Our flight left Dublin at 10am on Monday, we changed planes in Chicago and arrived in Seattle around 7pm but, our body clocks thought it was the middle of the night. I'm still trying to acclimate to west coast time!
The car had a flat tire, the GPS died, the router for our Internet service was also dead, the motorhome was NOT fixed and we got an email from Verizon that our bill was over $600 for roaming charges in Canada! Welcome back!!!!
Roger got the tire fixed; bought a new GPS and a new router; spent the morning on the phone with Verizon explaining we never were in Canada and we are waiting for the correct jacks for the motorhome! Guess we'll hang out around Seattle for awhile longer - good news is the weather is nice.
We talked with Samantha and Emily on SKYPE. Samantha read us a short story! She told us her teacher sends a "book" home and she reads it with her Mom and Dad until she can do it good - then her parents sign it and she takes it to school and reads it for her teacher - if she does well she gets the next level book to bring home. She also has "sight" words, 10 at at time, that she needs to be able to recognize. She is doing very well and loves it!
Kyle is growing a beard and Emily says "I no see hims cheeks!" She also told us she's "coming to the United States in 5 sleeps" - "to see cousins." Unfortunately, that is not true! They are both all excited about Halloween - Samantha is going to be the book character "Fancy Nancy" and Emily is going to be "Annie" from the movie she loves!
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Howth
We drove out to the coastline and to Howth (pronounced with a long o) today - our last day in
Ireland. We couldn't believe it when we saw all the kite surfers. It was so cold and windy we could hardly stand up straight! Can't imagine their wet suits kept them that warm!
We met Roger's bosses, Ulick and Des, and their families for dinner on Sunday night. It was nice to meet them all and have a chance to say "thank you" for the wonderful helicopter tour.
We flew home Monday while Judy and Marilou flew to Scotland for a week.
Tidbits from our trip:
Roger decided he didn't mind traveling with a harem!
We enjoyed reading all the different signs - "Bow Wow Beautician" - "Dangerous Bends Ahead" then "Severe Bends Ahead" - "Traffic Calming" - most of them are in English and Gaelic
"Hire" car is a rental - "boot" is the trunk.
Petrol is about $8.00 US a gallon.
"En Suite" means the bathroom is actually in your room - otherwise you could be sharing one down the hall!
We thought "Self Catering" meant a buffet but it means a kitchenette in the room.
They still have "phone boxes!"
We needed a geography lesson: Great Britain = Scotland, Wales and England; UK = Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland; Wales = the west coast of England (for all the Will and Kate fans!)
Ireland. We couldn't believe it when we saw all the kite surfers. It was so cold and windy we could hardly stand up straight! Can't imagine their wet suits kept them that warm!
We met Roger's bosses, Ulick and Des, and their families for dinner on Sunday night. It was nice to meet them all and have a chance to say "thank you" for the wonderful helicopter tour.
We flew home Monday while Judy and Marilou flew to Scotland for a week.
Tidbits from our trip:
Roger decided he didn't mind traveling with a harem!
We enjoyed reading all the different signs - "Bow Wow Beautician" - "Dangerous Bends Ahead" then "Severe Bends Ahead" - "Traffic Calming" - most of them are in English and Gaelic
"Hire" car is a rental - "boot" is the trunk.
Petrol is about $8.00 US a gallon.
"En Suite" means the bathroom is actually in your room - otherwise you could be sharing one down the hall!
We thought "Self Catering" meant a buffet but it means a kitchenette in the room.
They still have "phone boxes!"
We needed a geography lesson: Great Britain = Scotland, Wales and England; UK = Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland; Wales = the west coast of England (for all the Will and Kate fans!)
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Solheim Cup
The USA Ladies PGA plays the European team in a tournament similar to the Ryder's Cup every two years. This year it was played at Killeen Castle Golf Club north of Dublin. Roger and Judy went on Friday afternoon and it was cold and windy. But, all four of us went on Saturday and the weather was beautiful - not exactly warm but, sunny with little wind and no rain. I put on so many layers of clothes, (thinking I was going to freeze my tush!) that Roger asked me if I was going to the golf tournament of snowmobiling!
The course is laid out in such a way that it made walking with the players difficult so we found seats in the bleachers at the 9th green and watched them come up the fairway and putt in the morning. After lunch we found bleachers at the par 3, 16th hole where we could watch their tee shots and see them putt. We've never been to a professional golf tournament before and we really enjoyed it. It was different from most because the crowd is a lot more vocal - USA vs Europe chants; red, white and blue outfits etc. Unfortunately, the Europeans won 15-13 after Christy Kerr had to forfeit her match on Sunday due to tendinitis in her wrist. But, the US has won the majority of the time. The next Solheim is in Colorado in 2013.
I was hungry for pasta so we followed the GPS to an Italian restaurant in the little town of Dun Moine on the way to Dublin. It was a small place with white tablecloths and candles so Marilou went to check it out first - when we walked in I asked if they would let some "rag tag people from the golf tournament in" and the waitress said "I'm sorry but, we require a coat and tie" - Marilou had put her up to it! Come to find out both golf teams had been there for dinner earlier in the week - one upstairs and one downstairs. It was the best fettuccine I've ever had - we all practically licked our bowls clean!
The course is laid out in such a way that it made walking with the players difficult so we found seats in the bleachers at the 9th green and watched them come up the fairway and putt in the morning. After lunch we found bleachers at the par 3, 16th hole where we could watch their tee shots and see them putt. We've never been to a professional golf tournament before and we really enjoyed it. It was different from most because the crowd is a lot more vocal - USA vs Europe chants; red, white and blue outfits etc. Unfortunately, the Europeans won 15-13 after Christy Kerr had to forfeit her match on Sunday due to tendinitis in her wrist. But, the US has won the majority of the time. The next Solheim is in Colorado in 2013.
I was hungry for pasta so we followed the GPS to an Italian restaurant in the little town of Dun Moine on the way to Dublin. It was a small place with white tablecloths and candles so Marilou went to check it out first - when we walked in I asked if they would let some "rag tag people from the golf tournament in" and the waitress said "I'm sorry but, we require a coat and tie" - Marilou had put her up to it! Come to find out both golf teams had been there for dinner earlier in the week - one upstairs and one downstairs. It was the best fettuccine I've ever had - we all practically licked our bowls clean!
Friday, September 23, 2011
Helicopter Ride
Louie took us on a helicopter tour of the Irish countryside today – the highlight of our trip! Omega has a Bell, Long Ranger – seats six – and it is the very best way to deal with Dublin traffic! Louie, our “tour guide,” took us on a route along the coastline, over the countryside and several ancient castles, followed the Boyne River and circled the Killeen Golf Club where the Solheim Golf Tournament was taking place. It was a lovely, clear morning and what a treat!
We ate lunch at a “carvery” – it’s a pub where they have a buffet and carve beef and turkey. It was like Thanksgiving dinner! Yummmm!
Roger and Judy drove the car to the golf tournament and Marilou and I took a taxi back to Dublin and, you guessed it, went shopping again!
We went to the “Temple Bar” area of Dublin for dinner – like 6th Street in Austin, the Riverwalk in San Antonio, or the French Quarter in New Orleans – shops, restaurants, pubs and street entertainers! A crazy place on Friday nights!
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Dublin
Roger went to the Dublin office, near the airport, to visit with all his work friends today. They have a full kitchen and a lady that comes and cooks lunch for the entire staff everyday. Ulick says he knows it’s a bit unique but they actually get a lot of work done while they sit around the dining table!
Judy, Marilou and I spent the day touring Dublin and shopping. We walked to Trinity College to see the “Book of Kells” which is on display in the library on campus. The sign in the school courtyard said “Welcome Fresher's.”
“The Book of Kells” is a manuscript of four gospels copied, in Latin, by monks at Abbey Kells in AD 800. It is was sent to Dublin in 1653 for security reasons and is a national treasure of Ireland. The script consists of ornate calligraphy and drawings and is phenomenal. It is hard to imagine how they printed such small script and intricate drawings with homemade ink in candlelight! It is so ornate it is hard to recognize the letters.
We took a “hop on, hop off” tour of Dublin in a two decker bus and saw the major points of interest in town and then we shopped along Grafton Street.
I was disappointed in St. Patrick’s Cathedral – not a very pretty church – big, dark and gray - and with a gift shop in the back! But, the boys choir was practicing and that was a plus! The picture of the door with a hole in it is the "Door of Reconciliation." Two famous families in Ireland had been feuding for years. In 1492 one army forced the other to seek refuge in the Chapter House at St. Patricks. They could have won the battle but the dominating army was led by a man who wanted peace. Not trusting his sincerity, the "captured" clan would not open the door and talk so he hacked a hole in the door and stuck his arm through for a handshake. Since he risked having his arm slashed off they figured he was serious and they negotiated a peaceful solution.
We didn’t tour the Guinness Storehouse because we had just been to the Jameson Brewery but we happened to be in Dublin on “Arthur Day.” Arthur Guinness celebrates his birthday every year by providing free Guinness at the brewery and local pubs! All the souvenir shops have women's T-shirts with a picture of an Audrey Hepburn like girl drinking a black drink - the caption reads "Every woman needs a little black drink!"
We had dinner at the hotel dining room and relaxed for the evening.
Judy, Marilou and I spent the day touring Dublin and shopping. We walked to Trinity College to see the “Book of Kells” which is on display in the library on campus. The sign in the school courtyard said “Welcome Fresher's.”
“The Book of Kells” is a manuscript of four gospels copied, in Latin, by monks at Abbey Kells in AD 800. It is was sent to Dublin in 1653 for security reasons and is a national treasure of Ireland. The script consists of ornate calligraphy and drawings and is phenomenal. It is hard to imagine how they printed such small script and intricate drawings with homemade ink in candlelight! It is so ornate it is hard to recognize the letters.
We took a “hop on, hop off” tour of Dublin in a two decker bus and saw the major points of interest in town and then we shopped along Grafton Street.
I was disappointed in St. Patrick’s Cathedral – not a very pretty church – big, dark and gray - and with a gift shop in the back! But, the boys choir was practicing and that was a plus! The picture of the door with a hole in it is the "Door of Reconciliation." Two famous families in Ireland had been feuding for years. In 1492 one army forced the other to seek refuge in the Chapter House at St. Patricks. They could have won the battle but the dominating army was led by a man who wanted peace. Not trusting his sincerity, the "captured" clan would not open the door and talk so he hacked a hole in the door and stuck his arm through for a handshake. Since he risked having his arm slashed off they figured he was serious and they negotiated a peaceful solution.
We didn’t tour the Guinness Storehouse because we had just been to the Jameson Brewery but we happened to be in Dublin on “Arthur Day.” Arthur Guinness celebrates his birthday every year by providing free Guinness at the brewery and local pubs! All the souvenir shops have women's T-shirts with a picture of an Audrey Hepburn like girl drinking a black drink - the caption reads "Every woman needs a little black drink!"
We had dinner at the hotel dining room and relaxed for the evening.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Jameson Brewery
We left Killarney today and headed to Dublin. Judy drives, Roger navigates and Marilou and I are just “riders.” Glad we were able to get all our luggage in the “hire” car!
We stopped in Macroom for coffee and pastries and then drove to Cork. We took a break and toured the old Jameson Brewery. It was really interesting to learn how they make Irish whiskey and now I know what “white lightening” is!
We had lunch in a little coastal fishing village, Ballycotton. We were surprised by the wonderful café and great food. We later found out, from Ulick, that “bally” means town. We talked with some fishermen on the pier and saw their catch of the day – mackerel – they are almost iridescent in their stripes.
Driving in Dublin traffic and finding our hotel was most challenging – our GPS did just “so-so” in the city. But, Judy never gets flustered! Believe it or not, Roger finally called and asked for directions!!!
A long day so we ate at the bar in the hotel and headed for bed!
We stopped in Macroom for coffee and pastries and then drove to Cork. We took a break and toured the old Jameson Brewery. It was really interesting to learn how they make Irish whiskey and now I know what “white lightening” is!
We had lunch in a little coastal fishing village, Ballycotton. We were surprised by the wonderful café and great food. We later found out, from Ulick, that “bally” means town. We talked with some fishermen on the pier and saw their catch of the day – mackerel – they are almost iridescent in their stripes.
Driving in Dublin traffic and finding our hotel was most challenging – our GPS did just “so-so” in the city. But, Judy never gets flustered! Believe it or not, Roger finally called and asked for directions!!!
A long day so we ate at the bar in the hotel and headed for bed!
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Killarney National Park
We toured Killarney National Park this morning – 25,000 acres with three lakes and the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks (mountains.) The center of the park is Muckross House and gardens, previously a private home but donated to the country by the last owners. It is a lovely Victorian mansion built in 1843. The most interesting part of the tour was the basement with the kitchen and servants areas. Each room had at least one and often three “doorknobs” located on the walls – through a series of lines and pulleys, when they were turned, they rang a bell in the basement that was hanging along the main hallway. Each bell had a room name under it but, the servants all recognized which room by the sound of the bell!
Queen Victoria visited the family in 1861. She gave them 6 years notice so they had plenty of time to prepare for her arrival! It was customary for the Queen to bestow a title after she stayed with prominent families but, her husband, Albert, died shortly after their visit and she went into mourning and forgot! So no “Lord” and “Lady” ever lived there!
The gardens are lovely and we walked to a pretty waterfall. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t very nice so we didn’t walk as much as we would have liked. We decided umbrellas and windshield wipers would be good businesses in Ireland – sunglasses, not so!
We shopped around Killarney during the afternoon and had a good dinner at a local pub.
Queen Victoria visited the family in 1861. She gave them 6 years notice so they had plenty of time to prepare for her arrival! It was customary for the Queen to bestow a title after she stayed with prominent families but, her husband, Albert, died shortly after their visit and she went into mourning and forgot! So no “Lord” and “Lady” ever lived there!
The gardens are lovely and we walked to a pretty waterfall. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t very nice so we didn’t walk as much as we would have liked. We decided umbrellas and windshield wipers would be good businesses in Ireland – sunglasses, not so!
We shopped around Killarney during the afternoon and had a good dinner at a local pub.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Ireland
Where do I begin our Ireland story? I guess, at the beginning…..
We left the motorhome at the RV repair shop to get the jacks fixed while we were gone and left Seattle on Friday morning – changed planes in Chicago – and arrived in Dublin at 8am Saturday morning. Then we took a cab to the train station and traveled for about 3 hours on the train to Kilarney where we met Judy and Marilou. We had been through so many different time zones my body had no idea what time it was but, the clock said 2:30pm! After the trip to Kuala Lumpur it was “a piece of cake!” Fish and chips for dinner and then early to bed!
We drove around the “Ring of Kerry” – a peninsula – on Sunday. Beautiful scenery along the rugged coastline; mountains; waterfalls; quaint towns and rolling farmland. There are primarily small sheep farms in this area and instead of branding the sheep they spray paint them with different colors! Bright red, green or blue – some are striped. Poor sheep know they are headed for mutton when they come after them with a paint can! Those grown for wool are not painted. We saw an old gentleman dressed in boots and woolens leading his draft horse down this narrow lane – a perfect Irish scene – but, we felt it would be rude to take his picture. Many of the attractions are located on private property so the families charge to see them. The weather was gray, cold, windy and misting – just as we expected. Judy did great driving on the “wrong” side of the road. It’s especially confusing with all the “round- a-bouts!” Many of the roads are so narrow that one car has to pull over to let another pass – really scary when you meet a tour bus!
We left the motorhome at the RV repair shop to get the jacks fixed while we were gone and left Seattle on Friday morning – changed planes in Chicago – and arrived in Dublin at 8am Saturday morning. Then we took a cab to the train station and traveled for about 3 hours on the train to Kilarney where we met Judy and Marilou. We had been through so many different time zones my body had no idea what time it was but, the clock said 2:30pm! After the trip to Kuala Lumpur it was “a piece of cake!” Fish and chips for dinner and then early to bed!
We drove around the “Ring of Kerry” – a peninsula – on Sunday. Beautiful scenery along the rugged coastline; mountains; waterfalls; quaint towns and rolling farmland. There are primarily small sheep farms in this area and instead of branding the sheep they spray paint them with different colors! Bright red, green or blue – some are striped. Poor sheep know they are headed for mutton when they come after them with a paint can! Those grown for wool are not painted. We saw an old gentleman dressed in boots and woolens leading his draft horse down this narrow lane – a perfect Irish scene – but, we felt it would be rude to take his picture. Many of the attractions are located on private property so the families charge to see them. The weather was gray, cold, windy and misting – just as we expected. Judy did great driving on the “wrong” side of the road. It’s especially confusing with all the “round- a-bouts!” Many of the roads are so narrow that one car has to pull over to let another pass – really scary when you meet a tour bus!
Friday, September 16, 2011
Uncle Bob
We were at the airport in Chicago, awaiting our flight to Dublin, when we received a text from Mel that Uncle Bob, our Dad’s only brother, passed away suddenly. Our thoughts and prayers have been with Aunt Dot and our cousins Diane, Pat & Cindy and their families. Dad and Bob didn’t look alike as much when they were younger but, as Bob aged he looked more and more like Dad. It was always bitter/sweet to see him – I was always flooded with happy/sad memories. I recently read one of my paternal Great-Grandmother’s journals and she mentioned “Dicky” and “Bobby” often. It was written around the time they were both returning from the war and she was so anxious to have them home safely! Then she wrote about “Kate” and “Dorothy” and their engagements and weddings – it was fun reading. I’m so glad we had a chance to see Uncle Bob and Aunt Dot recently and talk with them about those times. Uncle Bob worked for Jack Smith Beverages for years so we drank a Budweiser in his memory and reminisced about good family times!
Monday, September 12, 2011
Seattle
We arrived in Seattle on Saturday. Roger flew to California on business yesterday - will return on Tuesday or Wednesday. Actually, it is a great time for him to be gone. I have 3 days to shop, organize and pack with him out of the way! We are on a countdown to Ireland - leave on Friday!
Great news - my favorite pumpkin spice lattes are back at Starbucks!
We talked with Heather and Samantha the other day - little Miss Emily was in "time out" in her room for scribbling on the walls - this followed putting dirt in the dryer and turning it on!
The fire stories from Texas are so horrific. 1500 homes in Bastrop gone! One of our favorite areas of Texas - the pine treed state parks in Bastrop are destroyed. I heard this morning that the fire is 2/3 contained. Our hearts go out to all those who are re-building their lives there!
Great news - my favorite pumpkin spice lattes are back at Starbucks!
We talked with Heather and Samantha the other day - little Miss Emily was in "time out" in her room for scribbling on the walls - this followed putting dirt in the dryer and turning it on!
The fire stories from Texas are so horrific. 1500 homes in Bastrop gone! One of our favorite areas of Texas - the pine treed state parks in Bastrop are destroyed. I heard this morning that the fire is 2/3 contained. Our hearts go out to all those who are re-building their lives there!
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Port Townsend
We drove to Port Townsend on Thursday morning. No scenic views from our campsite here – we are at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds Campground. They allow camping to help pay for the upkeep of the grounds. Glad they do because there was no other options. The 35th Annual Classic Wooden Boat Show was this week-end and the city was bustling.
This was the “real” wooden boat show! We parked the car at the Visitors Center and rode our bikes to the marina and spent the whole day Friday meandering around all the vendors and boats. Most owners let you board and tour their sailboats and yachts. Many of them had their wood trim glistening to a mirror shine. I found one I told Roger to add to my Christmas list! The weather is “Chamber of Commerce” perfect so we were glad we went on Friday and not Sat/Sun. We had lunch at a nice restaurant on the wharf and I’m still savoring the sea scallops I had!
The hand built wooden boats, canoes and kayaks are artistic creations! Most so beautiful I wouldn’t want to put them in the water or risk scuffing their shine! Even the oars were pretty!
It’s a long story but, when were on the houseboat last summer, with my family, my nephew Kirt leaned over the railing to get his hat and fell face first into the mud! Providing great amusement for everyone! We found the perfect T-shirt for him – written upside down on the back – “If you can read this, pull me back in the boat!”
This was the “real” wooden boat show! We parked the car at the Visitors Center and rode our bikes to the marina and spent the whole day Friday meandering around all the vendors and boats. Most owners let you board and tour their sailboats and yachts. Many of them had their wood trim glistening to a mirror shine. I found one I told Roger to add to my Christmas list! The weather is “Chamber of Commerce” perfect so we were glad we went on Friday and not Sat/Sun. We had lunch at a nice restaurant on the wharf and I’m still savoring the sea scallops I had!
The hand built wooden boats, canoes and kayaks are artistic creations! Most so beautiful I wouldn’t want to put them in the water or risk scuffing their shine! Even the oars were pretty!
It’s a long story but, when were on the houseboat last summer, with my family, my nephew Kirt leaned over the railing to get his hat and fell face first into the mud! Providing great amusement for everyone! We found the perfect T-shirt for him – written upside down on the back – “If you can read this, pull me back in the boat!”
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Hoh Rain Forest
We drove to the west side of Olympic National Park and toured the Hoh Rain Forest today. This area gets an average of 143 inches of rain per year! Can you imagine a more dismal place to live? But, we lucked out - it was a beautiful, warm, sunny day. We are afraid we are using up all our good weather days here and won't have any left while we are in Ireland!
We drove through Forks -of "Twilight" fame - didn't see any vampires! We are getting tired of the hilly, winding, twisting roads around here! We took the Straits of San Juan de Fuca Scenic Byway but it wasn't very scenic. Thought we would see the straits and ships but, the trees are so tall and the forests so dense that you just get a few glimpses of water. The loggers - a big business around here - drive like Nascar drivers! You can be driving along enjoying the scenery, glance in your rear view mirror and see nothing but GRILL! They ride your bumper until they scare the hell out of you and you pull over and let them race by!
Some of the pictures are from our campground and Crescent Beach nearby - the rest are of our hike in the rain forest. We hoped to see some elk - we saw elk prints and elk skat but no elk!
We planned to hike here in the campground too but there was a big sign by the trailhead - "WARNING - ATTENTION - COUGAR SEEN IN CAMPGROUND!" We passed!
On our way to Port Townsend tomorrow.
We drove through Forks -of "Twilight" fame - didn't see any vampires! We are getting tired of the hilly, winding, twisting roads around here! We took the Straits of San Juan de Fuca Scenic Byway but it wasn't very scenic. Thought we would see the straits and ships but, the trees are so tall and the forests so dense that you just get a few glimpses of water. The loggers - a big business around here - drive like Nascar drivers! You can be driving along enjoying the scenery, glance in your rear view mirror and see nothing but GRILL! They ride your bumper until they scare the hell out of you and you pull over and let them race by!
Some of the pictures are from our campground and Crescent Beach nearby - the rest are of our hike in the rain forest. We hoped to see some elk - we saw elk prints and elk skat but no elk!
We planned to hike here in the campground too but there was a big sign by the trailhead - "WARNING - ATTENTION - COUGAR SEEN IN CAMPGROUND!" We passed!
On our way to Port Townsend tomorrow.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Sol Duc Falls
We drove farther west into Olympic National Park this morning and have a beautiful campsite on the Straits of San Juan de Fuca (Puget Sound.) The weather is so lovely we feel compelled to get out and enjoy it so we hiked to Sol Duc Falls (pronounced Sole Duck.) We passed a "Salmon Exhibit" on our drive to the trailhead - a cascading falls along the Sol Duc River. It is amazing the fish can swim and jump upstream!
We talked with Megan this evening - we are so concerned about all the wildfires in Texas - Austin and Bastrop especially. They still haven't got them under any kind of control. Pray for rain!
Kyle, Heather and the girls had a fun vacation in Bali. They got to ride on an elephant!! We have pictures of Samantha feeding the elephant but Emily wasn't interested! Both are back in school now. Heather and her neighbor Lesha enrolled Samantha and Claire in an after school Mandarin class on Thursday afternoons. Heather was taking them to school the other day and Claire said she didn't want to learn Chinese and Samantha said "if we do, then we can talk in front of our Mommies and they won't know what we are saying!"
We talked with Megan this evening - we are so concerned about all the wildfires in Texas - Austin and Bastrop especially. They still haven't got them under any kind of control. Pray for rain!
Kyle, Heather and the girls had a fun vacation in Bali. They got to ride on an elephant!! We have pictures of Samantha feeding the elephant but Emily wasn't interested! Both are back in school now. Heather and her neighbor Lesha enrolled Samantha and Claire in an after school Mandarin class on Thursday afternoons. Heather was taking them to school the other day and Claire said she didn't want to learn Chinese and Samantha said "if we do, then we can talk in front of our Mommies and they won't know what we are saying!"
Monday, September 5, 2011
Victoria, BC
We got up early yesterday, drove to Port Angeles and took the 8:20am ferry to Victoria, BC. We took our bikes and spent the day touring around the city and harbor. I was sitting on the ferry trying not to think of the last time I took my bike to an island! I thought of our ferry ride to Hong Kong and Disneyland with Kyle, Heather, Samantha and Emily instead - better memories!
The ferry is huge and the hull was full of cars, trucks and RV's - it's about an hour and a half trip. We were expecting a small, quaint town on the harbor - imagine our surprise to see a big, bustling city! We started the day with breakfast at an outdoor restaurant overlooking the harbor. It was fun watching the yachts, sailboats and seaplanes come and go.
The annual "Classic Boat" show was going on this week-end so there were vendors, musicians and food booths all along the wharf. Many of the boats were open to board - all different sizes and shapes but most had beautiful polished wood surfaces.
We took a city bus out to "Butchart Gardens" in the afternoon. Jennie Butchart started making gardens at her home in 1904. The home now a National Historic Landmark and has restaurants and gift shops but it is still owned by the family. The grounds are incredible with a Sunken Garden (made in a nearby abandoned quarry); a Bog Garden; a Japanese Garden and a Rose Garden. In addition to the gorgeous flower gardens and hanging baskets all the different trees and shrubs make it a lovely place for an afternoon stroll. There is also an antique, hand carved carousel by a lake.
We ended a perfect day with a perfect dinner of grilled salmon at another waterfront restaurant!
The ferry is huge and the hull was full of cars, trucks and RV's - it's about an hour and a half trip. We were expecting a small, quaint town on the harbor - imagine our surprise to see a big, bustling city! We started the day with breakfast at an outdoor restaurant overlooking the harbor. It was fun watching the yachts, sailboats and seaplanes come and go.
The annual "Classic Boat" show was going on this week-end so there were vendors, musicians and food booths all along the wharf. Many of the boats were open to board - all different sizes and shapes but most had beautiful polished wood surfaces.
We took a city bus out to "Butchart Gardens" in the afternoon. Jennie Butchart started making gardens at her home in 1904. The home now a National Historic Landmark and has restaurants and gift shops but it is still owned by the family. The grounds are incredible with a Sunken Garden (made in a nearby abandoned quarry); a Bog Garden; a Japanese Garden and a Rose Garden. In addition to the gorgeous flower gardens and hanging baskets all the different trees and shrubs make it a lovely place for an afternoon stroll. There is also an antique, hand carved carousel by a lake.
We ended a perfect day with a perfect dinner of grilled salmon at another waterfront restaurant!
Cresent Lake
We drove to Cresent Lake on Saturday and hiked to nearby Merrymere Falls. The lake is a beautiful glacier lake with "teal" colored water - reminded us of Lake Tahoe. There is a lovely old lodge on the lake - we got some wine and beer and sat in Adirondack chairs out on the dock and just soaked in the sunshine and the view!
Friday, September 2, 2011
Hurricane Ridge
We traveled on Tuesday to a RV park on Sequim Bay (pronounced Skwim) near Puget Sound and will stay here for a week over Labor Day week-end. We have a great view of the bay and marina and all the boats going by. The route here was, once again, all "S" curves and up and down hills - found myself longing for the never ending, straight roads in west Texas!
The weather here is lovely - as our friend Bob would say "sweatshirts and shorts." The locals say summer just arrived in mid-August!
We drove into Olympic National Park yesterday and hiked on Hurricane Ridge. Summer wildflowers alongside winter snow and gorgeous mountains. The park is huge so we will move westward next week to better see more of it.
We are enjoying a little "down time" - playing catch up with cleaning and business. I got my worst haircut of our travels this week - even had to let Roger trim the back! Wouldn't you know - right before we leave for Ireland! I need to start planning what to pack - miss having an extra bedroom to start laying things out in!
We are going to the Farmer's Market tomorrow. We went to one in Astoria and bought fresh veggies and flowers and ate delicious seafood. Hope this one is as good!
I dragged Roger to see the movie "The Help" last night - he and three other men in a sea of women! Must have been "ladies night out" in Port Angeles! It was good but, as always, I liked the book better!
We are looking forward to taking the ferry and our bikes to Vancouver Island and touring Victoria this week-end. We were shocked at the ferry prices - $92.00 round trip for us and our bikes! Didn't even try to calculate the cost of taking the motorhome!
The weather here is lovely - as our friend Bob would say "sweatshirts and shorts." The locals say summer just arrived in mid-August!
We drove into Olympic National Park yesterday and hiked on Hurricane Ridge. Summer wildflowers alongside winter snow and gorgeous mountains. The park is huge so we will move westward next week to better see more of it.
We are enjoying a little "down time" - playing catch up with cleaning and business. I got my worst haircut of our travels this week - even had to let Roger trim the back! Wouldn't you know - right before we leave for Ireland! I need to start planning what to pack - miss having an extra bedroom to start laying things out in!
We are going to the Farmer's Market tomorrow. We went to one in Astoria and bought fresh veggies and flowers and ate delicious seafood. Hope this one is as good!
I dragged Roger to see the movie "The Help" last night - he and three other men in a sea of women! Must have been "ladies night out" in Port Angeles! It was good but, as always, I liked the book better!
We are looking forward to taking the ferry and our bikes to Vancouver Island and touring Victoria this week-end. We were shocked at the ferry prices - $92.00 round trip for us and our bikes! Didn't even try to calculate the cost of taking the motorhome!
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