Seattle is a Hot Spot for Love Just Ask Bachelor Nation

Washington is a wonderful place. The Emerald City draws people from far and wide to experience the beauty of Seattle and its surroundings. Most recently the cast of The Bachelor spent time in Seattle.

If you're from this state, you are probably aware that I was a contestant on a show from the Bachelor Franchise called The Golden Bachelor. Like the Bachelor reality TV show, the Golden Bachelor is much the same but older contestants hoping to win the heart of the one lead male or female. In my case, we were all trying to see if we had a possible connection with 72-year-old Gerry Turner.

I might have been the first person on a show like this from Eastern Washington. But on the West side of the mountains, Seattle has proven to be quite popular not only for reality show contestants but for romantic, fun dates for Bachelor Nation contestants.

Recently during the filming of Jenn Tran's season of The Bachelor, she and her prospective men fell in love in the Emerald City.

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I lived in Seattle for a few years, and I couldn't agree more, from the beautiful city skyline to the lush green forests that surround the city. The islands, the beaches of the Puget Sound, and many unique and quaint romantic restaurants and attractions. You could live in the area your whole life and never see it all.

Bachelorette Jen Tran, stayed at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco in Seattle, just blocks away from Pike Place Market, T-Mobile Park and the Seattle Aquarium.

Jenn surprised her hopeful date Mark with a "Wicked-themed" ride in a hot air balloon and popped into a local radio station and met Bachelor Nation royalty and Seattle locals Molly and Jason Mesnick.

I remember when Ellen from our Golden Bachelor season went up in a hot air balloon with Gerry on our season for a beautiful ride above the Beverly Hills.

She came home and told us all about how romantic and lovely it was. Of course, it sounded incredible! And Ellen was giddy with excitement and clearly seemed to be falling for Gerry.

I imagined right then, Gerry falling in love with her. She looked stunning. We all listened to her talk about her date, that sounded so romantic!

Who will be the next Golden Bachelor?

It didn't compare however to seeing it on TV.  The steamy kiss, romantic setting and amazing views. I hadn't seen them kiss, so watching THAT on TV gave me a dose of reality.

I think everything with Gerry felt very special to each one of us. We knew we were one of many. But, it didn't feel that way at the time.

Isn't it crazy that I did all that? Haha...It was a great adventure!  I'm glad I did it. But wow was it ever emotional!

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The first-ever Golden Bachelorette Joan Vassos Season premiere will air on Wednesday, September 18th. One of the men vying for Joan's love is Seattle native Kim who is 69.  A retired Navy captain, whose 'ideal date night includes cooking dinner together and eating it in the backyard'.

He also enjoys time on the water in his sailboat and is an excellent whistler. Umm...Kim, I never heard a whistle in my direction! I'm just a short drive away! Hellooooo! (I'm kidding of course) More than likely he was holding out for Joan.

I can't wait to see Joan's season and watch all these men go through a similar experience as I did. Dating on national television is an interesting thing to do.

I'll be flying to California to meet up with the other Golden Gals in support of Joan for a kickoff premiere party at the Shakespearean Club in Pasadena.

Here is a video from the Golden wedding:

I'll take a lot of pictures and share them with you when I return.