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Kirkland, WA, Celebrates Centennial

By Bonnie Neely, Photos By Bill Neely

If business or pleasure takes you to the Seattle area, a little known but delightful place to stay is just a fifteen minute drive across Lake Washington to the East side, Kirkland. The little town celebrated her centennial in 2005 with many festivitivies and a great big welcome for visitors. This clean and beautiful town at water's edge was home to several groups of Native Peoples who fished, hunted, and gathered the riches of the bountiful earth in thick natural forests around the huge lake.

In the latter part of the nineteenth century the first white man, Frank Curtis, ventured over to the east shore known as Pleasant Bank and built his home at Curtis Landing and later put in a ferry. Within a few years another family, the O'Connors, built on the East side of the lake and added a road, church, mill, school, and Post Office. However, the city is named for Peter Kirkland who believed this was the place to build the steel mill that would tap the rich resources of Snoqualmie Pass. He also hoped that a canal from Lake Washington to the Puget Sound would make this a major shipping port. His dreams were dampered by the 1893 depression, but the town grew anyway and was incorporated as the town of Kirkland by 1905. During the early years it had woolen mills and a shipyard that made most of the ships for Lake Washington. Eventually, the canal did come through by 1917, and the city flourished. Today it has about 44,000 residents.

Maintaining the closeness of a small town atmosphere, Kirkland has a delightful downtown and you can walk to nearly anything. And as you walk or drive, look for the many fine statues and sculptures that the city has placed as various points to enhance your sight-seeing. Stretching right along the wide, sandy shores of Lake Washington, Kirkland offers lovely city parks and waterfront beaches and play grounds, fine dining, elegant art galleries, and unique boutique shops equal to or surpassing any in Seattle, its near neighbor. Just thirty minutes from SeaTac airport, Kirkland is a favorite bedroom community for executives and visitors.

The home of Microsoft and Bill Gates is just a few miles away in Redmond. While enjoying a boat ride on Lake Washington we could see his immense mansion built into the hillside. By car you can easily cross one of two unique floating bridges into the city of Seattle or stop on Mercer Island. The bridges are fascinating.

We saw many lovely condos along the lake, but most are not for short-time rentals. There are also numerous motels, and hotels, and the one we highly recommend The Woodmark Hotel on Lake Washington, Kirkland

The Woodmark Hotel on Lake Washington, Kirkland

you choose is Woodmark Hotel On Lake Washington (1 425 822 3700) at Carillon Pointe. The understated lobby with its crackling fire and marble floors, wool rugs and invitingly cozy furniture gives the feeling of a large living room. The circular staircase winds down to the equally large bar, which feels like a grand family room complete with walls of books, another blazing fireplace, and a piano, which guests frequently play.

The Woodmark has 100 luxurious rooms. Ours with our private balcony opened to the lake's edge, and was spaciously welcoming in the style of a carefully decorated guest bedroom in a home. Every need was anticipated with exquisite comfort. Have you ever been away on a business trip and couldn't sleep and longed to be able to raid the refrigerator at midnight? Well, here is the place to stay...like none other we have ever heard of! From 11P.M. to 1 A.M. hotel guests are invited to Raid the Pantry, compliments of the chef, who lays out a wonderful midnight snack to put your mind and tummy at ease for the night!

Woodmark II, Kirkland Washington, Woodmark Hotel

Another very special touch of the Woodmark Hotel, at no extra cost, is arranged for leisure or business guests to enjoy: At noon, three, or six in the afternoon you are invited to take a two-hour, relaxing cruise on vast Lake Washington as the guest of the management. The Woodmark II is a 28-foot "classic" Chris-Craft inboard cabin cruiser, built in the 1950's of teak and mahogany. She is comfortable and spacious and carries six guests at a time. Make your reservations for this experience as you check in. You can also place an order for food and beverages aboard, for a small charge. You'll enjoy Captain Rob's water tour and his tales about the places you see, including the Yarrow Bay, Evergreen Point Floating Bridge, Lake Washington lakeside homes including the Gates Estate, University of Washington, Montlake Cut, Portage Bay, floating homes made famous in "Sleepless in Seattle,"and the skyline of Seattle with the Olympic Mountains. You'll cruise across Lake Washington, passing under the raised end of the floating bridge, into Union Bay, through the canal and into Union Lake, and back again. What a delightful way to see the area!

"Waters Lakeside Bistro" (1 425 803 5596) is the sophistocated but casual inside/outside fine bistro dining experience the Woodmark Hotel offers. We sat by the Lake at sunset and enjoyed the beauty of evening. If you happen to be there on special nights such as the fourth of July or New Year's Eve, you'll gasp for hours at the fireworks all around the lake from this perfect vantage point. Food and presentation are unusually lovely blends of Northwestern fare and flavors. The service is excellent.

If you have the time and leisure for pampering, be sure to pay a visit to the Aveda Spa at the Woodmark (1 425 803 9000). It is an elaborate, full service spa with many different treatments for skin and nails from which to choose. Pamper yourself, and take home some of their special products!

You could not go wrong with any of the wonderful choices of restaurants in Kirkland. Some of our favorites were little casual, waterfront open-air places with snacks and drinks any time of day or night. For lunch or dinner, "Cactus" has excellent Mexican food with a Caribbean flare, very different and delicious, subtle South-of-the-Border flavors. "Anthony's" is always a great choice for seafood anywhere in the area. But you should try the third floor "Fish Cafe" in downtown Kirkland. The unpretentious name does not suggest atmosphere, but the restaurant is right over the dock and has beautiful views, as well as fabulous seafood and unbelievable pastries by their own chef Sandra!

You'll want to visit this lovely little town often Guaranteed! You'll understand why many who come, stay to make it home. lake washington

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