#PNW

Hello, New World!

It's been awhile. :) But, I've been busy!!

I just returned yesterday from a 4-day trip to see one of my bestest and dearest friends- Cassie... aka Tino, Tins, Lil Kid, and my fave, Captain Cupcake. 

She's basically a rock star. We have been besties since 2nd grade. She is my sista from another mista. Her family is my family. Mi casa e' su casa. Get the picture? :) She's my partner in crime.

Here's a picture memoir of my decadent, indulgent, beautiful weekend with Tino in the #PacificNorthWest. 

Day 1:

Cassie rented a hotel room for us Downtown Seattle. We dropped our stuff, toasted a glass of champagne, and headed out to start our merriment!

Cassie took me to iconic Pike Place- we just missed some fish tossing, but we went through the market, got the best hot apple cider and some beautiful flowers, and did some more touristy things- like visit the original Starbucks. :)

I had to explain to Tino why I was snapping this pic- If I were feeling better, I woulda snagged this for Cincy! ;) #porkopolis

#mypikeplace First Starbucks EVA! Yahoo!

After the Pike Place Market, we walked back up to the downtown area. We stopped for cocktails, and then made our way back to the hotel to nap and get dolled up for dinner!

Cassie found this restaurant called The Old Sage. We had 2 orders (4 total loaves! haha!) of puff bread, asparagus, short ribs, pork belly, and some unidentifiable but delicious green dippy thing. And wine. DECADENCE!!! Cassie always delivers! Here we are after dinner having more cocktails. It was a wild and crazy night for us- haha 2 drinks and we called it a night. ;) 

Day 2: 

We start out in typical Sciato-Tino fashion, sparing no expense, at Salty's for brunch on Alki Beach (across the Puget Sound from Seattle). 

This was like no brunch spectacular that I have ever been a part of. All-you-can-eat seafood and regular breakfast noms. Oh. And dessert. And of course we had mimosas.

:)  

This was our view of Seattle from our table! Yeah baby!

After brunch, Cassie drove me through Alki Beach. Super cute beach town!! Yes, beach town! Not like an East Coast beach town, but definitely had lots of kitschy fun to offer! :)

Then, we went back to Tino's in Tacoma to rest a bit before dinner. 

The thing about Sea-Tac that I cannot seem to explain or say enough is how beautiful it is! Every movie that was ever shot in Washington does not give it justice.  I mean, there are MOUNTAINS around you everywhere you look! It's so majestic, so breathtaking, and was such a completely welcomed change of scenery!!

Oh, and the highway signs are silhouettes of George Washington. LOVE! ;)

   

Port of Tacoma :)

I'll save you all the port pictures I took, but man, if you haven't, think about all the jobs and businesses that are affected by sea travel and shipment. Pretty amazing what people are capable of doing and creating! 

<insert "Lookout, madam mermaid-she's waiting for you in mysterious fathoms belowwwwwww"> 

After we took a breather at Casa di Cassie, we quick-changed and did more site-seeing before heading to dinner.

Case and point. Seemingly randomly placed metropark in Tacoma, being the home of botanical gardens, trails, and a zoo. What?! 

 Sciato had to give Tino a tutorial of how to make a heart with her hands. Hi, I'm 8. and Cassie and I apparently missed that part of 2nd grade, lol #notsurprised

 She's so pretty :) 

So Cassie's sweet boyfriend, Sam, made us a tasty tasty dinner, and Cassie made a tasty tasty strawberry and peach cobler for dessert. Sciato ate VERY WELL this weekend! :)

Us party animals called it another early night, as Cassie and I fell asleep on her couch while watching "The Great Gatsby." 

Day 3: 

The day started off by realizing that the weather was so nice, that the "mountain was out." Yes, that's how Sea-Tac-ians gauge their weather! Cassie had to admit, they had very uncharacteristic weather while I was there. You're welcome! ;) It rained Day 1, and then Day 2 and Day 3 (and even Day 4!) were beautiful!!! So, in order to see the "mountain that was out," one needn't search too far. I mean, Mount Rainier is a pretty freaking big volcanic mountain. Tino said that the best view was from her work. So, I got to accompany her to her Air Force Base. :) Have I mentioned that Cassie is a bad ass? Like, really. Freaking. Bad Ass.

Here's civilian Sciato in front of Mount Rainier!

Yeah. Captain Cupcake climbed to the top of this course to take that picture for me. She's a beast!!!

After this, Tino took me to her favorite coffee house, Valhalla Coffee Co: Home of the World's Best Mocha.

Nom.

Cassie did a great job of showing me all the sights Sea-Tac has to offer- including the Tacoma Narrows Bridge... I didn't recognize this either... until Cassie called it "Galloping Girdy." Oh yes. The bridge we watched buckle in physics class! Glad we didn't take it... even though it's been rebuilt since that! #ilovescience

 Then, we went to Chambers Bay for a leisurely walk- yeah right, lol Hacking/sneezing/snotting Sciato tried to buck up for a 2-3 mile hike down and back up this trail. 

Sidenote- Chambers Bay is where the 2015 PGA Golf Championship will be played! Jealous? ;)

Here's Tino walking to the trail. I'm still blowing my nose and doing tourist things. :)

 

Part of the golf course- does NOT look easy! Guess that's why they're professional golfers! :)

Rightly so, after we successfully finished this hike, we congratulated ourselves for being masters of the universe and celebrated with wine and antipasta for lunch at the cutest Italian joint in town, Pomodoro's. 

Day 3 was also Opening Day! GO REDLEGS!! :)

That's sign #2 that Cincy follows me everywhere, in case anyone was keeping track! :) 

After Sciato got a little tipsy at lunch, we came back to Cassie's to relax and enjoy each other's company. Still a beautiful afternoon, we opened windows and had some more beverages!

 We had the most spectacular view from her apt, both outside... 

and in... 

It's a good thing some things never change. Me and Cassie and the Food Network  = a match made in relaxation heaven!!

We finished off Day 3 with YouTube videos, episodes of "Too Cute" and "My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding," the movie "Best in Show," and Cassie's pasta and meatballs. Our mamas would be proud!!! :) 

Day 4: 

Sucked. I hate goodbyes. It's very seldom that I get to see Cassie, and I really think that we made the best use of our time together!! We had lots of time to sight-see and get a feel for the West Coast Vibes, but we also had a lot of time to just sit and talk and just be with each other!!! Much needed girl time, indeed! :) Love my Tino!!!

By the time I got to the airport, I had to cope with my depression. 

New World, if you haven't go to Seattle. It's a beautiful place, full of vibrance, green grass, and fantastic people. And when you go, look up Cassie. She's your right hand gal!

Thanks for a great weekend, Tino!! :) 

Until next time, New World, 

This is me, bein me. :) 

Cheers. :)