STATE 23: WASHINGTON
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Our previous STATE 22: OR was a big piece of the “50 States: Veterans + Artists United” tour ever being able to hit the road, but Washington was like our HOME state that really made everything possible.
On our initial trip out West to pitch the tour, we went to Nike in Portland and Starbucks and the Schultz Family Foundation in Seattle. They were actually the ones who suggested doing a couple pilot projects to test, prove, and perfect the process enough that would help get us funding. Within a couple months, SFF granted [HAS HEART] funding to conduct the Oregon project and this Washington project. We partnered with Starbucks designer Victor Melendez and Army veteran Monique Brown, who collaborated to create the extremely powerful and meaningful design, “Guiding Ethos.” Included in this project was a talk at the University of Washington, which made us fall in love with Seattle even more to have such a beautiful university sprawling on its evergreen-filled hills along the water.
Fast forward about a year, and we were back in The Evergreen State. Multiple times, actually, and for multiple reasons. It’s sort of a long story, but I’ll try to keep it short.
We presented our project, mission, and designs to the Creative Studio team at Starbucks — which led to us opening a collaborative shop-in-shop at the Starbucks Reserve & Roastery in Seattle, not far from the original Starbucks location on Pike Street.
Although we were on the other side of the country in New York City (STATE 08: NY) when the pop-up shop was launched, we met up with with our veteran and friend Monique and project videographer friend Sam Veatch at the Reserve & Roastery.
After our brief reunion we headed across town to the Starbucks headquarters again, this time to update some of our contacts there on the tour and to experience the newly designed lobby and added Starbucks Reserve SODO location.
We often refer to Seattle (and the Pacific Northwest) as our home away from home, and that’s mainly because we’ve spent so much time there over the years with my aunt, uncle, and cousins.
We’ve been there so often (and long) in their driveway that we made it on Google Maps (see last picture below).
After living in a 25-foot trailer for over a year, having some extra space was more than a luxury for us. We were able to stretch out, unload, clean, and reorganize what stuff we do have — including my shoes, which I’ve previously wrote about in A SIMPLIFIED LIFE - PART 01: SHOES.
When I say “more than a luxury,” I mean it was like the best form of a staycation for us. Instead of packed into our tin can, we were able to enjoy our coffee (and reading the paper!) in the sanctuary of a private back yard that transitions into an equally beautiful golf course.
We didn’t explore Seattle as much as we would any other city we’ve been to because it was so difficult for us to leave. Thankfully my cousins would force us out to their favorite restaurants and shops around town, otherwise we may have never left the house.
Meet Otis. Their french bulldog member of the family who is always nearby to lend his companionship, friendly smile, and farts.
I’ve been blessed to have an extended family that has remained close my entire life, despite our distance, differences, and busy lives. This sense of family is what has made Seattle our home away from home.
Our favorite times in Seattle have easily been the simple pleasure of being together, cooking together, and enjoying great food and wine together.
From Seattle, we headed southeast a mere 60 miles driving through Mount Rainier National Park. On clear days in Seattle you can see Mt. Rainier in the distance, which looks completely fake and enormous.
Up close and in person, Rainier is even more breathtaking, not to mention the drive and journey to get to it.
We only had time to drive through the park and visit its headquarters in Paradise, which was still more than enough time for us to be left in awe with a desire to come back and enjoy the nation’s 5th national park more thoroughly.
Once you drive far enough east through the Cascade Mountains, everything changes right in front of you. Instead of the green, lush, and rainforest-like dampness, the east side of the mountains is very dry, arid, and often brown.
To our surprise, this drier and warmer environment is where plenty of Washington staples grow, from apples, to cherries, to wheat, and wine (well, the grapes that are squeezed and fermented to make wine).
We visited my cousin who lives in Walla Walla, Washington — which you may have heard of if you’re a fan of comedian Mike Birbiglia (watch this sleepwalking video of his before you proceed).
The best way to describe Walla Walla, which is a Native American meaning "Place of Many Waters" (its original settlement was where the Columbia River met the Snake River), is that it’s an island surrounded by an ocean of wheat fields.
Scattered amongst the wheat fields are also wineries and vineyards, over 120 of them to be more exact. One winery and tasting room you’ll need to visit is opening this upcoming Spring 2020: the Kinhaven Winery.
My aunt, uncle, and cousins have recently purchased and have been remodeling this 20-acre property which overlooks “the Blues” mountains. Kendra and I had the opportunity to brainstorm and help name it, whose name aims to embody the warm family atmosphere that their family has always provided us. It’s a vibe you’ll certainly be able to feel for yourselves when you visit.
This beautiful vineyard will also be a wedding venue for Kasey D Weddings, which Kendra had the opportunity to expand her creative love for flower arrangements and place-making alongside my cousin, Kasey.
After previously visiting Sonoma and Napa Valley (STATE 20: CA) a few months earlier on the tour, we will say that Walla Walla’s wine vibe is much more accessible, affordable, chill, and less saturated. The historic downtown area is also adorable and lively, so much so that I’d say Walla Walla has earned its self-made motto, “It’s so nice, we named it twice.”
It also didn’t hurt for us that Cam is the most talented chef and treated us to homemade pizzas, pastas, and so much more. Did we mention the wine? Because there’s plenty of that to go around, as well.
P.S. Walla Walla is also home to the best apple fritters we have ever tasted. Visit Popular Donuts and Walla Walla Roastery for great coffee and donuts before you head out for a day of wine tasting.
You’re welcome.