The Big Trip, Day 1: Seattle to Langley

Yesterday, a little later than we'd planned, we left Seattle on our big trip: three weeks in the San Juan Islands - by far the longest we've ever been away on our boat. And the city has rarely looked so beautiful - it was in the mid 70s, sparkling and sunny. We were ready for adventure!

Lake Union has bright and sunny, but windy, which was a bit stressful at Morrison's fueling dock. But we gased up and through the locks we went:

Oh, it was so beautiful on the other side. I've never seen the Olympics so clear. The cruise to Langley was perfect: sparkling water, waves no more than a foot, seals popping up their sleek little heads to stare at us go by.

The Langley marina is cosy and sheltered, and a very short walk from the town, which was holding an arts festival. And the first tent we saw was that of my lovely ex-coworker Sella, who has left the heady world of technical communication for the more sparkly charms of making and selling her own beautiful jewelry. Sella is at the Redmond farmer's market - you should check her out.

Langley itself is a charming town, full of restaurants, galleries ... you know the drill.I fell in love with its tiny movie theater and immediately resolved to one day manage a repertory cinema in a small seaside town.

We stopped at the lovely wine tasting room for a glass of rose:

And then on to dinner at the Inn at Langley. We went here last year, and I'd be happy to go here once a year for the rest of my life. It's definitely a special-occasion dinner.  They have a set menu (vegan options available), much of which is based on the principles of molecular gastronomy. The food is delicious, playful, and beautiful.

This was a wonderful first day. I am going to take the opportunity here to say that the boat was the tall fella's idea, an idea that I resisted for some time. Now I am so grateful for these experiences and memories. Thanks, Phil, for seeing it through and working so hard to make Aisling ready for our adventure of a lifetime. You're the best.

More pictures here.