Poulsbo

Poulsbo is a quirky little town just across the water from my island. It's where we had church all growing up (until a building was finally built on Bainbridge). You just drive across the bridge over the Agate Pass, through a short stretch of the Suquamish, the Indian Reservation (made clear by the huge Casino with flashing lights and the illegal fireworks stands) and then you're in Poulsbo, which was settled mostly by Norwegians. It's a cute little place right on the waterfront, with lots of docks filled with boats and weird holidays like Viking Fest (held in the middle of May to celebrate the signing of Norway's constitution). You can buy bumper stickers that say, "Honk if you like lutefisk!" and there's an office building for the Sons of Norway.

We headed over there on a grey Monday morning in order to get breakfast from the Sluys' Poulsbo Bakery. Craig and I got breakfast there the day after we got married, so it seemed like something we just had to do. First we grabbed some hot chocolate at Starbucks (what's Seattle without a trip to Starbucks?) and then stood around inside the bakery enjoying the smells and trying to make up our minds what to buy. We should have come back again for a post-dinner dessert-- their brownies and cookies were awfully tempting, even first thing in the morning! The kids wanted to try the maple bar man (think gingerbread man, but maple bar), so I told them they had to split it. Even then they couldn't finish it, although Kendra did a great job of smearing it all over her mouth. Craig got a maple bar and a cinnamon roll, and I settled on a scone (even though it had raspberry filling) and a doughnut. My mom was nice and got the sour cream doughnut I'd been eyeing and offered to share a bite with me.

We found a bench and sat staring at the boats bobbing on the water and enjoying our food.

(Notice the wooden cutout of a viking boat in the background? I'm not making up the stuff about Viking Fest!)

Typical Kendra after any meal, really, but this maple bar man was particularly messy.

When we finished, we figured we had better do at least a little walking so we wouldn't feel like complete gluttons. We walked along the waterfront until we came to a small park and let the kids run around for a bit. In addition to the regular park equipment, Bentley found a driftwood log that he loved climbing, and eventually Kendra had to join him.

Climbing with Teddy in one hand, a car in the other, and a look of sheer delight on his face. That's my boy!

Here you can get a better idea of how high up he was.

Kendra on the teeter-totter. I'm assuming Craig is holding down the other end, but I'm not really sure...

My Mom and I quickly find ourselves sitting again. So much for our healthy "walk!"
And no, I don't know why I can never sit like a normal person...

Kendra tries climbing, too.

Next time you need an excuse to visit the great Northwest, I think Sluys' Bakery and Viking Fest should be all the reason you need!