A Massage & a Waterfront Walk

by | Sep 18, 2022 | Edmonds, massage, walking, Washington State | 22 comments

Like all massage rooms, this one has green plants, a lovely picture on the wall, and relaxing music. It also has a large window looking out on the waterfront. When you’re undressing and climbing onto the massage table, you can see Puget Sound, the sky, and the Olympic Mountains. You might see clouds and boats and the Kingston Ferry. You might also see people on the waterfront walkway.

The question is: Can they see you? Maddie asks if I want the blinds closed, assuring me that I should be fine. It’s something about the angle. And since I’ve never seen anyone looking in, I believe her. Besides, I don’t want to block out such a beautiful view.

Like most massage clients, I only show up now and then, once a month at the most. I wonder what it would be like to have more frequent massages. Bob Hope, the comedian, had a massage every single day for 63 years. His therapist traveled around the world with him. Hope believed in the therapeutic power of massages, and it worked for him. He lived to be a hundred.

If you’re very rich, a daily massage might be a good thing to spend money on.

I never sleep on the massage table. I’ve thought it might at least be good to remain silent. But I don’t. I enjoy talking with Maddie. She’s an excellent therapist, and our conversations never seem to make her lose focus.

When I’m done with my massage, it’s lunchtime. But the weather is perfect for a walk along the waterfront, and I’m not too hungry yet.

I turn south, past the fishing dock and the marina and the little cafe that sells ice cream. (Too bad! I left my purse in the car.) Even though it’s still summer, the boardwalk isn’t crowded. Because school has started and the days are shorter, everyone seems to be moving into the autumn mood.

The marina includes 662 wet moorage slips. This boat, however, seems to be heading for one of the 232 dry storage spaces. The Edmonds marina has lots of places to park your boat.

After passing all those six hundred or so boats, I leave the boardwalk and turn onto the pavement in front of Anthony’s Homeport, one of my favorite restaurants.

Anthony’s not only has good cooks, they have talented gardeners who update the planters for every season.

One more photo of Anthony’s flowers. This is the outdoor eating space. Can you see the diners there between the flowers?

Farther down the walkway, I cross a pedestrian bridge and arrive at Marina Beach Park. The water here is always too cold for swimming, but kids always give it a try. It’s a good excuse for squealing and daring each other.

Marina Beach Park,, Edmonds

Heading back, I suddenly notice that I’m hungry.

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22 Comments

  1. Mabel Kwong

    This sounded like a very relaxing day, Nicki. I’m not huge fan of massages but I get people have them as a way to feel better and reduce stress. Once a month sounds very reasonable for a massage – and you can look forward to it each month 🙂 The waterfront looked like a good place to walk, even for a short one.

    I was reading the comments and intrigued when you mentioned the extras you get for your massages and haircut in Asia. When I get haircuts at the Asian haircut place here, they do like to give a head massage. Sometimes they’d ask if I want a tea or drink, but not always.

    Reply
    • Nicki Chen

      It was a relaxing day, Mabel. And the waterfront is one of my favorite places to walk. As for massages, I don’t think everyone needs one. If you’re young and healthy and don’t strain your muscles, it probably isn’t necessary. I have scoliosis, though. And my curved spine puts a lot of stress on some muscles on either side of the curves.

      Reply
  2. Pamela

    Oh dear. A bit of jealousy creeped in. You’re lucky to gnt a massage a month – that is my goal, but I’m more likely to get one every six months. IN fact, I’ve scheduled one for tomorrow while I visit a different coast (Chesapeake Bay) for my niece’s wedding. Thanks for reminding me how important it is to care of ourselves. Massages and living to 100 – sounds good to me!

    Reply
    • Nicki Chen

      Have a good massage. And have fun at your niece’s wedding. Chesapeake Bay is a very large chunk of water–and interesting place to know more about and explore. My daughter lives in Rockville, MD, so I’ve visited a couple of spots on the bay in Maryland: Anapolis and Baltimore. James Michener wrote a book about it. I think that’s one I missed (or maybe just forgot). I’m guessing the wedding will be at Chesapeake Beach. Is that a good guess?

      Reply
  3. Jennifer J. Chow

    A massage and a marina walk sounds like a great day. You deserve it, Nicki!

    Reply
    • Nicki Chen

      How nice of you to say that, Jennifer! I guess we do deserve to treat ourselves now and then and enjoy life.

      Reply
  4. Ally Bean

    Your massage sounds divine and your photos show a lovely place. There’s something relaxing about this post, your life actually. Thanks for sharing it here.

    Reply
    • Nicki Chen

      I’m grateful to live in such a beautiful city. Some days I don’t go out at all and enjoy it, which is a real shame.

      Reply
  5. Judith Works

    We do enjoy our waterfront don’t we!!

    Reply
    • Nicki Chen

      We certainly do enjoy our waterfront. Also downtown with all the gorgeous plantings and hanging flowers.

      Reply
    • Nicki Chen

      Thank you, Derrick. (I like your wording. Even this simple phase demonstrates your skill with words.)

      Reply
  6. Autumn

    A lovely post! Thanks for taking us with you. I love massages, but am also a total wuss about them. (I have very tight muscles and massages can be painful versus relaxing.)

    Of course, since COVID, no annual massages here.

    Reply
    • Nicki Chen

      COVID kept me, too, from having a massage for two years, but my scoliosis was getting worse, so I decided to take a chance. So far so good.

      A little pain feels good on tight muscles, but there are some spots that just plain hurt. I’ve finally learned to groan so she’ll back off.

      Reply
  7. nrhatch

    Your post is so relaxing . . . I feel like I just had a massage! 😀

    Reply
    • Nicki Chen

      It was definitely a relaxing day. I’m glad you enjoyed it.

      Reply
  8. Meryl Mackay

    I wish I could join you at that lovely restaurant.
    I miss the foot massages I used to get in Beijing. Afterwards they brought tea and fruit and you could lie back and watch Chinese soap operas on the TV. Happy days

    Reply
    • Nicki Chen

      In the Philippines, they also provided some extras. A haircut always came with a good shoulder massage. No tea and fruit, though. My husband preferred the Chinese barber. I’m not sure what all he did, but I know if he found any extra hair anywhere (nose, ears, etc.), he’d take care of it. It’s funny all the little things we miss.

      Reply
  9. Kate Crimmins

    What a wonderful day! I used to have a masseuse that came to the house. It was bliss. Sadly as she got older, it was hard on her hands and she has morphed into nails. I miss her!

    Reply
    • Nicki Chen

      I wonder if it’s cost effective for a massage therapist to travel from house to house rather than paying for a room. They’d have to have a large, reliable clientele, though. And it could involve a lot of travel.

      Many jobs depend on health and strength. I remember one of the movers when we moved to a new house. He was an older man, and after moving a heavy piece of furniture, he huffed and puffed and said he was too old for this work. I’m glad your therapist was able to morph into nails.

      Reply
  10. L. Marie

    Such a beautiful place, Nicki! Thank you for these lovely photos. 😊

    I’ve only had a full body massage once. I didn’t fall asleep either. At a previous job, we were given head and neck massages a couple times a week because the work was so intense and everyone was stressed!

    Reply
    • Nicki Chen

      Our waterfront is beautiful. Anthony’s has amazing planters for every season. But there are also beautiful planters all along the boardwalk provided by the Port of Edmonds.

      When I was growing up, I never heard of anyone having a massage. I’m glad they’ve become more popular. When you’re bending over a desk, a head and neck massage is a good idea.

      Reply

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