Oct 26
2009

While attending my niece’s wedding this summer in the greater Spokane area, one of my daughters who had attended college in the local area told me about the Rockwood Bakery, a quaint bakery that served espresso, coffee drinks, quiche and pastries in an out of the way
location mainly visited by Spokane natives and college students.

The morning after the wedding, some of us made our way to the Rockwood Bakery and found a wonderful old house that had been transformed into a bakery/espresso bar.  It had plenty of seating inside with a delightful, relaxed atmosphere, and a deck with outdoor seating.  It is easy to see why it is a popular spot for the students as it has a large gathering area, great coffee and sweet treats which beckons the patron to sit and stay a while.

The bakery is located across from Monroe Park which is a beautiful park most noted for the lovely rose gardens and lush, green lawns.  My
attention was instantly drawn to the numerous locals out walking that morning.   There were mothers pushing baby strollers, couples out for a leisurly morning stroll, even some joggers, all seeming to end their pursuits at the Rockwood Bakery.

The espresso was indeed superb, and as it is a bakery, there are many delectable pastries to be drawn to.  Most popular, however, is their
quiche as it is light and fluffy.

If you have occasion to be in Spokane and would like some great coffee in a leisurely atmosphere, be sure to visit the Rockwood Bakery; and, if you’re visiting during the school year, don’t be suprised to find students tucked into a corner studying.

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Oct 8
2009

Okay.  So this is not your small, obscure coffee shop that I normally like to talk about or direct you to, but Starbucks Coffee Shops are definitely worth mentioning.  There are a seemingly infinite number of SB Coffee Shops to visit and to mention each and every one would be virtually impossible.

That said, here I sit in the Centralia, Washington Starbucks right now.   Of course, there  is more than one Starbucks located in Centralia, so I’m referring to the one located in the Safeway parking lot (there is also a Starbucks inside this Safeway location) on  Harrison Avenue off  Exit 82 of Interstate 5.

As I sit here this morning enjoying my latte and high speed internet connection, I’m doubting we are truly in a recession.  Traffic through the door has been nonstop.  The lines have been long, approximately 10 people or so, all morning.

So what is bringing all these people to this particular Starbucks?  Is it the coffee, the location, the buzz, or all of the above?

My perception is that this particular Starbucks is in a perfect location.  There is not a drive-thru at this SB location, so all attention is focused on the customer walking through the door.  It is a bright, cheerful location and has one of the larger seating areas inside as well as a large outdoor seating area that is still being used since Western Washington is enjoying a longer than normal dry fall this year.  Fortunately,  winter rain has not yet set in for the next undetermined number of months.

Centralia is a small city so there are many people that know each other and meet for coffee at this location.  Centralia Community College is close by and many students drop in to meet or do homework on their computers. There are also many, such as myself, that stop in off the freeway and choose this particular Starbucks because of its friendly, cheerful atmosphere.  In fact, I’m seated next to a young businesswoman who is here conducting some business while waiting to go to another appointment.

As far as the coffee….well, you decide.  The thing about Starbucks, the menu is such you don’t have to guess, it is the same at any Starbucks location.  However, I should mention that this Starbucks does not skimp on the flavoring thereby offering a delightfull brew of……well… should I make it a Tall Caramel Macchiato, a Grande White Mocha, a Venti Frappucino, or how about a seasonal Pumpkin latte?  Hmmmm, always a tough decision.  I love the seasonal drinks and seasonal pastries.  It always gives me something to look forward to as we go into the dreary winter months ahead.



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Oct 5
2009

First I’ll focus on the Butter Butte Coffee Company located just south of the main Highway 12 right in Packwood, Washington.  The Butter Butte Coffee Company is a cheery little coffee house.  It is primarily a coffee roaster and is best known for their wonderful fresh roasted coffees.  I most always leave there with some organic coffee as I find organic coffee seems to be easier on the tummy.   If I have the time,  I will sit down for a few minutes and enjoy a cup of espresso and a treat from their pastry case as they have plenty of seating and it’s a nice place to spend a little time.

Packwood is a tight knit community located west of White Pass and is the last place to get a good cup of coffee before
heading up over the pass. The location alone makes it a great place to stop and stretch your legs, get a bite to eat or
just simply stop for a great cup of coffee. Packwood is nestled in amongst some pretty rugged mountain ranges
lending to its appeal. If you are ever passing that way and have a couple hours for a nice hike, I’d suggest stopping
and hiking into Packwood Lake. It’s a beautiful lake and if you’re lucky enough to be there on a clear day, you have some
pretty breathtaking views from the end of the lake.

Then, after your hike, make your way to town and stop in at the Butter Butte for some refreshment.  Try to plan your trip so you can take a few moments to stop by and don’t forget to leave with a pound or two of their fresh roasted coffee beans.

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