Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
More About Poulsbo...
Thought I'd write a little more about the sweet little town of Poulsbo, WA (www.poulsbochamber.com).. As we've already mentioned, we stayed at our "home away from home"--the Poulsbo Inn (www.poulsboinn.com). This quaint inn is located exactly where we want it to be -- close to our family as wello as the downtown area, Clearwater Casino (they'll sent a shuttle bus to the Inn for you) and Central Market -- be sure to try their soup bar! And we thank their floral department for quickly fixing a fruit basket gift for us!
We also visited a casino in Kingston (the next town from Poulsbo) and we thought the slots were a little friendlier toward us! This casino is called The Point and it's packed with friendly and honest employees. My husband was playing table games but decided to try a slot machine. He won over
$100.00 but.....lost the ticket! He stopped at security -- Mary K and I were shaking our heads -- and a casino worker found the ticket and turned it in! How's that for honesty? So be sure to check out The Point when you're in the area.
Poulsbo is situated on Liberty Bay in Kitsap County, WA and has about 9200 residents. Many visitors arrive by boat to one of the three marinas near downtown. Downtown Poulsbo has some enchanting little shops -- let's start with Sluy's Bakery -- our favorite spot in town. We bought lots of pastries (including the Viking roll with a sweet cream filling) and we even froze the date/nut round bread loaf to take home. Delicious with cream cheese! By the way, Poulsbo bread was once made only at Sluy's Bakery but is now sold worldwide and is one of the town's claim to fame.
And there's a cute eclectic shop just a few doors away called Bad Blanche. Everything from ceramic fish pitchers to unusual furniture and decorative items -- you name it, they probably have it. Mary K and I bought 2 colorful scarves for just $10 so we considered Blanche wasn't bad with her prices!
Another shop we enjoyed visiting was Verksted Gallery (www.verkstedgallery.com). It's a fine arts and crafts coop with paintings, pottery, jewelry and more that left us drooling and envying the artists who created these wonderful works of art. We both bought an origami pin and earring set from Snow Goose Designs.....
and we loved the little garden fairies created by Marcia Peterson who has a web-site at www.gardenfairies.com. Tiny babies in cute handmade clothing perched in a nest, on a candletstick, on a rock....on anything that pops into this talented artist's imagination.
We also enjoyed shopping at the quaint little tea shop on the main street. The owner/manager was so friendly and helpful we wanted to sit down with her and have a cup of tea and "shoot the breeze"! We found the hibiscus tea that we had been searching for plus a few others that sounded good to us. This shop is in a new location - right in downtown Poulsbo - and we wish her well!
Downtown Poulsbo maintains a Scandanavian theme in its shops and restaurants.
One of the things Mary K and I noticed while walking down the main street were the pretty bright blue iron benches donated by various people and businesses in the community.
That little sign says it all...If you're in the Seattle area, just drive your car on the Bainbridge Ferry and drive over to Poulsbo. It's well worth the short drive from Bainbridge.
We also visited a casino in Kingston (the next town from Poulsbo) and we thought the slots were a little friendlier toward us! This casino is called The Point and it's packed with friendly and honest employees. My husband was playing table games but decided to try a slot machine. He won over
$100.00 but.....lost the ticket! He stopped at security -- Mary K and I were shaking our heads -- and a casino worker found the ticket and turned it in! How's that for honesty? So be sure to check out The Point when you're in the area.
Poulsbo is situated on Liberty Bay in Kitsap County, WA and has about 9200 residents. Many visitors arrive by boat to one of the three marinas near downtown. Downtown Poulsbo has some enchanting little shops -- let's start with Sluy's Bakery -- our favorite spot in town. We bought lots of pastries (including the Viking roll with a sweet cream filling) and we even froze the date/nut round bread loaf to take home. Delicious with cream cheese! By the way, Poulsbo bread was once made only at Sluy's Bakery but is now sold worldwide and is one of the town's claim to fame.
And there's a cute eclectic shop just a few doors away called Bad Blanche. Everything from ceramic fish pitchers to unusual furniture and decorative items -- you name it, they probably have it. Mary K and I bought 2 colorful scarves for just $10 so we considered Blanche wasn't bad with her prices!
Another shop we enjoyed visiting was Verksted Gallery (www.verkstedgallery.com). It's a fine arts and crafts coop with paintings, pottery, jewelry and more that left us drooling and envying the artists who created these wonderful works of art. We both bought an origami pin and earring set from Snow Goose Designs.....
and we loved the little garden fairies created by Marcia Peterson who has a web-site at www.gardenfairies.com. Tiny babies in cute handmade clothing perched in a nest, on a candletstick, on a rock....on anything that pops into this talented artist's imagination.
We also enjoyed shopping at the quaint little tea shop on the main street. The owner/manager was so friendly and helpful we wanted to sit down with her and have a cup of tea and "shoot the breeze"! We found the hibiscus tea that we had been searching for plus a few others that sounded good to us. This shop is in a new location - right in downtown Poulsbo - and we wish her well!
Downtown Poulsbo maintains a Scandanavian theme in its shops and restaurants.
One of the things Mary K and I noticed while walking down the main street were the pretty bright blue iron benches donated by various people and businesses in the community.
That little sign says it all...If you're in the Seattle area, just drive your car on the Bainbridge Ferry and drive over to Poulsbo. It's well worth the short drive from Bainbridge.
Seattle Center
After a lovely lunch at Nordstrom's, Peggy & I crossed the street to the central Monorail station, located in a marvelous shopping center called Westlake, and took the train the short distance to Seattle Center (site of the 1962 World's Fair)! seattlemonorail.com
The Seattle Space Needle is a must! We took the glass elevator to the top and marveled at the views in all directions, circling the Space Needle. It was a delightfully clear day so, as they say, we could see forever! This year is the 50th Anniversary of the World's Fair, which treated us to a bonus...a fun collection of original World's Fair memorabilia, trinkets and souvenirs. spaceneedle.com
Just a hint....we had been advised by locals (and they should know) to avoid the Space Needle restaurant...it slowly moves around the Needle...a nice experience, but not worth the costly price for what we were told was substandard food.
Just go directly to the top and you'll get the best view and, there's a small cafe available.
Next to the Space Needle is world famous Washington native, Dale Chihuly's Glass House and Garden. This spectacular exhibit has been open for less than two years, so if you've been to Seattle in the past and missed this marvelous exhibit, be sure to put it on your list of "must see", "must experience".
I collect artist made glass paperweights, perfume bottles and glass art, so I was particularly excited to view this brilliantly talented and fascinating artist's work...close up.
It was even more awesome and breathtaking than I imagined! You really have to see this exhibit to believe it!
Upon entering the exhibit building, be sure to take the time to watch the movies detailing Dale Chihuly and his artists creating fabulous larger than life glass art featured around the world...Finland, Australia, Mexico, France...Phoenix, Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco, Coral Gables and, of course, Seattle and Tacoma, Washington.
After the movies, you move into the most magnificent glass filled rooms...each with a theme...Persian Ceiling, Sealife...a stunning glass sculpture with individual fabulous sea sculptures. Ikebana & Float Boats, Macchia Forest, Millefiori...a breathtaking vision of glass color and shapes depicting a fantasy garden, giant Chandeliers, etc. Each room so splendid it will take your breath away!
Persian Ceiling...an entire ceiling of varied shapes and sizes of hand created glass vases, bowls, art glass, etc. Northwest Room...and American Indian inspired textiles, baskets, Chihuly drawings add to this treasured exhibit.
If all of this beauty isn't enough, you exit through a marvelous Chandelier Walkway into an out-of-this-world outdoor Garden of glass trees, flowers, foliage gleaming. After spending glorious time oohing and aahing, you'll visit the Garden's Glass House with 100' of magnificent glass flowers glistening! Absolutely stunning!
Chandelier Walkway...
(A hint... As with the Space Needle, look for the photographer in the Garden, again, free of charge. They'll send your photo via email.)
Be sure to stop in the gift shop. It's full of beautiful Dale Chihuly books, DVDs, note cards, etc., as well as Chihuly inspired souvenirs (the umbrellas are a favorite). The calendar book is relatively inexpensive and has loads of great photos. chihulygardenandglass.com
Peggy & I stayed so long in the Space Needle and Chihuly exhibit that we lost track of time and didn't have the opportunity to see EMP, Museum of Music, Sci-Fi, & Pop Culture. empmuseum.org ... A uniquely designed building housing, we were told, a grand collection of artifacts and hands-on interactives! (Must leave something new for our next Seattle trip!)
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