The Undisclosed Location

Well, continuing from the last post...

After Portland, Jonathan had told me we were not going home right away.  We were going to "an undisclosed location", a surprise vacation, a "baby moon" (taking a special trip, while you still can, before the baby comes).  He did a really good job keeping a secret.  Oh, he dropped hints (c'mon, he's Jonathan, after all), but too many, I was totally confused and had no idea where we were going.

We checked out of the Hilton in downtown Portland and took off on foot.  To the metro stop.  When we got off the metro, we walked some more.  

 To here.  Union Station. 

 ...where we got on a train headed north to a place called Tukwila, WA.

 Then Jonathan picked up a rental car and we headed toward this lovely city,

Seattle.

 And we stopped for lunch at my favorite place in Seattle:

The Crumpet Shop!

 Tomato/cheese/pesto (Jonathan's), salmon/egg (mine), nutella (to split)

and of course, tea.

Can't have crumpets without tea.

 I know, I know, I look like a dork.

But seriously, words can't describe these delicious treats!

 And, by the way, I think we got the last few crumpets of the day.

As we left they put this up: "Sold out of crumpets"

Good timing.

Then we were on our way again, heading north some more.  We got in a long line of cars at a place called Anacortes.  A few hours later (yeah, this part was lacking a little planning) we finally boarded a ferry.

 Headed to our final destination: Orcas Island.

It's one of the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington state.

The sunset view from the ferry.  

I love pink mountains.

After a short drive across the island, we arrived at our resort, a place called Rosario.  It was an amazing trip!  One of the best vacations ever, in my opinion.  We slept late, ate at some fun restaurants in the small island town, drank good coffee, relaxed, and talked and talked and talked.

 Mini chocolate frosted donuts dipped in coffee,

a vacation must.

 The view overlooking our island from the mountaintop.

We took the ferry to another island one day,

 And almost plowed through some sailboats!

 We rented a tandem bike on San Juan Island.

So funny, we assured the guy we'd ridden a tandem before, but he still made us prove to him that we could before he let us leave!

 We rode all the way to the point,

boy, was it hilly!

 The lighthouse on the point.

 My view.

I'd say it was one of the most beautiful bike rides I've ever done!

 I think those mountains in the distance are the Cascades.

 We had a blast watching from our room window 

as the sea planes took off and landed.

The resort had a really nice pool and spa, and while it isn't overly warm even in the summer in the Northwest, it was still a great place to relax.  I was even treated to a "Mommy and Me" massage, so amazing!  

We packed a picnic and spent a few hours hiking around the state park on the island.

 Our picnic spot.

 Some gorgeous red-trunked trees, 

and that crystal clear water below!

 Tall, tall, tall pines that smelled amazing!

 A waterfall.

Overall it was fantastic, wonderful, beautiful, relaxing, fun, and basically a blast!  We had a great time! And we were thankful for so much set aside time for talking since just before we left on vacation Jonathan heard from Apple.  They made him a pretty tempting job offer, and we desperately needed those quiet days to really consider what God was calling us to.  It's been tough to have to turn it down, but we're confident following God is always the best way.  Now we're working to keep trusting that He's got something even better for us and our little family!