We have been friends with Roy and Julie for 3 decades plus! Roy and Julie and I worked at Drug Emporium together, and we have done a lot of travelling with them. Great friends, fellow wine lovers, and always up for fun and adventure. To make our visit even more special, it was Roy’s birthday on August 31st so more to celebrate while there. Celebrated with amazing ribs on the grill (Roy is an amazing chef!) and a little bit of wine 🙂
They moved to Gig Harbor only a little over a year ago, and they built a beautiful new home away from the hustle and bustle of the Seattle area, where they formerly lived in Sammamish. We had not been to Gig Harbor for many years, and frankly, there’s a fair amount of the same hustle and bustle there, but a beautiful and scenic location.
As always with Roy and Julie, lots of amazing food and great wine, and time to explore the area with a walkabout and a great hike in a waterfront State Park on Harstene Island. Me, I left the house with flip flops thinking we would just be doing an easy trail – not so much. Dirt trail straight down a steep hill to the Puget Sound. Good thing I was practically born in flip flops, so it was all good! Our lunch picnic included a glass of white wine, so the uphill was a little more challenging, but our 14 year old Coco led the way for all of us! He loves those wooded hikes.
If you are in the Gig Harbor area, be sure to visit Massimo’s Italian Grill. They have a great happy hour, but we had lunch there, and the restaurant sits right on the water next to the Purdy Bridge. Lots of tidal action, people fishing, kayaking, boating, and super ambience! Be sure to sit out on the open deck.
We can’t thank Roy and Julie more for their hospitality and friendship (and willingness to let us do multiple loads of laundry too!). Not sure when our paths will cross again, but hopefully it will be soon!