You know the routine by now: awake at 2:45, then again at 5:00. I give up trying to sleep. A bit of YouTube to pass the time, then packing for the trip north – back to Seattle.

I’ve also set my sights on some geocaching today. The city of Issaquah has a Geotour with 16 caches, plus the chance to earn a Geocoin (if they still have any) and a souvenir in the app.

It’s a 172-mile (276 km) drive, about 2 hours and 45 minutes. Audiobook on, and off I go – mostly on I-5. There’s traffic heading into the city, but not in my direction, so it’s smooth driving. Still, with drivers who don’t use blinkers and no “keep right” rule, it keeps you on high alert. Let’s just say… not the best driving skills.

After Tacoma, the route switches to smaller roads that weave around cities. It’s interesting to see the smaller towns, but more importantly, I need a restroom. A Shell station with a friendly cashier saves the day. There aren’t many rest areas along the highways here, so I’m grateful.

Issaquah turns out to be a very pleasant place. I park at a salmon hatchery and start the caching tour, walking through the center and finding different caches. The Geotour is tied to the city’s sustainability efforts, so you see a lot: the old train depot, a vintage Shell gas station, and charming streets. It’s warm, and some caches require walking, while others are a quick drive away. I work through the list in the most efficient order. Only one cache is missing; the rest are right where they should be.

For the tour, you print a passport – mine came from Norway – and collect codes from each cache to prove you found them. The tour leads to some interesting spots, showing that Issaquah has more to offer than expected: hiking trails, local businesses, and varied neighborhoods.

The biggest contrast is between old town and Issaquah Highlands. The latter is modern, upscale, and perched on the hillside with great views. Everything looks new, surrounded by trees and well-kept houses. Definitely a pricey area.

Once I’ve found them all, I head to city hall. The receptionist checks my passport and confirms my answers – success! I get a free Geocoin, which they’re no longer producing, so I’m lucky to have scored one. 4 hours of work worth the effort.

From there, it’s only 38 miles to my Airbnb. I make a quick McDonald’s cheeseburger stop on the way. The Airbnb is southeast of the city, in a quiet area with small single-family homes. No homeless camps – approved. The entrance is behind a green house; I have the code via message, so check-in is easy. It’s simple but perfect: a bed, small kitchen, bathroom, cozy atmosphere, and not overpriced.

I try to find dinner, but the only thing I get is a bubble tea. No good restaurants nearby, and no parking near the tram. Back at the Airbnb, I check public transport. One option is a 10-minute walk but with a brutal uphill climb, or a 5-minute walk plus a 15-minute longer ride. In this heat, I take the easier option. Bus 50 to tram line 1, then into the city. I download the Orca card app and load it – $3 per ticket is a steal compared to a $40+ taxi.

Seattle is warm, and you quickly notice the homeless presence and the constant scent of cannabis. I stop at Walgreens for a hairbrush I forgot in Norway, then head to the famous public market – but no acceptable restaurant around.

I rent an e-scooter to get around, but a service guy stops me – apparently mine is missing a part and shouldn’t be in use. I switch to a new one and head for the waterfront. Lots of tourists, still no food.

With no luck, I return toward the Airbnb planning to make bread there. On the climb toward the tram, I spot an Asian restaurant that looks inviting: Dough Zone. Here you order several small dishes. I go for a spring onion pancake, sweet and sour cucumber, and Dan Dan noodles. The food is excellent – flavorful, just a touch spicy, and exactly what I needed. $26 with tip, and they even display the calorie counts for each dish, so there’s no pretending you didn’t know.

Tram back, then bus. The system works smoothly – good to know for the 13th when I visit HQ.

Back at the Airbnb, I prep for tomorrow’s hike and work on blog posts. I’m trying to stay up later in hopes of sleeping past 5:00. The quiet here, without an air conditioner roaring to life every 10 minutes, might just help. We’ll see.