Angelsong Bed & Breakfast and Retreat Center
Stanwood, WA
November 28th - December 3rd, 2015
A beautiful, frosty morning greeted the Red Chair when it arrived at the Angelsong Bed & Breakfast and Retreat Center. This would be the Red Chair's last stop in the US before heading to its first international stop in Canada! Although it was a bit chilly, there was still plenty for our Red Chair to see and do, including roasting marshmallows, brisk walks on the nearby country roads, enjoying the antics of the koi in the heated koi pond, heading to Conway for some antique shopping and of course lots of great food! Angelsong Retreat sits on forty-two acres of farm, forest, zen gardens and a beautiful backdrop of Puget Sound. It was a view our Red Chair could surely get used to waking up to each morning.
Eagles Nest Inn
Langley, Washington
November 7-13th, 2015
Stop number 187 (crazy right?!) has brought our Red Chair to the Eagles Nest Inn in Langley located on Whidbey Island in Washington State. Once Red checked in, it was excited to hear all about the plans Innkeepers Joanne and Jerry had in store for the week. The first day started off with a little meditating on the dock at the Langley Marina, then it was off to lunch at Prima Bistro followed by an afternoon wine tasting at Ott & Murphy's on First Street. Red felt right at home with the red color vibe in Langley as well as its laid-back coastal lifestyle. Red then headed to Callahan's Firehouse Studio & Gallery, where Callahan himself showed Red some of the fine points of glass blowing. South Whidbey Island is dotted with wineries, breweries and two distilleries. Red headed out for a day of sampling all the hand crafted spirits including samples of wonderful wines at Whidbey Island Winery, Whidbey Distilleries for some fine Logan and Blackberry liquors and whiskey, then on to the tasting room of Double Bluff Brewing Co. Red was having a great time and sure was glad to have a driver! Red meditated in the forest at the Inn and pondered vast panoramic views of the Island's Ebey's prairie after a scenic drive. Red looked over the Deception Pass Bridge into the swirling waters of Pudget Sound. It visited chainsaw woodcarver Dexter Lewis and was so taken by an Eagles Nest constructed by Dexter Red had to sit inside it for a birds eye view. Whidbey Island, only an hour from Seattle, has great country roads perfect for cycling and plenty of State Parks and beaches for hiking making this Island destination perfect for the artist or the outdoor adventurer. Sunsets and panoramic views makes Whidbey Island unforgettable with a lifestyle that feels so easy and free, Red knows it will definitely be back again.
Miller Tree Inn
Forks, WA
October 25-30th, 2015
The Red Chair arrived at the Miller Tree Inn in Forks, WA on a beautiful day in October. It was so excited to learn more about what makes Forks, Washington so special, and not to mention Red was hoping to bump into some vampires or werewolves. The Innkeepers did not disappoint with their fantastic itinerary! Throughout the week Red headed to First Beach in La Push, it got a tour of the Forks Timber Museum, Red was interviewed by Forks Radio and the Forks Forum, it hiked the Hoh Rainforest, walked the beach at Kalaloch, went fishing on one of our world class rivers, checked out the local Visitor's Center, attended a Chamber of Commerce meeting, carved pumpkins for Halloween, went on many bicycle rides and even some vampire themed Snapchatting, Red had a blast. It found the hardest decision it had to make all week was what it wanted to be for Halloween, a witch or the vampire Dr. Cullen.. Everything else was pure bliss and so much fun!
Domaine Madeleine Bed & Breakfast
Port Angeles, WA
October 18-24th, 2015
Fall is a time of year near and dear to our Red Chair Travels' heart. Red was so glad that it was able to experience how the state of Washington celebrates this special time of year when the colors change and the air gets cooler. The innkeepers of the Domaine Madeleine Bed and Breakfast welcomed our Red on a crisp afternoon and ushered Red into the beautifully decorated inn for some warm tea and a cozy spot to sit and chat about the upcoming adventures. Red awoke the next morning and wandered around the property admiring the stunning scenic views of the Straight of Juan de Fuca, San Juan Islands, Mount Baker, the Dungeness Spit and Victoria, B.C. Throughout Red's stay there were so many picture worthy moments but yet not all were able to be caught on camera. For example, Red is in the only photo of the antique wheel in the MV Coho ferry wheelhouse. For national security reasons, photography is never permitted in the wheelhouse (hence the close crop of Red and the antique wooden wheel). The innkeepers received special permission from the Captain and Homeland Security to photograph in restricted areas of the ship. The Coho (Black Ball Ferry) is the link between Port Angeles, WA and Victoria, B.C. Our Red Chair got the chance to check out the Makah Research and Cultural Center in Neah Bay, but again the innkeepers of Domaine Madeleine received special permission to photograph Red in this award-winning museum just so we could share with our Red Chair followers! Later on Cape Flattery, Red was lucky to have a gray whale sighting (with the whale spouting in the background off the Cape). The guide, who was Makah, said this is huge and viewed as a special sign among the Makah. The guide said that this sign meant Red was welcome there and that the whale was a significant messenger of spiritual blessings. The next day Red ventured to the Olympic National Park and the Elwah River Valley, for more details see the blog post here. Spouting whales, soaring bald eagles, wildlife watching, relaxing, hiking and so much more filled our Red's time at the Domaine Madeleine Bed and Breakfast, it was truly a fantastic stay.
Blue Goose Inn
Coupeville, WA
September 28 - October 3rd, 2015
Stop number 182 on the Red Chair's inaugural cross country adventure brings our favorite piece of red furniture to Whidbey Island to enjoy another side to the beautiful state of Washington. Red arrived to Whidbey Island by ferry, which reminded it so much of back home in Woods Hole, MA! Once off the ferry, Innkeepers Dave and Becky brought the Red Chair to the Blue Goose Inn to get settled in before the adventures began. The Blue Goose Inn is comprised of two beautiful historic homes that sit within walking distance to many shops, restaurants and the waterfront. Enjoy beautiful water and mountain views right from your room and each morning you will wake to one of the most delicious breakfasts you will have ever tasted! After breakfast Red wandered along the shoreline of Double Bluff Beach, enjoying the sunshine and spectacular views. Even though it was October, Red found the water to be so inviting and decided to take a quick dip in Useless Bay. Next it was onto check out the boats at the historic Coupeville Warf. Here Red enjoyed watching the boats come in and out of Penn Cove with Mount Baker as the background. Red also got to hop aboard the historic Suva for a tour and a picture. When the Red Chair returned back to the Blue Goose Inn for the evening, Red was introduced to the senior red chairs. These century old chairs shared many stories of their adventures and how they came to be at the Blue Goose Inn. After spending hours exchanging adventures, Red retired to its room for one final luxurious night before moving onto the next B&B in the morning.
Meritage Meadows Inn Bed & Breakfast
Redmond, WA
September 21-27th, 2015
Located within the heart of Woodinville Wine Country, and also within a 10 mile radius to over 105 of the best wineries and tasting rooms in Washington luckily for the Red Chair, sits the Meritage Meadows Inn Bed and Breakfast of Redmond, Washington. Red arrived on a gorgeous September afternoon to a welcome wine tasting, which they actually feature daily for all guests. Red just knew it was in for a good time! While staying at the Meritage Meadows Inn, Red got to help crush Cabernet Grapes with the sister winery, Cinq Cellars. Then it was onto visiting the Eastside. Although Red has spent quite a bit of time in Seattle, there was still so much more to see including the many untapped attractions that await you on the Eastside of Seattle. Red did a little climbing at Marymoor Park in Redmond, visited the Microsoft Campus and went to see Snoqualmie Falls up close. For one complete day, however, Red just hung out chatting with the various amenities at Meritage Meadows, and like all innkeepers and furniture, had many unique stories to share of past adventures and interesting travelers who have passed through the front doors. You just never know who or what you may encounter in this business, it could be a traveling red chair.
Greenlake Guest House
Seattle, WA
September 14-20th, 2015
Located in Northern Seattle, this beautiful Craftsman-style Bed and Breakfast welcomed the Red Chair Travels on an overcast morning. Although it was a bit on the cloudy and drizzly side, the Greenlake Guest House was warm, bright and welcoming with the permeating aroma of a delicious breakfast awaiting the Red Chair. Red really enjoyed lounging around the Greenlake Guest House for the first full day. Red was ready for a lazy, rainy day to sit with a warm drink and the company of new friends. Throughout the rest of Red's stay the weather actually cooperated quite nicely! The innkeepers took the Red Chair to visit the Boeing Assembly Plant in nearby Everett, which is actually the largest covered building in the world and is home to the assembly of the wide bodied jets, including the new all-composite 787 (Dreamliner), 777, and 747. Next stop was the Chihuly Garden and Glass Exhibit in Seattle and is located right at the base of the famous Seattle Space Needle. Famous glass artist Dale Chihuly does art installations all over the world and is a current resident of Seattle. Here is where he has his permanent exhibit of both indoor and outdoor hand crafted pieces. On the nicer days, Red spent quite a bit of time at Green Lake, located right across the street from the Greenlake Guest House. This in-city gem is the busiest park in Washington State with walkers, joggers, bicyclists, all sharing the 2.8 mile path that goes around the park. There are also tennis and volleyball courts, a children's playground, two swimming beaches, kayak and small boat rentals, fishing and picnicking areas as well as a community center with basketball courts and an indoor swimming pool. Red also explored Gasworks Park, read more here! With such an easy drive to downtown Seattle (or bus if you would rather) and being such a small, 5 room B&B, Greenlake Guest House is able to offer that personal service you deserve and a prime, comfortable location for your stay. Red had such a wonderful time and definitely plans to come back again!
9 Cranes Inn
Seattle, WA
September 8-13th, 2015
Red enjoyed the last days of summer at the 9 Cranes Inn and it was marvelous! The inn is located right in Seattle's Phinney Ridge neighborhood, near the Woodland Park Zoo, and was extremely convenient to many interesting Seattle attractions, restaurants and shops. Phillip, the resident Shih Tzu, welcomed Red with open paws, snuggling up on the inn's front porch and showing Red some of the sights of Seattle, including: The Ballard Locks - where watercraft travel from the salt water of Pudget Sound into freshwater Lake Union, the Fremont Troll - one of the many funky public art installations in town, the Fremont Bridge - a gateway to the self-proclaimed "Center of the Universe," Golden Gardens Park - a public beach with views of Pudget Sound and the Olympic Mountains, A visit to the Seattle Space Needle at night - Red caught it on 9/11 with the American flag at half-staff, and lastly, a visit to Kerry Park - high on Queen Anne Hill with picturesque city views. The innkeepers of the 9 Cranes were so amazing and the accommodations were so incredibly comfortable it was truly tough to leave!
Three Tree Point Bed & Breakfast
Seattle, WA
September 1st - 7th, 2015
The Three Tree Point Bed and Breakfast in Seattle, Washington, hosted the Red Chair for the first week of September and it was so much fun! Three Tree Point overlooks Pudget Sound and provides spectacular panoramic views of the majestic Mount Rainier as well as the Olympic Mountains. Red could get used to a view like that every morning! After a delicious breakfast, Red took a walk along the beach nearby and watched the boats come and go. After a peaceful and relaxing walk, Red and Innkeeper Penny decided to head to dinner at Iver's Seafood Restaurant for some of the best seafood in Seattle. They decided to check out the local music scene and visit Jazz Alley as well as the Royal Room, where Red actually got pulled up on stage! Innkeeper Penny kept Red's itinerary at a perfect pace, full of adventure, yet plenty of time to enjoy the gorgeous area and relax in complete and total peace. Red hiked through Washington's big trees and green ferns for daily exercise and often stopped to enjoy the amazing view of Mount Rainier. The Red Chair can honestly say it cannot wait to come back again!
The Guest House Bed & Breakfast
Seattle, WA
August 25-31st, 2015
When the Red Chair Travels visited the Guest House Bed and Breakfast, it found an inviting, warm welcome and an experience it will never forget. After a great night's sleep, Red woke to the smell of freshly brewed coffee and homemade baked goods. Red wandered on down to a hot gourmet breakfast served in their cozy dining area and enjoyed beautiful views of the gardens through the French doors. After breakfast Red ventured out to explore the salt water beaches, then it decided to take the LightRail into the city and stopped by Safeco Field which is the home of the Seattle Mariners baseball team and CenturyLink Field home of the Seattle Seahawks. Red also explored Pike Place Market, one of the oldest farmer's markets in the US. Here Red met Rachel, the giant bronze piggybank. She stands proud at the entrance of the market where visitors from all over the world drop off coins which are donated to the Market Foundation. While checking out the Market, Red captured the attention of many people and actually got an invite to visit a Rooftop Penthouse Garden with breathtaking views of the city and Space Needle. Red could not believe how easy it was to visit many of the Seattle attractions, museums, shops, restaurants, art galleries, and theaters from The Guest House! Seattle has been such an amazing place and Red is so glad it is getting the chance to spend almost a month in this gorgeous city with four fantastic inn hosts!
The Inn at Mallard Cove
Olympia, WA
August 18-24th, 2015
The Inn at Mallard Cove is a waterfront, English Tudor - style bed and breakfast located near Olympia, Washington. It is located nearby to the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, where all the following pictures were taken. Red was taken on a guided tour of the refuge and by the time they had finished it was sunset, then dusk, and all the birds were heading home for the night. With Mount Rainier as a backdrop and a sliver of moon peaking out the Red Chair was in awe of this magnificent place. It was full of wildlife such as a Great Blue Heron moseying along on shore and harbor seals lounging nearby. The Inn was peaceful, beautiful and calm with beautiful scenic views of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound for our Red to enjoy. Red found it was tough to stay indoors though, the many outside activities such as kayaking and all of the vibrant wildlife provided hours of entertainment. Being such a great escape from the hustle and bustle of life, Red will definitely be back again someday!
Swantown Inn Bed & Breakfast
Olympia, WA
August 11-17th, 2015
The Red Chair arrived at the Swantown Inn Bed and Breakfast on a beautiful August afternoon. Instantly welcomed by innkeepers Nathan, Casey and their family, Red felt right at home. This beautiful 1887 Victorian/Queen Anne Revival home was quite a sight to see! Make sure to check out their website to learn more about this property's interesting history. The Red Chair had a marvelous time wandering around Washington State's capitol of Olympia, eating delicious food at the local restaurants (and of course breakfast at the inn YUMM!), shopping at the many great shops of downtown, and moseying down the beautiful boardwalk to check out the Historic Percival Landing to see the statues along the waterfront. Olympia is a fantastic place for those who love to be outdoors as much as the Red Chair does! Nearby to the inn you have Olympia National Park and Mount Rainier that provide beautiful trails for hiking and scenic spots for pictures. Red happened to be in town for a few special occasions including a gorgeous wedding AND a fabulous third birthday party at Eastside Big Tom Drive In a must try if ever in the Olympia area. It was a blast staying at the Swantown Inn, Red immediately felt like family and definitely will be back in the future!
Boreas Bed & Breakfast Inn
Long Beach, WA
August 4-10th, 2015
Walking, biking, exploring, whale watching, eating, shopping, relaxing are just a few things to do in Long Beach Washington and Red did all this and more during its most recent stay at the Boreas Bed and Breakfast Inn! When Red arrived, late in the evening on a beautiful August night, the innkeepers noticed Red looked a bit tired. They immediately tucked Red into the dining room at the Inn right next to the other chairs for a good nights rest. The next morning guests and longtime friends from Canberra, Australia took a shine to Red and asked if they could show Red around. Being from Australia, they rook Red to The Lost Roo, a well-known sports bar in Long Beach. On day two, being the big Deadliest Catch fan that it is, the Red Chair was thrilled when Innkeeper Susie told it they were going to meet Deckhand Ian Wood from the Time Bandit and were invited to check out his tuna boat. Red learned the Port of Ilwaco is a spectacular area for sports and commercial fishing for salmon, halibut, rock fish, Dungeoness Crab and those are just a few of the tasty jewels pulled from the sea and the Columbia River only a few miles from the Boreas Inn! Next it was onto visit Cape Disappointment State Park nearby to the Boreas Inn, check out more on our blog page! On the last day of Red's stay at the Boreas Bed and Breakfast Inn the Red Chair was brought to KMUN radio, the community public station in Astoria, OR and was interviewed on Carol ART program. It was so much fun for Red as it loved reliving all of the exciting things it was able to see and experience during its time in Long Beach, Washington!
The Shelburne Inn
Seaview, WA
July 28 - August 3rd, 2015
History, beaches, luxury, The Shelburne Inn has it all! The Red Chair arrived at The Shelburn Inn mid summer to experience this relaxing retreat located minutes away from the Long Beach Peninsula between the Columbia River and Pacific Ocean. This area is known for it's 28 miles of sandy beach, festivals, oyster farming, cranberry growing and recreation so needless to say Red was quite the busy bee wanting to experience it all! When you travel to a unique place, part of that charm is the history and Shelburne Inn does not disappoint! The inn was established as a retreat to the Washington coast for visitors from Portland, OR, and has been operating continuously since 1896. Red was excited to learn, explore, and discover, with the help of the amazing innkeepers of course, the very best of Seaview, WA.
Carson Ridge Luxury Cabins
Carson, WA
July 21-27th, 2015
The Red Chair arrived at the Carson Ridge Luxury Cabins on a warm July afternoon to find a beautiful country setting surrounded by meadows, towering pines and stunning views of the neighboring mountain ridges and the Cascade Mountain Range. Innkeepers Theresa and Richard had quite the adventure planned for our Red which included admiring the botanical gardens, hiking, picking blackberries, and relaxing in complete and total comfort with incredible views of the Cascade Mountains in the Columbia River Gorge. Red heard the innkeepers love to spoil their guests with a hearty and delicious breakfast each morning, and those rumors were spot on! From the creme brule french toast, to cheddar and herb biscuits with a sausage gravy to German apple pancakes and so much more it is no wonder Red felt a little heavier as it was escorted onto its next host!
Cameo Heights Mansion Bed & Breakfast
Touchet, WA
July 14-20, 2015
Just a short drive from downtown Walla Wall, WA you will come upon the picturesque Cameo Heights Mansion Bed and Breakfast in Touchet, WA. When the Red Chair arrived it could not wait to check in and explore the grounds of this beautiful property. Cameo Heights was incredibly welcoming and was an all around experience unlike any other! In this quiet country setting one can find a five star restaurant, called the Vine, onsite day spa and the most luxurious stay with stunning views all around over looking the Walla Walla River. Red spent the days living the dream, swimming, sunbathing, playing horseshoes, watching movies in their in house theater, hiking, and roasting smores over the outdoor fire pit at night, and that was all with out leaving the property! When Red ventured into the surrounding areas it caught sunset a few different times in some of the most beautiful locations. It also checked out the wind turbines, roamed fields of wheat, visited local farm stands for fresh produce, went fishing, visited some curious horses, walked the vineyards while of course tasting a few glasses of wine. From the staff to the view and everything in between, it was a marvelous stay. The Red Chair Travels would love to come back again someday.
Inn at Blackberry Creek
Walla Walla, WA
July 7-13th, 2015
Finally the Red Chair can cross one more state off the list! Red arrived at the very first stop in Washington state this July for a week of blissful days of fun in the sun with the wonderful innkeepers of the Inn at Blackberry Creek in Walla Walla, Washington! Here Red got the chance to relax with some local wine and enjoy the inn's rolling lawns, nearby creek and big shade trees. During Red's time here Red moseyed on down to downtown Walla Walla, to explore its boutique shops and many wine tasting rooms, mixed in with some great public art bronzes and many small unique eateries it was a great place to spend a couple of hours. Then the Innkeepers decided to take Red on a tour of the Whitman College campus and stopped for a photo opp with one of their many bronze statues. Next it was off to Pioneer Park, a century old park with a beautiful Bandstand, Aviary and a great bronze depicting early settlers in a whimsical fashion. Red then headed out to the vineyards and wheat fields on a beautiful drive over scenic loop, when you get to the top you can see the entire valley (and is a great spot for a picture). This place is a special place to visit at sunrise and sunset. The group then headed down through the valley to A'Maurice where they stopped for a wine tasting and of course a few Red Chair selfies. It was a fantastic afternoon and what better way to finish the day with a stop for a drink and one of the most fantastic lamb burgers ever consumed (yes that good!)
