I went on my first trip on our new boat, a 17 foot Arima.  Let me begin by saying, I’m not really into boating–I can barely dog-paddle and have a fear of water.   My hubby knows this (and I know I married a man who loves the water).   Anyhow…it was time for me to "face a fear" and take a Sunday cruise.  I thought I my first trip would be a quick hour tour just to get familiar with the boat…we stayed out four hours and I loved it!   

We left West Seattle and headed over to Blake Island to cruise by Tillacum Village.  All our kids have managed to go there via field trips–I have yet to experience it.

From there we went north towards Bainbridge Island.  (I was only equipped with my life jacket and my flip video camera–so the pictures aren’t as nice as I would like them to be).   The homes along the waterfront are incredible.   My husband wanted to show me this salmon fish farm. 

We passed the Walla Walla ferry on our way to Bremerton.

At Bremerton’s Navel Ship Yard, we noticed a couple subs along with other naval ships, including the USS Stennis (CVN 74). 

On our way back home to West Seattle, we passed the "back side" of Blake Island…

Next time…I’ll bring a "real" camera (and a picnic basket)!

This week’s Sunday Drive is brought to you by husband and wife team David and Karen Bell, Associate Brokers from ReMAX Metro.   Be sure to check out their blog Seattle Real Estate Bells.

Just north and west of downtown Seattle lays one of the most popularly of all Seattle’s neighborhoods, Queen Anne.  Queen Anne Hill was developed in the late very 1890’s and early 1900s, at about the same time as North Capitol Hill, but generally with smaller homes.  Later, in the 1910’s and 1920’s, many larger homes were built on Queen Anne’s South Slope because of magnificent views of Elliott Bay and Mt Rainier. Today that south facing view includes the spectacular view of downtown Seattle.  Queen Anne is renowned for its extraordinary architecture that includes many fine examples of Queen Anne, Craftsman, Bungalows, Seattle Box, and later, Colonial styles of architecture. The highest hill in Seattle, Queen Anne rises 456 feet above Elliott Bay.

Many people know Queen Anne as the home of Kerry Park, with its incredible views of the city and Puget Sound. Queen Anne offers simple pleasures such as lazy morning strolls to admire the beautiful homes and gardens, as well as sophisticated amenities like fine dinning and an exciting variety of specialty shops. In the past 30 years Queen Anne has become one of the most desirable and expensive neighborhoods in the city. Queen Anne is arguably the most centrally located neighborhood in the city and it is literally just minutes to downtown…or for that matter just about anywhere you want to go.  With all the traffic snarls Seattle has, Queen Anne is just minutes to Highway 99 (Aurora) and I-5, making getting just about anywhere very easy.  For the frequent traveler, they simply drop down to Highway 99 and in 20 minutes they will be at the airport.  Queen Anne is a delightful walking community…and a great place for a Sunday Drive!

While in Queen Anne, David and Karen Bell recommend that you try The 5 Spot for breakfast and if you like Thai food (who doesn’t?), Orrapin Thai Cuisine on the corner of Queen Anne Avenue and Boston.