Trey Songz... What What!!

Do you know who Trey Songz is?  Well, if you are 18 or 19 years old and female you likely do.  I was in Philly this past week, up close and personal, with Trey Songz and his posse'.  "Why?" you ask?  Because I got to go to a concert that we were throwing for our student customers at work.  I have never been backstage at a concert or met an artist, but now I have.  When I explained I was going to a concert for Trey Songz to my Dad, his response was "Who, Trey Anastasio from Phish?"... no Dad, I am not surprised and frankly, would have been worried if he knew Trey Songz...http://www.treysongz.com/

Even if rap or R&B isn't your thing (which, it isn't mine) Trey sure can put on a good concert!

Laboring Away on Labor Day

Adequate title for this post, read below and you'll see.  For Labor Day Will and I headed out scenic Highway 20, also known as the North Cascades Highway.  It was jaw-droppingly beautiful.  The mountains in the North Cascades are jagged and so huge and the rivers and lakes are a pristine emerald color green from glacier melt-off.  As we drove through the winding curves around different mountains, I thought to myself that this was the most spectacular place I've been in the U.S.  It's really unlike anywhere else.

Our first night we drove in and set up a camp sight we'd call home for the next three nights at Ballard Campground in Mazama.  The next day we woke up early and, per usual, Will became the 'man of the kitchen' and started cooking our oatmeal and making coffee.  It's nice to have a slight role-reversal when we camp.  We packed our backpacks, picked up my mountain bike, and rode the Buck Mountain trail.

After our morning bike riding, we went into Winthrop, WA and piddled around the town, ate ice cream and bought a couple of books to read at camp.  It may not be clear in the photos below, but Winthrop is a themed mining town and tourist destination.

Later that night we were having dinner and drinks at the Mazama store (notice I said 'the' Mazama store... only one in the town) and ran into two different people we knew from Seattle!  So random!  P.S. I love the Mazama store, it's like a mini Whole Foods and has lots of delicious food and local gifts and wares.  I got a locally made merino wool skirt that was made from sweaters.  One of the friends we ran into was Owen, who had just finished paragliding in the area.  We mentioned that we wanted to try paragliding and Owen knew some instructors who agreed to take us out on a tandem flight later that weekend.

On our second day in the North Cascades we mountain biked up Cutthroat Pass.  Another trail very adequately named.  I ended up hiking my rented bike up most of the trail.  It was extremely difficult to get that heavy thing up there but it was a breeze and a LOT of fun riding it down.

After our bike ride we took a tour at the Smokejumper Base.  The base we visited just outside Winthrop was the birthplace of Smokejumping.  Chris, a Smokejumper, was our guide and showed us all around the base, showed us the outfits they wear, showed us inside their plane etc.  It was awesome and these men and women are hard-core!

Their suit weighs 80 lbs!  And their packs
weigh 120 lbs or more!  Crazy fit people, they
are like the Navy Seals of firefighting.

Supply package with its own parachute.

All Smokejumpers are also seamstresses. They sew
all their own clothing and repair all parachutes.

I'm flying the plane!  Once the 'fire bell' rings,
all Smokejumpers are in the plane, totally ready
to go within five minutes!

On our last day we went rock climbing at Fun Wall.  I lead climbed the longest route I've ever climbed, 10 bolts and I felt pretty good about it :)  We also met up with Owen's crew to paraglide but after getting harnessed up and seeing Owen almost get blown into the trees off the mountain top, our guides opted not to fly that day since the winds were too strong.

Look at the top, middle of this photo and the
little black dot you see is me.

Labor Day weekend concluded with a visit to Cascadian Organic Farms for an ice-cream cone :)  I got home-made raspberry and Will got home-made blueberry.  It's a picturesque farm in a beautiful valley. What a wonderful weekend, I love summer!

Jessica Visits Seattle

Two weeks ago my BFF, Jess, came up to Seattle to visit... solo!  I say this with emphasis, because she has a 2 year old and a roughly 9 month old at home.  Let me tell you, she has a ton of energy! During her visit she took in many touristy activities while I was at work.  I also took a day off and we did some sight-seeing together.  We took advantage of many of the delicious restaurants in Seattle, but we also did a lot of walking ;)  It was so great to see Jessica and hopefully she and the rest of her family will come again soon!

Post a successful, yet windy, SUP on Lake Union.

Space Needle

Cool solar panels line the top of these
flowers at Seattle Center.

View of Lake Union from the top of the Space Needle.

Post brunch at Salty's in West Seattle.
We did a LOT of walking after this meal!

Saw this funny sign on a walk we took at Alki Beach.

Happy Birthday To Me!

Happy birthday, indeed.

For my 30th birthday (yes, I know, how can I possibly be that old when I look sooo young?!) Mom and Dad came up to Seattle to celebrate.  We had a long weekend full of entertaining activities, sprinkled in with lots of presents and ice cream cake :)  Here's the run-down:

Celebration Day 1: Wednesday, July 31st
As my parents were flying up to Seattle, my sweet co-workers threw me a sweets-filled breakfast.  They had all my favorites: chocolate, chocolate, and chocolate!

Later that afternoon I picked up Linda and Larry from the airport.  For dinner Will and I took Mom and Dad to our trusty stand-by, Hilltop http://www.seattlealehouses.com/hilltop/.

Celebration Day 2: Thursday, August 1st
While Will toiled away at the office, Mom, Dad and I went to 'hike' (in the loosest sense of the word), to Salish Lodge and Spa http://www.salishlodge.com, and to see Snoqualmie Falls. On our way out to hike, we stopped for some Pho.  Dad humored me by trying something new but his face was priceless when the waiter delivered his steaming bowl of beef and noodles --- confusion and utter disappointment.  Don't let the smile in the picture below fool you, I can assure you it is an act.

On our 'hike.'  Mom picked the trail...we got passed by
old ladies walking their dogs.

Victory is ours!  We conquered that paved 3 miles!

Upon arriving to Salish, my sweet friend Gwen had arranged for some sparkling wine to be delivered to my parents and my romantic suite!  It came with only two champagne glasses... guess they didn't assume I'd be going to a romantic spa with my family!  SO sweet of Gwen!

Celebration Day 3: Friday, August 2nd
Birthday day!  I woke up feeling, well, pretty much the same as I had on my last day of 29.  I guess that's a good thing because I generally feel pretty good :)  Mom served me my breakfast of choice in bed -- greek yogurt and coffee.  I relaxed and watched t.v. in my Salish robe, ate my breakfast, and prepared mentally for the spa.  Ahh.... the life.

Mom and me in the sliding doors that open up to
the extra large jacuzzi tub... right from the bedroom.
Did I mention that this is typically a romantic get-away?

Ahhh... spaaaaa

After a delightful morning being pampered, we headed back to Seattle.  Will had arranged a birthday dinner for me at Seraphina. It was delicious.  Oh, and then we went home for presents and ice cream cake!

Do I look a little crazy in the photo above?  Well, I was wearing lots of different things that came out of my 'bag of 30.'  Mom was super creative and filled up a cute GT bag full of 30 presents...get it...30 presents because I'm 30 years old? The 30 crown is a present from Gwen.  What a lovely birthday!

Celebration Day 4: Saturday, August 3rd
For the fourth day of my birthday extravaganza, we headed up to wine country to Woodinville, WA.  We went to a handful of wineries and soaked up some lovely sunshine.  It was super relaxing and enjoyable.  On our outing we went to Januk, Chateau St. Michelle, and to Brian Carter Cellars.

Picnic and pizza at Januk

Excited patrons at Chateau St. Michelle

Celebration Day 5: Sunday, August 4th
For the grand finale festivity, we went up to San Juan Island to Roche Harbor to do a sea kayaking trip. Now, while we were supposed to see Orca Whales and did not, it was absolutely beautiful up there and we got to see a handful of animals: purple starfish, sea lions, crabs, and a bald eagle.

Well, that concludes the 30th birthday post. While it was literally all about me, I hope you still enjoyed it, I sure did :)