Let me begin these next few blogs with an apology. If I don’t paint your home state in the best of light, people should realize I am only seeing part of that particular state, but I am sure there are plenty of beautiful areas in every state so please do not become offended. It is just my limited knowledge and opinion, however I would enjoy hearing about places to visit in each state. Some days we barely make it through a state and other days we’re just barreling through several ones. Our ‘good’ days are those that come with the pleasure of being educated or wowed by nature or human creativity or perseverance. The ‘bad’ days are the ones that have no highlights form scenery to food to human interaction. Our trip through Idaho today fell distinctly into that latter category.Apr 18
April 18 – Seeing Idaho on the Fly
Let me begin these next few blogs with an apology. If I don’t paint your home state in the best of light, people should realize I am only seeing part of that particular state, but I am sure there are plenty of beautiful areas in every state so please do not become offended. It is just my limited knowledge and opinion, however I would enjoy hearing about places to visit in each state. Some days we barely make it through a state and other days we’re just barreling through several ones. Our ‘good’ days are those that come with the pleasure of being educated or wowed by nature or human creativity or perseverance. The ‘bad’ days are the ones that have no highlights form scenery to food to human interaction. Our trip through Idaho today fell distinctly into that latter category.Apr 17
April 16 and 17 – The Oregon Columbia River Gorge is a Magical Journey
We sadly said good-bye to my daughter and my three precious grand children. It’s so difficult to leave when they are small because I worry that they forget so easily. I am going to make sure to Skype a lot.The drive from Silverdale WA to Vancouver OR was uneventful but still found too many aggressive drivers on the road.
We ate lunch in Vancouver then got back on the road. Once we hopped on I-84 the magic began. So far this has to be my favorite drive for scenery, decent considerate drivers, lush landscape and adorable little towns. Driving the gorge is something to behold and quite literally my photos or description could never do it justice.
The rivers, dams, towns, people, flowers, trees and everything in between already has me making plans for a return trip.
I really want us to take about a month just to meander and explore the entire gorge drive.
Apr 15
April 11-15 – The last four days in Seattle and Family Time
On Monday the 11th, we decided to stay in and get some blog work done and give Han’s knee a chance to rest. He twisted it wrong and it is now painfully yelling at him.We were worn out from yesterday too, pushing a stroller uphill, climbing the streets of Seattle, so it was just as well.
We only went out for some sushi and it was delicious. Trapper Sushi is by far the best Sushi I have ever eaten. They have about eight restaurants in the area. Seattle Washington area. Stylish interior geared towards young urban professionals with great service, excellent bar and superior sushi and sashimi, hidden in a shopping non-assuming center. Next day on the 12th, we braved Seattle traffic once again, however it was probably the easiest driving day yet into the city.
Apr 10
April 10 – Spending a Special Day in Seattle With Loved Ones
Jeabet (daughter) and Liam (grandson) rode over on the Puget Sound ferry from Bremerton to Seattle and we drove from Kent to meet them in Seattle at the waterfront.We all had perfect timing and saw each other right away. Liam was super excited to see us even though we had only been gone a day. I sure love his sweet self. He saw the big ferris wheel and I asked him if he wanted to get on it and without hesitation said, “nope.” I was relieved because I sure as heck did not want to either.
Apr 09
April 9 – Things To See and Do in Seattle WA
Decide how much you want to do in Seattle and check out the City PASS as it is well worth the money if staying a few days to visit. It’s valued for nine days from purchase and includes 5 out of 7 of the city’s promoted attractions.Today began the first day of our exploration of Seattle WA. The drive from Kent WA took quite some time as traffic is quite literally nightmarish; the roads are not maintained, flow of traffic is practically non-existent and whoever laid out the traffic infrastructure was possibly stoned out of their minds long before it became legal. Also prepare yourself for mostly rude and overly aggressive drivers. Be on your toes!
Parking is plentiful, readily available but quite expensive with New York prices.
We first went to the EMP Museum. It was interesting enough but not quite sure of the particular intent of this museum?
Apr 08
April 8 – Traipsing towards Seattle
Friday April 8, 2016
Originally the plans were to visit Vancouver and Vancouver Island, but due to weather predictions, we decided that discovering Seattle would be a better choice this trip, so we started out on the 8th and instead visited Gig Harbor and Jimi Hendrix’s Memorial along the way.
We only did a short drive around Gig Harbor waterfront, stopped for lunch at The Boatyard, http://www.jwgigharbor.com/#!jw–the-boatyard-food-trolley/c13ea, which is located inside a red trolley bus at the marina with good food and picnic style seating and felt we would love to come back and explore a little longer next time we are in the area, as the area is quite lovely and charming.
Jimi Hendrix’s Memorial was quite an experience and very sobering in a comforting way. As I looked upon the engraved faces and silhouettes of Jimi that were ‘decorated” by lipstick kisses from women around the world and maybe some men too, Continue reading
Apr 07
April 1 – 7 in a Flash
April 1-7 in a flash
The weather up in the Northwest was unusually friendly to us Florida flatlanders as an early Spring showed temperatures up into the high seventies and mostly sunny weather. So this week we have simply enjoyed doing the family things and hanging out together. Eating out some, hugs, kisses and tickles galore, cooking and eating in, playing at the park, cuddling, visiting surrounding areas, helping Jeabet with sewing, some outings, more hugs and more kisses. Never tire of squeezing these sweet little monkeys. Just doing the “nonny” thing is my fave. Continue reading
Mar 31
Day 19 – Surprising My Grandson Liam On His 5th Birthday
Day 19 – March 31, 2016
My day started off excitedly since I knew that I would shortly be seeing and hugging three of my precious grand children and spending Liam’s 5th birthday with him.
I was totally ready to hit the road for the about 4-1/2 hour drive. Gassing up in Cottage Grove proved just another one of those great old traditions that still live in this Oregon town; there were two pump attendants taking care of the clientele. Delightful.
The trip all the way up through Oregon stayed very pleasant and kind of laid back, even Portland, the number one Green Energy City in the States, we found out later. As we maneuvered through the bridges and overpasses in the city we glimpsed at the Welcome to Washington sign, knowing it would only be a couple of hours more before the first leg of our cross country trip was over. Continue reading
Mar 30
Day 18 – Cottage Grove Atmosphere Earns Its Charming Name
Throwback Time: Video rentals !
Day 18 March 30, 2016
Woke up to a beautiful, sunshiny day. Had such a lovely breakfast in the comfortable dining room where there is room to spread out and relax at the Village Green Resort.
Afterwards we headed back to our suite to cram for work instead of exams. We put in quite a few hours until I called a “time out” to grab some lunch and check out the Historic District.
We walked around a bit, checked out some menus at local restaurants and felt most at ease at “Jack Sprat”, so we sat and enjoyed reggae music while we waited. The menu offers such a variety for regular, vegetarian and vegan dishes to please everyone. They claim to have “Comfort Food For All” and they have every right to do so. Continue reading
Mar 29
Day 17 – Today Is THE Day To Be Thankful
Day 17 – March 29, 2016I had a fitful sleep due to many dreams aka nightmares and thoughts from yesterday’s winding and climbing.
Gosh knows, I am glad that day is behind me.
We had a very simple bite to eat for breakfast at the hotel then got on the road.
We decided to take Hwy. 199 to Grants Pass OR, then meet up with I-5, instead of going along the coast of Hwy. 101.
Why, oh why did we do that?
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