Not the historical one, just our personal one. After leaving Pt. Townsend, Wa, we drove south, stopping in Portland to meet up with another childhood friend of mine and her husband for lunch. Our table overlooked the Willamette River and we could see sailboats racing around on the water. You'd think I was from this area with all the family & friends I now have here!
Our destination was Eugene, OR, where we are now visiting with Dan's older sister, Suzan, and her daughter and family. Molly and Jesse have two beautiful little girls, ages 3 and 5. They are also very active and extremely smart. They gave me a "fashion show" while the other adults were talking & fixing dinner in the other room.
Today, Jesse took Dan and me on his drift boat. We drifted about 5 miles down the MacKenzie River. I watched the scenery (wildly beautiful) whiled the guys fished.
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Monday, July 29, 2013
Day 12 - Of Eagles wings and sailing things
Today we drove to just about the most northern point in the U.S. outside of Alaska - Neah Bay Washington. Along the way we glimpsed views of snowy Olympic Mountains and lots of tall pines. Lots of logging trucks carrying out harvested tall pines, too.
When we got to Neah Bay, we pulled into a restaurant next to the waterfront and immediately saw four bald eagles soaring over the water. One dropped down and we could see a fish in his talons as he flew off. We saw them fly around again while we ate lunch.
On the return trip we stopped at a Native American art gallery, so I had to get a totem pole picture!
When we got back to the Akers' house, we pulled in the drive to see another eagle fly up and sit in a tree I front of their house.
As to the sailing things, Neah Bay is on the northern end of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. We could see Vancouver Island, Canada, across the water. We also saw several cargo ships as they entered the Strait from the Pacific. Our cell phones, when we got coverage at all, thought we were inCanada and kept giving us instructions on how to call back to the U.S.
Beautiful weather so far - a marine fog in the mornings that burns off for a sunny day, temps in the 50s at night and maybe low 70s during the day - a nice break from the Houston heat.
When we got to Neah Bay, we pulled into a restaurant next to the waterfront and immediately saw four bald eagles soaring over the water. One dropped down and we could see a fish in his talons as he flew off. We saw them fly around again while we ate lunch.
On the return trip we stopped at a Native American art gallery, so I had to get a totem pole picture!
When we got back to the Akers' house, we pulled in the drive to see another eagle fly up and sit in a tree I front of their house.
As to the sailing things, Neah Bay is on the northern end of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. We could see Vancouver Island, Canada, across the water. We also saw several cargo ships as they entered the Strait from the Pacific. Our cell phones, when we got coverage at all, thought we were inCanada and kept giving us instructions on how to call back to the U.S.
Beautiful weather so far - a marine fog in the mornings that burns off for a sunny day, temps in the 50s at night and maybe low 70s during the day - a nice break from the Houston heat.
Day 11 - around Puget Sound
Today was an easy, relaxing day. We started early to avoid traffic through Seattle and caught a ferry to Whidbey Island. There, we visited one of my childhood friends and his wife, who have a gorgeous home on 10 acres of wooded land. Bob and Elaine took us to their favorite pub for fresh, steamed mussels. I mean really fresh - there are mussel beds in the bay nearby. While we enjoy steamed mussels, we tried a new style, Thai curry, and found them delicious.
After lunch, they took us to Deception Pass on the northern end of Whidbey, where we walked across a bridge high in the air over one of the sea passages. After sharing some wine on their back deck, we departed for our second ferry ride of the day.
This ferry took us to Pt. Townsend, where we were met by our friends, Mike and Carol, formerly of Houston. These were our Texans tailgating partners and it is so good to see them again. They, too, have a beautiful home built on a bluff overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca. We shared some fresh crab and wine while sitting on their back deck watching cargo ships and cruise ships go by.
After lunch, they took us to Deception Pass on the northern end of Whidbey, where we walked across a bridge high in the air over one of the sea passages. After sharing some wine on their back deck, we departed for our second ferry ride of the day.
This ferry took us to Pt. Townsend, where we were met by our friends, Mike and Carol, formerly of Houston. These were our Texans tailgating partners and it is so good to see them again. They, too, have a beautiful home built on a bluff overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca. We shared some fresh crab and wine while sitting on their back deck watching cargo ships and cruise ships go by.
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Day 10 - Exploring Seattle and Puget Sound
Today was another day where the husbands went fishing and the wives had a "girls' day out". The fishing wasn't very good - flounder, sharks and one small salmon, so no keepers.
Sally and I, on the other hand, had a great day. We started by taking the water taxi from West Seattle over to the central city. We proceeded to walk to the old Chinatown area, where at the Wing Luke Museum we signed up for the Bitter/Sweet tour. For those of you who have read the book The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, this tour is IT. We were guided around the district and shown various buildings that were referenced in the book. Our tour concluded at the Panama Hotel, which was the impetus behind the book. For those who haven't read Hotel, the Panama had been boarded up and abandoned until fairly recently, when the new owner started renovations. In the basement, they discovered a lot of personal belongings left behi d by the local Japanese-American population when they were sent to "relocation" camps during WW II. It was fun to relate the actual to the fictional.
After sharing a pot of tea at the Panama, we headed over to Pike Place Market. There we discovered what everyone visiting Seattle does on a Saturday afternoon. Talk about crowded! The longest line was to order a coffee at the Original Starbucks. We didn't even try to get in there.
We did go into a tea shop, where Sally bought me a Russian Imperial cup and saucer (long story). We also visited a quilt shop and a spice store.
Another water taxi back and we were ready to relax with our menfolk for a while.
Sally and I, on the other hand, had a great day. We started by taking the water taxi from West Seattle over to the central city. We proceeded to walk to the old Chinatown area, where at the Wing Luke Museum we signed up for the Bitter/Sweet tour. For those of you who have read the book The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, this tour is IT. We were guided around the district and shown various buildings that were referenced in the book. Our tour concluded at the Panama Hotel, which was the impetus behind the book. For those who haven't read Hotel, the Panama had been boarded up and abandoned until fairly recently, when the new owner started renovations. In the basement, they discovered a lot of personal belongings left behi d by the local Japanese-American population when they were sent to "relocation" camps during WW II. It was fun to relate the actual to the fictional.
After sharing a pot of tea at the Panama, we headed over to Pike Place Market. There we discovered what everyone visiting Seattle does on a Saturday afternoon. Talk about crowded! The longest line was to order a coffee at the Original Starbucks. We didn't even try to get in there.
We did go into a tea shop, where Sally bought me a Russian Imperial cup and saucer (long story). We also visited a quilt shop and a spice store.
Another water taxi back and we were ready to relax with our menfolk for a while.
Friday, July 26, 2013
Days 8 & 9 - Seattle
We left Eastern Idaho on Thursday morning and by evening we were walking on the beach beside Puget Sound. Western Seattle (Alki) has beautiful views of Seattle downtown.
Today the guys went fishing. Dan caught a salmon, which was what he was hoping for, and they got 6 crabs in the crab pots. Mmm - fresh crab for dinner.
My sister -in-law, Sally, and I had a girls day out. I tried water aerobics for the first time and got a good workout. Then, we got manicures and pedicures followed by a lovely seafood lunch overlooking the sound.
The weather here in Seattle has been gorgeous. Sunny and 85 but with lower humidity than Houston. I'm still working on the binding of the king-sized quilt, but it's almost done. Just need it finished by Tuesday, when we head down to Oregon.
Here's a picture I took at lunch today.
Today the guys went fishing. Dan caught a salmon, which was what he was hoping for, and they got 6 crabs in the crab pots. Mmm - fresh crab for dinner.
My sister -in-law, Sally, and I had a girls day out. I tried water aerobics for the first time and got a good workout. Then, we got manicures and pedicures followed by a lovely seafood lunch overlooking the sound.
The weather here in Seattle has been gorgeous. Sunny and 85 but with lower humidity than Houston. I'm still working on the binding of the king-sized quilt, but it's almost done. Just need it finished by Tuesday, when we head down to Oregon.
Here's a picture I took at lunch today.
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Day 7 - Going to the Sun
I take the title for today's post from the name of the road we traveled. This is the road through Glacier National Park that goes over the Continental Divide. We saw breathtaking views (and we used to live in Denver, seeing lots of breathtaking views there), spectacular waterfalls, and wildlife.
Our first hike was a four-mile round trip to see St. Mary Falls and Virginia Falls. They were different from each other, but both were well worth the hike.
We then drove on to our next hiking spot, pausing along the way to snap tons of photos. Our second stop was at Logan Pass, where we joined the hoards hiking up above treeline to Hidden Lake Overlook. This was a three-mile hike at higher altitude. I don't do up very well but the end justified the effort. Along the way we saw big horn sheep and quite a few mountain goats. I'll have plenty of pictures to share when we get home.
I had planned on spending the night in Kalispell, but it was too early to stop for the day, so we pressed on. Unfortunately, there is NOTHING for over a hundred miles, so by the time we stopped in Wallace, Idaho, we were hungry and exhausted.
Here are a few photos from Glacier, plus I finally was able to upload the pix from Great Falls, so they have been added to yesterday's post.
Our first hike was a four-mile round trip to see St. Mary Falls and Virginia Falls. They were different from each other, but both were well worth the hike.
We then drove on to our next hiking spot, pausing along the way to snap tons of photos. Our second stop was at Logan Pass, where we joined the hoards hiking up above treeline to Hidden Lake Overlook. This was a three-mile hike at higher altitude. I don't do up very well but the end justified the effort. Along the way we saw big horn sheep and quite a few mountain goats. I'll have plenty of pictures to share when we get home.
I had planned on spending the night in Kalispell, but it was too early to stop for the day, so we pressed on. Unfortunately, there is NOTHING for over a hundred miles, so by the time we stopped in Wallace, Idaho, we were hungry and exhausted.
Here are a few photos from Glacier, plus I finally was able to upload the pix from Great Falls, so they have been added to yesterday's post.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Day 6 - Playing A Round in Great Falls
We pushed hard driving to Great Falls so we'd have time to play a round of golf in Great Falls. The course was beautiful and one side of it bordered the Missouri Rvier. Amazingly, neither of us lost a ball.
What can I say about Great Falls? Yes, there are falls, but they aren't so great any more since the river was dammed for hydroelectric power.
Three more hours of driving thru Montana wide open spaces and we arrived at our destination for tonight - Duck Lake Lodge. Quite primitive by our regular standards (shared toilet and shower down the hall), but compared to what we passed on the way, it's quite luxurious. Keep in mind that we are in the middle of the Blackfeet Indian Territory.
Temps here are hot - 90s during the day, but at least it cools off at night and there is no humidity.
Tomorrow we enter Glacier National Park. One of the other guests here just got in from a week-long backpack in the park and was sharing his pictures with us. Looks great!
I had a couple of picture I was going to add, but the wi fi isn't letting me upload them. Maybe tomorrow.
What can I say about Great Falls? Yes, there are falls, but they aren't so great any more since the river was dammed for hydroelectric power.
Three more hours of driving thru Montana wide open spaces and we arrived at our destination for tonight - Duck Lake Lodge. Quite primitive by our regular standards (shared toilet and shower down the hall), but compared to what we passed on the way, it's quite luxurious. Keep in mind that we are in the middle of the Blackfeet Indian Territory.
Temps here are hot - 90s during the day, but at least it cools off at night and there is no humidity.
Tomorrow we enter Glacier National Park. One of the other guests here just got in from a week-long backpack in the park and was sharing his pictures with us. Looks great!
I had a couple of picture I was going to add, but the wi fi isn't letting me upload them. Maybe tomorrow.
Monday, July 22, 2013
Day 5 - Big Sky
The song for today in the cranial jukebox was "I can see for miles and miles..." as we bid adieu to the Black Hills and crossed Northern Wyoming and most of Montana. Before leaving South Dakota, however, we did a quick drive thru the historic district of Deadwood, then up the beautiful Spearfish Canyon. The area is also home to Sturgis, SD, and we saw a lot of motorcycles (mostly Harley's) as they start to gather for their annual "thing".
We mostly were following Lewis and Clark's trail. Although beautiful, it was a LOT of miles of open range with occasional bluffs. I can't imagine doing this route on horseback or by covered wagon. It seemed endless at 75 mph. We crossed the Little Big Horn, going by the site of Custer's Last Stand. I could picture the Sioux lining the top of the ridge.
Sorry - no pictures today. We used the camera and neither of our tablet computers has a slot to download the memory card.
Tonight we are in Great Falls with less than a 3 hour drive to tomorrow's destination.
We mostly were following Lewis and Clark's trail. Although beautiful, it was a LOT of miles of open range with occasional bluffs. I can't imagine doing this route on horseback or by covered wagon. It seemed endless at 75 mph. We crossed the Little Big Horn, going by the site of Custer's Last Stand. I could picture the Sioux lining the top of the ridge.
Sorry - no pictures today. We used the camera and neither of our tablet computers has a slot to download the memory card.
Tonight we are in Great Falls with less than a 3 hour drive to tomorrow's destination.
Day 4 - More Fun in the Black Hills
This won't be a long post because I'm really tired. While on our way to South Dakota we discovered that one of our Houston friends was already where we were going to be. We met up with Jenny for breakfast today and she told us her favorite places she'd seen. After leaving her, we drove south of Mt. Rushmore and went spelunking (if that's what you can call being in a 25 person group and taking an elevator down the cave). At an rate, after taking a 3.5 mile hike in hot sun, we went below ground to the chilly 49 degrees of Jewel Cave National Monument. FYI, the National Park Service's senior pass is worth it. $10 for lifetime access to National Parks & Monuments. Good for the whole car.
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Day 3 - being Good in the Badlands
A land of contrasts: white then black, low then high...driving through the Badlands was like going through prairie only to stumble upon the Grand Canyon. "I will find peace in the buffalo grass" - lovely line from a song by our friend Andy Renfree. We hunted the buffalo and found them. A very large herd, in fact.
After lunch, we set off on the My. Rushmore Scenic Loop. From white limestone to the Black Hills. Elevation and lots of trees. Again, though, spectacular scenery. Lots more bison. Actually got to Mt. Rushmore around 7:30 pm and stayed for their show and lighting ceremony. Very impressive to see the 4 presidents lit up against the night sky.
Now, we're dead tired after all the driving. Tomorrow will be an easier day.
After lunch, we set off on the My. Rushmore Scenic Loop. From white limestone to the Black Hills. Elevation and lots of trees. Again, though, spectacular scenery. Lots more bison. Actually got to Mt. Rushmore around 7:30 pm and stayed for their show and lighting ceremony. Very impressive to see the 4 presidents lit up against the night sky.
Now, we're dead tired after all the driving. Tomorrow will be an easier day.
Friday, July 19, 2013
Day 2 - Salina, KS to Wall, SD
Random wandering a of the mind-Simon & Garfunkel's song "all gone to look for America" kept running thru my head. Another day of pointing the car north, but today with occasional stints westward. Once we got close to I-90, the views were of wide-open spaces.
Wall, SD has a 2 block business area, of which half is the famous Wall Drug. Interestingly, moat of the store workers seem to be from impoverished countries - Macedonia, Poland, Jamaica... Guess there aren't enough locals to handle the tourist season?
At any rate, we are now in The Badlands and will see them up close tomorrow. Butch Cassidy and Sundance? Wild Bill Hickock? Bury my heart at Wounded Knee.
Wall, SD has a 2 block business area, of which half is the famous Wall Drug. Interestingly, moat of the store workers seem to be from impoverished countries - Macedonia, Poland, Jamaica... Guess there aren't enough locals to handle the tourist season?
At any rate, we are now in The Badlands and will see them up close tomorrow. Butch Cassidy and Sundance? Wild Bill Hickock? Bury my heart at Wounded Knee.
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Day 1 - Houston to Salina, KS
A beautiful day for a drive! After running our heads off until 11 P.M. Getting packed and taking care of all those last-minute details, we still got up early and left by 7 A.M. Got most of the way to Oklahome before lunchtime.
While driving past Norman, OK, we saw lots of wrecked buildings on both sides of I-35. When we noticed the name "Moore" on the water tower, we remembered the devastating tornado that hit that area several months ago.
As for "where the wind comes sweeping down the plains", that describes Kansas more than Oklahoma (at least today).
We're trying really hard to eat reasonably on this trip. Logan's Roadhouse now has a "Health Nut" menu - who'd a thunk it? Since we're not in a big hurry tomorrow, I think we'll just sleep until we wake up, then hit the health club at the hotel before we take off.
More tomorrow, from South Dakota.
While driving past Norman, OK, we saw lots of wrecked buildings on both sides of I-35. When we noticed the name "Moore" on the water tower, we remembered the devastating tornado that hit that area several months ago.
As for "where the wind comes sweeping down the plains", that describes Kansas more than Oklahoma (at least today).
We're trying really hard to eat reasonably on this trip. Logan's Roadhouse now has a "Health Nut" menu - who'd a thunk it? Since we're not in a big hurry tomorrow, I think we'll just sleep until we wake up, then hit the health club at the hotel before we take off.
More tomorrow, from South Dakota.
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