Mansion living

Shafer Baillie library

A one night stay in the Shafer Baillie Mansion in Seattle was an interesting taste of how the other half might have lived a hundred years ago. The ground floor of the mansion was equipped with a library, above, a large dining room, and a lovely sun room. The kitchen and any other working spaces for servants were, naturally, behind closed doors.

Shafer Baillie living room

The living room was decorated for Christmas. I took this shot with my phone. Not bad, eh?

Shafer Baillie guest room

This is one of the bed and breakfast guest rooms which would have been part of the family quarters when it was a residence.

Arched doorway

I was taken with the gorgeous woodwork. I’ll show you a few more details tomorrow.

Shafer Baillie Mansion, Seattle

Shafer Baillie entrance

What’s better than spending a night in the ballroom of an early 20th century mansion? Having the whole mansion to yourself!

This is the Shafer Baillie Mansion in Seattle. Since we were going to Seattle last week and traveling there at this time of year can be hit and miss (snow or ice…bridge closings…traffic congestion) we made it an event and spent the night in this gorgeous 14,000 square foot bed and breakfast. And as luck would have it we were the only guests that night. Talk about living a Downton Abbey fantasy. The only thing missing were servants, though staff greeted us and provided a delicious breakfast.

Shafer Baillie entrance window

The mansion has been lovingly restored by the current owners. The woodworking alone is worth a visit. I’ll show you more of this beautiful building in the next day or two.

Seattle shoreline

Seattle shore

We went to Seattle for a couple of days recently. The city has changed a lot since the first time I visited decades ago but it’s always stayed interesting. Now that I live in Washington state I have the pleasant option of sailing into town on a ferry. See the three construction cranes in this photo? It’s just an inkling of what’s going on in Seattle.

Seattle shore 1

A lot of the waterfront and the city is under construction. Because we don’t go there often it’s always an adventure to see where we’re rerouted when we try to go from Point A to Point B. DH lived here years ago but so much of the city has changed his insider knowledge is dated.

Winter at the marina

John Wayne Marina

I’m a winter wimp. I don’t think of boating once the weather starts getting cold and wet. I was surprised when I saw how many boats are still bobbing about in the John Wayne Marina. In December, mind you.

Boat launch

This was the third boat that launched while I was there for lunch the other day…much heartier souls than yours truly.

Dockside Grill

Dockside Grill

I did a little holiday celebrating recently and went to the Dockside Grill. It’s Sequim’s only waterfront restaurant and has a nice view of the John Wayne Marina. (Yes, it’s named after that John Wayne. He boated here and owned land which his family donated for the marina.) It was a memorable meal for all the right reasons.