KO and the Turk: A Bottle in Bothell Anyone?

One of the more creative wine labels we saw

A whole MONTH of driving around the Pacific Northwest visiting family, friends and wineries. What could be better? Two months, because a month just isn't enough when you realize there is so much to see and do... and drink.
We arrived in Bothell, WA to a drizzly, cold day. Instead of feeling disappointed, we were thrilled. Florida doesn't have this kind of weather. And now there would be a purpose for things like boots and fireplaces. Despite the weather we could still see mountains, pacific northwest greenery, and polite people.
Our hotel is a renovated 3 story brick schoolhouse built in the 1930's that was Bothell's main school.

School-Hotel

Our headboard with human heart

First Doctor of Bothell staring at us in our room

The McMinimus brothers from Portland own a number of properties like this in Oregon and Washington. Their signature seems to be renovating locally significant structures in a creative and artistic manner, and creating as many opportunities to serve alcohol in as imaginative locations as possible. Our property was surrounded by gardens with walking paths that led to a Whiskey hut - complete with roaring fire and amazing assortment of whiskys; and then led to a brewery with outdoor seating around roaring firepits (remember it is cold outside); and then led to a building that originally housed the Olympic sized community pool. Today it still houses the community pool, which is now owned by the McMinimus brothers and shared with both the townsfolk and hotel guests. But it is transformed into an Hawaiian environment complete with bamboo walls, tropical plants, waterfalls, stone heads and, upstairs overlooking the pool - a tiki bar that serves rum flights and pan-asian food. Did I mention the salt water pool is heated to 90 degrees, creating a steamy fog over the water because the air is a bit cool from the partially open roof.
Of course they have a regular restaurant, gift shop and many fireplaces. I understand from a friend who's family lives in Bothell (unbeknownst to me when we stayed there) that this property has helped transform the formerly sleepy town into a desirable place to visit and live by 'outsiders'. Bothell is going through an obvious building 'boom' with multistory condos above retail shops, a new mall, and major roadwork all happening. We wish the best for little Bothell in hopes they don't lose their small town warmth that we enjoyed so much.

a MAN tree we saw while wine tasting


the vacuum cleaner robot hanging out on the bench

But why did we even go to Bothell? Because it is near Woodinville where Chateau St. Michelle and wineries and numerous tasting rooms are located. We were on a wine tasting mission to taste Washington state wines. And I think we succeeded.

Chateau St. Michelle

Ready for Christmas at the winery - complete with elf feet peaking out

Most of the tasting rooms are located together, surrounding a roundabout in an area called Hollywood Hills that includes an old school and a couple of nice strip mall type buildings. You can park and just walk from tasting room to tasting room with restaurants scattered between. Pretty ideal!

Ready to taste

Walking between tasting rooms sometimes requires going across the street and using the mandatory pedestrian flag!

We ate at Purple for lunch and the Barking Frog for a small dinner. Both restaurants were excellent and the wait staff was extraordinary.
Since we had a sunny day, we headed out for a hike along the Sammamish River. It was a lovely trail and parkland with bald eagles and ducks.