Cinnamon rolls, cabbage patches, and lavendar

Inspired by my love of Washington, and an abrupt change to my summer travel plans, I am currently obsessed with day/weekend trips around my lovely state. What an amazing corner of the world - mountains, ocean, rivers, trees, and lakes. Delicious cups of coffee, homebaked goodies, and rows of flowers. Not to mention the other millions of nooks and crannies, both natural and man-made, just waiting to be explored.

Itching for another day of adventure, Kendra and I set off for an island. Scratching off any island that required ferry travel (day trip = budget trip), we settled for a drive up I-5 and west onto Whidbey Island. As we made the necessary stops for coffee, cash, and gas, little did we know what fantastic adventures would unfold before us throughout our escape from the city.

A roll by any other name:

Knead and Feed. Great name + long line = required breakfast/brunch/lunch pit stop. Walking in the front door, we were immediately in love. A view of the water, sweet aromas, weekenders breakfasting, the biggest cinnamon roll I'd ever seen. We nestled in and eventually decided which delicious-looking breakfast to order (with a side of cinnamon roll, of course).

What a delightful treat it was to spend two hours enjoying scrumptious food, hot coffee, people-watching, an ocean view, and conversation with a dear friend. Though we had only traveled two hours away, it felt like we were on vacation, traveling to new sites, enjoying new tastes, daydreaming about new opportunities.

The Patch

We somehow ended up at a viewpoint overlooking wheat fields. At this viewpoint I learned that there is a rain shadow on Whidbey Island. Note to self, no matter how delicious the cinnamon roll was, never move into the rain shadow! Turning around a bed, we saw a handpainted sign for Cabbage. Yes, friends, we were gazing across a cabbage patch. Hues of greens and purples wove together into a sea of leaves, roots, and spindly plants. Endless rows of bountiful cabbage created a beautiful vegetable patch. Now I just have to meet a cabbage farmer to understand how to cultivate cabbage...

A Taste of Provence

We followed signs to the lavendar farm. Why not, right? A lavendar labyrinth preceded row upon row of lavendar plant, being cultivated that afternoon. We walked around the farm, eventually ending up at a garage when lavendar was being distilled in large copper equipment. A pile of post-distilled lavendar lay steaming in a nearby tub. Kendra picked up some fresh lavendar to take home, as a reminder not only of our adventure, but of her time spent living in the south of France. Final Destination

After experiencing the sights, tastes, and smells of small-town island living, it was time to head to the water. A day of adventure just doesn't feel complete without a total submersion into God's beautiful and amazing creation. Although there were plently of other people enjoying the beach we settled upon, the roar of the waves drowned out background noise. For miles and miles we saw the wonder of the ocean. Endless. Powerful. Soothing. Rythmic. The waves crashed gently on the shore, eventually causing us to put our books down and nap in this peaceful and precious place. Far away from computers, jobs, and the many distractions that capture our attention back in the city. A chance to feel a little more whole.

From front door to front door, we were gone for only ten hours. And yet we had experienced so much. We had dined like queens, seen new sights, and re-filled our spirits in the presence of the ocean. What a blessing daytrips with great friends are. An opportunity to step outside your usual sphere and see things from a new perspective.

Here's to more amazing daytrips!