Let me tell you, there’s nothing quite like having a severe crick in your neck when you’re about to fly across the country for vacation, while trying to corral luggage and four other people alongside. Maybe I’m just getting older, but airplanes seem to get more uncomfortable every time I fly. Discomfort aside, this journey actually began the day before, when Faith, Walker, and I left Boone around 12:00 to drive down to Granite Falls. Faith was booked to play a wedding in Dudley Shoals in the afternoon, so we were able to let Walker nap at my parents’ house.
Driving
The following morning, we woke up at 05:00, left by 06:00, and arrived at the CLT airport. The lines were long, but moving well, and we managed to clear security and board in a moderately orderly fashion, despite a very unhelpful gate agent who kept sending me in a circle to gate-check our stroller.
Flying
The flight went about as well as you could ever expect with a one-year-old, who managed to nap some. Once we crossed the Rockies, the scenery was spectacular. From the air, I was actually able to recognize a specific fork in the road outside Lander, WY from Day 8 of our Fall 2023 trip, due to its unique location and landscape. Dad made the mistake of drinking coffee on the plane, and said, “If you’d have drunk that coffee, you’d have never wanted coffee ever again.“
As we neared Seattle, we got great views of Mt. Rainier out the window, as well as the Puget Sound and Lake Washington. When we landed (around 12:45PST), I almost forgot the stroller at the gate, so that caused a slight delay as a much more helpful agent went to go fetch it for us. The baggage claim at SEA-TAC was a mess (everything seemed to be under construction/renovation), but all our luggage arrived. Delightfully, our rental car check-out experience with Alamo was exceptionally smooth, and we landed a very nice silver Chrysler Pacifica minivan.
Driving
We drove south from SEA-TAC, taking in the view of the stunning PNW evergreens, water, and mountains.
Eating
After finally finding a parking spot, we stopped for a late lunch at Northern Fish Co. at the Tacoma Commencement Bay waterfront. Ironically, it was right next to the hotel we stayed at in 2018, and I’d even walked on the docks to take a photo of the sunrise (click here for 2018 blog link), but because it was so early, I didn’t notice there was a restaurant there.
It’s mostly a seafood market, so they only have outdoor seating at picnic tables. We ordered fish and chips (one order of halibut and one of cod), onion rings, salt and pepper prawns, and clam chowder. I also ordered an additional order of salmon and chips, but apparently the cashier didn’t hear me.
It ended up being just enough food, I thought, but it would’ve been nice to have more fish. Everything came out piping hot. The fish, fries, and onion rings were exceptionally crispy, and the chowder was extremely thick but tasty (Walker loved it, and continued to smell like it for a couple days because he rubbed it in his hair). Their tartar sauce was very lemony and flavorful, but we all agreed it could’ve used some more horseradish zing. Overall, it was a great meal to kick off our trip.
Northern Fish Co.
Tacoma, WA
Crispy fresh fish, good chowder, and great views make this a must-visit Tacoma location!
* – Would definitely visit again
** – Exceptional, must visit if you’re in the area
*** – Worth making a special trip to eat there
Drinking
After lunch, we drove up the hillside to Bluebeard Coffee Roasters. We arrived close to closing time, so their shop was winding down and didn’t have all their usual offerings. Their pastries looked great, but I didn’t get any since we were stuffed from lunch. Mom, Dad, and Faith all got iced mochas (although I was supposed to order Mom’s hot and forgot – it apparently didn’t bother her because it disappeared very quickly), and I got a cup of their house blend drip. All were very good, but I wouldn’t call anything truly exceptional. However, I’ve consistently read great things about this shop, so if you’re able to visit in the morning, maybe give it a try.
Shopping
We left Tacoma, driving across the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge. This bridge was a replacement for the original 1940 bridge that collapsed due to a gale force wind that hit the resonance frequency of the bridge, causing it to oscillate and then fail (video below). It was opened on July 1, 1940, and collapsed just a short time later in November; however, it did hold the title of the world’s third-longest suspension bridge during those four months.
The view from the bridge is spectacular (unfortunately I didn’t get any photos), and it truly is a marvel of engineering.
We drove up to Gig Harbor, and stopped at Target to pick up a mobile order I’d placed the day before. It was cheaper to purchase a pack-n-play and donate it than to check one, so we went that route. Target had one on sale, so I ordered from there. We picked up a few other supplies alongside it, and then went on our way. We made another brief stop along the way at a Trader Joe’s to get some snacks, and enjoyed a sample of a tasty lemon cookie.
Eating
We continued up the Kitsap Peninsula, passing Naval Base Kitsap, and eventually stopping at the top of the peninsula in Port Gamble at Butcher & Baker Provisions, and cafe and market, so we could get some food for Faith and Walker. They ended up ordering a “Romanian cheese steak”, which had pastrami, crispy fried onions, yellow pepper mustard relish, and Russian dressing on a hoagie roll, with Hawaiian-style pasta salad as a side. Dad and I got a cornmeal lime cookie to split.
The food was excellent, and it was nice to eat outside in their flower garden.
Butcher & Baker Provisions
Port Gamble, WA
Creative menu with high quality ingredients and classy goods for sale. Great views if you sit outside!
* – Would definitely visit again
** – Exceptional, must visit if you’re in the area
*** – Worth making a special trip to eat there
Swinging
After dinner, we walked across the street to the Port Gamble town playground to let Walker swing for a while.
Driving
Leaving Port Gamble, we took a sharp turn west and crossed the Hood Canal Floating Bridge onto the easternmost side of the Olympic Peninsula. We joined US-101, and continued east towards Sequim, our final destination for the night.
Eating
Near the Sequim Bay, we stopped at -14 Below Ice Cream Company & Cafe. While “-14 Below” is redundant, and that was admittedly a turn-off, the place had fantastic ice cream, and great customer service. The owner’s teenage daughter had a well-rehearsed spiel, informing customers that their ice cream is made from only four ingredients + flavoring. They own the largest egg farm on the peninsula, and use those eggs in the ice cream. Mom order maple walnut and boysenberry, Faith got apple pie and cheesecake, and Dad and I both got two split scoops of the Madascar vanilla, Colombia chocolate, boysenberry, and maple walnut. All were outstanding.
-14 Below Ice Cream Company & Cafe
Sequim, WA
High quality ice cream with local ingredients!
* – Would definitely visit again
** – Exceptional, must visit if you’re in the area
*** – Worth making a special trip to eat there
Arriving
We arrived at our VRBO in NW Sequim (pronounced “squim“, like “swim” with a “qu” added). It was right next to a tribally-owned golf course, and was very nice. Apparently, everyone in that area takes great pride in their landscaping, because most of the houses were immaculately adorned. After we got settled, Dad and I ran back out to stock up on supplies at Walmart, get gas from the local Safeway, and scout out the location of a coffee shop for in the morning.
The Best Things we Saw Today
Isaac
The best thing I saw today was… “the drive up the Kitsap Peninsula”.
The best thing I ate today was… “the meal at Northern Fish (particularly the fish), and Faith’s pastrami sandwich”.
Faith
The best thing I saw today was… “Port Gamble”.
The best thing I ate today was… “salt and pepper prawns”.
Jerry
The best thing I saw today was… “view off of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge”.
The best thing I ate today was… “ice cream from -14° Below”.
Amy
The best thing I saw today was… “the trees of Washington state”.
The best thing I ate today was… “cod at Northern Fish”.
Conclusion
Thanks for reading! Click here to subscribe to email notifications.
Tomorrow, we’ll begin exploring Olympic National Park and the Olympic Peninsula.
– Isaac, Faith, Jerry, Amy, and Walker
8 Responses
I’m kind of sorry I watched that Tacoma bridge video and I cannot believe your mother went across that! I don’t know who your English teachers were but they should be proud. Your writing is terribly entertaining.
Thank you so very much for sharing. Loved everything and I am now craving ice cream.
I can’t believe how much you see and do in a day! I enjoy reading your narration of the day.
Thanks Isaac for sharing Enjoyed reading and seeing beautiful photos.
Score card from the golf course?
Cedars at Dungeness
Beautiful scenery!
Excellent food!
AND a good baby boy who travels well!
Seems perfect to me!
Thanks for sharing!
WOW!!! SO GOOD, BETTER THAN MOST HALMARK MOVIES THEY PUT OUT NOWADAYS! READING YOUR BLOGS MAKE ME SO HUNGRY THOUGH!!! 😋
THANKS FOR TAKING US ON THIS AMAZING FAMILY TRIP WITH YOU ALL, LYNNE AND I ENJOYED THE POSTCARD TOO!!! 🥰👏