Revisiting Arnies Pacific Northwest Favorites

December 10, 2022 / Roadtirement / 5 Comments

Over a year ago Sher and I were blessed to have been able to visit with family in the Seattle area. Fine dining is to be found along the shores of the Puget Sound. Here is one of those establishments. We’re looking forward to a return trip to Arnies soon!

We had a wonderful Sunday brunch today. Our son-in-law’s parents are here visiting as well, and our grandson is relishing having all four of his grandparents at the same time. Thus our Sunday outing was extra special.

Arnies trade mark signage

Dining w/windows overlooking Puget Sound

Arnies has been serving the area for 25 years. Today we went to the Edmonds location overlooking the Puget Sound and Edmonds Marina. You can also see the Edmonds-Kingston Ferry from the restaurant.

Each person gets their own mouthwatering cinnamon roll

Excellent Mimosa, Orange juice in champagne glass

Fresh fruit with creamy yogurt dip

Arnies is known for several things, not the least of which is their signature specialty dishes. Keep in mind that your dining experience includes not only your entrée, but a fresh fruit and dip tray. In addition, you’ll be treated to a Mimosa or OJ and a warm freshly baked cinnamon roll.

Belgian waffle, honey butter, maple syrup and bacon

Eggs Benedict with house made roasted potatoes

Three egg omelet with honey ham and Tillamook cheddar

The entrées are absolutely delicious. Each are hand prepared, served at the proper temperature, and presented as professionally as you always expect from an upscale dining establishment.

It is fun watching the Edmundson-Kingston Ferry come and go as you eat

The ambience at Arnies is relaxed with a premium feeling. The staff is most friendly and truly want you to feel like you are a valuable guest. The view of Puget Sound is truly magnificent with the islands in the distance and boats on the water. Out of all of our travels, Arnies is one of our favorite restaurants.

Note: After reliving this through our pictures and story, we are already planning our next Sunday brunch at Arnies in Edmonds.

Beauty and function

March 9, 2021July 2, 2022 / Roadtirement / 15 Comments

Seattle’s Puget Sound is home to 13 working lighthouses

The Alki Point lighthouse is an operational fully automated facility operated by the US Coast Guard. It is the southernmost of the 13 lighthouses on the Sound. This is a beautiful structure when seen from any angle, and is often open for free tours. Sorry, you can’t take your dog to this one. We got this shot on a cruise from Seattle to Tillicum Island.

WWII Gun Emplacements Once Protected Puget Sound and Seattle

November 23, 2016July 2, 2022 / Roadtirement / Leave a comment

The Army had plans in place to upgrade the Puget Sound harbor defenses when the Japanese attacked Pearl
Harbor on December 7, 1941. The attack prompted a feverish scramble to implement those WWII plans.

Fort Ebey was constructed from 1942 to 1944. It overlooked the Straight of Juan de Fuca and the open Pacific
Ocean. It was the first of a series of defensive positions that also included forts Casey, Worden and
Flagler, also on Puget Sound.

One of the two gun turret foundations that still look over Puget Sound

Historic Fort Ebey State Park on Widbey Island is home to the remains of Battery 248 of the Coast Artillery
Regiment of the Washington National Guard. The guns are gone, having been melted down for scrap at the end
of the war. What remains, however, are the two circular gun emplacements and the supporting large concrete
bunker where ammunition, powder bags, and other equipment was stored.

The bunker is open to the public. A flashlight is a good companion if you venture into the bunker, as the
rooms are not provided with any lights. You will see the massive steel doors on the powder rooms as well
as the concrete pads where the three large generators were placed.

In front of the bunker towards the edge of the steep cliff you will see the forward observation bunker. A
narrow slit provided a panoramic view of the waters. No ships could enter the Sound without being spotted.

Forward observation post

Date on the main bunker entrance

The main armament of the fort was provided by two guns on swivel turrets. These guns fired a 108 pound
shell with a range of 15 miles. The 26 man gun crews could fire a round every 12 seconds.

Take a step back in time with a visit to Fort Ebey State Park. Walk where the artillerymen walked. Explore
the bunker. Stand near the forward observation position and imagine being on the lookout for enemy ships
trying to invade the Puget Sound.

Day passes are only $10, with a yearly pass available for $30. More information about Fort Ebey State Park may be found at the park website.

Bridge over Deception Pass

November 21, 2014July 2, 2022 / Roadtirement / Leave a comment

This is the view from the bridge over Deception Pass. You are looking west through the pass and across the Straight of Juan de Fuca. The road runs south onto Whidbey Island from Fidalgo Island. This northern route to Whidbey Island avoids the Ferry at Mukilteo, but takes a lot longer with more miles when coming from Seattle.

Austin and his silver salmon

September 12, 2014July 2, 2022 / Roadtirement / Leave a comment

Today a trip to the Mukilteo Lighthouse park in Mukilteo, Washington gave us the chance to see some beautiful scenery, the Whidbey Island Ferry, and to meet a nice young man with a couple of very nice fish.

Austin’s catch of the day

Austin Edmison was kind enough to show us the two silver salmon that he had just caught. He had just pulled his boat out of the water and had begun to clean the fish. He explained to me that the name silver salmon is a local term for coho salmon, the real name for the fish. Austin said his catches today weighed in about nine and six pounds. He also shared the news that he is the proud father of an eight week old baby girl! Congratulations to Austin and his family.

Meeting nice people like Austin make our journeys and adventures worth every minute.