My dad used to have an old adage: “there are two seasons in Seattle: August and the rest of the year.” His local wisdom explained why I summered here as a child, and why I never visited during any of the other months. Seattle, the site for a recent family reunion, is the cosmopolitan gem of the Pacific Northwest. Boasting a beautiful backdrop of lush evergreens, the city acted as an anchor for my exploration of Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands.

Flying in on a Friday afternoon, downtown Seattle welcomed me with a crisp, fresh breeze and stark, blue sky. Fighting hunger pangs from my flight, I dipped into my favorite pub, The Brooklyn. Just needing a quick bite to hold me over until dinner, I debated between the baker’s dozen and the beer & oyster flight, which pairs 4 draft brews and a complementary oyster for each. With eyes bigger than my stomach, I ultimately opted for more oysters. These hand picked delicacies, sourced from Washington, British Columbia, and California, did not disappoint. Served up with accompanying sauces, my baker’s dozen hit the spot and was polished off with the perfect partner, a clean and citrusy Haystack Hefeweizen from local brewery, Snoqualmie Falls.

Wandering through downtown, I passed some vibrant murals that reminded me of a recent art walk I did in Los Angeles. I ended up at Pike Place Market, which is an obligatory stop for anyone visiting Seattle, and my eyes, ears, and nose were met with an array of sensory delights such as hot buttered perogies, fresh seafood, and colorful vegetables. Stopping by Beecher’s Handmade Cheese in hopes of finding a hostess gift, I was pleasantly surprised by the selection of house made cheeses that were being churned right behind me! After sampling a few of the staff favorites, I opted for a few tubs of cheese curds after the salesman ensured me that they’d last a few hours at room temperature, and would make a great appetizer for Friday night’s dinner.

Weaving my way over to historic Pioneer Square, I made a stop at one of my favorite shops in Seattle, Laguna Pottery. Greeted by rainbowed rows of Bauer, Franciscan, and Fiestaware dishes, I felt like a kid in a candy store. Laguna Pottery is a must-see for any pottery enthusiast hoping to find a unique piece to fill in their collection. Constrained by both my budget and space in my carry-on luggage, I chose a small turquoise Fiestaware serving platter from the colorful sea of cups, plates, and dinnerware.

With my teal treasure in tow, I made my way to the ferry for the next stop on my itinerary. The ferry system is a great way to see the expansive landscape of this picturesque region. Whether traveling by car, bike, or on foot, the passengers are ferried along seaside towns throughout the Sound.

Meeting up with other members of my family, we congregated at the ferry dock and meandered through the seaside town of Port Townsend. Although I had been to Port Townsend many times before, I discovered a new boutique, the Green Eyeshade. The Green Eyeshade, situated right in the middle of Water Street, is the perfect store to find a unique hostess gift, quirky cocktail napkins, or that elusive kitchen gadget. I always scoop up a few hard to find unscented tapers for dinner parties, knowing there’s not many guests who enjoy eating salmon smothered in the scent of sandalwood, and this store had them in every color and size. After taking a break at Pippa’s Real Tea for a refreshment, my family and I gathered nearby and planned out the rest of the weekend.

Unlike the typical family reunion, which features a dodgeball game and water balloon toss, my family’s uniting activity is antiquing. In almost sportlike fashion, we huddle at the front of the store and advise each other about what’s on our “hit list”: radios, butter pats, car shop signs, ivory jewelry, and other odd requests. First stop on our antiquing adventure is Snohomish. Voted by Budget Travel as one of America’s “Coolest Small Towns”, Snohomish is the unofficial antique capital of the Northwest. The quaint downtown, which is nestled along the Snohomish River, hosts boutiques, cafes, and plenty of antique stores. To fuel our day, we started at Snohomish Bakery, where I opted for a well-balanced breakfast of vegetable quiche and a sticky bun. Midway through the day, my family reconvened to share with each other the trinkets and treasures that we uncovered during the morning expedition. My proud find from Antique Station was an antique lipstick holder that I held up like a brand new puppy for everyone to see.

After a long day, my dad arranged a bonfire where family members, young and old, shared stories and reminisced over those classic summer staples of hamburgers, hot dogs, and s’mores. But the highlight of this balmy summer evening was the dedication of the Marion E. Taylor library. Built by my father with careful attention to the angle of the sun, timing of sunsets, and shade of the tall trees, this craftsman’s masterpiece features stained glass from England, family photos, a small fireplace, and a literary collection to keep one busy through the winter.

While dedicating the library, which bears my grandmother’s name, my father said a few poignant words and played Hoagy Carmichael’s “Stardust” to close the night. As I looked up at the star-filled sky with teary eyes, I thought about value of family, relationships, and the ties that carry us through.

The next morning launched the last leg of the reunion weekend in La Conner. The day commenced with a visit to Calico Cupboard, whose tagline is “best buns in town”. Enticed by the motto, I started the day with my weekend diet of quiche and a sticky bun. But this time, I opted for the house special, which was a sticky bun smothered with fresh raspberry compote. Walking off our breakfast, my dad and I stopped in his favorite store, The Wood Merchant. Marveling at the handcarved wood that fabricated everything from rocking chairs to jewelry racks, I was impressed with the designs and talent of many of the featured artists. Afterwards, I dipped into the neighboring boutique, Pelindaba Lavender, where I picked up a birthday gift for a friend whose favorite color is purple, as well as some culinary lavender for myself.

Weaving our way through Whidbey Island, I was mesmerized by the endless farmlands with dizzying rows of colorful tulips, daffodils, and irises. Stopping for a quick break at Snow Goose Produce was a welcome surprise. Greeted by the aroma of freshly pressed waffle cones, my two tough decisions were what ice cream flavor to choose and how much produce to squish into my carry-on luggage. Boxes of green peas, red raspberries, and plump marionberries were calling my name. The neighboring countryside, lush with seasonal crops, made this a difficult choice. Eager to grab bushels of this picturesque produce, I restrained myself and purchased a modest pound of green peas. En route to the airport, my family and I used the time to catch up and connect, retelling stories of reunions past, and brainstorming ideas for our next one. With a soundtrack of laughter and chatter, we made more memories, which is truly the essence of all reunions.

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