My first trip to Seattle, Washington came right before Covid 19 hit. It was January 14th, my birthday trip and Washington was the 44th state I would be marking off the list. It was a typical rainy evening leaving the airport in the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD. This sporty sedan was a bit of a game changer for Toyota. Already known for its quality and reliability, this has been the most exciting version yet.
The 2020 Camry TRD appeals to many generations. The sportiness in fact, is what we believe makes it appealing to Gen Z. If a wider, more aggressive grille design isn’t getting enough attention, the TRD models have color-keyed rocker panel trim, black around the window moldings, black exterior mirror covers, and a rear spoiler.
The color option we drove was Supersonic red, striking against stormy scenic Seattle.
After getting checked in at the MOXY hotel in downtown Seattle, I wasn’t quite ready to turn in. I mean, with a complimentary cocktail upon check-in….I must admit, I had a fun evening in the South Lake Union’s ‘lounge’ area. The MOXY chain is a boutique branch of Marriott International. Each MOXY hotel features decor relevant to that particular area’s local feel.
This MOXY location was no exception, complete with an indoor see-saw, the area was decorated with reminders that you have just entered Seattle’s grunge scene; and of course, paying homage to Kurt Cobain, with pillows of the lead singer of Nirvana lying about, flanked with red and black plaid ones. The whole area is just representative of their outdoor culture.
The room, though tight, housed a king size bed, a 42-inch flat screen tv, ironing board, a small desk and chair and of course, free Wifi.
The next morning, we took the Camry downtown for breakfast at what was most likely Seattle’s best biscuits at The Biscuit Bitch. The line to get inside proved worthy, I ordered the ‘Hot Mess Bitch,’ it seemed fitting as I was here to celebrate my birthday after all, so bring on the eggs, grits, cheese and bacon! Oh, and the biscuit! I promise there IS a biscuit on the bottom of this goodness. The menu is a delight to read through and the staff is fun and friendly, making you forget how long your wait actually is.
My afternoon was spent exploring the Pop Culture Museum. Video games, films, musicians and the instruments they play, all things ‘Pop Culture’ can be found here. It’s 14,000 square feet of wonderfulness for those who can’t get enough of the music/film industry. The museum opened in 2016 and features over a dozen exhibits at any given time. Plan to pay around $30 a ticket.
Could you even be in Seattle without a trip to the Pike Place Market? I think not. It’s everything you’ve seen on tv or in the movies, it is classic Seattle, and it’s fishy. Plenty of people watching and vendors to waste away on an afternoon stroll. Can’t help but note the Starbucks cup in the corner of the picture below, don’t forget, Starbucks was founded here and you can absolutely visit their first store.
The next day’s hike called for some much needed carbs beforehand, so we climbed in our 2020 Camry and drove to nearby Beecher’s handmade cheese for a cup of mac & cheese, and we were not disappointed. As their website states, their mac & cheese is “authentic, original and full of flavor,” and I don’t disagree. Take a look for yourself…… if this picture does not make you crave mac & cheese, well, then you just don’t like mac & cheese.
Let’s take a look again at the Camry TRD. The interior is sleek and well designed, and I love the swooping layout of the dashboard. You can tell from the easy to reach dials on the 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that the interior matches its flashy exterior. The seat belts are red as is the stitching with TRD-branded floor mats. The steering wheel is wrapped in leather with SofTex-trimmed seats.
For your convenience, the push-button start is welcoming. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both available as well as a pair of USB charging ports.
Let’s not forget Toyota’s Safety Sense P driver-assistance suite which comes standard, including adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams and lane-departure warning.
The only powertrain offered in the Camry TRD is a 3.5-liter V6. Performance was smooth and efficient, with a modest 301 horsepower. The Camry was plenty quick on our drive up to Snowqualmie Falls, one of Washington’s most scenic attractions. An easy hike as well, all in all, about 45 minutes and there you are; and because we were there on a weekday, it was not crowded at all.
So much to this area, that I will have to plan a return to trip to cover more. Thankful to have squeezed this trip in, as none of us knew what would transpire in the coming days of quarantine. As you part ways with Washington, be sure to glance out of your window…. you never know what you may see….. Mount Hood? Mount St. Helen? Or is it Mount Rainier? Until next time, we’ll keep you guessing 🙂
