emmasherrell

[emmasherrell]

Let’s Go Take Some Pictures

Hi everyone, I hope you’re having a good day. Put on your best outfit and let’s go take some Instagram pictures around Bellevue and Seattle (the east and west side of Lake Washington).

I have been using Instagram since I was in the 7th grade (8 years), but it was not until my freshman year in high school (6 years ago) that I got into photography and how the colors on my feed went together. The main things to keeping a cohesive feed is colors in the picture, backgrounds and the consistent use of one filter or no filter at all.

This being said you need interesting backgrounds, this is where your location comes into play. I am a big fan of candid pictures not planned pictures, but if you are in Washington and have planned to take pictures here are a few of my favorite places.

I have linked the websites to each location, the addresses and then shared some pictures I have had taken at each location.

1. Newcastle Golf Corse  Newcastle Golf Club Rd. Newcastle WA. 98059 This beautiful golf course sits at the top of a hill, with surrounding views of Lake Washington, Mt. Rainer, the Olympic and Cascade Mountains and the Seattle skyline perfect for pictures at any time of day. Located only a fifteen-minute drive from downtown Bellevue, this gem has proved absolutely gorgeous time and time again.

2. Gas Works park  2102 N Northlake Way, Seattle WA. 98103 This lake side park over looking Lake Union on to the city is not only perfect for pictures about also picnics. Located only thirty minutes away from downtown Bellevue on the west side of Lake Washington, it is an easy go any time of year or day photo location.

3. The Summit at Snoqualmie 1001 WA-9066 Snoqualmie Pass, WA. 98068 During the winter this is one of my favorite places to snowboard but in the spring and late winter the snow and the mountains in the background make for the perfect picture.

[emmasherrell]

Let's Go Hiking

Hello everyone, I hope you are having a good day. In today’s blog post we are going hiking. We will be seeing a beautiful blue lake named lake Colchuck in the Central Cascades, Leavenworth area. I have linked the Washington Trails Association’s page on Lake Colchuk for further information.

The Lake Colchuck trail head is about three and a half hours from downtown Bellevue (the east side of Lake Washington). The hike itself is about an eight-mile round trip with an elevation gain of 2280 feet.  

When I did this hike, my two friends and I woke up early, got coffee and got on the road with lots of anticipation of the promised dark teal lake at the top. We were not prepared for the fact that we needed a Northwest Forest Pass, or the fact that the trail head was extremely busy. Upon arriving at the trial head, cars not only filled the trailhead parking lot, but also the road leading to it. My two friends and I did not know that the Lake Colchuck trail head also has access to Stuart Lake.

We knew that the hike was quite hard, but we were not prepared for most of the hike being extremely uphill. While hiking you are constantly in earshot of flowing water and are met with waterfalls bridges and creeks along the way.

Once we made it to the top, turning the corner, coming out of the trees and seeing the lake for the first time was breathtaking. I had never seen anything like it. My friends and I brought a small picnic and wore our swimsuits so we could walk into the lake and cool off.

After hiking Lake Colchuck, I would recommend you wear hiking boots, but if you don’t have hiking boots, wear nicely fitting tennis shoes that can get dirty as the hike is dusty and muddy. I came home with quarter size blisters on my heals because my shoes were slightly too big. I would also recommend you plan a day to do this hike, my friends and I hiked for around 6 hours and spent about an hour and a half at the top and drove a total of seven hours round trip.

I hope that you guys are able to do this hike, be safe and leave the trail cleaner than you found it.

[emmasherrell]

Let's Go to Brunch

Hello everyone, I hope you having a good day. Put on your stretchy pants because today we’re going to brunch.

In today’s blog post I am going to tell you about 3 of my favorite places to have brunch. I have linked the websites to each of the restaurants, the brunch menus and the addresses to the restaurants just in case you are in the area and get hungry.

1. Oddfellows Café and Bar

No. 1525 10th AVE. Seattle, WA. 98122

This Capital Hill gem, located in Seattle, on the West side of Lake Washington is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner but is known for its brunch. The brunch menu offers breakfast items like Homemade Biscuits and Eggs, baked goods, special weekend brunch options and lunch items including everything from a B.L.A.T. (bacon. Lettuce, avocado and tomato) sandwich to their classic mac and cheese.

With Corona virus, Oddfellows is still open, but there is limited seating. They are only seating people outside and will not take reservations.

2. Portage Bay

4130 Roosevelt Way NE Seattle, WA. 98105 (the original location)

Portage Bay has 4 different locations (Roosevelt, Ballard, South Lake Union, and Sixty-fifth Street) all located in the city of Seattle, on the west side of Lake Washington. This perfect brunch spot is only open until 1 p.m., only does brunch and has absolutely perfected it. Their brunch menu is extensive with lots of gluten free options and offers items that come with the “Breakfast Bar.” The “Breakfast Bar” is a self-serve berry, nut and whipped cream bar full of toppings that you can load onto everything from Swedish pancakes to bananas foster French toast.

With Corona virus, the restaurant is practicing social distancing inside, has outdoor seating available and recommends reservations. The “Breakfast Bar” is no longer self-serve, instead you are able to order your toppings with your waiter and they will come out on the side or on the top of what you ordered.

3. The Fat Hen

1418 NW 70th Street Seattle, WA. 98117

This tiny neighborhood brunch spot is absolutely amazing and is known for its unique and non-traditional menu . The Fat Hen is located on the west side of Lake Washington in the neighborhood of Whittier Heights. Just like Portage Bay, The Fat Hen closes early afternoon (2 p.m.) and has put their delicious touch on breakfast. This popular brunch place while known for its food, is also known for its wait. If you are not at the door by eight-thirty a.m. you will wait outside until they have an open table which can take awhile.

With Corona Virus, the wait list is now on their website and will shut off when they have reached capacity for the day. They have limited seating and are accepting parties of two and have limited seating for parties of three but will not accept parties over three people.

[emmasherrell]

Lets Go to Kirkland

Hi everyone, I hope you all are having a good day, today I am bringing you to the beach.

Bellevue does not have any real beaches with sand and saltwater, but we have lake front views and “beaches.” This beautiful lake front town is one of the closest things the Eastside of Lake Washington has to a beach town. The city of Kirkland offers a multitude of beaches, waterfront restaurants, shopping boutiques, coffee shops and residential areas with charming views of Lake Washington. During the day the beaches are full of all ages enjoying the sun, playing volleyball and jumping in the lake when the weather allows. When the sunsets the docks and parks are perfect to watch the Washington sunsets over the lake.  

While Houghton Beach Park is a personal favorite beach, Yelp.com named it one of the top ten beaches in Bellevue. This family friendly 3.8-acre beach is equipped with 3 different lawns, a playground, public restrooms, picnic tables, dock, walk-in to the water sand area, and a volleyball court making it the perfect place for your next beach day and sunset watching date. 

One of my personal favorite restaurants on the Eastside of Lake Washington, Como, is located at Kirkland’s Carillon Point, and is known for its waterfront view, modern and airy feel and authentic Italian cuisine. With an average of 4 stars the food is decadent, and has customers feeling like they are on a vacation to Italy.  

[emmasherrell]

Introduction and Plant Heaven

Hi, my name is Emma and I’ve lived in Washington state for 20 years, on the east side of Lake Washington, in a growing city named Bellevue. While I have lived on the Eastside my entire life, I went to school and studied dance in Seattle, the larger city on the Westside of lake Washington. I enjoy exploring the surrounding cities around me, hiking and love a good Sunday brunch or cute dinner out. In this blog I look forward to sharing some of the hidden and well-known gems around the coast of Washington State.

One of my favorite places in Seattle is the Conservatory at Volunteer park. This little escape, only 15 minutes away from Bellevue, offers three different rooms overflowing with aesthetically placed plants of all kinds. I have taken multiple Instagram photos here as well as just come with a good book and sit among the plants and decompress. The greenery and glass roof create optimal lighting for pictures and a scenic background. With only a two-dollar entry fee for the entire day the photo opportunities are endless. 

During the holidays the conservatory also has a holiday themed room with hundreds of poinsettias, an automated toy train set and a Santa that you can take pictures with. 

This pant heaven sits on a 48-acre park including the Seattle Asian Art Museum, A reservoir, four reservable tennis courts, a water tower with an observation deck, a reflecting and wading pool, a playground and multiple lawns to create your own fun. As a cheery on top of this perfect park located in the heart of Seattle, there is a cute café only a 10-minute walk from the conservatory offering delightful options for breakfast lunch and dinner as well as enticing coffee and drink options as well as daily made pastries.