UW's cherry blossoms usher in the start of Spring

Flowers blooming, warmer temperatures, and the start of longer days signify the beginning of Spring. A group of trees attracting attention from hundreds if not thousands of people each year in the Pacific Northwest are the Yoshino cherry trees on the quad at the University of Washington. This weekend they were blooming at 100%. It's a magnificent sight.

Welcome to the Pacific Northwest Edge family

Mom and I at Seattle Center

Once in awhile I forget 3,000 miles separate me from my family.  When it happens I'm usually venturing out into new territory here alone. I look around and have a "you're not in Kansas anymore" moment. After not seeing my family for nearly two years the distance went to zero when my Mom, Justin (nephew), and Kai (niece) flew into Seattle from North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Whoo hoo!

Kayaking 101 on Seattle's Lake Union

The rest of my classmates returning to dock.

Sunday morning I stepped out of my comfort zone and into a kayak. As part of a bucket list of sorts, I ventured down to Seattle’s Lake Union to attend a basic strokes kayaking class held at Northwest Outdoor Center.

I was nervous and equally excited.

This is the first time I’ve done a water activity. There’s no jet skiing, wakeboarding, canoeing, etc. in my repertoire so this was truly a new adventure for me.

Evergreen State Gem: Green Lake Park

Turtles sunbathing at Green Lake Park.

If I were creating a list of my favorite outdoor spots in Seattle, Green Lake Park would make the top five. The loop around the lake is almost three miles long and is usually bustling with activity year round. It attracts people who want to walk, run, bike, roller blade, etc. You can also play tennis, fish, and put a small craft in the water.

A weekend of firsts: Pacific Science Center, Space Needle & Pacific Northwest Ballet

Each year millions of tourists descend upon Seattle and the surrounding areas to visit places like the Space Needle, Pikes Place Market, and Ballard Locks. Recently I explored one popular area of the Emerald City which turned out to be a weekend of firsts.

Evergreen State Gem: North Creek Trail

North Creek Trail is a little gem in Snohomish County. Recently I went for a walk there as part of my commitment to moving my body more this year. I’ve been to this trail before during the summer but this is my first time walking it this winter. The trail is home to several ponds, wildlife, and of course tall trees, some decades old. In total it’s about eight miles long and connects Bothell, Mill Creek, and Everett. On any given day you’ll find people jogging, taking a stroll or walking their dog.

Lisa vs. Lunds Gulch

The Pacific Northwest is a prime location for outdoor enthusiasts and rightly so. There are dozens of trails to walk, mountains to hike, and bodies of water to explore. The views are often picturesque and a reminder of why I moved here more than a year ago. On a recent Saturday afternoon my boyfriend Jeff, his dog Frankie, and I hit the Lunds Gulch trail with excitement.

"Snow" in the Spring

For the last few weeks there’s been what looks like small translucent cotton balls flying through the air. At times it’s been so heavy that it resembles a snowstorm. I’ve never seen anything like it before. I was riding on the bus home one afternoon and was just fascinated by it; hundreds of dime sized pieces swirling around us, moving at the whim of the wind. The parking lot at work is covered with it. I couldn't resist picking up some of the cottony mass for a closer inspection.

Hello sun, nice to see you!

Yes we do see the sun in Seattle. As evidenced in the above picture. Contrary to public opinion it DOES NOT rain everyday all year long. It’s so funny how that rumor persists. Interestingly, to some degree the locals don’t mind it too much. They’re secretly hoping no one else decides to move here :)

Day trip to Bainbridge Island

View of downtown Seattle from the ferry

The great thing about Seattle is the proximity to other cities and towns that make for great day trips. Sunday I hopped on a ferry to Bainbridge Island for a quick getaway. The weather was gorgeous and the view was amazing.