What a fabulous adventure!

The sunset near our hotel on Christmas Eve

After driving CA's coastal hwy 1, Ben, Garth and I have arrived in our new city of Seattle. We spent Christmas day driving the coast through Big Sur, CA. (Highly recommended!)

Ben and Mary near the Pfieffer House

The views and the winter Pacific Ocean were unbelievable. From sandy hikes that lead to private wild-waved beaches, days with fantastic Trader Joe's snacks and lunches, and hours spent on the continent-hugging highway 1, this was starting to be a calming trip. For the first two days of our trip, my sis Jill drove up the coast with us. She flew back to San Diego after we dropped her off at the airport in San Fran. We shared lots of laughs and smiles and when she left, she took with her the sunny weather and relaxation.

Jill and Ben on the rocks near a beach

From San Fran north, Ben and I were now on our own. Through dark, windy roads with white knuckles and Garth getting sick, to Finnish hot tubs in the redwoods. From windy, coastal storms and to finally arriving at the well- populated and safe highway 5. Wow... what a great adventure!

Until January 24th, we're staying in the quite luxurious Residence Inn in downtown Seattle. Very deserved! I'm pretty sure the drive to Seattle would not have turned out the way it had if it weren't for our good luck charm Garth. He was a great traveler!

Garth relaxing on our king bed in the Residence Inn

On our way into Seattle we were greeted by rainbows. Many lead the way into Seattle, another pointed directly at our Vue. Strange I know it sounds... but really, WE were the end of the rainbow. Luck... fate... the sun through the clouds... whatever you call it, Seattle is a great place to be! And right now, it's the place for us!

Mary in front of the Seattle Space Needle

Ben in front of the Seattle Monorail

We have an apartment in the city of Bothell and plan to move in mid to late January. Until then, we're living up the (almost) all-expenses paid vacation provided by Ben's new employer, Boeing. Yipppeeeee!!!!

Mary in front of Pike Place Market