Went to Seattle recently. And, let me tell you, if you’ve never been to Seattle in the summertime (Late June – early September) you’re missing out. It’s 72 beautiful degrees everyday and no rain in site until late September. People think it rains all the time in Seattle, and it does. Kind of. It’s more like a fine mist and a low low cloud ceiling for about 8 months. But, if you can withstand that, you are rewarded with one of the most perfect summers. The sun rises at 5 a.m. and sets @ 9:30 p.m. making a day long enough to do pretty much anything.

I tried hard to cram as much as I could into 4 days, and believe it or not, did it without so much as a wrinkle of stress. Here are my favorite things to do and see in Seattle:

Ballard – my favorite neighborhood in Seattle.

Golden Gardens – a beach on the edge of Seattle where we watched the sun set over the Puget Sound. (yes, it’s as romantic and wonderful as it sounds.)

Take in as many views of Lake Union (which lies in the middle of the city) and the bridges that connect Seattle to itself as I can.

Take in a random naked, all-male bicycle parade.

Take a ferry ride to Bainbridge Island for the best fish & chips in Seattle.

(above: view of Seattle from ferry.)

(below: best seat in the house at The Public House on Bainbirdge Island)

Go to any of the many Sunday farmer’s markets. (This one happens to be in Ballard.)

Sea kayaking (here with friend and weekend host Susan).

Yes Seattle is an amazing, green (in color and environmental progress), water-filled city. There are so many other things to see, do, eat and hear in this northwestern city, too. Give it a chance, sometime. You just might get stuck there for 5 years like I did.

- Sarah