Part 1: Tee’s Adventure to the Pacific Northwest

From USA Route 66 to BC Highway 99 and then back to the Great Plains. How time flies?

Hey there! Welcome back to As it Cooks! Just three weeks off the radar and I’ve got so much to share with you.

What happened was such fun. I savored every minute of it, absorbing a part of America that I’d never seen before. The photogenic Pacific Northwest welcomed us with drizzles from time to time, every now and then. Once in a while, it would tease out the sun to watch us do our momentary worship. For some reason, with all the clouds and rain, we still loved it! Curious about how life could be for a Seattle-lite who puts up with the daily light showers and grey helmet,  we asked our Somalian cab driver (he drove us from SeaTac to our hotel) what he thought of Seattle. “Oh yes! I like it here.” he replied without an iota of hesitation in his strong African accent. “It’s always cool. The rain keeps the air and the place clean,” he added.

Like troopers from the Great Plains, we went along with the elements in an unknown territory. That was the whole point. As we summoned our couple power to figure things and places out, our inner antelope refused to quit roaming and head back to the hotel at the end of the day. There were no pre-plans. We dived in and let the local currents guide us.

The Somalian cab driver was right. Everywhere we went, our lungs reveled in the clean, moist air. Dense flora grew out of nowhere covering every inch of the land. Colorful flowers and lush trees were a sight to behold.

By the time we were ready to head home, Mr. Chi-Town and I had gotten used to moving around like nomads. Isn’t that what vacations are all about? Allowing the body and the brain to “recalculate” for a couple of days upon arrival at a brand new destination helps. Hence, add another two days to your vacay to avoid departure anxieties. Now I’m back and recouping in the Great Plains. I’m still reeling with wonder and processing all the excitement. The smartphone photos taken during the trip keep telling me stories and reminding me of the journey in fast-forward. They also reminded me of the pangs of Wi-fi deprivation. By the time we crossed the Canadian border back into Washington five days later, the immediate Wi-fi connection was like food for my fingers. And the inflowing text messages? They were like music to my ears.

Cruising along beside the expansive Pacific, it felt as if I was transported back to my childhood days to see the pretty boats in the harbor and savor the freshest off-the-boat seafood. We also snacked on the plumpest boysenberries and red velvet  apricots along the way.

Our final destination was non-other than  the one-and-only beautiful San Francisco. By the time we turned in the rental car at the SF airport terminal, the meter read 2,800 miles. Kudos to Mr. Chi-Town and his assistant navigator! Looking back at the amount of ground we had covered mile by mile, I’m thankful to have met the friendliest people (and a pet) from all walks of life. It sure was an enriching journey to the land of clouds and drizzles, that land of sunny blue vistas followed by clouds again. Every single person we met told us the same thing: It’s the prettiest in the summer. What does that translate to? Well, to me, that means flying Air Alaska again. 😉 😉

Bidding adieu to the Great Plains. Hello, Air Alaska. You’re indeed my BFF! (Best Flight Forever). Nice wings.  🙂

Don’t mean to hurt any plane’s feelings, but I have to say that my experience flying in Air Alaska was M E M O R A B L E. It was a modern and spacious airplane with the most comfortable seats I’ve ever flown in. From the time we checked in our luggage at the terminal to the time we disembarked at SeaTac, the whole experience was nothing but Olé. And guess what? The nice lady at the terminal also helped check in our carry-on together with our luggage. Isn’t that awesome? Flying kisses to you, Air Alaska!

Lost sight of the so-called “wind barns” in the Great Plains.
Interestingly, the late evening horizon got brighter by the minute as the plane headed toward the northwest. It was an incredible feeling. A sight to behold. What a smart world we live in…

Hello Seattle!
We arrived late in that cool, crisp night. When I said “late,” I meant “way past my bedtime” late.

Then I spotted this. A cute little Beaver was getting ready to depart as Air Alaska taxied.
Mr. Chi-Town got all wide-eyed. He said, “Look Tee! Wow! It’s a puddle hopper with a propeller. That’s so cool! I wonder where it’s going. Leave it to Beaver. Hahaha.”

When we disembarked from the plane and walked briskly into the terminal, the first thing I saw was a, well, surprise, surprise. A coffee kiosk. So Seattle! And that’s not even just half of the story. Tee sleepless in Seattle? Way. After checking in to a cosy hotel room, we were both out cold.

Can’t wait to tell you more about my adventures. Please come back to visit Part 11: Tee’s Adventure to the Pacific Northwest.

But hey, it’s good to see you again. Thanks for dropping by!  🙂

Much love,

Tee