Fairbanks’ Newest Cheechakos

September 20, 2013 ~ Crystle ~ 3 Comments

This post is coming to you from Fairbanks, AK where we are the newest Cheechakos (or Canadian/Alaskan newcomers)! Our travels through Canada went off without a hitch, but I sure did miss reliable cell service and wi-fi.

We were your typical tourists: camera and baby clumsily in hand, an overweight dog on a retractable leash, and a dirty Subaru with out-of-state plates. The back seat became our diaper change-station, the front seat, our refrigerator. We lived in that car for up to 14 hours a day. Margot was patient, even when I wouldn’t let her crawl on the floor of at least two off-putting hotels. She was content to roll around in her pack ‘n play or hang out in the slightly cleaner beds for a energy-burning nightcap.

Yukon Territory via Yea Yea Pueblo Watson Sign Forest, Yukon Territory, Canada via Yea Yea Pueblo

The Watson Lake Sign Forest was a fun tourist destination. We weaved up and down the aisles, looking for artifacts from our respective hometowns. Isaac was a little more successful than I was, oddly enough.

Then there was the beautiful Whitehorse, YT; a beautiful Canadian city with friendly locals and great food. We strolled along the river front, poked around in gift shops and ate BBQ Salmon at the famous Klondike Rib and Salmon BBQ on their very last weekend of the season. Many northern businesses shut down for the winter months, presumably because of the lower number of travelers passing through. And little did we know, the Yukon Territory, with an area the size of Germany, Austria and Switzerland combined, only has a population of about 36K, most of which (26K) live in the Whitehorse metro area. My high school was bigger than nearly all of their towns. Mind-boggling!

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Tacoma, WA

July 3, 2013July 24, 2013 ~ Crystle ~ 11 Comments

I will probably have no shame about being a tourist, ever. Even in my own town (whichever it may be at the time), I have no qualms about snapping photos wherever I go.

My family is in town to see Margot for the first time since she was born, and I’m glad their visit is to this area in Washington where the tourism opportunities are endless. Tacoma, WA is a beautiful city. Period. When I read up on this area, I tend to see a lot of comments on how rough around the edges it is, but as long as you don’t hang out in Hilltop at midnight, I see no problems.

Downtown is especially beautiful since it’s adorned with blown glass by local native Dale Chihuly. Abstract architecture and early twentieth century masonry create a unique skyline on Commencement Bay where Marina and Industry coexist. I can’t get enough. Truly.

Kicking around the town giving our usual Tacoma tour, we ran into other residents who were giving the same tour to their out of town family. What a coincidence, we all end up gawking at the house that starred in the film The Hand That Rocks The Cradle, strolling through Stadium High School, and crossing the Glass Bridge. “This is where Heath Ledger serenaded Julia Stiles back in the 90s”, I imagine many a Tacoman explain at the gates of the Stadium Bowl. Maybe even a brief explanation on the School’s history as a hotel is provided. They may give a quick bio of Chihuly, or explain the landmarks around Commencement Bay. The conclusion is the same: Tacoma has colorful highlights.

Of course we visited the same lovely landmarks that all other tourists come upon when they visit Tacoma. My family seemed to enjoy it.

If my Dad was impressed with sea otters, rabbits and raccoons at Point Defiance Park, I’m sure he’ll get a kick out of Seattle later this week.

Portland[ia] – Revisited

June 9, 2013June 7, 2013 ~ Crystle ~ 2 Comments

Last year when we visited Portland, OR, I was in the throe[up]s of my first trimester of pregnancy with Margot. I was horribly repulsed by the smell of any fragrant foods, and the last thing I wanted was a hot lunch on a hot day from a food truck. It was a missed opportunity, that wasn’t really missed at the time. This time around, even with baby in tote, I was not going to pass on some of Portland’s famous grub on the go. My Chicken Pesto sandwich and side salad was quickly and deliciously prepared, and tasted more artisanal than food from most sit-down restaurants.

I wish I had pictures to share, but I don’t. As soon as the food was placed into my hands, it was devoured. Sorry, not sorry. I think my husband, sister-in-law and I shouldn’t have skipped breakfast. Maybe then we could have savored lunch a little more. At least we didn’t miss a great opportunity to celebrate Donut day with a trip to VooDoo Doughnuts!

We also happened upon an estate sale in a (mini) mansion near Forest Park. The three story home, with epic views of a lush valley below, contained mod furniture for sale, top of the line gym equipment and a closet full of designer clothes–nearly all in my (current) size. I picked up a pair of designer jeans that seemed to be sent from God to fit my awkward post-pregnancy body.

Lucky, lucky, lucky.

The weather, food, sights and sounds were all agreeable in Portland; but most things are when you aren’t thirteen weeks pregnant.