Celebrating the Holidays in Seattle

Seattle is a tough place to be in December. It is cold, cloudy, rainy, wet, damp, sometimes icy, windy, freezing, and dark. But rarely is there snow. You get all the adverse weather without the one that actually symbolizes Christmas: snow. People put lights up in their yard, but it just doesn't feel like Christmas; it is somehow depressing, like something is missing. At least in Phoenix, where there's surely no snow in December, the weather is fantastic and the eternally blue sky is something to feel good about. No, Seattle is a tough place to be in December.

But does that mean you can't enjoy yourself? Of course not. Can a good Christmas still be had? Of course it can. So how? Well, family is good to have around. But lots of people try to get away from Seattle that time of year, go visit family. It's hard to get people to come see you. If you like spiders, there are plenty of those around; you find them on your bedroom walls, big, black wolf spiders. If you like wet shoes, well, then it's paradise. Otherwise you have to get yourself a raincoat and go searching for good, holiday fun.

There are plenty of wonderful places in Seattle, like the Space Needle and park below it with the Jimi Hendrix and other museums. But you've done those before, and now isn't the time to do it again. The piers and ferries and nearby islands are always nice, but the ferries are lonely in December. Pike Place Market and all of its unique shops, fresh fish and flowers and other food is open year round, but it's much better to shop there when things are blooming and there is blue sky above. Broadway and Bell Town and their shops can pass some hours, so can the many indoor and outdoor malls and little plazas tucked into a hill beneath some trees. Yes, there is plenty to do. Plenty of shopping. Plenty of eating. But also plenty of rain. Seattle is always pretty, rain or shine. It has a wonderful cityscape. But here are a few suggestions, places to go, just outside of Seattle, to celebrate the holidays, to get you into the mood, places off the beaten trail, places that might make the clouds and rain not seem so bad, things to do to get a little escape from the December gloom of the Emerald City.

1. La Conner. It is about an hour's drive from Seattle, across long fields of flowers and farms, tulips and daffodils. Not over the flowers, of course, there's a road between them. It is a lovely drive. La Conner is situated on a small river. The town itself is small and falls over a little hill, only 839 people live there who all seem to love to garden. The main street, which sits against the river, is packed with antique stores and bakeries. The air smells of antiques and bakeries. It is a quiet town with great food, fresh and hot. It speaks the holidays year round. You can bring back rolls and scones and bread and jellies and jams. There are markets, places to get fruits and flowers to give your house some extra color. It is great in the summer, but is also very nice in the winter. The people will welcome you, and there will surely be intricate little lights and decorations around town for the holidays. So instead of snow you have warm food and drink and shopping and lights; you'll be happy you went. And so will your home when you return.

2. Issaquah. If you roll down the I-90, through the forest, up and down green hills with low clouds, past Lake Sammamish, and get off at a little exit by a town clock, and you'll find yourself in a mini-valley town, small streets, small houses, small shops and cafes. The downtown is nearly all outdoors; is historic, and has a walking tour, a trolley, a creamery, a creek, a train depot, old homes, a hatchery, and side streets and roads that continue into canyons to rivers and forests and mountains. It is very green and subtle and sweet, and there are numerous cafes to have lunch or dinner or get coffee or pie. You can shop. The air feels alive. It is a wholesome town and the people are friendly. It has that small town atmosphere and mood about it-a great way to spend a holiday afternoon, happy and alive, where the weather doesn't matter. It's a happy place, especially this time of year.

3. North Bend. Below Issaquah is North Bend. Of course, Twin Peaks made it famous. It isn't exactly unknown. Most of the television show was filmed there. It is a cute city with a big mountain and a river, the South Fork. Just up the road are Snoqualmie Falls and the Salish Lodge. But while it is famous and the falls immortalized, the restaurant at the lodge isn't necessarily as well known. It is a great place to eat breakfast, and also good for lunch and dinner and wine and cheese. You sit and look over the falls, at the mountains and trees and river and clouds and mist that rises from the falls. The breakfasts are very elaborate, several courses, and they are delicious. The dining room is cozy and old. It seems cold outside, but it is perfectly warm inside. There's a fireplace. There will be Christmas specials and decorations and the spirit of the forest and holidays will be in the air. You can bring back their special oatmeal and pancake and waffle mixes, syrup, biscuits or gourmet coffee. And afterwards you can drive down to North Bend for some coffee and pie.

4. Edmonds. To get there, you have to pass several logging mills. The giant logs sit in soggy stacks and chains and belts roll, metal grinds, smoke rises. It's the epitome of the Pacific Northwest. It is desolate and beautiful. It is sad and yet somehow comforting. It makes you feel alive, and it makes the gloomy weather seem okay, like everything is right with the world. Edmonds was established as a logging community and is one of Washington's most picturesque waterfront cities. There is a marina, a fishing pier and a ferry. And each year they have a Christmas Ship Sing-a-Long, with music, fresh air, and warm refreshments. It is a very unique and Pacific Northwest way to celebrate the holidays.

There are many other great places near Seattle, like Olympia. Or you can spend your time in the big city Seattle. But if you need a getaway, somewhere to go and feel cozier, more serene, more intimate, try one of those places. And Happy Holidays!