For the last day that the China folks were in town, I was planning on taking them on an easy hike in the Index area but rain threatened so I opted for a backup, the ever popular crowd pleaser: Snoqualmie Falls. I knew it was a big hit when the group, as we approached the lookout, collectively exclaimed, “Wow!” and “Aya!”

We then hiked down to the base of the falls and entusiastically jumped the boardwalk to go rock-hopping along the base of the falls. Marshall and Judy, feeling a little more cautious, hung back and took pictures of us from a distance.

After the falls, we hit the outlet mall in North Bend, which has traditionally been a big hit with visitors from China. Victor asked, “Do you bargain here??” to which I replied, “No, this is not like Luohu.” I ended up buying some socks, in anticipation of my return to China where the largest pair of socks I could find barely fit me. The Nike and Adidas stores were popular this time around with the group and it took a lot of comparing and trying-on before anyone settled on a pair of sneakers.

Afterward, we went out to eat Thai food (Chinese family style) at Thai Kitchen in Bellevue. I ate a ton! But, this gave me lots of energy for a trip into the Enchantments with Robert. I left for Leavenworth to meet up with Robert at 5am, just as the China team was heading to the airport for the trip home.

The Enchantments: