Summer in Seattle

Sharing details and initial thoughts surrounding our latest move to the PNW!

It was around spring time two years ago that Tyler and I had made the decision to pursue travel therapy. When we dreamed of all the places we hoped to go, Washington state was always near the top of our list. Neither of us had ever been before, but we both felt a strong sense that we would love the Pacific Northwest (PNW). Looking back, perhaps it was the Twilight series that gave me my original inspiration for feeling the need to be in the mysterious and moody PNW? (And yes, Forks, WA is absolutely on my list to visit while we are here!) Whether it was originally Bella Swan inspired or not, my interest in teenage vampire dramas has faded over the years, while my interest in the PNW has only grown. The timing has finally worked out perfectly to allow us to spend our summer in Kirkland, Washington!

My contract in Monterey, CA ended last Friday and the next morning we were loaded up (only missing the three items that we were forced to leave behind as they would not fit in our car) to begin our 16-hour road trip to Kirkland. We made one detour along the way to see Crater Lake National Park in Oregon (this was our 12th national park!). The excitement we both had for experiencing two new states (Oregon and Washington) did not allow us much space to process leaving California. I still haven’t fully processed the fact that we will no longer be in walking distance to the Pacific (let me have my first-world problem moment okay). I will miss the orange California poppy’s and the carpet of tiny wildflowers lining the banks of the sand. I will miss watching the rough wild waves crash against the rugged rocks by Lover’s Point. California will always be one of our very favorite places. We feel so lucky to have lived there for a year and a half, and yet it does not seem like long enough. At the same time, we know that we explored and experienced just about everything we possibly could have and wanted to while we were there. The only next logical step to never having to leave California would be buying a home in Santa Barbara (we can dream). While a small piece of our hearts are still in California waiting for us in a seashell on the beach, the rest of our heart is open and ready to fall in love with the PNW.

Kirkland is a suburb of Seattle along the eastern shore of Lake Washington. A fun fact is that Kirkland was the inspiration behind Costco’s signature “Kirkland” brand, as the original headquarters were located here. My initial nerves from the unknown of moving to a place we had never been quickly dissipated when we pulled into Kirkland on Sunday afternoon. We were met with a beautiful and modern downtown scene, streets filled with local non-chain restaurants (my foodie heaven), and charming storefronts. I already know we are going to absolutely love it here (although our dining out budget might not). Our apartment is within walking distance to downtown Kirkland and Lake Washington. I took a week off as a break between my contracts and have already enjoyed many walks around our new city and to the lake with Lucy. Lucy loves watching the ducks swim on the water and she has had no problem at all adjusting to being our little city girl. While at the time we grew to appreciate the quietness and quaint feel of Pacific Grove, we are really looking forward to the bustle, food scene, and liveliness of a small city.

Our only concern at this moment is how we are going to possibly fit in everything we want to see, explore, and experience while we are here in Washington. The bucket list we have created for Washington is by far our longest and most detailed yet. It is time to get busy! We are so unbelievably happy, excited, and thankful for our new adventure. It feels so right. God continues to fulfill the desires of our wandering hearts and we thank Him for opening this door for us. I should not be surprised (and yet I am) that God once again has been weaving His hand into every detail preparing the way for us to be here - from our housing to my job, it has all been stitched together better than we could have imagined. He is good!

We cannot wait to share our Washington adventures to come with you all :)

love,

The Wandering Wrights