Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Seattle 2015: Davis Family Vacay

Summer 2015 has been a busy time for us. We've been traveling a lot! I'm so glad that we got to take a special trip with my family, amidst all the traveling I've been doing for work. We all voted and decided to go on a trip to sunny Seattle (which is what I've decided to call it). What a trip it was!

We stayed outside of Seattle in a small town called Port Orchard. It was right on the water, and absolutely gorgeous!

That House Though
Vee and the Ferry
We spent a big part of our first day in Olympic National Park, hiking. I'd say I was super positive and optimistic about it, but that wouldn't be true. However, it ended up being great.

Pre-Hike Excitement
Loops: True Story. We Got Lost. 
We're Cute. 
Boy Meets Wood
Looks Like Another Planet 
Davis Family 2015 (Sans Mom)
Phil Pose
Dad Meets Tree
Cuties
Flowers for Days
Welcome to Washington
I have to say, I miss the mountains when I'm in Washington, but the trees and greenery are absolutely gorgeous.

On Thursday, we wanted to spend some time in downtown Seattle, checking out all the classic tourist spots. But a lot of us woke up looking like this. (I had to put in this picture.)

She's Too Much!
After getting cleaned up, we were on our way. First stop: Boeing Museum of Flight. Phil was geeking out!

Airplanes
Recognize that Pose?
Us Posing as Famous Pilots
Hot Air Balloons! 
Pilot Phil
Girl Power: Rosie the Riveter
Air Force One
My favorite part was going to Pike Market though.

Loving This Place
Flowers for Days
Fresh Produce for the Win 
Chocolate Covered Macaroons
-Esh Produce :)
The Seattle Eye was a winner too. 

We Love Each Other
The Pier
View from the Ferris Wheel
That Ocean Though
Seattle Skyline
After spending so much time downtown on Thursday, we wanted a quiet day in Port Orchard on Friday. Being right by the water had its benefits. Yay kayaking!

My Cute Mom and Dad
Gorgeous Right?
Couples that Kayak Together, Stay Together
We also spent a good portion of the day playing pickle ball and hanging out on the beach.

Crab Anyone?
Pickle Ball! 
Vee Learning How to Tie Shoes
Port Orchard isn't exactly a booming metropolis, but they had some great antique stores. I loved checking out the little boutiques.

Colored Glass Everything
Doilies Much?
Treasure Hunting
I Nearly Bought These. That Orange, Right?
Plus, the amount of sweets was fantastic!

Duffins (More Pretty than Tasty)
Truffles, on Truffles, on Truffles
Plus, who can handle this cuteness?!

Whale Watching
Friday was great, and Saturday was a winner as well.

Finally Learned to Play Hearts
Games!
We were so sad to leave on Sunday. Phil and I drove home with Jake, Corinne, and Vera. It was such a party driving with this one. 

Phil Reading "Frozen" to Vera
All in all, the trip was amazing! It made me so excited to live in Seattle when Phil starts at the University of Washington. Don't get me wrong, I'm still so nervous and sad to leave my family, but I think visiting helped me realize how fun our next stage will be! Med school, here we come! 

From Washington, With Love

Meandering through Amsterdam

On the way back from India, we had a layover in Amsterdam. We decided to stay for Sunday, because the idea of another flight just killed us. I'm so glad we did. 

If you know me well, you know that both of my Mom's parents are from the Netherlands. They grew up in Haarlem, so having the opportunity to stop in Holland meant so much to me. It was a beautiful Sunday so we were able to see so much of the city. I'm a big fan of those canal tours. Here's a few of the snapshots I got.

Former Church
Row Houses
House Boats
Why Yes, I'd Love to Live Here
Am I Right?
The architecture was absolutely gorgeous! Some of these houses date back to the 1600's. Some of them are even starting to lean against one another, or tilt outward into the road. Scary, but so darling and delightful. I felt like I could see my grandparents walking together down all of these beautiful streets.

The homes weren't the only highlight though. I especially enjoyed the infinite bicycles, cheese (smoked gouda please), apple turnovers, the Royal Delft store, and gorgeous "bloemenmarkt".

Good Luck Finding Your Bike Here
Cheese for Days!
Well Done, Europe!
Never Enough Delft
Too. Darling!
Can't Have Enough Tulips
It was such a wonderful feeling to get back to my Dutch roots. I even found a print of "Girl with a Pearl Earring" by Vermeer. My Grandma always had that painting displayed prominently in her house when I was little, so it definitely reminds me of her.

Amsterdam, you didn't disappoint. I only have one remaining wish: To visit again soon, this time with my beautiful Grandma as my tour guide.