The running joke when it comes to Summer in the northwest is that Summer officially starts on July 5th… not June 21.
It really is funny how much talking, tweeting, facebooking – what I like to call “the social” – goes on around the weather out here. Originally from New England, I moved to Seattle 4 years ago (this August will mark the fourth!) and I learned very quickly about how fickle the weather can be. From torrential rain and wind storms to some of the most beautiful days with views and vistas of the surrounding landscape, Seattle (or the Pacific Northwest (PNW) rather) has it all. Well my friends – it is late into June and I think Summer has finally made it. Although the skies have not been crystal clear, the clouds are burning off by about 10am each day and the temperature rises well into the 7o’s. No humidity… I can’t tell you what a relief that is coming from the east coast. That type of oppressive weather – shoot – it’s like walking around in someone’s mouth. Gross.
The past week or so I have been thinking about this blog post because there are reasons why all of us reside in the PNW and weather like this is one of them. What amazes me about the weather being nice is how happy people are and how they go to great lengths to enjoy it. I am posting a couple of pictures from two nights ago at Golden Gardens beach – unreal right? I took my motorcycle out that evening to catch this sunset – it was incredible. Obviously still some clouds up there, but the view was intense. As the sun set, the amount of colors increased and the mountains glowed. The sun sets behind the Olympic Mountains – which you can’t make out from this picture – but they are still snow-capped. The beach is packed with sunset gazers and packs of friends BBQ’ing up brats and tofurkey dogs (i know right? But a delicacy in the NW). It really gives you a sense of community, mutual respect for nature, and how amazing this place can really be. So once again… I was standing on a beach – in sand mind you (as opposed to rocks), evergreen forests behind me, the sun setting in front of me, sailboats on Puget Sound, and snow-capped mountains in the distance. Come on now… really?
The view looking west at Golden Gardens beach in Ballard
I think more amazing still – is how much the people that live here appreciate the good weather. That sounds silly – I know. I get it. BUT – you know when you have something all of the time how easy is it to take it for granted. Something as simple as seeing the sun. It unites us – all of us – as it is one of the largest objects that all of us can see everyday. Yet if you really think about it – without it this place would be a bunch of rocks and gas; AND any further away or closer to it, nope. Nothing.
Now I am not an extreme environmentalist… tree hugger… far from it. I just can’t help but recognize the power of sunlight and the respect/gratefulness the people in my community have for it. A sunny day – unites us all.
10 Minutes later... looking east toward the Olympic Mountains
Frank Martin was raised in the foothills of the White Mountains in Western Maine. Being from a small town had its advantages, but he decided at an early age that he would dwell urban and escape to the mountains in his free time. Snowboarding is his passion and he says, “Music is the answer.” Frank explores new places through his stomach. He is a lover of this world and the people in it, and shows this by talking to everyone and asking questions: let’s say, a strong enterprising curiosity. He knows the people that make his coffee, clean the city streets, and drive public transportation.
Graduating with a B.S. in Business and Hospitality Management from the University of New Hampshire, Frank has been involved with Hotels and Corporate Real Estate Development for the better half of the decade. Upon moving to Washington, Frank stepped aboard Corliss Wine Estates as director of vineyard operations and brands. After 3 years with Corliss, Frank moved into digital media and branding with One to One Interactive as the Direct Sales Manager for the Western US.
