Our travel style has drastically changed over the last year or two. We used to treat every trip like the destination was dissolving and we had to see everything there to make sure we didn’t miss out on anything before it was gone. Those trips were fun, crazy-packed, and exhausting. I used to wonder why people called trips vacations. None of our trips ever felt like vacations because we came home far more tired than we left.
We have finally learned the art of vacation. Traveling to a beautiful place to enjoy some of what it has to offer, so there is still time to sleep in, relax, and not rush anything. This new style of traveling started when I got sick and literally didn’t have the health or energy to run around. We quickly recognized the rejuvenation we had been missing out on and haven’t looked back!
PORT LUDLOW
Recently we spent an extended weekend in Washington State with friends who have family with a house in Port Ludlow that backs up to the Pudget Sound. The family graciously let us stay in their beautiful home and we took mini road trips to explore the area. Lots of sleeping in. Lots of card games. Lots of laughing. Lots of breakfast food. And unfortunately lots of evening screaming by the tiniest attendee. Overall it was a wonderful trip : )
We woke up to this (unedited!) sunrise each morning. We had the blinds closed tight each night to keep it dark for the baby but when he woke up we could see color peaking through the blinds. The one benefit to an early-rising baby on the trip was catching this view before it faded.
We were blown away by the generous accommodations and then surprised with a private boat tour around the bay during dusk! Taylor’s uncle borrowed his neighbor’s little boat and showed us the fun details of this little cove they call home.
Tennyson’s first chance to wear the cute Patagonia puffy the Taylors gave him : )
Sophie is Tennyson’s current favorite toy. It’s a rubber toy giraffe that squeaks when you squeeze it. Lucas went downstairs to get it out of the car and threw it high in the air to get our attention through the upstairs window. However, Sophie didn’t go straight up and landed on the roof and rolled into the rain gutter. Ha! We had no idea all that happened until Lucas ran upstairs and yelled, “save Sophie!”
Sophie was retrieved, cleaned, and given back to Tennyson to be chewed on.
SEATTLE
Ferry ride from Bainbridge Island to Seattle. The first ferry ride for both boy Taylor and Tennyson! Tennyson slept the whole way. I think he loved it.
The Great Wheel
Pike Place: Did you even go to Seattle if you didn’t go to Pike Place? 🙂
Washington Park Arboretum: For walking and card playing. And using gummies to signify lives left in the card game.
PORT TOWNSEND
Port Ludlow is a really small town, like most of the coastal towns on the Sound. The closest place with a fun downtown to stroll through and interesting activities is Port Townsend. We loved walking through the shops, getting ice cream, and relaxing at the Soak on the Sound (mineral hot tubs). Tennyson enjoyed dipping his feet in the warm water but wasn’t very good at keeping the whisper only policy…
PICHA FARMS
A random pumpkin patch farm in Waller, Washington that was on our way to the airport. We tried to find an apple farm (because Washington apples… duh) but couldn’t find any!
I think the act of taking these photos was even more fun than having the final photos. Since Tennyson can’t sit up on his own yet Lucas set him in place, tried to balance him, ran away, then ran forward to catch him each time he slowly fell to one side.
We had to put baby Tennyson in the giant chair and buy kettle corn. We didn’t have to do the corn maze but we wanted to race. I don’t mean to brag but Lucas and I won and he was carrying the baby the whole way… 🙂 The lady handing out passes to get into the maze said it takes an average of 45 minutes to get through the maze and hit all the stops. We did it in 12!
Such a fun pit stop!
Thanks Taylor + Taylor for coming to town and taking this road trip with us!