Author Debbie Macomber, Port Orchard, WA July 6-7, 2011

I left Olympia, WA late afternoon July 6th and headed north to Port Orchard, WA.  The traffic going through Tacoma was really bumper to bumper.  I’m going to have to adjust to driving in traffic again. I really enjoyed 2 weeks of back roads and no traffic.  Seattle area is definately traffic, similiar to I-95 at rush hour in Florida.

I arrived in Port Orchard about 4:30 p.m. and went to the harbor district and took some pictures. I posted an album with all of the pictures I took of Port Orchard including my visit with Debbie Macomber.

I saw their city hall which was a really nice building, I didn’t go in since it closed at 4:30 p.m. I drove around town, found a ladies group meeting, and had a nice evening. I then found the Walmart that was in Port Orchard and I camped there for the night, along with a few other campers that were already there.

This morning, July 7th, I got up and drove to Debbie Macomber’s office and shop.  I went into the office and was greeted very nicely by Renate, who told Debbie that I arrived.  It was very nice to meet Debbie, Renate, and Heidi.  We talked a little about my trip, where I came from and where I was headed.

Heidi, Debbie, Renate

Debbie then gave me a tour of her office area, the wall on the way up to her private office that has amazing memorabilia, and her office which felt very warm and cozy with her special personal touch. I felt very honored and special that she made time in her busy day to meet with me. Debbie and her staff are all so warm and friendly, I felt right at home talking with them.  After a short visit and interesting conversation, I said goodbye and went to the Victorian tea room to look around.

Carol and Debbie

Yarn shop and office

Victorian Tea Room

When the yarn store opened, I went inside and met the two lovely ladies who worked in the store. They were so nice and answered my questions, and also I saw some knitted bra inserts for ladies who had masectomies that would be something good to learn to make and be able to donate like these ladies did.  When I get home I am going to show the sample and instructions to mom and see how we can implement a program for making and donating these near where we live in Florida.

I decided to head towards Seattle since I need to be there Friday afternoon. I found a town on the map called Federal Way. It seemed interesting and not too far from Seattle, and it showed a state park on the map.  I drove over the Tacoma Bridge which is pretty amazing. I got to Federal Way and stopped for lunch. I saw a fire truck in the parking lot and asked the firemen about the campground sign I saw. They told me how to get there and that there was a campground. After driving around to find a wi-fi spot, I saw a shopping center with a Barnes and Noble, so I went in and found a table with an outlet so I could update my website and check email.

Tomorrow on to Seattle for the weekend. I will be in various parts of WA state during the rest of July.  The last weekend of July I will be in La Conner at a canoe journey. It’s in northern Washington state. I’ve been wanting to attend this canoe journey for several years, this year it will be a reality.