective. We paddled along the shoreline several mornings, checking out the other homes along the way while getting a little upper-body workout at the same time.

One morning I took off on a SUP board with my cup of coffee. I even enjoyed an encounter with a friendly seal!

Other Delicious Food

We enjoyed other delicious food during our stay in Washington, including a seafood dinner (including lemon blueberry cake) at the Alderbrook Resort just a mile down the road from us, delicious fish tacos at Hook and Fork, wood-fired pizza at Hood Canalé, and some good old fashioned Mexican food at Two Margaritas (hence the TWO MARGARITAS, LOL).