tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16524602651349400982024-03-13T09:58:35.222-07:00Adventures in B-TownTrippin Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02156093933672354884noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652460265134940098.post-15352906647491130262015-07-07T20:49:00.000-07:002015-07-07T20:49:09.913-07:0050 Shades of Green<div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.7999992370605px; margin-bottom: 0.825em;">
Seattle Summers, there is no more magnificent place to be. Sunshine drying out the rain that has been falling for the last nine months and perfect temperatures that range from 70 to 85 in the heat of the day. The sky is brilliant blue with the occasional white fluffy cloud that looks like a giant popcorn kernel and there is a light breeze keeping the air fresh and clean. Looking south east over the Puget Sound you can clearly see Mt. Rainier in the distance sparkling in the sunshine like a giant pointed ice cube. Everywhere you look is greenery. My friend Connie on her last visit stated that she had never seen so many colors of green.</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.7999992370605px; margin-bottom: 0.825em;">
The neighbors have ended their winter hibernation and are out walking around town. The lawnmower army is marching around every lawn on the street and all is good with the world once again. Here in Burien, about ten minutes south of Seattle it is now the most bustling time of the year. Activities abound all over this quaint small town that features a glorious Puget Sound shoreline and the quiet pleasures of small town living. Summer brings about all kinds of activities to enjoy in the great weather, from outdoor concerts and festivals to the annual Fathers Day Car Show that takes over the entire downtown area.</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.7999992370605px; margin-bottom: 0.825em;">
My personal favorite summer event is the weekly farmers markets. When you think of Seattle, the Pike Public Market is one of the first things that visitors want to see. It is spectacular and the seafood and produce are unmatched anywhere. All of the very top restaurants in the area shop the market daily.And it is the only place that I have ever found fresh monkfish. The entertainment value of the fish mongers tossing the giant salmons and the street entertainers make it a very full day to stroll through the market area. And of course the original location of a mega giant coffee chain that will remain un-named is right outside of the market.</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.7999992370605px; margin-bottom: 0.825em;">
That takes care of the tourist experience. For everyday living there is no match for the local weekly farmers markets. Every corner of the metro Seattle area has one. In Burien, Thursday is our day. From 11AM until 6PM the Town Square Park is filled with all sorts of vendors and treats. The array of organic and pesticide free fruits and vegetables is amazing. Peaches that are so sweet and juicy that they drip down your arm as you try to eat them, crisp Washington apples of a million varieties and every sort of vegetable that you can think of and some that are new and surprising. Like my new favorite, Kohlrabi.</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.7999992370605px; margin-bottom: 0.825em;">
<a data-mce-href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00277.jpg" href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00277.jpg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="DSC00277" class="aligncenter wp-image-1049 size-large" data-mce-src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00277.jpg?w=660" height="495" src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00277.jpg?w=660" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); clear: both; color: #222222; display: block; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0.4em auto 1.625em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="660" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.7999992370605px; margin-bottom: 0.825em;">
You will also find an array of flower vendors. Forget about the flimsy bunches of flowers that you find at your grocery store. For five or ten dollars you can get a huge bouquet of just cut flowers of some very unique varieties. I especially enjoy the few weeks that the peonies are in bloom. I had never seen such large and beautiful bouquets as you will find in Seattle at the farmers markets!</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.7999992370605px; margin-bottom: 0.825em;">
<a data-mce-href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00279.jpg" href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00279.jpg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="DSC00279" class="aligncenter wp-image-1051 size-large" data-mce-src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00279.jpg?w=660" height="495" src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00279.jpg?w=660" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); clear: both; color: #222222; display: block; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0.4em auto 1.625em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="660" /></a><a data-mce-href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00280.jpg" href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00280.jpg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="DSC00280" class="aligncenter wp-image-1052 size-large" data-mce-src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00280.jpg?w=660" height="495" src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00280.jpg?w=660" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); clear: both; color: #222222; display: block; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0.4em auto 1.625em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="660" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.7999992370605px; margin-bottom: 0.825em;">
One of my must haves from the Burien weekly market is the marinades and Balsamic Vinegar from one of the vendors. A company called OMG sells a barrel aged balsamic that is the best I've ever had. Grouped with the fresh tomatoes, basil and some fresh buffalo mozzarella, you end up with a Caprese Salad to die for.</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.7999992370605px; margin-bottom: 0.825em;">
Down the road in idyllic seaside Des Moines (Washington, not Iowa) in a park right at the marina is their weekly market held on Saturdays. It's not only a huge market complete with food trucks and entertainment, but a beautiful setting as well. As you stroll along the boardwalk and gather your produce and all other sorts of merchandise including a wine tasting booth with the sea breeze to cool you off, you'll find a nice place to sit and watch the weekly entertainment and see the yachts come in and out of the harbor. It's a fantastic way to spend a Saturday.</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.7999992370605px; margin-bottom: 0.825em;">
<a data-mce-href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00274.jpg" href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00274.jpg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="DSC00274" class="aligncenter wp-image-1053 size-large" data-mce-src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00274.jpg?w=660" height="495" src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00274.jpg?w=660" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); clear: both; color: #222222; display: block; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0.4em auto 1.625em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="660" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.7999992370605px; margin-bottom: 0.825em;">
<a data-mce-href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00281.jpg" href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00281.jpg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="DSC00281" class="aligncenter wp-image-1054 size-large" data-mce-src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00281.jpg?w=660" height="495" src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00281.jpg?w=660" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); clear: both; color: #222222; display: block; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0.4em auto 1.625em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="660" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.7999992370605px; margin-bottom: 0.825em;">
<a data-mce-href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00272.jpg" href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00272.jpg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="DSC00272" class="aligncenter wp-image-1055 size-large" data-mce-src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00272.jpg?w=660" height="495" src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00272.jpg?w=660" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); clear: both; color: #222222; display: block; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0.4em auto 1.625em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="660" /></a><a data-mce-href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00273.jpg" href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00273.jpg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="DSC00273" class="aligncenter wp-image-1056 size-large" data-mce-src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00273.jpg?w=660" height="495" src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00273.jpg?w=660" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); clear: both; color: #222222; display: block; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0.4em auto 1.625em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="660" /></a><a data-mce-href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00294.jpg" href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00294.jpg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="DSC00294" class="aligncenter wp-image-1057 size-large" data-mce-src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00294.jpg?w=660" height="495" src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00294.jpg?w=660" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); clear: both; color: #222222; display: block; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0.4em auto 1.625em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="660" /></a><a data-mce-href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00298.jpg" href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00298.jpg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="DSC00298" class="aligncenter wp-image-1058 size-large" data-mce-src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00298.jpg?w=660" height="495" src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00298.jpg?w=660" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); clear: both; color: #222222; display: block; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0.4em auto 1.625em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="660" /></a><a data-mce-href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00307.jpg" href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00307.jpg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="DSC00307" class="aligncenter wp-image-1059 size-large" data-mce-src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00307.jpg?w=660" height="495" src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00307.jpg?w=660" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); clear: both; color: #222222; display: block; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0.4em auto 1.625em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="660" /></a></div>
<div class="mceTemp" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.7999992370605px;">
<dl class="wp-caption aligncenter" data-mce-style="width: 670px;" id="attachment_1064" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; background: rgb(238, 238, 238); border: none; clear: both; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0.4em auto 1.625em; max-width: 96%; padding: 9px; text-align: center; width: 670px;">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.7;"><a data-mce-href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00134.jpg" href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00134.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="DSC00134" class="wp-image-1064 size-large" data-mce-src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00134.jpg?w=660" height="495" src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00134.jpg?w=660" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; border: 0px none rgb(238, 238, 238); color: #222222; display: block; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin: 5px auto 0px !important; max-width: 98%; padding: 0px;" width="660" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif !important; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 0.6em !important; padding: 0px 0px 5px 40px; position: relative; text-align: left;">Cherries and more cherries!</dd></dl>
</div>
<div class="mceTemp" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.7999992370605px;">
<dl class="wp-caption aligncenter" data-mce-style="width: 670px;" id="attachment_1061" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; background: rgb(238, 238, 238); border: none; clear: both; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0.4em auto 1.625em; max-width: 96%; padding: 9px; text-align: center; width: 670px;">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.7;"><a data-mce-href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00126.jpg" href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00126.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="DSC00126" class="wp-image-1061 size-large" data-mce-src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00126.jpg?w=660" height="495" src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00126.jpg?w=660" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; border: 0px none rgb(238, 238, 238); color: #222222; display: block; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin: 5px auto 0px !important; max-width: 98%; padding: 0px;" width="660" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif !important; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 0.6em !important; padding: 0px 0px 5px 40px; position: relative; text-align: left;">These bouquets were $5.00 each</dd></dl>
</div>
<div class="mceTemp" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.7999992370605px;">
<dl class="wp-caption aligncenter" data-mce-style="width: 670px;" id="attachment_1065" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; background: rgb(238, 238, 238); border: none; clear: both; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0.4em auto 1.625em; max-width: 96%; padding: 9px; text-align: center; width: 670px;">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.7;"><a data-mce-href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00136.jpg" href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00136.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="DSC00136" class="wp-image-1065 size-large" data-mce-src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00136.jpg?w=660" height="495" src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00136.jpg?w=660" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; border: 0px none rgb(238, 238, 238); color: #222222; display: block; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin: 5px auto 0px !important; max-width: 98%; padding: 0px;" width="660" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif !important; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 0.6em !important; padding: 0px 0px 5px 40px; position: relative; text-align: left;">Lots of yummy eats and treats</dd></dl>
</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.7999992370605px; margin-bottom: 0.825em;">
<a data-mce-href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00128.jpg" href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00128.jpg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="DSC00128" class="aligncenter wp-image-1062 size-large" data-mce-src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00128.jpg?w=660" height="495" src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00128.jpg?w=660" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); clear: both; color: #222222; display: block; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0.4em auto 1.625em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="660" /></a><a data-mce-href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00132.jpg" href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00132.jpg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="DSC00132" class="aligncenter wp-image-1063 size-large" data-mce-src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00132.jpg?w=660" height="495" src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00132.jpg?w=660" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); clear: both; color: #222222; display: block; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0.4em auto 1.625em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="660" /></a><a data-mce-href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00138.jpg" href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00138.jpg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="DSC00138" class="aligncenter wp-image-1066 size-large" data-mce-src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00138.jpg?w=660" height="495" src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00138.jpg?w=660" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); clear: both; color: #222222; display: block; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0.4em auto 1.625em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="660" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.7999992370605px; margin-bottom: 0.825em;">
You can get more information on the neighborhood markets at www.seattlefarmersmarket.org</div>
Trippin Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02156093933672354884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652460265134940098.post-6230377024693881332015-07-06T14:59:00.002-07:002015-07-06T14:59:50.588-07:00Small Town Fourth of July<div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.7999992370605px; margin-bottom: 0.825em;">
There is nothing like the Independence Day celebrations in a small town. From community picnics in the town square and baseball games down at the ball field, small town America really steps out on the 4th. Houses strung with bunting and flags waving in the breeze, it's a sight to see. Here in my town of Burien, Washington we take the holiday very seriously. In the Three Tree Point neighborhood, they get started early with a community pancake breakfast and a flag raising ceremony near the beach. The neighborhood celebrates the Fourth with a fun, kid-friendly parade featuring funky homemade floats and stars-and-stripes costumery. The kids decorate their bikes and scooters and lead a parade down the beach road. We opted to stroll into town for the morning cycling races, the 40th Annual Joe Matava Memorial Classic takes over downtown Burien in the morning hours of the 4th. Since the streets are already blocked off for the big Independence Day Parade, it makes a great cycling course. The races speed along a flat four corner route that is about a mile long. The racing goes from about 7AM and ends just before the parade lines up at 3PM. When they get to the Pro Classes it gets very exciting to watch.</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.7999992370605px; margin-bottom: 0.825em;">
<a data-mce-href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/cycling1.jpg" href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/cycling1.jpg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Cycling" class="aligncenter wp-image-1031 size-full" data-mce-src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/cycling1.jpg" height="240" src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/cycling1.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); clear: both; color: #222222; display: block; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0.4em auto 1.625em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.7999992370605px; margin-bottom: 0.825em;">
It was a glorious sunny day for a parade. A bit warm though for these parts, in the 90's towards the heat of the day but dry. We found an empty sidewalk table at a new in town restaurant the Kayak Bar and Grill and enjoyed an ice cold beer in the shade as the parade got going. Also a great vantage point to snap some photos. Our parade, like the ones going on in small towns all over the country consists of the high school marching band and the boy scout troop, the police and fire departments, clowns and politicians and to cap it off the Seafair Pirates to close the show. All in all it runs for about an hour and everyone in town has come to line the streets.</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.7999992370605px; margin-bottom: 0.825em;">
<a data-mce-href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00347.jpg" href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00347.jpg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="DSC00347" class="aligncenter wp-image-1035 size-large" data-mce-src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00347.jpg?w=660" height="495" src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00347.jpg?w=660" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); clear: both; color: #222222; display: block; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0.4em auto 1.625em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="660" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.7999992370605px; margin-bottom: 0.825em;">
<a data-mce-href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00343.jpg" href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00343.jpg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="DSC00343" class="aligncenter wp-image-1033 size-large" data-mce-src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00343.jpg?w=660" height="495" src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00343.jpg?w=660" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); clear: both; color: #222222; display: block; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0.4em auto 1.625em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="660" /></a><a data-mce-href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00389.jpg" href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00389.jpg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="DSC00389" class="aligncenter wp-image-1034 size-large" data-mce-src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00389.jpg?w=660" height="495" src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00389.jpg?w=660" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); clear: both; color: #222222; display: block; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0.4em auto 1.625em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="660" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.7999992370605px; margin-bottom: 0.825em;">
<a data-mce-href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00374.jpg" href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00374.jpg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="DSC00374" class="aligncenter wp-image-1037 size-large" data-mce-src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00374.jpg?w=660" height="495" src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00374.jpg?w=660" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); clear: both; color: #222222; display: block; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0.4em auto 1.625em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="660" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.7999992370605px; margin-bottom: 0.825em;">
<a data-mce-href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00370.jpg" href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00370.jpg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="DSC00370" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1038" data-mce-src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00370.jpg?w=300" height="225" src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00370.jpg?w=300" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #222222; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="300" /></a> <a data-mce-href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00375.jpg" href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00375.jpg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="DSC00375" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1039" data-mce-src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00375.jpg?w=300" height="225" src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00375.jpg?w=300" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #222222; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="300" /></a> <a data-mce-href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00379.jpg" href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00379.jpg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="DSC00379" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1040" data-mce-src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00379.jpg?w=300" height="225" src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00379.jpg?w=300" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #222222; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="300" /></a><a data-mce-href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00363.jpg" href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00363.jpg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="DSC00363" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1041" data-mce-src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00363.jpg?w=300" height="225" src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00363.jpg?w=300" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #222222; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.7999992370605px; margin-bottom: 0.825em;">
Then it's back home for a little Bar-B-Que. A nice marinated London Broil with some potato salad and other side dishes and a cold beverage or two to enjoy the evening before the fireworks started. We have the perfect vantage point for that on our elevated back porch. Our closest fireworks exhibition was only about two blocks away in back of us at Lake Burien. No traffic to deal with and we could put our feet up and enjoy the show. A great day to celebrate the freedoms that usually get taken for granted the rest of the year. I hope your day was as great as ours!</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.7999992370605px; margin-bottom: 0.825em;">
<a data-mce-href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00462.jpg" href="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00462.jpg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="DSC00462" class="aligncenter wp-image-1042 size-large" data-mce-src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00462.jpg?w=660" height="495" src="https://trippingvagabonds.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dsc00462.jpg?w=660" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); clear: both; color: #222222; display: block; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0.4em auto 1.625em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="660" /></a></div>
Trippin Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02156093933672354884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652460265134940098.post-83366224264779665172013-12-12T15:50:00.001-08:002013-12-12T15:50:46.167-08:00LuvFest ThanksVid<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/0QXZBtW0_fs" width="480"></iframe><br />
Trippin Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02156093933672354884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652460265134940098.post-50928924664352112632013-11-07T22:35:00.002-08:002013-11-07T22:35:26.458-08:00"The United States is not a country, it's a business. So pay me!" Brad Pitt in Killing Them SoftlyThe above quote is no more telling than in the recent vote in Washington State on Proposition 522. A measure that would require labeling on products that contain genetically modified ingredients (GMO's). There was more money pumped into this issue than any in the states history, mostly in the against camp. <br />
<img alt="gm dangers" border="0" height="187" hspace="10" src="http://www.responsibletechnology.org/images/content/659.jpg" vspace="10" width="251" /><br />
<br />
Genetically engineered food crops have been around since the 1990s, and they took off rapidly across the United States. Now certain American crops are almost universally GMO: more than 90 percent of soy and sugar beets, and 88 percent of corn, according to the US Department of Agriculture. Modifications are done at the genetic level, often to make a crop resistant to a particular pest or herbicide. The FDA regularly approves new GMO plants—and soon, an animal: GMO salmon are on their way.<br />
<br />
Franz Family Bakeries offers a "100% Natural, 100% Whole Grain" loaf of bread, touting its "premium Northwest grown & milled ingredients" and lack of high-fructose corn syrup. When asked about GMOs in their bread, and they "do use cornmeal, soybean oil and canola oil in our products, and most of the corn, soybeans, and sources of canola oil are GMO, so most certainly these ingredients would be genetically modified."<br />
<br />
<span id="dropcap">A</span> vast majority of the American public supports labeling foods with GMO ingredients. A 2010 NPR/Thomson Reuters poll found that 93 percent of Americans were on board. Worldwide, more than 60 countries already label foods with GMO ingredients, including members of the European Union, China, Japan, and India. A recent Seattle poll showed that 88 percent of those surveyed wanted to know if their food contained genetically modified ingredients. So it would seem that something as simple as labeling would be a slam dunk, right? WRONG! The measure did not pass. And I for one am flabbergasted by the result of this vote. I had faith in the State of Washington as a health conscience and progressive state. Legalizing same sex marriage and recreational pot use as just an example. <br />
<br />
So what happened to Prop 522? That's the easiest part of this story, what happened was money. The giant corporate farming money from companies like Monsanto and Dow Chemical. They poured tens of millions of dollars into advertising in the state of Washington, Record amounts of money warning us of the high prices of food on the horizon for us if we require GMO labeling. <br />
<br />
I have researched the top contributors to the No on 522 campaign and vow to withhold any future purchases from these companies. The first one hurts me and was one of the largest contributor, Pepsi Cola spent 1.6 million. It surprised me until I remembered that one of the chief ingredients in both Pepsi and Coke is High Fructose Corn Syrup. Remember that 88% of all corn grown in the U.S. is genetically modified. Coca Cola is also on the list running a close second with over a million dollars in spending.<br />
<br />
Nestle USA and Hershey have also given large amounts of money to defend their plantations of GMO Sugar Cane.<br />
<br />
General Mills, the makers of cereals you may have even grown to love and trust, along with Kellogg Co. have donated more than three quarters of a million dollars together to try to defeat 522 under the ‘protection’ of the “Defense of Brands Strategic Account” fund set up by the Grocery Manufacturers Association.<br />
<br />
Obviously the big players here are Conagra, Dow Chemical and Cargill the big corporate farmers. Monsanto spent over four million dollars to defeat Prop 522. Conagra is the parent company of brands like Hunts, Banquet, Rotel, Davids Seeds, Slim Jim, Marie Callender, Healthy Choice, Reddi Whip, Chef Boyardee, Pam, La Choy, Egg Beaters, Orville Reddinbacher, Wolf Brand Chili and etc. Go to conagrafoods.com to see all of the brands that they have gobbled up and are infusing with genetically modified foods.<br />
<br />
Cargill is a company that many of you will be dealing with soon and their biggest retail season as the parent of Honeysuckle White Turkeys and poultry products. But mostly they are a food ingredient supplier. From the feed for your livestock to the malt that goes into your beer. Every aspect of your diet has a genetically modified ingredient from Cargill.<br />
<br />
And then there is Dow Chemical. They put chemistry into your diet and frankly, after doing this research I don't think I can eat anything that is not a local produce or home grown for awhile. Some of their products include:<br />
Methocel Food Gums- Help enhance the structure and texture of foods and beverages.<br />
Amberlite and Dowex food grade ion exchange resins and adsorbants-Ion exchange resins and polymeric adsorbents for use in food processing
including sweeteners, beverages, and nutritional products.<br />
Fortefiber-Offers a simple, cost-effective and convenient way for people to increase their
fiber intake.<br />
And there are more frightening ingredients that they offer to chemically enhance our food supply.<br />
<br />
Some of the other companies that have aligned their selves with this list : Bimbo Bakeries parent company to Orowheat, Sara Lee and Ballpark.<br />
Land O'Lakes, Del Monte and Campbell Soup.<br />
<br />
Their scare tactics have scared the people of Washington but I will fight them back with my wallet. None of these companies will get a dime form me in the future. And I encourage you to do the same until they agree to inform us as to what they are feeding us.<br />
<br />
The most telling part of the election was on election night when the results came in. They showed the pro-522 camp with all of their supporters at election headquarters. Hundreds of people, disappointed with the results. Waving banners. The concession speech relaying the thought that if conversation started the loss was not in vain.<br />
<br />
Cut away to the victory announcement at the anti-522 winning presser. The spokeswoman at the podium in the usual hotel ballroom set aside for election night. However there were no citizen supporters in the audience for her written and recited comments. I don't mean a sparse crowd. There was not one single person there! Nobody. It just put a spotlight on the fact that there were no citizen supporters of this campaign it was 100 percent corporate. An entirely empty room with one woman giving victory remarks. <br />
<br />
How did they scare the public? By telling us that labeling regulations would dramatically increase the price of our food. We were scared into submission and confused about the issue. <br />
<br />
What difference does it make? <br />
Chinese researcher shave found small pieces of rice ribonucleic acid (RNA) in the blood and organs of humans who eat rice. The Nanjing University-based team showed that this genetic material will bind to receptors in human liver cells and influence the uptake of cholesterol from the blood.<br />
The type of RNA in question is called microRNA due to its small size. MiRNAs have been studied extensively since their discovery ten years ago, and have been implicated as players in several human diseases including cancer, Alzheimer's, and diabetes. They usually function by turning down or shutting down certain genes. The Chinese research provides the first <em>in vivo</em> example of ingested plant miRNA surviving digestion and influencing human cell function in this way.<br />
<br />
This study had nothing to do with genetically modified (GM) food, but it could have implications on that front. The work shows a pathway by which new food products, such as GM foods, could influence human health in previously unanticipated ways.<br />
<br />
The American Academy of Environmental Medicine does not think that GMO's are safe. <br />
" Several animal studies indicate serious health risks associated with GM food,” including infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, faulty insulin regulation, and changes in major organs and the gastrointestinal system. The AAEM asked physicians to advise patients to avoid GM foods. <br />
<br />
So the bottom line is, if this issue comes up on your ballot, do you want to know what you're eating?<br />
<br />
Trippin Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02156093933672354884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652460265134940098.post-20211926430485456492013-08-15T12:46:00.001-07:002013-08-15T12:46:35.678-07:00This Is Not a Tourist Event by Jen Graves This Is Not a Tourist Event by Jen Graves is one of the best articles that I have read on the Canoe Journeys. Instead of writing about this years event, I would like to share her article with you as I couldn't come close to the insight that she has given to this wonderful cultural journey undertaken each year by the Native American peoples of the Pacific Northwest. The article was originally published in the Stranger.<br />
<br />
<h1 class="headlineLarge">
This Is Not a Tourist Event</h1>
<h2 class="subheadline">
Ten Thousand People, a Dangerous Canoe Journey, and the Spectacular Endurance of the Tribes the American Government Has Tried to Kill</h2>
<div class="byline">
<span>by</span> <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/jen-graves/Author?oid=26622" rel="author" target="_self" title="About the author/Author archives">Jen Graves</a></div>
<div class="image_magnum">
<img alt="This Is Not a Tourist Event" src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/1d5d/vignette2-570.jpg" style="position: static;" /> <div class="artby">
Photos by Matika Wilbur</div>
<div class="photocaption">
<strong>TRIBAL CANOE JOURNEY</strong> The Salish Sea is not for amateurs.</div>
</div>
<!-- article_head --> <br />
<div id="story_text">
<div>
<ul id="tool_share_opts" style="display: none;"><h3>
<a class="toolIcon" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=http%3A//www.thestranger.com/seattle/this-is-not-a-tourist-event/Content%3Foid%3D17498409&text=Ten+Thousand+People%2C+a+Dangerous+Canoe+Journey%2C+and+the+Spectacular+Endurance+of+Northwest+Native+America" target="_blank"><img alt="Share this via Twitter" class="shareIcon" src="http://www.thestranger.com/images/icons/tool-twitter.png" style="position: static;" title="Share this via Twitter" width="16" /> </a> <a href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=http%3A//www.thestranger.com/seattle/this-is-not-a-tourist-event/Content%3Foid%3D17498409&text=Ten+Thousand+People%2C+a+Dangerous+Canoe+Journey%2C+and+the+Spectacular+Endurance+of+Northwest+Native+America" target="_blank" title="Share this via Twitter"> Twitter </a></h3>
<div>
<ul>
<li id="tool_share">
<li class="share_item"><a class="toolIcon" href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http%3A//www.thestranger.com/seattle/this-is-not-a-tourist-event/Content%3Foid%3D17498409&t=Ten+Thousand+People%2C+a+Dangerous+Canoe+Journey%2C+and+the+Spectacular+Endurance+of+Northwest+Native+America" target="_blank" title="Share this via Facebook"><img alt="Share this via Facebook" class="shareIcon" src="http://www.thestranger.com/images/icons/tool-facebook.gif" style="position: static;" title="Share this via Facebook" width="16" /> </a> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http%3A//www.thestranger.com/seattle/this-is-not-a-tourist-event/Content%3Foid%3D17498409&t=Ten+Thousand+People%2C+a+Dangerous+Canoe+Journey%2C+and+the+Spectacular+Endurance+of+Northwest+Native+America" target="_blank" title="Share this via Facebook"> Facebook </a> </li>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</ul>
</div>
<div id="tool_share">
</div>
<div class="last" id="tool_comment">
</div>
<div class="article_photo">
<a href="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/ff96/vignette2-click1.jpg" target="_blank"> <br /><img alt="" height="277" src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/ff96/vignette2-click1.jpg" style="background-image: url("/images/loading/spinner.gif"); background-position: 50% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat; position: static;" width="400" /> </a> </div>
<div class="article_photo">
<a href="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/6b07/vignette2-click2.jpg" target="_blank" title="DANCING, DRUMMING, STORYTELLING The tent is large enough to house a football field."> <br /><img alt="" height="400" src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/6b07/vignette2-click2.jpg" style="background-image: url("/images/loading/spinner.gif"); background-position: 50% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat; position: static;" width="326" /> </a> <div class="photocaption">
<strong>DANCING, DRUMMING, STORYTELLING</strong> The tent is large enough to house a football field.</div>
</div>
<span id="dropcap">"S</span>eattle—I always say it's the epicenter of the Indian movement right now," says Caleb Dunlap. "I can't remember where I heard that. Maybe it was just inside of me. But it said, 'Go to Seattle if you want to be part of change in what we call Indian Country.'"<br />
It's Friday, August 2, 2013, and Dunlap is sitting on the bumper of a red pickup truck parked on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. He's Ojibwe, of the Minnesota Chippewa, but today he's in Quinault country, in the town of Taholah in Grays County, 150 miles west of Seattle. He moved to Seattle last year from Los Angeles, and he manages the programs at the Chief Seattle Club downtown. Dunlap dresses preppy. He wears stylish eyeglasses. He's queer and out. All these same traits apply to his twin brother—they jokingly refer to themselves as the Nerdy Natives. They're two of the thousands of people who have pitched tents on this cliff and in these forests for the first week of August. All these people are here to celebrate the endurance of the tribes the American government has tried to kill.<br />
<br />
"The change," Caleb explains, "is to acknowledge that we are a people still."<br />
I've come not knowing what I'm getting into. I'm ostensibly following Matika Wilbur, an artist of Swinomish and Tulalip descent who has shown at Seattle Art Museum, among other places. She recently gave a TEDx talk about her crowdfunded Project 562: her solo journey visiting and photographing all of the 562 federally recognized tribes in the United States. This has included, among many other adventures into Native America, a trip by Natives-only helicopter to visit the Havasupai on a remote outcropping in the Grand Canyon. (Tourists are forbidden to take photographs of the Havasupai people.) Wilbur deserves, and will soon get, her own story in this newspaper. But through her, I witnessed an entire world that rises up every summer in the form of the Tribal Canoe Journey. If you are not Native, this display is not for you. This is not a tourist event. But if you are a respectful guest, you'll be honored and welcomed no matter who you are—even if you have no idea what you're about to see.<br />
This is the biggest event of the local Native year. If you had visited every reservation between Vancouver Island and Olympia during the first week of August, you'd basically have found them empty: Folks were in Quinault. Each year, a different tribe hosts the journey. And each year, the journey—a variant on ancient traditions, revived in 1989—grows bigger. This year, there were nearly 100 canoes pulled by representatives from more than 75 tribes. Almost all the tribes are from the Salish Sea, but some came from as far away as Hawaii, New Zealand, and New York. An estimated 10,000 people celebrated.<br />
Golf carts and shuttle school buses ran up and down between the coast towns of Ocean Shores and Moclips and Seabrook to bring guests. The gas station in Kurt Cobain's hometown of Aberdeen was so unprepared for the onslaught of travelers that by Friday night, when the celebration wasn't even halfway through, the regular-grade gas had already run out. You had to buy premium if you wanted gas. Likewise, the staff of the little visitors' center for the Olympic National Forest in the town of Quinault—which is not, incidentally, where the reservation is located—was bewildered. "People just keep asking me where the canoe journey is, and I don't really know," says the older white woman working the desk. "I think it's in Taholah. At least that's what I heard, and I keep sending people there, and nobody's coming back."<br />
I arrive on the Thursday afternoon the canoes are scheduled to land. They were supposed to come in at 11 a.m., but the waters were so choppy that they were turned away, some capsizing. It's a dangerous journey. The Salish Sea is not for amateurs. In 2006, a hereditary chief of the Mowachaht/Muchalaht tribe of Vancouver Island drowned and three people had to be hurried to the hospital when their canoe capsized in a storm west of Dungeness Spit during the journey. "Look at each leg of the journey as a journey in itself," warned this year's tip sheet for canoe families, as the teams are called. It's easy to get thirsty, sunburned, hungry, cold, and separated from your support boat. "A good rule to follow is to plan on being out 18 hours with only what you carry."<br />
The canoe landing at Quinault could not have been more gorgeous. "Just look at our rez," a Quinault spokesman says. The beach is a long curve of stark, fog-coated shore shielded entirely by the high cliffs topped by green forest. Out among the breaking waves, monumental rocks hold their ground. The water stretches to the horizon line. Nothing besides nature is visible—usually. This is private land. No one is allowed here without express permission from the Quinault. On this particular Thursday, though, there's a crush of car and foot traffic on the beach.<br />
Sometime in the late afternoon, the canoes begin coming in off the open water, escorted by two big old European-based ships meant to signify cooperation. Each canoe emerges from the fog like a spaceship reentering the atmosphere, passes by the tall ships, and approaches the beach, where a row of young female dancers wearing red and black regalia prepares the way. The travelers stop before they get to shore. One representative comes onto the beach to request permission to come ashore. Over a booming loudspeaker that sends the words all the way up into the trees on the cliffs, the words of response are given: "Welcome ashore. Welcome to the Great Quinault Nation." At this, the rest of the team steps out of the wooden canoe as one synchronized force. They bend down, hoist the canoe over their heads, and walk onto the land.<br />
This is their final destination, and here they'll celebrate for five days straight, all through the nights and days, with breaks only for breakfasts and dinners provided by the Quinault. Lunches will be delivered in brown bags handed out to the assembled crowd inside the performance, or "protocol," tent, and all the elders will receive their lunch bags before anyone else is offered anything. Throughout the ceremonies, Wilbur will continuously ask her mother, her aunties, and any other women and men older than her whether they want a blanket, or some water, or a meal. Respect for elders happens simply and ubiquitously here.<br />
"Protocol isn't going to start tonight," somebody says, and everybody begins passing around the word. Because the canoes had to arrive late, protocol will start Friday morning, after everyone has had one good night of rest. When Friday morning comes, hundreds and hundreds of people file into the white tent that's large enough to house a football field, and the dancing, drumming, singing, and storytelling begin. This tent is situated right next to another identical tent with endless rows inside it of white-plastic-covered tables for eating—hot breakfasts with eggs and fruit and breads, and feast dinners with crab and chicken and ribs and corn on the cob. These meals are free of charge for every comer.<br />
I cannot pretend to have understood what I witnessed in those hours and hours of singing, dancing, and drumming. I was invited to dance by an old woman in a long braid and dress who grabbed my hand and held me through the whole dance. The elders sitting on the floor closest to the stage area shared stories with me that are sacred in their horror: of Joe Washington, a Lummi boy who was sent to a white boarding school and forbidden to speak Salish but who couldn't speak anything else. He was punished for his muteness by having his tongue pressed to a frozen pole and the flesh of it torn off, and then he was sent home anyway. He stopped speaking at all for years. "So when they say, 'Oh, you don't speak your language?' I go, 'No, my grandmother was too afraid to teach it to her son that he would be punished, so excuse me that I don't speak my language.'"<br />
That's the voice of Nancy Wilbur, Matika's mother, whose life is a book waiting to be written. She marched as part of the American Indian Movement (one of the founder's teenage sons is here, sitting next to her), and she participated in the successful occupation of Discovery Park in Seattle in 1970. She was a Native history and culture college professor, then a lobbyist in Olympia. Her tribe, Swinomish, is 800 or 900 people today, on a reservation of five by seven miles in the Skagit Valley. She remembers a sign on a tavern in La Conner: "No dogs or Indians allowed."<br />
The elders on the sidelines gave gifts freely. After I accidentally insulted another of Matika's relatives, Heather Gobin, by sitting down on a hand-woven cedar headpiece that she'd made and that I didn't see there, a few hours later she handed me a cedar rose. She'd woven it by hand; she is known as a master weaver. Her son, who couldn't have been more than 15 years old, was sitting behind us. He tapped me on the shoulder and gave me a tiny, perfect version of the same rose that he'd twisted together in his lap. He hadn't said anything to me up until then, but he witnessed the whole thing. When his mother was leaning away, he said to me, "Hold on to these as long as you can. They are special."<br />
Down on the beach, the tide comes up so high that it's a gamble to car-camp even right up against the cliff, so when night falls, I find myself running across the beach in driving rain to rescue my minivan before it washes away. As I'm running, I have a mental picture of the van riding out into the water, this dumb-looking machine bobbing off, taking some of the unwanted conditions of my life with it. I think of another vessel, too: the Spanish boat that arrived here in 1775, carrying the first documented foreigners into what was later called Washington State. Rather than lose the van, I move it up to the cliff and sleep in it that night, and in the morning I return to the beach on foot. The Quinault allow me to dunk my naked self into this 50-degree water for as long as I can stand, which is not very long at all, and then I drive the van back to Seattle. <img alt="recommended" border=";0"" height="10" src="http://www.thestranger.com/images/rec_star.gif" style="position: static;" width="10" /></div>
<br />
<br />Trippin Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02156093933672354884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652460265134940098.post-60894626504204831682013-07-28T13:52:00.000-07:002013-07-28T13:52:46.432-07:00Congratulations Mrs. and Mrs. W!!!I am so happy to celebrate the marriage of a very dear friend who I will call Mrs TW. Married recently at the San Diego Pride Festival. In the midst of the mayhem and carnival atmosphere that the Pride Festival brings with it, was a solemn and important ceremony that would finally make this loving and committed couple a real family in the eyes of the state of California and the Federal Government. Mrs. TW and her new wife Mrs. LW have been together for seven years and have a beautiful daughter together. I have known Mrs TW for many years and am pleased to say that she was a part of my own wedding ceremony and it thrills me completely that she has been able to consecrate her own relationship in the state of California. My most heartfelt congratulation T and L!<br />
<br />
Thanks to the Supreme Court rulings of the recent past, now all loving families in California can experience the security and joy of marriage. Not only does marriage give a family legal and financial security, but it also endows an emotional security that unmarried couples do not have. I lived with my husband for a number of years before we were married and although we have always had a strong bond and loving relationship, my feelings since we tied the knot are a much deeper and secure kind of love. I feel a much greater peace in my heart now and am glad that my dear friends can now experience that peace as well. <br />
<br />
Many naysayers claim that same sex marriage devalues the institution of traditional marriage. I for one think that is brainwashing BS and think that the opposite is true. I know of many heterosexual married folks that do not respect the bonds and vows of marriage and their behavior and attitudes do not impact my marriage one bit. Other than to feel a sadness that they don't enjoy what I have, a lifelong love and commitment. Then there are the celebrities that get married and divorced at the drop of a hat. Todays hetero society views marriage as a more formal way to go steady for a little while and then break up and split up the assets. <br />
<br />
My LGBT friends on the other hand have fought long and hard for this basic human right and don't take marriage lightly. These families have a deep commitment to each other and their families that I truly admire. Does it lessen my relationship? On the contrary, seeing such loving families being made whole under the laws of the land strengthens my views of "traditional marriage". Having this beautiful little girl grow up knowing the security of a whole family is a beautiful thing. She now has the legal protection of her parents marriage and the emotional well being of legitimacy of family. I couldn't be happier for her and her Mommys. I hope that all of my loved ones in different states will get to know that same security in the near future!<br />
<br />Trippin Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02156093933672354884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652460265134940098.post-36741382751887485822013-07-07T15:34:00.001-07:002013-07-07T15:34:16.843-07:00Life in a Small TownWe have the best of both worlds here in B-Town. Only ten minutes from downtown Seattle, yet a world away. Nestled on the shores of Puget Sound you will find Burien. With its quaint main street and shopping area, it is like stepping into the past. We happen to live in Olde Burien, just a half block away from the popular eateries and pubs that line 152nd Street. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GmIWF1PsAXc/UdnijlR4JGI/AAAAAAAAA3c/WCJDA4unWSg/s1600/256x256_fit_one_bestfit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GmIWF1PsAXc/UdnijlR4JGI/AAAAAAAAA3c/WCJDA4unWSg/s320/256x256_fit_one_bestfit.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
Summertime is by far the best time of year for small town living. Especially in the cold and drizzly Pacific Northwest. There are festivals and street fairs. The weekly farmers markets. And just about everyone is out walking and enjoying the sunshine. Trying to store up on vitamin D before the rain and gray come back in the fall. Not too many weeks ago we had our annual Wild Strawberry Festival and the Fathers Day car show in Downtown B-Town. It includes a carnival and bazaar, live entertainment and events up and down the street. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-55pv02hhFtc/Udnkfw3GnlI/AAAAAAAAA3s/zD0TQO3rtj4/s1600/20130615_212216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-55pv02hhFtc/Udnkfw3GnlI/AAAAAAAAA3s/zD0TQO3rtj4/s320/20130615_212216.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kptpNgiRWcE/UdnkmlxmhbI/AAAAAAAAA30/zYKq6AORGbQ/s1600/256x256_fit_one_bestfit+(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kptpNgiRWcE/UdnkmlxmhbI/AAAAAAAAA30/zYKq6AORGbQ/s320/256x256_fit_one_bestfit+(5).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VxZoc5emDQg/UdnlAdWQkkI/AAAAAAAAA4A/iHaTvfjq1wg/s1600/256x256_fit_one_bestfit+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VxZoc5emDQg/UdnlAdWQkkI/AAAAAAAAA4A/iHaTvfjq1wg/s320/256x256_fit_one_bestfit+(4).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r3MMkg7XEyY/UdnlAWN3fjI/AAAAAAAAA4M/AGZ5tO4GmE4/s1600/256x256_fit_one_bestfit+(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r3MMkg7XEyY/UdnlAWN3fjI/AAAAAAAAA4M/AGZ5tO4GmE4/s320/256x256_fit_one_bestfit+(6).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Street Blocked off for the day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G2xFYZcePzE/UdnlAWJQ8LI/AAAAAAAAA38/oJELNAcdmMs/s1600/256x256_fit_one_bestfit+(17).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G2xFYZcePzE/UdnlAWJQ8LI/AAAAAAAAA38/oJELNAcdmMs/s320/256x256_fit_one_bestfit+(17).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Git Hoan Native Dancers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Today is the Fourth of July and that means that B-Town is alive. The most exciting day of the year in Burien, we have a full day of festivities on the slate. And although I miss living on Three Tree Point and the festivities we enjoyed there on the Fourth, the town is jammed packed with action on the holiday. The streets are blocked off starting at 6AM for a morning full of cycling races. Then at 3PM it is time for the big 4th of July Parade through downtown Burien. What a fun day to walk around town and enjoy the sunshine. We took Charlie out with us on the first stroll we took around town to see the races. And we made a trip through the weekly Farmers market, it's shaping up to be a glorious day!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lvObxw_HaO8/Udnq7yu1_dI/AAAAAAAAA4s/bDamZABGnwc/s1600/20130704_111553%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lvObxw_HaO8/Udnq7yu1_dI/AAAAAAAAA4s/bDamZABGnwc/s320/20130704_111553%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GAdJPEsSW5c/Udnne7gKkvI/AAAAAAAAA4c/IbjdIPzqL98/s1600/20130704_110712%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GAdJPEsSW5c/Udnne7gKkvI/AAAAAAAAA4c/IbjdIPzqL98/s320/20130704_110712%5B1%5D.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
Then it was back home for some brunch before we headed out for the afternoons festivities. Our plan was to stroll long the parade route in the opposite direction of the parade, stopping in for a cold beverage at the establishments along the way. Well that turned into a daylong pub crawl through every dive bar in Burien. I will give my reviews of the respective establishments in another blog post. We did happen to see the parade however in between beers from one place to the next.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-11E81JN89ts/UdnrwqOOv4I/AAAAAAAAA44/g3DDzAupU7Q/s1600/20130704_152306%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-11E81JN89ts/UdnrwqOOv4I/AAAAAAAAA44/g3DDzAupU7Q/s320/20130704_152306%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The street was crowded with folks waiting for the big Parade!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8uVzVjPBxDI/UdnscD1Au_I/AAAAAAAAA5E/3CMnMYncEwY/s1600/20130704_160830%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8uVzVjPBxDI/UdnscD1Au_I/AAAAAAAAA5E/3CMnMYncEwY/s320/20130704_160830%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cJcIa_tZ8sM/UdnslTr2gaI/AAAAAAAAA5M/G2K_cx-1xqA/s1600/20130704_160236%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cJcIa_tZ8sM/UdnslTr2gaI/AAAAAAAAA5M/G2K_cx-1xqA/s320/20130704_160236%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Trippin Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02156093933672354884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652460265134940098.post-32251300444621429872013-05-31T10:41:00.001-07:002013-05-31T10:41:56.467-07:00An outstanding opportunity to experience NW Tribal Culture<div dir="ltr">
<a href="http://www.parks.wa.gov/newsreleases/?number=+13-019">News releases from the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission</a><br />
</div>
<strong>Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission</strong><br /> 1111 Israel Road S.W., P.O. Box 42650, Olympia, WA 98504-2650, (360) 902-8500<br /> Don Hoch, Director<br />
<div class="divbox">
<strong>Media contact:</strong><br />Jack Hartt, Deception Pass State Park, (360) 675-3767<br /> Leslie Eastwood, Samish Indian Nation, (360) 293-6404<br /> Virginia Painter, State Parks Public Affairs Office (360) 902-8562</div>
<strong>Celebrate Native American culture and 100 years of state parks at Deception Pass June 8</strong><br />
OLYMPIA – May 13, 2013 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission invites the public to attend the Eighth Annual Salish Sea Native American Culture Celebration with the Samish and Swinomish tribes.<br /><br /> The celebration runs from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 8, at the Bowman Bay picnic area on the Fidalgo Island side of Deception Pass State Park, 41020 State Route 20, Oak Harbor. The event celebrates the maritime heritage of the two participating Coast Salish tribes. This year’s event also commemorates the 100th birthday of the Washington state park system, which was created by the Legislature in 1913.<br /><br /> The June 8 event will feature canoe rides and native singers, drummers and storytellers. Artists from the two tribes will demonstrate traditional weaving, cedar work and woodcarving. A salmon and frybread lunch also will be available for purchase. The Discover Pass is not required to attend the event. In recognition of National Get Outdoors Day, Saturday, June 8 is a State Parks “free day,” when visitors to state parks are not required to display a Discover Pass. <br /><br /> Cultural event activities are presented by the Samish Indian Nation, the Samish Canoe Family, the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community and the Swinomish Canoe Family. Proceeds from food sales at the Salish Sea Native American Culture Celebration support the Samish and Swinomish canoe families’ participation in the annual intertribal canoe journey; each year, tribes and nations from the Pacific Northwest travel by canoe to different host communities along the Salish Sea. This year, the Quinault Tribe plays host to the intertribal canoe journey, which lands in Taholah on August 1. For more information about this year’s canoe journey, visit www.paddletoquinault.org.<br /><br /> The event is accessible to persons with disabilities. If special accommodations are required in order to attend the event, please call (360) 902-8626 or (360) 675-3767 or the Washington Telecommunications Relay Service at (800) 833-6388. Requests must be made in advance.<br /><br /> The Salish Sea Native American Culture Celebration is part of a broader series of events celebrating Washington’s diverse cultures and presented by the Folk and Traditional Arts in the Parks Program. The program is a partnership between the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the Washington State Arts Commission and Northwest Heritage Resources with funding provided by National Endowment for the Arts and the Washington State Parks Foundation.<br /><br /> Deception Pass State Park is a 4,134-acre marine and camping park with 77,000 feet of saltwater of shoreline, and 33,900 feet of freshwater shoreline on three lakes. The park is best known for views of Deception Pass and Bowman Bay, old-growth forests, abundant wildlife and the historic Deception Pass Bridge.<br /><br /> Stay connected to your state parks by following Washington State Parks at www.facebook.com/WashingtonStateParks, www.twitter.com/WaStatePks_NEWS and www.youtube.com/WashingtonStateParks. Share your favorite state park adventure on the new State Parks’ blog site at www.AdventureAwaits.com.<br /><br /> -30-Trippin Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02156093933672354884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652460265134940098.post-48711856382616228922013-05-24T07:33:00.001-07:002013-05-24T07:33:19.229-07:00Roger Dodger, you old Codger, how does your garden grow? Sorry honey but it rhymes.Well it's springtime in Washington. The geese are back to Lake Burien. The flowers are blooming and the cherry tree in the front yard is raining blossoms all over my car. The weather has been downright weird this spring. A couple of weeks ago we had a hot spell and tied with Phoenix one day as the hottest city in the country at 86 degrees. It was a beautiful and sunny Easter. Last week it was in the fifties and rainy and still is. Right now it is forty six degrees and getting ready to rain. Maybe some hail too according to the weatherman. Yay! I just love the forty five minute commute in the rain every day!<br />
<br />
This spring we have decided to join the growing population of urban farmers. Roger has spent a good deal of time digging up the back yard and we now have a nice sized garden. With all of the chemicals and pesticides used on our food we are looking forward to fresh and organic fruits and veggies. There is nothing like picking something from the garden and serving it for dinner. And there is certainly no GMO in our garden! <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zviUnpmVicQ/UZ9xXI_bbSI/AAAAAAAAA04/OCR0f04y87c/s1600/DSC03725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zviUnpmVicQ/UZ9xXI_bbSI/AAAAAAAAA04/OCR0f04y87c/s320/DSC03725.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of little plants starting to grow!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PQGd5gVgx7Q/UZ9xobE5iJI/AAAAAAAAA1A/gU7VzgGW49g/s1600/DSC03726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PQGd5gVgx7Q/UZ9xobE5iJI/AAAAAAAAA1A/gU7VzgGW49g/s320/DSC03726.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XAg_DupI58Y/UZ9xoU9DLXI/AAAAAAAAA1E/uNJraT7RkEg/s1600/DSC03727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XAg_DupI58Y/UZ9xoU9DLXI/AAAAAAAAA1E/uNJraT7RkEg/s320/DSC03727.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomato Plants</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yhcr5g9OJHU/UZ9xojAe-mI/AAAAAAAAA1I/JmPUJBkx_-4/s1600/DSC03738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yhcr5g9OJHU/UZ9xojAe-mI/AAAAAAAAA1I/JmPUJBkx_-4/s320/DSC03738.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Break time!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PNkCx2syh_s/UZ9xo7nVsoI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/New5CAI8Pws/s1600/DSC03740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PNkCx2syh_s/UZ9xo7nVsoI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/New5CAI8Pws/s320/DSC03740.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Bar B Que grill.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In addition to planting a garden we have supplied the yard with a new picnic table and fire pit. As well as some new outdoor furniture and a Barbeque. We plan on enjoying the outdoors much more this summer, should it ever arrive. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0u5UmbBaAvQ/UZ9zlu3uYoI/AAAAAAAAA1o/_85u-pWiOf4/s1600/DSC03743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0u5UmbBaAvQ/UZ9zlu3uYoI/AAAAAAAAA1o/_85u-pWiOf4/s320/DSC03743.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready for our first Barbeque on the new grill.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9a5wZ5ejEPA/UZ9zl45-qUI/AAAAAAAAA10/UuJW2xuVDB8/s1600/DSC03744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9a5wZ5ejEPA/UZ9zl45-qUI/AAAAAAAAA10/UuJW2xuVDB8/s320/DSC03744.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The flowers are making a comeback</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DIGrKl8l02k/UZ9zlxtdIyI/AAAAAAAAA1s/eeXKGGIm9qc/s1600/DSC03746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DIGrKl8l02k/UZ9zlxtdIyI/AAAAAAAAA1s/eeXKGGIm9qc/s320/DSC03746.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peas are popping up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OMPdoDzIl8I/UZ9zmF1CyXI/AAAAAAAAA18/lgwuNxkV-pQ/s1600/DSC03747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OMPdoDzIl8I/UZ9zmF1CyXI/AAAAAAAAA18/lgwuNxkV-pQ/s320/DSC03747.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got the fire pit going and the wine poured!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ekjK-Iw3UeQ/UZ9zmSn0guI/AAAAAAAAA2A/m2rakq4AiAc/s1600/DSC03751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="234" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ekjK-Iw3UeQ/UZ9zmSn0guI/AAAAAAAAA2A/m2rakq4AiAc/s320/DSC03751.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackberries along the side fence.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bg_NieZXclw/UZ96BVUyC6I/AAAAAAAAA2Y/cS27B9ecNQc/s1600/1024x768_bestfit+(7).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bg_NieZXclw/UZ96BVUyC6I/AAAAAAAAA2Y/cS27B9ecNQc/s320/1024x768_bestfit+(7).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qjeeeuxnLJM/UZ96Bb3BU9I/AAAAAAAAA2c/gwl2-cbziqQ/s1600/1024x768_bestfit+(8).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qjeeeuxnLJM/UZ96Bb3BU9I/AAAAAAAAA2c/gwl2-cbziqQ/s320/1024x768_bestfit+(8).jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charlie on patrol!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
This is going to be a great summer and I look forward to all of our fruits and veggies growing. Aside from the garden which contains everything from lettuces and tomatoes to peas and beans, broccoli and cauliflower, peppers ,cucumbers, carrots, radishes, leeks, watermelon and corn. We also have blackberry and raspberry bushes, apple trees, a pear tree, a cherry tree and an herb garden. Should be lots to eat later in the summer. All we need now is a bacon bush and we're all set!Trippin Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02156093933672354884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652460265134940098.post-23687677066746739232013-04-15T15:09:00.004-07:002013-04-15T15:09:50.900-07:00Sunny SoCal Adventures Part 1- San Diego<br />It was a much milder than normal winter in B-Town this year. We had one day of light snow flurries and some cold and windy days, but overall it was pretty pleasant and dry. The start of this year is the 6th driest in history so far. It is still not San Diego though. So it was with great joy that we touched down at San Diego International Airport . One night in San Diego and then off to Palm Springs for a week of sunshine and relaxation. <br />
<br />
After arriving we went to pick up the rental car and headed off to our hotel. Lucky for us the hotel was right next door to one of our favorite eateries, Anthonys Fish Grotto. The perfect place for a nice relaxing lunch after trudging around the airports all morning. Flying is not nearly as fun as it used to be! And really, can they make the seats just a little bit smaller and closer together? <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nVezMGDqJLQ/UWx1jb1YjDI/AAAAAAAAAz4/y4Sn0rawsXw/s1600/DSC03583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nVezMGDqJLQ/UWx1jb1YjDI/AAAAAAAAAz4/y4Sn0rawsXw/s320/DSC03583.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Since we have such a short amount of time in SD and a bunch of people we wanted to see, we arranged two different ways to accomplish that. First up a trip to Hacienda Casa Blanca in El Cajon, our home town before moving north to Burien. I put out an invite to all of our friends that we would be there from 6PM until 10PM and would love to see anyone that wanted to drop by. Much to our surprise and glee our group took up most of the bar portion of the place. We got to visit with most of our dearest friends, some of which we have not seen in almost four years. The last time that we had so many friends in one place was at my 50th birthday party. What a great evening to see everyone. Especially my very best girlfriends Stephanie and Alisa. Also great to see Bev, Ramona and the Johns, our Belize traveling friends. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-znA2kijPvdI/UWxw3kB2qQI/AAAAAAAAAzg/0Y0oVgKknL0/s1600/DSC03598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-znA2kijPvdI/UWxw3kB2qQI/AAAAAAAAAzg/0Y0oVgKknL0/s320/DSC03598.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roger with Alisa and her husband Russ at Hacienda</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Then Saturday morning, Roger was off to play golf with his Mens Club at Mission Trails Golf Course. A great chance for him to catch up with his golf buddies, while I went out to brunch with my cousin Candace. I enjoyed some quiet family time chatting with her and getting all of the gossip! After brunch at the Omelette factory we went to join Roger at the golf course for cocktails and to visit with everyone at the club.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zqVZhDMv1Yk/UWx1uXLa2iI/AAAAAAAAA0A/JHgDfdunf4k/s1600/DSC03601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zqVZhDMv1Yk/UWx1uXLa2iI/AAAAAAAAA0A/JHgDfdunf4k/s320/DSC03601.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Candace and I at Mission Trails Golf Course</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R9VoBCNmv0k/UWx2B5L0zZI/AAAAAAAAA0I/3j31LZaLbfE/s1600/DSC03600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R9VoBCNmv0k/UWx2B5L0zZI/AAAAAAAAA0I/3j31LZaLbfE/s320/DSC03600.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roger and his good friend John</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
All in all a great 24 hours in our home town. Just enough time to get really homesick for our old life in San Diego. However after three plus years of living in the Pacific Northwest, it felt less like home than it used to. That was a really melancholy realization to feel less at home there than I feel now in B-Town . You expect that everything will be just the same as it was when you left and some things are, but peoples lives move forward and you are much more disconnected from that movement than you knew you would be. That in itself is eye opening on several levels. Some people you greet and it's just like you saw them yesterday and you pick right up where you left off. Those are your best and lifelong friends. Some people feel much more distant from you than before and seem almost like strangers to you. That my friends is a very sad occurrence and something that we weren't prepared for. The closeness that you used to share was no longer there. I guess the old expression, "You can't go home again." is really true. <br />
<br />
So we are off to the desert early in the afternoon and we will begin our Palm Spring adventures. That however is a story for another day.....<br />
Trippin Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02156093933672354884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652460265134940098.post-15641581862347684452012-10-29T14:35:00.002-07:002012-10-29T14:35:55.298-07:00If You are in Pittsburgh on November 9th and can use a little Luv.....<div style="text-align: center;">
This blog is going to be a little different than the usual. I am going to shamelessly plug an event put on by my sister Jami to benefit the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i> <a href="http://www.jamiluvfest.com/index.php" target="_blank"> Jami Luv Fest- in memory of Billie Marlowe</a></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/603863_414286641957801_1086151860_n.jpg" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<b><i>The following is from the official LUV FEST page. You can use the link above to get there.</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<br />
<h1 style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jami-Luvfest-in-memory-of-Billie-Marlowe/106176879435447" target="_blank">Jami Luvfest </a>“Enough for ALL”</span></h1>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 12px 0px 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 12px 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;">In my childhood, when money was very tight, we still had enough. If someone happened by the house during dinnertime, Billie jumped up and grabbed a place setting, because she had made enough for all. In our adulthood, we kids have scratched our heads trying to figure out how she did it. But the formula was simple: She had enough LUV in her to stretch out food or clothes or presents or anything.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">So the question I pose to you is simple: Do you have <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Enough for ALL</em>? If your answer is the affirmative, I want to see you on Friday, November 9.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 12px 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5_5SfjRdOg/UI7uYTt4uNI/AAAAAAAAAyE/39MlWHOdxLk/s1600/40309_109893612397107_4720076_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="254" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5_5SfjRdOg/UI7uYTt4uNI/AAAAAAAAAyE/39MlWHOdxLk/s320/40309_109893612397107_4720076_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A typical Thanksgiving dinner with my family. That's a much younger me third from the right, with Billie at the head of the table. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 12px 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;">I could go on and on about my mothers generosity and the way she brought people together with food and fellowship, but my dear sister Jami who has picked up the mantle of feeding the world with her open heart and tireless spirit has done it so much better than I could. So I will just steal her words with rampant plagiarism, what are sisters for!</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 12px 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<h1 style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px; line-height: normal; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;">About Jami Luvfest by Jami Marlowe</span></h1>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 12px 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;">November is a significant month in my life — the day of my birth and the anniversary of my mother’s death.<br /><br />In 2007, after agreeing to meet to celebrate my birthday, my friends also agreed to donate the cost of a beer ($5) to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. All the donations were handed over in memory of my mom, Billie Marlowe.<br />The next year, the event was spontaneously named when someone mentioned not missing the “Jami Luvfest.” Also in 2008, people I had never met showed up, but they were happy to donate and eat some garlic fries and chat.<br /><br />So last year, we decided to get a bigger place. Once again, my friends came through in a big way. We had entertainment and raffles and great food and music. The next day, it dawned on me that a tradition had quickly come into being and would continue to grow every year — or until hunger is abolished and there’s no longer a need for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.<br />Until then, every year at the end of fall, we’ll have Jami Luvfest. We’ll eat, drink, laugh, dance, donate, and honor all moms by remembering one.</span></div>
<h1 style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px; line-height: normal; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;">About Billie Marlowe</span></h1>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 12px 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<blockquote style="border: dashed rgb(223, 223, 223); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Every time I think I’m giving to you, I realize how much more you are giving me.– Billie Marlowe</b></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 12px 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Invoke the name Billie Marlowe and food is the first word that pops into mind. She usually spent most of a holiday in the kitchen, then lounging at the table after dinner enjoying a cigarette, a cup of coffee, and any good yarns being told. That table was large enough to welcome all, including numerous friends throughout my life. <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Not enough</em> were not words in her vocabulary. There was always enough — enough room at the table, enough food on the table, and enough love around the table.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 12px 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">At Billie’s Purple Fork in Brownsville, PA, customers were loyal to her down-home cooking and creative desserts. However, Thanksgiving was special. From 1992-1997, Billie opened her doors on Thanksgiving to everyone for a free meal of salad, turkey, potatoes, stuffing, corn, and her homemade pumpkin pie. She didn't accept financial help for the day and none of her employees were required to work. The meal was prepared with the help of her son and daughter and served by her other daughters, grandson, and granddaughter. Her son-in-law delivered meals to men working at police, fire, and ambulance stations in Brownsville and West Brownsville. When the last plates had been washed and restaurant’s kitchen tidied up, her family would sit and eat.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 12px 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;">By the final year, that late-eating table would include a few customers who volunteered their time so that they may earn a place at Billie’s Thanksgiving.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 12px 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;">After retiring and moving to a senior independent-living apartment, Billie continued to use food as a way to bring people together. She organized a “Souper Sunday” where people were encouraged to make soup and bring it to the recreational room in an effort to break bread with each other. She delivered soup to anyone unable to make it because of health or other issues. Again, she incorporated her children the celebration including having her son grill at summer picnics and cookouts and her son-in-law dress as Santa to visit the other tenants during the holidays.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 12px 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in October 2006, Billie Marlowe spent as much of the next four weeks as she could creating memories for her friends and family. She couldn’t cook, but food was still at the center of gatherings. This time it was her friends or her kids preparing the food. Her final Thanksgiving (actually held in October) was small with only immediate family in attendance but it was not short of food and love.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 12px 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In celebration of your mother’s memory and generosity.</strong> <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Jenn Novak, dear friend.</em><br />This was the very first GPCFB donation made in memory of Billie Marlowe and the catalyst for Jami Luvfest and all the subsequent volunteerism. Luvfest, Bagelfest, and all the other crazy ideas I come up with for the Food Bank is in celebration of Billie.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 12px 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">
<h1 style="border: 0px; font-size: 22px; line-height: normal; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: #bf8a49; color: #e4f4f9;">W</span><span style="background-color: white;">hen</span></h1>
<ul style="border: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Friday, November 9, 2012</span></div>
</li>
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;">7:00 - 10:00 pm</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<h1 style="border: 0px; font-size: 22px; line-height: normal; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Where</span></h1>
<ul style="border: 0px; line-height: normal; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.toonseum.org/" target="_blank">the ToonSeum</a></span></div>
</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;">945 Liberty Avenue</span></div>
</li>
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 14px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Downtown Pittsburgh, PA 15222</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-size: 14px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.jamiluvfest.com/drop/photogal/JLF10_17.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My siblings, Elizabeth, Jami and Wally at a past Luv Fest<br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I was lucky enough to attend last years event and wish that I could make it this year as it keeps getting bigger and bigger. This years party will be held at the Toonseum in the cultural district of Pittsburgh, a very unique venue. There will be food, beverages and entertainment and of course, Lots of Luv. Please support my family in our goal of honoring our Mother and feeding Pittsburgh. You can donate at this link if you are unable to attend in person.....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://secure2.convio.net/gpcfb/site/Donation2?df_id=1780&1780.donation=form1&JServSessionIdr004=65rz1n5rv1.app209b" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank</span></a></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border: 0px; font-size: 14px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;"></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<br />
Trippin Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02156093933672354884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652460265134940098.post-46641067303116326532012-10-22T15:24:00.000-07:002012-10-23T15:46:05.677-07:00Falling into AutumnAhh rainy Seattle, how I missed thee. The normal rainfall in the Seattle area in August and September is 2.68 inches. These are normally our driest months and we still get almost three inches of rain. However this year we have only received .03 inches of rain this last two months. That's three hundredths of an inch in more than sixty days. An all time record for dryness in this area. The old record is .19 of an inch in the early 1900's. Now I know that I spend a lot of time bitching about the rain. The irony has not escaped me on this one folks. We went 82 days without any rainfall. You would think that we were in Southern California with all of the sunshine. However, all of this dryness brought something else that I was used to seeing in SoCal that I did not miss, wildfires. It was a very long and disastrous fire season in Washington state. Tens of thousand of acres burned and thousands of homes lost. <br />
<br />
But it is October now and the rain has returned. Fall is in the air and the leaves are changing colors. Within the span of about a week we went from sunny and dry to cold and wet. Today is rainy and 45 degrees at 2pm, so I guess that our long, hot summer is officially over. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-afcYS6XUO4A/UIcd2ETcEuI/AAAAAAAAAw0/5TsNYnKhjOU/s1600/DSC02278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-afcYS6XUO4A/UIcd2ETcEuI/AAAAAAAAAw0/5TsNYnKhjOU/s320/DSC02278.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I have to admit that at some point in the past year, we turned from temporary San Diego transplants into resident Washingtonians. More acclimated to the weather by far. We actually hit ninety degrees one day and I thought I would die from heat prostration. I am most happy at about seventy five these days. I am thrilled to be in the clutches of autumn. This is my favorite season here in the Pacific Northwest. The crispness is in the air and the light has an almost golden glow to it. The trees changing from a thousand shades of green, to red and orange and amber gold. The pumpkin patches and neighbor hood carnivals are in full swing. Unlike San Diego, the pumpkin patches here are not fenced off portions of the Safeway parking lot, they are actual farms and you really pick your pumpkins. And they all seem to have a corn maze. This one is off of highway 167 and I drive by it each day on the way to work.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-inxZgESTPbU/UIW83o5fT1I/AAAAAAAAAuA/Jl15bSBFMvk/s1600/pumpkin.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-inxZgESTPbU/UIW83o5fT1I/AAAAAAAAAuA/Jl15bSBFMvk/s400/pumpkin.gif" width="161" /></a></div>
<br />
A huge farm with all kinds of fresh produce for sale, including one of our favorite Washington fall traditions, APPLES!!! You have never had a great apple if you haven't eaten one fresh in Washington. I know, you are saying that you have had Washington apples before and yes they're ok. But yours has probably spent some time on the road for at least a few days and then holed up at some wholesale warehouse until they were sold to your local supermarket and dipped in wax to preserve that shiny look that make it more appealing to the eye. And we only send you the rejects anyway, we keep the good ones here. At the farmers market or on the farm at the roadside stand, right off the tree the same day that we buy them. And the varieties are endless. Pink Ladys and Black Arkansas, Ambrosia and Jazz. Not your garden variety Red Delicious. Although they are really delicious here! Crisp and tart or tender and sweet, yummy. I never knew that so many varieties existed until we moved here.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
Another fall tradition is the Burien Brattrot and Bavarian Fest each October. We had a great time at this fundraiser 5k race and festival in Olde Burien. Conveniently, it was held only a block from the homestead so that there was no driving involved. The day was sunny and beautiful for the entire festival and brought hundreds of runners. (I was not one of those) The beneficiaries were the Highline Schools Foundation and SafeKids King County . The street was blocked off on the main street and there were beer gardens and other tents set up with vendors. A stage hosted the Three Tree Point blues band. One of the band members lives right below our old house and we used to hear them practice all the time. As well as on the 4th of July each year at the neighborhood celebrations. Ran into our old neighbors Jean and Mike and Charlies best friends Lucy and Bebe. So all in all a splendid day and a great start to the fall season, next up Boo in Burien, the Halloween festival.<br />
<br />
Here are some pix from the BratTrot----enjoy.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8EHH8mIRXOY/UIXEwVdhStI/AAAAAAAAAvA/uQhNlKPEW6Q/s1600/Brat+Trot+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8EHH8mIRXOY/UIXEwVdhStI/AAAAAAAAAvA/uQhNlKPEW6Q/s320/Brat+Trot+007.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lining up at the starting line.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pQnIQ5lt3QE/UIXE1hS_5ZI/AAAAAAAAAvI/KbQin3jigIc/s1600/Brat+Trot+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pQnIQ5lt3QE/UIXE1hS_5ZI/AAAAAAAAAvI/KbQin3jigIc/s320/Brat+Trot+010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M71MmpDFrik/UIXE6eELfhI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/payShK7sxJw/s1600/Brat+Trot+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M71MmpDFrik/UIXE6eELfhI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/payShK7sxJw/s320/Brat+Trot+013.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And they're off! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C7MmJ4t2_30/UIXFjTbTe0I/AAAAAAAAAvY/0J62YS-O0wk/s1600/Brat+Trot+023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C7MmJ4t2_30/UIXFjTbTe0I/AAAAAAAAAvY/0J62YS-O0wk/s640/Brat+Trot+023.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The guy in the maroon t-shirt with the Lab and Golden retriever is our old neighbor Mike and the dogs are Charlies girlfriends, Lucy and Bebe, we were thrilled to see them.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l5TFyOzG10Q/UIXFto4xe9I/AAAAAAAAAvg/z4VXg1iRx7g/s1600/Brat+Trot+027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l5TFyOzG10Q/UIXFto4xe9I/AAAAAAAAAvg/z4VXg1iRx7g/s320/Brat+Trot+027.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-63M3Tfs7dgQ/UIXF7lUOv1I/AAAAAAAAAvo/t6z-ASV0kQU/s1600/Brat+Trot+036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-63M3Tfs7dgQ/UIXF7lUOv1I/AAAAAAAAAvo/t6z-ASV0kQU/s320/Brat+Trot+036.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Runners coming across the finish line. Vantage point-Beer garden.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FRKKHO3ODyQ/UIXGJX02cgI/AAAAAAAAAvw/8Yiza-tc0aI/s1600/Brat+Trot+045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FRKKHO3ODyQ/UIXGJX02cgI/AAAAAAAAAvw/8Yiza-tc0aI/s320/Brat+Trot+045.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Danny House, the owner of the Tin Room Bar and Theater, presenting the winners with their jackets and prizes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Trippin Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02156093933672354884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652460265134940098.post-49784331915994947932012-08-28T16:06:00.001-07:002012-08-31T09:14:25.779-07:00Canadian Adventure Part 2- Whistler Village<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KwS9XBpFIjo/UD1O15Cb2oI/AAAAAAAAAtY/EDlB0ln5mso/s1600/time+machine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KwS9XBpFIjo/UD1O15Cb2oI/AAAAAAAAAtY/EDlB0ln5mso/s320/time+machine.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Well we have arrived in Whistler now and are ready to start part 2 of our adventure. We will head to the hotel, the Crystal Lodge and check in and freshen up. Here is a close up look at Whistler Village from the tourism board. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=jNr9kzSVilw&NR=1" target="_blank">Whistler Village Tour.</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-56y-IyxRgTw/UD012WeqqII/AAAAAAAAAm0/wXIs-vAkwiw/s1600/DSC03201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-56y-IyxRgTw/UD012WeqqII/AAAAAAAAAm0/wXIs-vAkwiw/s320/DSC03201.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RVD0Evh3C2Q/UD01-mf8-0I/AAAAAAAAAm8/z7eM_ZmB-A8/s1600/DSC03212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RVD0Evh3C2Q/UD01-mf8-0I/AAAAAAAAAm8/z7eM_ZmB-A8/s320/DSC03212.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very spacious room and super comfy bed. Although it was a bit soft for Papa Bear!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Now off to explore the village and find a bite to eat. All that hiking has really made me hungry!! Time for some refreshments and relaxation. Whistler Village is laid out so that the interior of the village is pedestrian only, it's called The Stroll and is a very nice cobblestone roadway to get around the village. They are also very dog-friendly, so Charlie was welcomed most everywhere and it was one of the reasons that we picked Whistler for our vacation.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZXG3ZA_dSg/UD03uuuivUI/AAAAAAAAAnE/G1ZjiUwXTaM/s1600/DSC03202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZXG3ZA_dSg/UD03uuuivUI/AAAAAAAAAnE/G1ZjiUwXTaM/s320/DSC03202.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful afternoon for sightseeing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eQBFJQqwtJE/UD03xXFe-qI/AAAAAAAAAnM/FGLihtlI1-c/s1600/DSC03203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eQBFJQqwtJE/UD03xXFe-qI/AAAAAAAAAnM/FGLihtlI1-c/s320/DSC03203.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Down the center of the Stroll</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6g0Wg4bzhD8/UD03z1h7xXI/AAAAAAAAAnU/dx2LFNRcPzE/s1600/DSC03204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6g0Wg4bzhD8/UD03z1h7xXI/AAAAAAAAAnU/dx2LFNRcPzE/s320/DSC03204.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ahhh, Lunch at BG Urban Grill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UpbSbYaTaIo/UD04ICWsNDI/AAAAAAAAAng/ASVY_fY9D1U/s1600/Whistler-Village-Map-3.mediumthumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UpbSbYaTaIo/UD04ICWsNDI/AAAAAAAAAng/ASVY_fY9D1U/s320/Whistler-Village-Map-3.mediumthumb.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map of Whistler Village</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So we had a little lunch and headed back to the hotel for a nap so that we could enjoy the evening and be refreshed for further sightseeing. After a little resting up and getting changed for the cooler evening, we headed out for more exploring. Roger found a cigar shop that sold Cubans, so he got a cigar for later. Canada does not embargo Cuban products, so a lot of the shops carried Cigars and Rum from Cuba. We searched for a grocery store to pick up some dog food and snacks for the room. You can't transport dog food with meat by products into Canada. Charlie was pretty tuckered out and stilled drugged, so he stayed in the room for some much needed sleep. The hotel provided his own bedding, towel, etc. He was as snug as a bug. We wandered up through Olympic Celebration Plaza, the sight of the awards ceremonies during the 2010 Winter Olympics.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CRcDalCjCqg/UD078J9GtoI/AAAAAAAAAn4/pRt9aNiooBw/s1600/DSC03206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CRcDalCjCqg/UD078J9GtoI/AAAAAAAAAn4/pRt9aNiooBw/s320/DSC03206.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Olympic Rings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Took in the sights .......<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i6hC0nyZP-U/UD08TbTz1ZI/AAAAAAAAAoA/1Q7eaJPR4F4/s1600/DSC03210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i6hC0nyZP-U/UD08TbTz1ZI/AAAAAAAAAoA/1Q7eaJPR4F4/s320/DSC03210.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8_sHMd0Z1Bg/UD1ISvNSf1I/AAAAAAAAAqc/04_FrXIMSts/s1600/DSC03255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8_sHMd0Z1Bg/UD1ISvNSf1I/AAAAAAAAAqc/04_FrXIMSts/s320/DSC03255.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wo32T_QefC0/UD1IU8EhnUI/AAAAAAAAAqk/DbahtXi9MnI/s1600/DSC03256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wo32T_QefC0/UD1IU8EhnUI/AAAAAAAAAqk/DbahtXi9MnI/s320/DSC03256.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Then had dinner at<a href="http://www.ricsgrill.com/locations/13/" target="_blank"> The Mix by Rics </a> Cocktails and Tapas, yummy. Then an early night to get ready for day 2- my Birthday!!!<br />
<br />
We got up early on Saturday and went to <a href="http://blackspub.com/" target="_blank">Blacks Pub</a> for breakfast. Great traditional bacon and egg breakfast and a super start to the day.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Welcome to Blacks Restaurant & Pub In Whistler, BC" src="http://blackspub.com/images/main_header.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<br />
Then back to the hotel where Roger made plans to play golf at the <a href="http://www.nicklaus.com/design/nicklausnorth/" target="_blank">Nicklaus North Golf Course.</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rk1lTYMqWa0/UD0-zeVbchI/AAAAAAAAAoI/jXXGYThSvks/s1600/nicklaus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rk1lTYMqWa0/UD0-zeVbchI/AAAAAAAAAoI/jXXGYThSvks/s320/nicklaus.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
An absolutely gorgeous course that looked challenging. While he played golf, I shopped around the village and went back to the room for a bubble bath and to relax. We had made dinner reservations for that evening at <a href="http://www.araxi.com/" target="_blank">Araxi,</a> the top restaurant in Whistler and planned on more sightseeing in the afternoon. The poor stupefied dog would need to go for a walk too. We still had alot of the village to explore. Next stop, the Whistler Bike Park. The Whistler mountain ski runs in the summer become great mountain bike trails. The riders go up in the chairlifts with their bikes and the barrel down the mountain on the steep trails. It looked positively frightening and there were hordes of cyclists doing it. Yow.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uSX1b7UzzQ8/UD1BR6jcq3I/AAAAAAAAAog/fUzSkR-Vlgk/s1600/DSC03222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uSX1b7UzzQ8/UD1BR6jcq3I/AAAAAAAAAog/fUzSkR-Vlgk/s320/DSC03222.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qlv0TQWG17A/UD1BT5tlMKI/AAAAAAAAAoo/hD0XTwf0Nk4/s1600/DSC03223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qlv0TQWG17A/UD1BT5tlMKI/AAAAAAAAAoo/hD0XTwf0Nk4/s320/DSC03223.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kPXNQCOCG_I/UD1BWAj1lLI/AAAAAAAAAow/2tVnI6p0CLI/s1600/DSC03225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kPXNQCOCG_I/UD1BWAj1lLI/AAAAAAAAAow/2tVnI6p0CLI/s320/DSC03225.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sSlgGz3e1Sc/UD1BYwru6II/AAAAAAAAAo4/n-T14Yu_wzQ/s1600/DSC03226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sSlgGz3e1Sc/UD1BYwru6II/AAAAAAAAAo4/n-T14Yu_wzQ/s320/DSC03226.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We watched the mountain bikes for awhile and gave Charlie a good walk and took him back for another nap. A dog on muscle relaxers needs a great deal of sleep. We then headed off to dinner at Araxi. Roger had the<br />
<strong style="border: 0px; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-center; vertical-align: baseline;">Herb Crusted BC Halibut</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; line-height: 1.5em; text-align: -webkit-center;"> </span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-center; vertical-align: baseline;">
heirloom tomatoes, white bean and lemon with sugar snap and english peas<br />
local baby gem tomatoes and shallot vinaigrette</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">And I had </strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Yukon Arctic Char</strong><br />
Across the Creek potato puree, baby green beans and crispy local leeks<br />
BC chantertelle mushroon and saffron beurre blanc</div>
And of course a great bottle of wine. A superb dinner by one of Canadas top chefs, James Walt. We had just missed by one week the farm to dinner table set outdoors up the mountain which is legendary in Whistler.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N9WtXGnJfPs/UD1FdbrUtOI/AAAAAAAAApk/kB8cBKJNgW0/s1600/DSC03216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N9WtXGnJfPs/UD1FdbrUtOI/AAAAAAAAApk/kB8cBKJNgW0/s320/DSC03216.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2N3b40bvtT4/UD1Ffqb3uxI/AAAAAAAAAps/0jTPlW3Y37o/s1600/DSC03217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2N3b40bvtT4/UD1Ffqb3uxI/AAAAAAAAAps/0jTPlW3Y37o/s320/DSC03217.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6xCCcK9GMxQ/UD1Fh4Ta5YI/AAAAAAAAAp0/fMPL0TgRguk/s1600/DSC03221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6xCCcK9GMxQ/UD1Fh4Ta5YI/AAAAAAAAAp0/fMPL0TgRguk/s320/DSC03221.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
A beautiful ambiance and fantastic meal. What a great birthday. We then went to a free concert in Olympic Plaza by Michael Franti.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f3T_wdSbD6Q/UD1H58sPFiI/AAAAAAAAAqE/4_-SrsOTgX8/s1600/DSC03235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f3T_wdSbD6Q/UD1H58sPFiI/AAAAAAAAAqE/4_-SrsOTgX8/s320/DSC03235.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Then back to the Mix at the hotel for a nightcap and we'll call it a day. Tomorrow brings big adventures!<br />
<br />
We started Sunday with breakfast at the hotel and walked the dog while we made plans for the day. We decided to take the gondola up to the top of the mountain and take part in the Roundhouse Bar B Que at the very top. Those of you who know my fear of heights will chuckle that there is no way that I would ever do such a thing. But I did it and it was so worth the fear which passed very quickly into wonder at the view and sights along the way upward. I am the person that went zip-lining in Belize, and had to be lowered down on a rope. I can't ride Ferris wheels without having a panic attack. So I was a little more than concerned that I would freak out when we started the journey up the mountain.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vuJUbpnprWQ/UD1JWnAE6zI/AAAAAAAAAqw/-gyHb9rUDPA/s1600/DSC03261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vuJUbpnprWQ/UD1JWnAE6zI/AAAAAAAAAqw/-gyHb9rUDPA/s320/DSC03261.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sn6cFvcVvTA/UD1JXEf9n_I/AAAAAAAAAq4/KDe__gyfSuQ/s1600/DSC03262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sn6cFvcVvTA/UD1JXEf9n_I/AAAAAAAAAq4/KDe__gyfSuQ/s320/DSC03262.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-09Cvs8_fK_4/UD1JXpDoAmI/AAAAAAAAArA/v3PLbScipR8/s1600/DSC03263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-09Cvs8_fK_4/UD1JXpDoAmI/AAAAAAAAArA/v3PLbScipR8/s320/DSC03263.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tIZDkc4kMxA/UD1JXyUfgRI/AAAAAAAAArI/q0dx2fKoPC0/s1600/DSC03268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tIZDkc4kMxA/UD1JXyUfgRI/AAAAAAAAArI/q0dx2fKoPC0/s400/DSC03268.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, this is a great big bear. One of the highlights of the trip.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VoV88vzBqtw/UD1JYgSAt7I/AAAAAAAAArQ/Zycv4jljPb8/s1600/DSC03271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VoV88vzBqtw/UD1JYgSAt7I/AAAAAAAAArQ/Zycv4jljPb8/s320/DSC03271.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-egmuS08-xZI/UD1JZX0Z6II/AAAAAAAAArY/LHF5_0JS2J0/s1600/DSC03272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-egmuS08-xZI/UD1JZX0Z6II/AAAAAAAAArY/LHF5_0JS2J0/s320/DSC03272.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top of the world!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UiR2rz1-CQc/UD1JZoTtP5I/AAAAAAAAArg/DTQqNt8saBU/s1600/DSC03274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UiR2rz1-CQc/UD1JZoTtP5I/AAAAAAAAArg/DTQqNt8saBU/s320/DSC03274.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6GmVXV-cdmU/UD1JaCqGOgI/AAAAAAAAAro/9WD1X4JzOQ8/s1600/DSC03275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6GmVXV-cdmU/UD1JaCqGOgI/AAAAAAAAAro/9WD1X4JzOQ8/s320/DSC03275.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alpine lake and wildflowers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MHL5wi611WU/UD1JaoW1rbI/AAAAAAAAArw/GGFFk3RUVFc/s1600/DSC03277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MHL5wi611WU/UD1JaoW1rbI/AAAAAAAAArw/GGFFk3RUVFc/s320/DSC03277.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pJV_HB6WCPg/UD1JbM3_7ZI/AAAAAAAAAr4/vqLrE_sG89g/s1600/DSC03278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pJV_HB6WCPg/UD1JbM3_7ZI/AAAAAAAAAr4/vqLrE_sG89g/s320/DSC03278.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The roundhouse, bar restaurant, store, etc</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zEPjDN7KkxU/UD1JbdaIoGI/AAAAAAAAAsA/uRAfpDmLimM/s1600/DSC03279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zEPjDN7KkxU/UD1JbdaIoGI/AAAAAAAAAsA/uRAfpDmLimM/s320/DSC03279.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see the people in the red jackets climbing on the glacier</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eH-elSvIi_s/UD1Jb6MA55I/AAAAAAAAAsI/3OTFfXpJsvo/s1600/DSC03281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eH-elSvIi_s/UD1Jb6MA55I/AAAAAAAAAsI/3OTFfXpJsvo/s320/DSC03281.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YvJsvwkg5HY/UD1JcE5FLWI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/NXJv5arlpas/s1600/DSC03282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YvJsvwkg5HY/UD1JcE5FLWI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/NXJv5arlpas/s320/DSC03282.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1YBc1j4Phf4/UD1Jcss9w4I/AAAAAAAAAsY/i-WIUdr07xk/s1600/DSC03284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1YBc1j4Phf4/UD1Jcss9w4I/AAAAAAAAAsY/i-WIUdr07xk/s320/DSC03284.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_4rpiZUDCG8/UD1JdI3A-5I/AAAAAAAAAsg/21FdCZ2dvZY/s1600/DSC03286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_4rpiZUDCG8/UD1JdI3A-5I/AAAAAAAAAsg/21FdCZ2dvZY/s320/DSC03286.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the way back down</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HeqAFb9NGCM/UD1Jd_gzh8I/AAAAAAAAAso/RuXl_lrdZgw/s1600/DSC03288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HeqAFb9NGCM/UD1Jd_gzh8I/AAAAAAAAAso/RuXl_lrdZgw/s320/DSC03288.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-995BO6hLT9A/UD1JedrEW7I/AAAAAAAAAsw/DCbUWWB_V8c/s1600/DSC03290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-995BO6hLT9A/UD1JedrEW7I/AAAAAAAAAsw/DCbUWWB_V8c/s320/DSC03290.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It is way down there to the bottom, around 6000 feet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LvenqtKzoXk/UD1Jeq-5evI/AAAAAAAAAs4/C5D6jjuol0E/s1600/DSC03295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LvenqtKzoXk/UD1Jeq-5evI/AAAAAAAAAs4/C5D6jjuol0E/s320/DSC03295.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back to the village!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The scenery on the top of Whistler mountain was spectacular to say the least and I am so glad we went up there. Now to finish off the evening we went over to the Bearfoot Bistro to sample vodka in the Belvedere Ice Room. <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">The Bearfoot Bistro's Belvedere Ice Room is Canada's first sub-zero vodka tasting room and the coldest one worldwide. It is a sleek space where guests can step up to the ice bar and sample a range of 50 vodkas from around the world. No need to worry about freezing in the cold-as-ice room since enthusiasts will be provided with warm Canada Goose down parkas and winter hats so you can enjoy the arctic ambiance in complete comfort (- 40 degree celcius). What a great experience!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-okPCCgOEfV4/UD1L1pBtt_I/AAAAAAAAAtA/Qxmu1lCKrH8/s1600/DSC03297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-okPCCgOEfV4/UD1L1pBtt_I/AAAAAAAAAtA/Qxmu1lCKrH8/s320/DSC03297.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #444444;"><br /></span>
We tried vodka from Canada, Russia, Poland, France, and of all places...Minnesota! To warm up, we picked our favorite vodka from the tasting for a Martini at the bar. Roger went for the Belvedere and my favorite was Imperia Russian Standard vodka. Crisp and clean pure taste. That pretty much did us in for the day and it was time to take Charlie out for a little potty break and get ready to end our holiday in Canada.<br />
<br />
We had a wonderful time and enjoyed meeting alot of the Canadian people. My next blog will be about what I liked about Canada and its differences from the states and its cultural differences. And don't forget Canadian TV. I heart George Strombolopolous!!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NZRsnOgkx_U/UD1OIJ1x44I/AAAAAAAAAtI/yeKN2E6hF3s/s1600/Canada+2012+026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NZRsnOgkx_U/UD1OIJ1x44I/AAAAAAAAAtI/yeKN2E6hF3s/s320/Canada+2012+026.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back in the USA</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bpiODGMRMCU/UD1OIiqKYAI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/cGUfx0Artwg/s1600/Canada+2012+048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bpiODGMRMCU/UD1OIiqKYAI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/cGUfx0Artwg/s320/Canada+2012+048.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately the border wait to get back into the US was 2 hours long!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Trippin Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02156093933672354884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652460265134940098.post-78880776234008433342012-08-28T14:01:00.001-07:002012-08-28T14:01:56.612-07:00Canadian Adventures...Eh? Part 1- The Sea to Sky HighwayAs we approached my birthday and had decided to take a little getaway, the destination we chose was Whistler, British Columbia. Roger and I love to travel to new places and see the world and it was a pretty short drive of about 4 hours from our home in B-Town. So I made the reservations at the Crystal Lodge in the center of Whistler Village and we planned our trip from there. Everything was packed to go, our passports and Charlies travel permit were secured and the plan was to leave at 5AM on Friday so that we could leisurely drive up and see the sights along the way. We did not plan on the activities of the night before the trip however. When Roger got home from work on Thursday, he found Charlie whimpering in pain and curled up in a corner. So off to the vet they went. The poor pup could hardly walk and definitely had something wrong with him. After hours of tests and an examination, it was concluded that he had injured his neck. Being a not very graceful dog, we surmised that he was jumping up on the bed or sofa and missed, landing on his head. The X-rays didn't show anything broken and we were given the all clear for our trip the following morning. He was however on a strong painkiller that they gave him at the vets and muscle relaxers that we had to administer every 8 hours.<br />
<br />
The next morning we loaded the car with our luggage and our stoned dog and headed for the great white north.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EMzP4jNJYmc/UD0l2AhDbgI/AAAAAAAAAhY/cDIgTKmJGxQ/s1600/DSC03098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EMzP4jNJYmc/UD0l2AhDbgI/AAAAAAAAAhY/cDIgTKmJGxQ/s320/DSC03098.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Canadian Border at Blaine, Wa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The border traffic was surprisingly light and we zipped right through. We skirted around West Vancouver and headed north along the <a href="http://www.hellobc.com/driving-routes/31/sea-to-sky-highway-route.aspx" target="_blank">Sea to Sky Highway</a> towards Whistler. What a beautiful and scenic route!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ObVlhYmY3to/UD0n5uKyWRI/AAAAAAAAAhg/pJWgfnp6KvI/s1600/DSC03112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ObVlhYmY3to/UD0n5uKyWRI/AAAAAAAAAhg/pJWgfnp6KvI/s320/DSC03112.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eKpXhXK_zJo/UD0n-yjrZNI/AAAAAAAAAho/FvHBJVOtcLk/s1600/DSC03114-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eKpXhXK_zJo/UD0n-yjrZNI/AAAAAAAAAho/FvHBJVOtcLk/s320/DSC03114-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1Mlsunh3SIQ/UD0oA3Y7gSI/AAAAAAAAAhw/vK6iz1UCFfA/s1600/DSC03119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1Mlsunh3SIQ/UD0oA3Y7gSI/AAAAAAAAAhw/vK6iz1UCFfA/s320/DSC03119.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5xl-SzqGoeQ/UD0oC-ykmjI/AAAAAAAAAh8/TCdEL1bwTds/s1600/DSC03122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5xl-SzqGoeQ/UD0oC-ykmjI/AAAAAAAAAh8/TCdEL1bwTds/s320/DSC03122.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TwTtso3SjvE/UD0oERzsucI/AAAAAAAAAiE/ML76GXS_by4/s1600/DSC03128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TwTtso3SjvE/UD0oERzsucI/AAAAAAAAAiE/ML76GXS_by4/s320/DSC03128.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The beauty of British Columbia was amazing. Our first stop was at Shannon Falls which is a provincial park 36 miles north of Vancouver and the third highest falls in B.C. There was a lovely park and an easy hike to the falls through a verdant and lush forest.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MtBUTdghZsw/UD0p6DNoPII/AAAAAAAAAiM/ozEwQEBcAbE/s1600/DSC03131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MtBUTdghZsw/UD0p6DNoPII/AAAAAAAAAiM/ozEwQEBcAbE/s320/DSC03131.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Park and Picnic Area</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4pvYZgBz6eY/UD0p_iStZ7I/AAAAAAAAAiU/NmofQLipw_k/s1600/DSC03133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4pvYZgBz6eY/UD0p_iStZ7I/AAAAAAAAAiU/NmofQLipw_k/s320/DSC03133.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking through the forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fkj1Dy3wOSU/UD0qCStlaYI/AAAAAAAAAig/wjWxrgxV6jc/s1600/DSC03140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fkj1Dy3wOSU/UD0qCStlaYI/AAAAAAAAAig/wjWxrgxV6jc/s320/DSC03140.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the creeks running through the park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ToZd93GK-lQ/UD0qE2rgndI/AAAAAAAAAio/ebdXra0OEbM/s1600/DSC03150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ToZd93GK-lQ/UD0qE2rgndI/AAAAAAAAAio/ebdXra0OEbM/s320/DSC03150.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roger and Charlie in front of the falls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6tYw1mk2Nvk/UD0qHEFS0jI/AAAAAAAAAiw/mgPn5F9sWrQ/s1600/DSC03151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6tYw1mk2Nvk/UD0qHEFS0jI/AAAAAAAAAiw/mgPn5F9sWrQ/s320/DSC03151.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shannon Falls, dropping 338 meters</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Shannon Falls was an absolutely gorgeous park and a really nice hike through the best that Mother Nature has to offer. The next stop on our trip was Alice Lake a little further up the highway. A lake and campground that was almost entirely deserted. We had the whole side of the lake to ourselves that morning. So still and serene that it was refreshing to the soul.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hi68u4keDJ0/UD0r04uqMfI/AAAAAAAAAi8/ZEMly3VguXo/s1600/DSC03156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hi68u4keDJ0/UD0r04uqMfI/AAAAAAAAAi8/ZEMly3VguXo/s320/DSC03156.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alice Lake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x5wRw6dHf7w/UD0r27q91AI/AAAAAAAAAjE/AdPEiASRXuM/s1600/DSC03160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x5wRw6dHf7w/UD0r27q91AI/AAAAAAAAAjE/AdPEiASRXuM/s320/DSC03160.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PMJUhuETL1I/UD0r4-dydAI/AAAAAAAAAjM/YbtFk8okfbY/s1600/DSC03162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PMJUhuETL1I/UD0r4-dydAI/AAAAAAAAAjM/YbtFk8okfbY/s320/DSC03162.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serenity</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R2Q3dm1O4C0/UD0r61nKwbI/AAAAAAAAAjU/WvbtgCvU9-8/s1600/DSC03163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R2Q3dm1O4C0/UD0r61nKwbI/AAAAAAAAAjU/WvbtgCvU9-8/s320/DSC03163.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FJYrPD-XANQ/UD0r9HWKAhI/AAAAAAAAAjc/wxm1xGVDB1w/s1600/DSC03164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FJYrPD-XANQ/UD0r9HWKAhI/AAAAAAAAAjc/wxm1xGVDB1w/s320/DSC03164.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterfall on the trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2RD-_Jakf5s/UD0r_cLDtjI/AAAAAAAAAjk/7bmULYG4lUY/s1600/DSC03166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2RD-_Jakf5s/UD0r_cLDtjI/AAAAAAAAAjk/7bmULYG4lUY/s320/DSC03166.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KMENfSjwvXY/UD0sCZEbtCI/AAAAAAAAAjs/vLDnbKaVD_A/s1600/DSC03168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KMENfSjwvXY/UD0sCZEbtCI/AAAAAAAAAjs/vLDnbKaVD_A/s320/DSC03168.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I have never seen such beauty of nature as we discovered on this journey. At every turn we encountered another spot that was more beautiful than the last. After the lake we ventured onward along the highway to <a href="http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/brandywine_falls/" target="_blank">Brandywine Falls</a>. Not as big as Shannon Falls, but still spectacular! And there were more trees for Charlie. Even in his drugged stupor, he was becoming quite fond of the Canadian Wilderness and the trees and smells.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZR7zcW18Mb8/UD0vHaJyqKI/AAAAAAAAAkI/UmxhXhLBtew/s1600/DSC03173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZR7zcW18Mb8/UD0vHaJyqKI/AAAAAAAAAkI/UmxhXhLBtew/s320/DSC03173.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the highway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Nci76j8zqE/UD0vI4A1ZnI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/2g2TgBVRsDQ/s1600/DSC03174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Nci76j8zqE/UD0vI4A1ZnI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/2g2TgBVRsDQ/s320/DSC03174.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7XalengZho/UD0vLTn1jpI/AAAAAAAAAkY/rALVuKfBkmI/s1600/DSC03175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7XalengZho/UD0vLTn1jpI/AAAAAAAAAkY/rALVuKfBkmI/s320/DSC03175.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uh Oh</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xCEUjNAo2_Y/UD0vNo0mPSI/AAAAAAAAAkg/g3TJn_wTgKE/s1600/DSC03176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xCEUjNAo2_Y/UD0vNo0mPSI/AAAAAAAAAkg/g3TJn_wTgKE/s320/DSC03176.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beginning of the trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B5LJtdhpnpE/UD0vQNfLBWI/AAAAAAAAAko/lvOr290hWpo/s1600/DSC03179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B5LJtdhpnpE/UD0vQNfLBWI/AAAAAAAAAko/lvOr290hWpo/s320/DSC03179.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">River downstream of the falls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ljnj9q-ggNw/UD0vSqaWKfI/AAAAAAAAAkw/RMLzZvDaups/s1600/DSC03182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ljnj9q-ggNw/UD0vSqaWKfI/AAAAAAAAAkw/RMLzZvDaups/s320/DSC03182.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along the way</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0v7B4CJBLRQ/UD0vVoRoKUI/AAAAAAAAAk4/rbiwYDUuAu8/s1600/DSC03184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0v7B4CJBLRQ/UD0vVoRoKUI/AAAAAAAAAk4/rbiwYDUuAu8/s320/DSC03184.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--LAdioWNcuQ/UD0vY24tUAI/AAAAAAAAAlE/nS1GL9NJmrg/s1600/DSC03185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--LAdioWNcuQ/UD0vY24tUAI/AAAAAAAAAlE/nS1GL9NJmrg/s320/DSC03185.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brandywine Falls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mNOwDApTcyM/UD0vcCWUlDI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/fKlUm_hULbs/s1600/DSC03186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mNOwDApTcyM/UD0vcCWUlDI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/fKlUm_hULbs/s320/DSC03186.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DatDKLelJWQ/UD0vfLsiF6I/AAAAAAAAAlY/SiUkX7zutqw/s1600/DSC03188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DatDKLelJWQ/UD0vfLsiF6I/AAAAAAAAAlY/SiUkX7zutqw/s320/DSC03188.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K69y5isPniM/UD0vhszu7OI/AAAAAAAAAlg/7YsMwK0v3g4/s1600/DSC03189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K69y5isPniM/UD0vhszu7OI/AAAAAAAAAlg/7YsMwK0v3g4/s320/DSC03189.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Av2lKpFRGHU/UD0vkyrungI/AAAAAAAAAls/9YgQyaNaUPM/s1600/DSC03191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Av2lKpFRGHU/UD0vkyrungI/AAAAAAAAAls/9YgQyaNaUPM/s320/DSC03191.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XY72YldUxoA/UD0voGl9paI/AAAAAAAAAl0/Qxb8BT6oeI8/s1600/DSC03192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XY72YldUxoA/UD0voGl9paI/AAAAAAAAAl0/Qxb8BT6oeI8/s320/DSC03192.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VZOmreoWkZ4/UD0vrMimGxI/AAAAAAAAAl8/O7RilozkOrY/s1600/DSC03193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VZOmreoWkZ4/UD0vrMimGxI/AAAAAAAAAl8/O7RilozkOrY/s320/DSC03193.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SYk6QosxmbQ/UD0vuYs4GOI/AAAAAAAAAmE/LkMB6nz8RMo/s1600/DSC03194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SYk6QosxmbQ/UD0vuYs4GOI/AAAAAAAAAmE/LkMB6nz8RMo/s320/DSC03194.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i57JSofVVwQ/UD0vxlD14SI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/VU1g0eYy-Qc/s1600/DSC03195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i57JSofVVwQ/UD0vxlD14SI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/VU1g0eYy-Qc/s320/DSC03195.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tqApsUa7zkA/UD0v0EwctzI/AAAAAAAAAmY/zWzRd2EnfXk/s1600/DSC03199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tqApsUa7zkA/UD0v0EwctzI/AAAAAAAAAmY/zWzRd2EnfXk/s320/DSC03199.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We were off to a magnificent start of our short vacation and had only just begun. There was a whole lot of fun and adventure still to come and we will get to that in Part 2- Whistler Village. Til then-Cheers<br />
<br />Trippin Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02156093933672354884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652460265134940098.post-53981787084586241982012-08-13T12:40:00.000-07:002012-08-13T12:40:23.361-07:00Block Party!It has been a great summer in B-town! The weather has been good and the rain has faded into a distant memory. When the sun is shining in the Pacific Northwest, there is no more glorious place to be. The temperature is in the 70s and 80s for the most part and the sky is blue. These are the days that we so look forward to as we trudge through the dark and wet days of the rest of the year. These two months of blissful, sunlit days of Mid July to Mid September. <br />
<br />
After being locked away for the long dreary winter, the people of B-Town flock to the streets in summer to revel in sunshine. The air is sweeter and life is good. We have numerous celebrations in the streets. The Farmers Market is in full swing with the freshest of local produce and merchandise each week in the town square. Each evening the sidewalks are full of folks strolling or dining al fresco in Olde Burien.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F4wenK4VEX0/UCaO2I2xswI/AAAAAAAAAeg/9B_R1rto64c/s1600/Photos+654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F4wenK4VEX0/UCaO2I2xswI/AAAAAAAAAeg/9B_R1rto64c/s320/Photos+654.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V-Jo0BX87s8/UCaP9YQ3VPI/AAAAAAAAAeo/DF2ltJrzjnI/s1600/DSC03056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V-Jo0BX87s8/UCaP9YQ3VPI/AAAAAAAAAeo/DF2ltJrzjnI/s320/DSC03056.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
One of the summer traditions is the Olde Burien Block Party each year and we attended this fun afternoon of great music and cheer on the closed main street. The party lasted from noon til midnight.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FxJHKb032XI/UCaQriyDv7I/AAAAAAAAAew/FuLW9dJKWeI/s1600/block+party.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FxJHKb032XI/UCaQriyDv7I/AAAAAAAAAew/FuLW9dJKWeI/s320/block+party.bmp" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xAKmvsX2H2c/UCaQ8eq99OI/AAAAAAAAAe4/O2N8AdI1mug/s1600/DSC03030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xAKmvsX2H2c/UCaQ8eq99OI/AAAAAAAAAe4/O2N8AdI1mug/s320/DSC03030.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The street is closed and the stage is set, let the party begin!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5srmDvREf7E/UCaRB0H4jPI/AAAAAAAAAfA/pdNoSLaOvnE/s1600/DSC03041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5srmDvREf7E/UCaRB0H4jPI/AAAAAAAAAfA/pdNoSLaOvnE/s320/DSC03041.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The annual sausage eating contest!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zlzxobITxJ4/UCaRF2OTbwI/AAAAAAAAAfM/aZ7ydCBEHo8/s1600/DSC03049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zlzxobITxJ4/UCaRF2OTbwI/AAAAAAAAAfM/aZ7ydCBEHo8/s320/DSC03049.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite band of the day, the Pink Torpedos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XZQbD_WvWn8/UCaRISbbfGI/AAAAAAAAAfU/woaj4N8bIiQ/s1600/DSC03050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XZQbD_WvWn8/UCaRISbbfGI/AAAAAAAAAfU/woaj4N8bIiQ/s320/DSC03050.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He was singing from our table! We were lucky enough to score the table right in front.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6hdaFnbbass/UCaRN9U1trI/AAAAAAAAAfc/Etcme3YkSuE/s1600/DSC03062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6hdaFnbbass/UCaRN9U1trI/AAAAAAAAAfc/Etcme3YkSuE/s320/DSC03062.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quite a crowd........</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bnuLuaZVPXA/UCaRX89PFtI/AAAAAAAAAfo/NezhxCqDa8o/s1600/DSC03076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bnuLuaZVPXA/UCaRX89PFtI/AAAAAAAAAfo/NezhxCqDa8o/s320/DSC03076.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">that kept on growing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B7DUcciTbJM/UCaRernZAaI/AAAAAAAAAfw/DrcdtuNZ-xE/s1600/DSC03075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B7DUcciTbJM/UCaRernZAaI/AAAAAAAAAfw/DrcdtuNZ-xE/s320/DSC03075.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">West Side Sally, great band.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Fortunately we only live a half block from where the party was and walked (stumbled) home from there. What a great time. I absolutely love living in this small town community. Even though we are minutes away from the bustling Seattle city center, it seems miles removed from the quaint atmosphere of B-Town.<br />
<br />
Back on the home front, we have been working in our new yard and the results are starting to show. We have new flowers and edibles growing all over the yard. Tomatoes, Strawberries and plenty of flowers.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cic_fkjcOQQ/UClVe2K728I/AAAAAAAAAgM/CdrI9NP0SIg/s1600/July+2012+207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cic_fkjcOQQ/UClVe2K728I/AAAAAAAAAgM/CdrI9NP0SIg/s320/July+2012+207.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NbHSkMaAS00/UClVjOSQMjI/AAAAAAAAAgU/7379KuIHIJU/s1600/July+2012+208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NbHSkMaAS00/UClVjOSQMjI/AAAAAAAAAgU/7379KuIHIJU/s320/July+2012+208.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lpk4jqh1IDc/UClVnV5OUgI/AAAAAAAAAgg/U2AI6lJ_vJE/s1600/July+2012+209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lpk4jqh1IDc/UClVnV5OUgI/AAAAAAAAAgg/U2AI6lJ_vJE/s320/July+2012+209.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ENRPgpkkAZI/UClV2ap6XnI/AAAAAAAAAgo/I05uul6EmWw/s1600/July+2012+210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ENRPgpkkAZI/UClV2ap6XnI/AAAAAAAAAgo/I05uul6EmWw/s320/July+2012+210.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1I6yBaGXwTs/UClV_K9wCYI/AAAAAAAAAgw/458luedtcmM/s1600/July+2012+204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1I6yBaGXwTs/UClV_K9wCYI/AAAAAAAAAgw/458luedtcmM/s320/July+2012+204.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charlie on patrol!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L38VLEXjBsU/UClWSx8zWJI/AAAAAAAAAg8/9PRLnbBKEss/s1600/July+2012+136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L38VLEXjBsU/UClWSx8zWJI/AAAAAAAAAg8/9PRLnbBKEss/s320/July+2012+136.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KMNBgFHx9q4/UClWgU8n2BI/AAAAAAAAAhE/Od5g6fUrimI/s1600/July+2012+139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KMNBgFHx9q4/UClWgU8n2BI/AAAAAAAAAhE/Od5g6fUrimI/s320/July+2012+139.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Summer in Seattle is a wonderland of flowers. Next spring we plan a full veggie garden and we should have our flock of hens by then. Yay!!!<br />
<br />
Next week we are off to Canada for a vacation in Whistler, I will blog about that next. Til then, greetings from B-Town!Trippin Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02156093933672354884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652460265134940098.post-83603094987586958152012-07-10T14:05:00.000-07:002012-07-10T14:08:32.882-07:00Adventures in B-Town 2.0Well it has been awhile since my last post and there are several reasons for that. The main one being the fact that we have moved. Thus the Chapter 2 in the title of this post. We have left our idyllic hideaway on Three Tree Point and moved to a cozy bungalow in Olde Burien. Only four doors down from the heart of Burien and situated on a street of 1940's storybook clapboard houses with neatly mown lawns and flower gardens, sits the new Vandenbroek estate.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fGk9NAjgZQs/T_xytywtQGI/AAAAAAAAAck/4CcOn-KXrE0/s1600/DSC02908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fGk9NAjgZQs/T_xytywtQGI/AAAAAAAAAck/4CcOn-KXrE0/s320/DSC02908.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
It is a darling house with a big yard that is totally fenced with chain link. Charlie is ecstatic with his new home. Being a runner, he has never been allowed to roam free off the leash. (You may recall our failed experiment on Vashon Island with allowing him to roam free.) Now he is the King of the Yard! You can actually see him smiling as he runs from one corner of his domain to the other. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ool-WbKp77g/T_xzzgPVvLI/AAAAAAAAAcs/0DEZZ2in8Gc/s1600/DSC02904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ool-WbKp77g/T_xzzgPVvLI/AAAAAAAAAcs/0DEZZ2in8Gc/s320/DSC02904.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The new yard contains 3 apple trees, yum and a chicken coop. There will be alot more about the coop in the future as we are going to fix it up and get some chickens. Our plan is to get some baby chicks so that we can get Charlie used to them gradually. I can see some humorous postings coming up as we raise both species to co-exist as free range animals. More on that in the near future.<br />
<br />
Being in the center of town has been a totally different experience than living in a more secluded home on 3TP. We certainly don't have the spectacular view, but we probably have met more neighbors in our first weeks here than we did in the first year out there. And how convenient to just stroll a half block to grab a bite at our favorite watering hole, The Tin Room. Or any of the other great restaurants within walking distance. <br />
<br />
We spent the 4th of July in town starting with Bloody Marys on the sidewalk outside The Mark, as it was a nice sunny day. Most of the businesses were open that day because of all of the downtown festivities. It started with a cycling race in the morning and the 91st annual Burien 4th of July Parade. It remained a beautiful warm and sunny day, yay!!! <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yhHMPEHOasQ/T_x4X4aeDGI/AAAAAAAAAc4/Mufy6BC6a_M/s1600/DSC02916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yhHMPEHOasQ/T_x4X4aeDGI/AAAAAAAAAc4/Mufy6BC6a_M/s320/DSC02916.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bloody Mary time at the Mark!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lgjUakGde0E/T_x4aJhmlaI/AAAAAAAAAdA/oV4aOimOpSM/s1600/DSC02911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lgjUakGde0E/T_x4aJhmlaI/AAAAAAAAAdA/oV4aOimOpSM/s320/DSC02911.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olde Burien main street</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oos1BrhopFE/T_x4vEz1pRI/AAAAAAAAAdM/cFVB5PkZXQY/s1600/DSC02940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oos1BrhopFE/T_x4vEz1pRI/AAAAAAAAAdM/cFVB5PkZXQY/s320/DSC02940.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready, Set.....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5KsmpcayWUI/T_x421VkF-I/AAAAAAAAAdU/9T3efF2To0Y/s1600/DSC02945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5KsmpcayWUI/T_x421VkF-I/AAAAAAAAAdU/9T3efF2To0Y/s320/DSC02945.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "PRO" category of the cycling race.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h1Ngr4T7omQ/T_x5S1zPteI/AAAAAAAAAdc/RgK2eegChJA/s1600/DSC02960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h1Ngr4T7omQ/T_x5S1zPteI/AAAAAAAAAdc/RgK2eegChJA/s320/DSC02960.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We waited for the parade to start from inside Mick Kellys Irish Pub, great food and great view.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T8J02sImn4k/T_x5hlGtwGI/AAAAAAAAAdo/BNUbb50lRRc/s1600/DSC02972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T8J02sImn4k/T_x5hlGtwGI/AAAAAAAAAdo/BNUbb50lRRc/s320/DSC02972.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sidewalks really filled up. And a glorious afternoon it was for a parade.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X6_r2khHe8E/T_x5s4ONIhI/AAAAAAAAAdw/SuzXLJgWrhQ/s1600/DSC02978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X6_r2khHe8E/T_x5s4ONIhI/AAAAAAAAAdw/SuzXLJgWrhQ/s320/DSC02978.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Both of the candidates for Governor marched in our little B-Town Parade.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7eYAhJelQ18/T_x55sjb2SI/AAAAAAAAAd4/FcIMr9pDgoo/s1600/DSC02984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7eYAhJelQ18/T_x55sjb2SI/AAAAAAAAAd4/FcIMr9pDgoo/s320/DSC02984.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Miss Burien hydro, seated in the boat is our friend Scott Schaefer publisher of the award winning B-Town Blog</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jo8f3cT48EY/T_x6Gpy9wXI/AAAAAAAAAeA/H6YN399NZd4/s1600/DSC02991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jo8f3cT48EY/T_x6Gpy9wXI/AAAAAAAAAeA/H6YN399NZd4/s320/DSC02991.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These little girls were adorable.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_zS4lFIOo6U/T_x6UNLjU4I/AAAAAAAAAeM/FBFyqUQn9Y8/s1600/DSC03001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_zS4lFIOo6U/T_x6UNLjU4I/AAAAAAAAAeM/FBFyqUQn9Y8/s320/DSC03001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Seafair Clowns were in attendance, a Seattle tradition.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A perfect day that ended with some grilled steaks at home and the fireworks over Lake Burien that we had a great view of from our back porch with a glass of wine. I think we will enjoy being "townies" in Olde Burien. So starts Chapter 2 of our B-town adventures. Til next time!Trippin Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02156093933672354884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652460265134940098.post-49002302473093592732012-04-12T09:37:00.000-07:002012-04-12T09:37:21.089-07:00The Boy has a Girl- Part One<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
We were blessed a couple of weeks ago with a visit from Peter and his new Fiancee Emily to the dreaded Meet the Parents vacation. I really like her and they were a breath of fresh air for us to have for a week. They are planning to get married sometime next year. I have to say that they are an adorable couple. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XBNh6x45ZSA/T387vNsfbzI/AAAAAAAAAYc/M_7I5H8-Xu8/s1600/DSC02788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XBNh6x45ZSA/T387vNsfbzI/AAAAAAAAAYc/M_7I5H8-Xu8/s320/DSC02788.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Peter and Emily are living in Boerne, Texas outside of San Antonio, which is the last place on earth that I would ever guess that you would find my left wing tree-hugging son, so she must be pretty special. I am surprised that the state of Texas really let him across the border! But they seem really happy and in love. <br />
<br />
We had a great time with them in spite of the fact that The Boy came down with a cold and sore throat for most of the week. He was a trooper though as we took them on a whirlwind tour of Seattle. Emily had never been to the Pacific Northwest before and we wanted to show them the sights. I was lucky enough to get a few days off to spend with them. The morning of their arrival was one of the prettiest picture postcard days that we have seen in ages.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3YaXK-TWdvQ/T4b0Zz3Sc_I/AAAAAAAAAYs/GKUov-YDKWU/s1600/DSC02762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" qda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3YaXK-TWdvQ/T4b0Zz3Sc_I/AAAAAAAAAYs/GKUov-YDKWU/s320/DSC02762.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This ain't Texas, Baby!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hWG-7lWlyoU/T4b1blHJo0I/AAAAAAAAAY8/MoAfze-Ypyo/s1600/DSC02765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" qda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hWG-7lWlyoU/T4b1blHJo0I/AAAAAAAAAY8/MoAfze-Ypyo/s320/DSC02765.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice view of Mt Ranier</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After an evening of catching up and visiting with the kids, they were ready to hit the road and see some of the scenery and local attractions. Since Roger and I both had to work on their second day here, they trekked to West Seattle on their own for the day. That's The Boys favorite place to hang out when he is visiting us. It's a couple of minutes north of us and a very trendy, hipster area. Coffee houses, indie rock. etc.<br />
They strolled around for the day and after I got off work, I met them back in B-Town at <a href="http://www.elliottbaybrewing.com/" target="_blank">Elliot Bay Brewing Co</a> for a beer and a nosh before heading back to Three Tree Point for the night.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e8LPtOy35ts/T4cBSxAJTCI/AAAAAAAAAbU/B12WuMDNyus/s1600/426375_2582883185273_1650278005_1826790_1643563276_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" qda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e8LPtOy35ts/T4cBSxAJTCI/AAAAAAAAAbU/B12WuMDNyus/s320/426375_2582883185273_1650278005_1826790_1643563276_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily in West Seattle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We got up early the next morning, since I was now off for five days!!! Yeah!! But Rog had to work, Boo.<br />
We decided to head into town for breakfast. My favorite for a great and leisurely morning is <a href="http://www.909coffeeandwine.com/" target="_blank">909 Coffee and Wine in Olde Burien. </a> After a great breakfast we hit the road to check out some of the local scenery. I decided to go east on this trip and we headed toward the Cascades and out to Snoqualmie Falls. A truly breathtaking sight that really makes you appreciate natures glory. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wlyfIDgSUp0/T4b6As0zG4I/AAAAAAAAAZs/IHrSruqNlzY/s1600/DSC02782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wlyfIDgSUp0/T4b6As0zG4I/AAAAAAAAAZs/IHrSruqNlzY/s320/DSC02782.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7AVMOHf9y6U/T4b6IBJSAQI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/OGMV9bQ3qtA/s1600/DSC02781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" qda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7AVMOHf9y6U/T4b6IBJSAQI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/OGMV9bQ3qtA/s320/DSC02781.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my baby boy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wXIFJBmDr7c/T4b6Li3qmbI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/i6uK5WKwOYg/s1600/DSC02779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" qda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wXIFJBmDr7c/T4b6Li3qmbI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/i6uK5WKwOYg/s320/DSC02779.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pete and Emily<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There is so much beautiful scenery around that area it is always on our out of towners tour list. Overlooking the Falls is the <a href="http://www.salishlodge.com/" target="_blank">Salish Lodge and Spa</a>, which is owned by the Muckleshoot Tribe that I am employed by. <br />
A very romantic hotel in an idyllic setting. You may recognize it as the setting for the TV show Twin Peaks.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qK1_QRFVFHw/T4b7txsRlzI/AAAAAAAAAaE/ycqe_30dmO8/s1600/DSC02784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qK1_QRFVFHw/T4b7txsRlzI/AAAAAAAAAaE/ycqe_30dmO8/s320/DSC02784.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dXwG1VqVH24/T4b8ArNgtFI/AAAAAAAAAaM/obfZdXVlXAo/s1600/DSC02785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dXwG1VqVH24/T4b8ArNgtFI/AAAAAAAAAaM/obfZdXVlXAo/s320/DSC02785.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qz4q7vBW4qM/T4b8DO7923I/AAAAAAAAAaU/3JVA9Q5tcEs/s1600/DSC02786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qz4q7vBW4qM/T4b8DO7923I/AAAAAAAAAaU/3JVA9Q5tcEs/s320/DSC02786.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-55abgMMYxss/T4b8FD4P14I/AAAAAAAAAac/1hVdHJPE9sg/s1600/DSC02787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-55abgMMYxss/T4b8FD4P14I/AAAAAAAAAac/1hVdHJPE9sg/s320/DSC02787.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
We hiked around the falls a while and then continued our adventure on to the Snoqualmie Casino! Talk about a change in scenery! A little gambling in a vast array of flashing lights and ringing bells and crowds of people is just the thing to balance out a morning of natures beauty. So a couple of hours there until the kids lost five dollars a penny at a time, high rollers those two, and it was off for the long drive back to B-town to meet Roger for dinner. You guessed it, we went to our favorite place, the <a href="http://www.tinroombar.com/" target="_blank">Tin Room</a>. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p9thILuSmZ0/T4b_TS8HcNI/AAAAAAAAAbM/51EdaZTg0OM/s1600/DSC02789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p9thILuSmZ0/T4b_TS8HcNI/AAAAAAAAAbM/51EdaZTg0OM/s320/DSC02789.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And this was only the second day! The following day was Saturday and we had plans to go to the Poverty Bay Blues and Wine Festival just down the road in Des Moines. Perched on a bluff overlooking the marina is the Landmark Event Center where the festival is held every year. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DRiRmlD7zOs/T4cDUt0vS9I/AAAAAAAAAbk/xG8uN6tWb6g/s1600/DSC02794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DRiRmlD7zOs/T4cDUt0vS9I/AAAAAAAAAbk/xG8uN6tWb6g/s320/DSC02794.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FmjIZpEnjIk/T4cDcQ6k2fI/AAAAAAAAAbs/cAorGeuMFI4/s1600/DSC02793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FmjIZpEnjIk/T4cDcQ6k2fI/AAAAAAAAAbs/cAorGeuMFI4/s320/DSC02793.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We sipped and strolled, bought 6 bottles of great local wines, and headed home for a nap and dinner in. A quiet night to catch up and visit some more. As we had a big day planned for Sunday. An early start and it was off to Seattle for a day in the city. A very full and action packed day, so I will leave off here for now and save that for Part 2 of this blog post. Til then--Denise</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>Trippin Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02156093933672354884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652460265134940098.post-59727024189669848662012-02-21T15:56:00.000-08:002012-02-21T17:11:25.054-08:00B-Town on the RadioIt is a cold and blustery day in B-Town. The trees are bending over in the wind and it is howling. Since I have the day off, Charlie and I decided to have an indoor day. Doing chores and laundry. And writing a blog post! The fire is raging as are the sounds of SoKing Radio! I have some Prime Rib Eyes from B&E Meats and a bottle of great Cabernet ready for our Fat Tuesday dinner. (Moon Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, fantastic) <br />
<br />
This past week our friend and neighbor, Scott Schaefer the publisher of the award winning <a href="http://www.b-townblog.com/" target="_blank">The B-Town Blog</a> as well as five other local blogs in the south King County area, went live with the first internet radio station tied to a local blog. <a href="http://sokinginternetradio.com/" target="_blank"><strong>SoKing Internet Radio</strong></a> went live last Wednesday at 6PM from a launch party at the Tin Room Theater in Olde Burien. Unfortunately due to my work schedule, Rog and I missed the party. I have however been listening to the station for about a month as a beta tester and I have to tell you they have done a phenomenal job of showcasing local artists! Bands like Treehouse Dreamers that include the King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg who helped kick off the station at the launch party. I seem to miss the best parties! Anyway... they are playing the best tunes. Whether you are a fan of the music of the Pacific Northwest or just want to discover some new bands and tunes, give it a listen. You may even hear my voice giving a station ID!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://sokinginternetradio.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="70" lda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zx3ruB8cIik/T0QuxhORaeI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/addv9_c0cRk/s400/soking_header_rays.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
One of the things that the Seattle area is known for is its music. The parts of musical history that have roots in the Pacific Northwest are legendary. As soon as I say Seattle Music, I am guessing that you immediately thought of Jimi Hendricks or Nirvana, and these native sons have left a giant imprint on the world to be sure. But let me tell you about some others. Some you know and others you may not....<br />
<br />
Did you know that one of the first inventors of the electric guitar was Seattle musician <strong>Paul Tutmarc</strong> who experimented with amplifying all sorts of instruments in the 1930's. He developed a number of variant types of stringed musical instruments, such as electrically amplified double basses, electric basses, and lap steel guitars.<br />
<br />
World War 2 brought many changes to Seattle, including a flourishing vice scene downtown, where booze, gambling and prostitution were unchecked by paid-off cops. The Showbox Ballroom was a major center for these activities, and was open twenty-four hours a day, geared towards active members of the military, featuring popular performers like the racy Gypsy Rose Lee. In addition to the Showbox, Washington Hall, Parker's, Odd Fellows Temple and Trianon were also major big band ballrooms, all of which eventually became major rock venues. Police officers also tolerated an after-hours jazz scene, based in Chinatown, Seattle and including most famously the Black and Tan Club. This period produced a few local performers of note, including Hollywood star Ray Charles, who recorded his first single and made his first TV and radio appearances in Seattle, and Bumps Blackwell. Blackwell was a bandleader whose band's members included the instrumentalist Quincy Jones, later to become a major record company executive, producer and composer. Harry Smith was a college student in the 1940s when he found a number of recordings of folk music about to be recycled at a Salvation Army depot. He rescued the recordings, which became hot commodities when released by Folkways on the landmark Anthology of American Folk Music.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://media.photobucket.com/image/jimi%20hendrix/jcordj66/ada470c5ff47b3a636fa9f71db6d2c9e-1.jpg?o=1"><img class="over off" galleryimg="no" src="http://th624.photobucket.com/albums/tt324/jcordj66/th_ada470c5ff47b3a636fa9f71db6d2c9e-1.jpg" style="height: 98px; width: 140px;" /></a><br />
<br />
The 60s brought about a vibrant dance scene and bands like the Wailers. the Fleetwoods and the Ventures.<br />
The city's black music scene include Ron Holden, a soul singer whose "Love You So" was a Top Ten hit, vocal group The Gallahads and instrumentalist Dave Lewis, who had several hits like "Dave's Mood" and "Little Green Thing". Perhaps Seattle's most famous black musical export is Jimi Hendrix, who began performing in the city but didn't gain a major national or regional reputation until moving to England. Though Hendrix had to move to England to start his recording career, the reverse also became true for the musicologist Ian Whitcomb, who performed in the city in the 1960s. He recorded "This Sporting Life" with Gerry Rosalie of The Sonics, and the song became a major hit, and an early anthem for the gay community.<br />
<br />
The later years brought us Queensryche and the Dead Kennedys and a great underground and punk scene.<br />
The earliest local alternative music scene was based around a gay glam theater group called <span style="color: #ba0000;"><span style="color: black;">Ze</span> <span style="color: black;">Whiz</span> </span><span style="color: black;">Kids</span>, one of whose members, Tomata <span style="color: black;">du</span> Plenty, became a fixture in New York before returning in 1976 as part of The Tupperwares with long-time boyfriend <span style="color: #ba0000;"><span style="color: black;">Gorilla</span> <span style="color: black;">Rose</span> </span>; Blush described this as the first punk rock in the area. <br />
<br />
Prior to the mid-1980s, the local hardcore and metal scenes were often violently confrontational with each other. The opening of the <i>Gorilla Gardens</i> venue changed that by offering two separate shows at the same time; as a result, both hardcore and metal were frequently played on the same nights. The softening of relations between the two groups helped inspire the look and sound of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grunge" title="Grunge"><span style="color: black;"><strong>grunge</strong></span></a>, a term allegedly coined by Mark McLaughlin of the brief joke band Mr Epp and the Calculations who gained some local notoriety. This movement gave birth to bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Faith and Disease and Sky Cries Mary to name just a few. Yes the music of the Pacific Northwest has influenced most genres and continues to bring some of the top acts to the world. Like Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart. The more notable current acts that you may be familiar with from the Seattle area,,,,<br />
<br />
Death Cab For Cutie<br />
Modest Mouse<br />
Fleet Foxes<br />
<br />
Seattle has recently been noted as the new face of (underground) Hip-Hop. From the beginnings with Sir Mix-A-Lot to now being known by Hip-Hop artists such as the Blue Scholars, Common Market, Oldominion, Jake One and Macklemore.<br />
<br />
If you make a trip to the Seattle area, you must visit the Experience Music Project. EMP is a leading-edge, non-profit museum, dedicated to the ideas and risk-taking that fuel contemporary popular culture. With its roots in rock and roll, EMP serves as a gateway museum, reaching multigenerational audiences through our collections, exhibitions and educational programs, using interactive technologies to engage and empower our visitors. At EMP, artists, audiences and ideas converge, bringing understanding, interpretation and scholarship to the popular culture of our time. They currently have exhibits on Avatar, Nirvana and Battlestar Galactica as well as live performances pretty regularly. A haven for music lovers of any genre...SEATTLE!<br />
<br />
Til next time, Denise in B-Town<br />
<br />
<br />Trippin Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02156093933672354884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652460265134940098.post-74997693685214763262012-01-23T16:03:00.000-08:002012-01-23T16:04:04.484-08:00The Great Seattle Snowstorm/Ice-storm of 2012It has been awhile since I have blogged. The main reason being a lack of interesting things going on in my day to day life. Roger and I are on different work schedules right now and we have unfortunately drifted into a ships in the night existence. He works days and I work nights with different days off, so that means that we don't get out and do anything together. You tend to fall into the day-to-day rut of your routine existence. It happens to us all every now and again. So how do you make time for that quality companionship, a blizzard and ice storm!<br />
<br />
It started out nicely enough, fluffy snowflakes falling through the pines. Starting to coat the branches. A pretty winter wonderland worthy of a Currier and Ives print.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2aXi7m5koYA/Tx3rwXIDz4I/AAAAAAAAAVw/wbG0IkC0L1k/s1600/DSC02705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2aXi7m5koYA/Tx3rwXIDz4I/AAAAAAAAAVw/wbG0IkC0L1k/s320/DSC02705.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Then it kept snowing. The roads iced up and we were stuck at home. No problem, quality time!! We lit a fire and got ready for a nice cuddly snowcation.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IKyRAZI3Jpg/Tx3spWo8YUI/AAAAAAAAAV4/0hEsewfIqJI/s1600/DSC02712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IKyRAZI3Jpg/Tx3spWo8YUI/AAAAAAAAAV4/0hEsewfIqJI/s320/DSC02712.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9eJAtD4Y1yE/Tx3svKoSdEI/AAAAAAAAAWA/zzs1GsBL4oM/s1600/DSC02714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9eJAtD4Y1yE/Tx3svKoSdEI/AAAAAAAAAWA/zzs1GsBL4oM/s320/DSC02714.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Charlie loved it, we took him for a walk in the snow and he met some friends out playing in it too.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Au6gClZB3E/Tx3tH7RZCcI/AAAAAAAAAWI/QLE6NRLs_QI/s1600/DSC02711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Au6gClZB3E/Tx3tH7RZCcI/AAAAAAAAAWI/QLE6NRLs_QI/s320/DSC02711.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ELt4Q3J7CZo/Tx3tP0CeOkI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/bogR55sVPH8/s1600/DSC02715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ELt4Q3J7CZo/Tx3tP0CeOkI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/bogR55sVPH8/s320/DSC02715.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Then it snowed some more!!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gbGOjLwVcEE/Tx3teFrrrQI/AAAAAAAAAWY/nKFQ94aMZvA/s1600/DSC02716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gbGOjLwVcEE/Tx3teFrrrQI/AAAAAAAAAWY/nKFQ94aMZvA/s320/DSC02716.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bCinc8B1-0A/Tx3tf7IlEUI/AAAAAAAAAWg/Kz9kMunMvNs/s1600/DSC02717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bCinc8B1-0A/Tx3tf7IlEUI/AAAAAAAAAWg/Kz9kMunMvNs/s320/DSC02717.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7-0XVSukPIE/Tx3viTxZSfI/AAAAAAAAAXA/kqx2a44zTus/s1600/DSC02735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7-0XVSukPIE/Tx3viTxZSfI/AAAAAAAAAXA/kqx2a44zTus/s320/DSC02735.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
And some more.......<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LatX9WZh_ho/Tx30bN5rG2I/AAAAAAAAAXw/pZ1pTr6arNo/s1600/DSC02751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LatX9WZh_ho/Tx30bN5rG2I/AAAAAAAAAXw/pZ1pTr6arNo/s320/DSC02751.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TF0mDTCkX0s/Tx30yyuzB5I/AAAAAAAAAYA/vtl6cnwakek/s1600/DSC02718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TF0mDTCkX0s/Tx30yyuzB5I/AAAAAAAAAYA/vtl6cnwakek/s320/DSC02718.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
At this point, walking the dog was not so much fun.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xbl_PtST7TM/Tx3u7qEwT7I/AAAAAAAAAWw/9qT2-zxJ8rk/s1600/DSC02728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xbl_PtST7TM/Tx3u7qEwT7I/AAAAAAAAAWw/9qT2-zxJ8rk/s320/DSC02728.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BQCzw7rywLw/Tx3vTZiIsUI/AAAAAAAAAW4/sSeZ4Q-ken8/s1600/DSC02729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BQCzw7rywLw/Tx3vTZiIsUI/AAAAAAAAAW4/sSeZ4Q-ken8/s320/DSC02729.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fw3ivtiV7XE/Tx3tvUjSkbI/AAAAAAAAAWo/tJskW7RMm8A/s1600/DSC02719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fw3ivtiV7XE/Tx3tvUjSkbI/AAAAAAAAAWo/tJskW7RMm8A/s320/DSC02719.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
But we are still having fun at this point. Can't go to work, so we're gonna watch some movies and snuggle and watch it snow. Great couple of days. Then the Ice Storm hit. I have never experienced the dreaded ice storm before and do not want to again. A freezing rain fell as the temperature plummeted over night and left us with a half inch if ice coating the six or so inches of snow that we had already. Everything became encased in ice.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vLLHAxLlGu4/Tx3v82b0YBI/AAAAAAAAAXI/7-a9RCJ1VOI/s1600/DSC02743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vLLHAxLlGu4/Tx3v82b0YBI/AAAAAAAAAXI/7-a9RCJ1VOI/s320/DSC02743.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5gXIQZe_NyQ/Tx3wD3CdNBI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/YcfQu7G4SUQ/s1600/DSC02744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5gXIQZe_NyQ/Tx3wD3CdNBI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/YcfQu7G4SUQ/s320/DSC02744.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jTWvV3VUFPw/Tx3wMaKycuI/AAAAAAAAAXY/jZSWle_j39w/s1600/DSC02749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jTWvV3VUFPw/Tx3wMaKycuI/AAAAAAAAAXY/jZSWle_j39w/s320/DSC02749.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The weight of the ice and the existing snow in the trees caused the branches to start breaking off, even entire trees came crashing down and what that means is .......no power! The lines came down beneath the trees. So we had no power for some time and again had to huddle in front of the fire place wrapped in blankets to keep warm. Thank goodness we truly enjoy spending time together, snowed in with no electricity, heat or hot food for a couple of days. No showers either, phew. So we read alot. Talked. Played Scrabble on my Kindle Fire. And tried to keep each other warm while convincing Charlie that he really didn't need to go out to pee. That was tricky on the very slick and icy road. In the silence all you could hear was the wind and the loud cracking of the tree limbs. Very scary sound.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R4Zg8lkAwbM/Tx3ydDSUP4I/AAAAAAAAAXg/WsJEEOk5MTo/s1600/DSC02754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R4Zg8lkAwbM/Tx3ydDSUP4I/AAAAAAAAAXg/WsJEEOk5MTo/s320/DSC02754.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A huge branch broke off of this tree in our backyard.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eZWfoGzD08E/Tx3yfg1MynI/AAAAAAAAAXo/Gxge9p1EHIc/s1600/DSC02759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eZWfoGzD08E/Tx3yfg1MynI/AAAAAAAAAXo/Gxge9p1EHIc/s320/DSC02759.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one fell and blocked the street and was drug to the side.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So we ended up trapped in the house from Tuesday night until Saturday morning, a great little vacation. And that quality alone time I was wishing for with my dear husband. This week we are back to work and normal life, the sun is actually shining and all is right with the world again. But I actually will miss the dinners of cold cereal by candle light evenings that we shared during the Great Seattle Ice Storm of 2012.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Trippin Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02156093933672354884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652460265134940098.post-30694040031166352162012-01-13T08:52:00.000-08:002012-01-13T08:52:24.488-08:00As Winter Creeps In.......December 22nd brought us the Winter Solstice and the shortest day of the year. The official start of winter. I am not thrilled by the thought of the coldest and wettest months that lie ahead, but am heartened by the fact that the days will start getting longer from here on out! And truth be told, we have been having a rather pleasant winter. Many more bright sunny days than is the norm for the Pacific Northwest. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9zZvyhb6UQQ/Twx1LCCY2aI/AAAAAAAAAVc/gllUiKOJBFg/s1600/DSC02526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9zZvyhb6UQQ/Twx1LCCY2aI/AAAAAAAAAVc/gllUiKOJBFg/s320/DSC02526.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Although we have had some really cold sub freezing days and nights, they have been relatively dry. Somehow the clear and crisp winter air is much clearer on a sunny day than the hazy days of summer, making for a spectacular view. But all of that is about to change! We are waiting for our first snow of the season this weekend. It is all the buzz and everyone is talking about it. I would say that 90% of those folks are excited about it. Unfortunately, Roger and I are not among them. I love the beauty of the snow out the window blanketing the pine trees, however the reality of the cold that comes with it while trudging along walking Charlie is not quite so romantic. Charlie however, loves to romp in the snow and it appears that there is alot more sniffing to be done. As well as a bunch of Pee-Mail to catch up on. I call it doggy Facebook along our street. If you have visited us, you can understand our transportation dilemma on an icy day. We live on a little dead-end lane that runs down the hillside, so if the roads are icy, nobody gets out of the street. We were iced in last November, the week leading up to Thanksgiving and watched several people give it a try. One brave soul (spelled i-d-i-o-t) in a big 4-wheel drive truck tried to make the top and slid sideways down the neighbors driveway. He was stuck there for a couple of days. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rXzz40GE4qE/TxBgoeAgDSI/AAAAAAAAAVk/9oRa-g0a6dg/s1600/DSC02635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rXzz40GE4qE/TxBgoeAgDSI/AAAAAAAAAVk/9oRa-g0a6dg/s320/DSC02635.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The snowy sky is forming and you can smell the changes in the air!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So, I am planning on a grocery run in the morning so that we can snuggle in for a few days and watch it snow. Hooray for 3 day weekends!!!! <br />
As long as we don't lose power, it will be cozy and romantic....<br />
hot cocoa by the fire and movies and football.......<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
until Charlie needs to poop!Trippin Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02156093933672354884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652460265134940098.post-46684298760002274552011-12-20T16:05:00.000-08:002011-12-20T16:59:05.963-08:00Christmas in B-TownIt's a holly jolly Christmas!! Christmas in B-Town is a very old fashioned and romantic place to be. It has all of the old world charm of a Norman Rockwell painting. Although we have no snow this year and the weather is relatively pleasant. Meaning it is above freezing and pretty much dry! It still has the "Christmas Feeling" around town. I think that this is because of the small town feeling that Burien has. The quaint main street that traverses Olde Burien and the small businesses that comprise our business district. They are all dressed up for the holidays:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eKqmx0z20No/TvEUuqJ4AII/AAAAAAAAAUs/-ezMR1tRsuo/s1600/xmas+2011+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eKqmx0z20No/TvEUuqJ4AII/AAAAAAAAAUs/-ezMR1tRsuo/s320/xmas+2011+019.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The window display at Poggi Bonsi the greatest kitchen store ever!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wCHXXMZbEWM/TvEU0_MkD2I/AAAAAAAAAU0/tVGNHLRs8wY/s1600/xmas+2011+041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wCHXXMZbEWM/TvEU0_MkD2I/AAAAAAAAAU0/tVGNHLRs8wY/s320/xmas+2011+041.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burien Books- Some of us still like the smell of ink and paper and the feel of a real book in your hands.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
So, I did my "Shop Local" business today in Olde Burien. Shopped at Poggi Bonsi, a truly gourmet store with products from around the world. Harold and Marge,Clothing, Accessories & Gifts<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
A hip boutique destination for Guys, Gals and Youngsters alike.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ldlxRKmPyt8/TvEU9RFhilI/AAAAAAAAAVE/cNXzOFIMBdU/s1600/xmas+2011+043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ldlxRKmPyt8/TvEU9RFhilI/AAAAAAAAAVE/cNXzOFIMBdU/s320/xmas+2011+043.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also Poggi Bonsi!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
And as you stroll around town, it really gives you a way back when Christmas feeling. And the people are in that spirit as well. Merry Christmas shouts a passer by. The shopkeepers as well, wish you a happy holiday and you have not purchased anything from them. It's a very neighborly way of life here in B-Town. <br />
It reminds me of the old movies that I so love on TMC. Complete strangers wishing you well, for no reason at all. Thats Burien and why we love it so much! Only 10 miles from downtown Seattle and a million miles away. I keep waiting for Jimmy Stewart to run by saying "Merry Christmas Tin Room, Merry Christmas SkinPerfect, Merry Christmas Key Bank!" This is the time of year that living in a small town makes the most sense. And speaking of the greatest movie of all time...... the Tin Theater is playing it right now. <br />
The Tin Theater:<br />
<br />
Enjoy 2nd-run movies at The Tin Theater, classics and foreign films and offering your favorite beverage while sitting in a intimate 48-seat theater.<br />
The theater lobby is open and features another<br />
bar and wine shop, The Tin Cellars, which is open<br />
Tuesday through Saturday 11am to 5pm. <br />
Thats right!! A bar at the Theater!!! And if you speak to the bartender beforehand, Jeremy will bring you a refill to your seat! Just tip him very well!!!! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gzh9qgcSac4/TvEXuh4pZII/AAAAAAAAAVM/W6GgS_TKFWE/s1600/xmas+2011+047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gzh9qgcSac4/TvEXuh4pZII/AAAAAAAAAVM/W6GgS_TKFWE/s320/xmas+2011+047.jpg" width="320" /></a>Thats Right, on the big screen!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE!!!!!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My children will tell you of the torture of sitting through the mandatory screening of this movie throughout their entire childhood. There would be signals at the dinner table, Mom is making us watch "The Movie" tonight. Gee Mom, I have homework I have to do, a Scout meeting, Water Polo practice, Diarrhea, narcolepsy, anything they could think of to not have to watch this 20 hour long old black and white movie starring nobody they had ever heard of. It became a joke in our family, stay away...THE MOVIE is on tonight! Thank goodness the movie came out on DVD. Now I can pop it in when everyone is at home! </div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
They think the coast is clear and all of a sudden-it's on!</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Then they grew up. Alex joined the Marines. And his first Christmas away they had a showing on base of "THE MOVIE"</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
He cried like a baby and called to say that he wished he was with his family watching the movie with us. Even though he was in a very different place, watching It's a Wonderful Life made him feel closer to us. And made him feel connected to the family even though he was miles away. </div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Peter went away to school. Similar situation to his brother, loved watching "THE MOVIE" at Christmastime. Made him feel connected to us at the holidays.</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So Last Christmas, I bought them a copy of the movie and sent it to them. We all watched it at the same time while talking on the phone. Me in B-Town, Alex in Arizona and Peter in North Carolina. It is one of the closest family experiences we have ever had. And they no longer dread the time they are forced to watch "THE MOVIE", it is a time to cherish the experience of holidays past and future. A time of shared tradition. Special time we spent together.</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So I now look forward to terrorizing my future grandchildren with "THE MOVIE"</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"We're going to Grandmas kids. Is she going to make us watch that old movie Dad? Gee, I hope so son."</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So if you have a tradition at the holidays that the younger generation is trying to shrug off.......</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
DON"T LET THEM!!!!!!</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
They are the ones that will be on the losing end of that proposition and will lament it in the future.</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And if you are a young person that feels that your old fashioned parents are forcing you to partake in some antiquated Christmas tradition, hang onto that, someday you will be trying to relive that quaint tradition and recreating that for your own family!</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The ties that bind are no stronger than Holiday ties and traditions!</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I will lasso you the moon!</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Happy Holidays from me... Denise in B-Town and my family......</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Roger, Alex, Peter and Charlie</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/prvF5MsHgtex70ZG">http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/prvF5MsHgtex70ZG</a></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ksvC2Gjl3Xc/TvEjCBHobyI/AAAAAAAAAVU/bxXTdHSoaIo/s1600/xmas+2011+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ksvC2Gjl3Xc/TvEjCBHobyI/AAAAAAAAAVU/bxXTdHSoaIo/s320/xmas+2011+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>Trippin Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02156093933672354884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652460265134940098.post-80030217195728856472011-11-23T10:15:00.001-08:002011-11-28T11:03:27.128-08:00Jami Luvfest, Pittsburgh Part 2I left off in my last post with day 2 in Pittsburgh and our travels as tourists around the city as we waited to surprise Jami at her annual fundraiser for the <a href="http://www.pittsburghfoodbank.org/" target="_blank">Pittsburgh Community Food Bank</a>, Jami Luvfest. Each year Jami uses her birthday celebration to honor our mother, Billie Marlowe doing what Billie did best-feed people.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Jami Luvfest (in memory of Billie Marlowe)" class="photo img" id="profile_pic" src="https://fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/373658_106176879435447_1019503094_n.jpg" /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Jami-Luvfest-in-memory-of-Billie-Marlowe/106176879435447" target="_blank">Jami Luvfest Facebook Page</a><br />
<br />
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">Five years ago the Marlowe family was irrevocably altered. Suddenly, we were adult orphans clinging to each other in our shared grief. This past weekend, we honored our mother and celebrated the best she gave: Me, Wally, Betsy, Connie, Jami... and all the "children" she adopted along the way. You are still missed Billie, but the tears aren't quite as bitter.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">The event was held at a very cool venue, 720 Music, Clothing and Cafe in the Lawrenceville area of Pittsburgh, They offer a carefully curated mix of vinyl/cd's, indie clothing designers, off beat magazines and books and great tasting coffee, tea and treats. If you are in the area, stop by and say hi to Nate and listen to some very cool tunes. <img alt="" aria-busy="true" aria-describedby="fbPhotosSnowboxCaption" class="spotlight" height="139" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/168655_150674108320957_150673978320970_260910_8387115_n.jpg" width="200" /></span><br />
<br />
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">But back to Luvfest and the surprise! We had arranged with Betsy and Wally that we would cab up to Lawrenceville and hide out in a pub a few doors down from the party until the right moment to make our appearance. We got the signal and made our way in the door as MC Marcel was introducing and thanking folks that were involved in the event. And as he was talking about special guests from afar, Jami turned around and spotted us. I think the photo describes the moment better than words can.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N6XheQBWrfo/Ts09Xm1rcYI/AAAAAAAAAUA/-0kNsMj9dSs/s1600/surprise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N6XheQBWrfo/Ts09Xm1rcYI/AAAAAAAAAUA/-0kNsMj9dSs/s320/surprise.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">And yes, I am crying and Jami is crying and Betsy in the background is crying. That didn't last too long though because it was a party after all! And it was a great party!! Lots of entertainment including the most awesome Kristen Ross, a performance artist and belly dancer in the Pittsburgh area. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NNtnrZIGZuY/TtPSGJap0gI/AAAAAAAAAUI/dQiYk1-DaLc/s1600/313661_10150392990203094_609323093_8240333_1793240699_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NNtnrZIGZuY/TtPSGJap0gI/AAAAAAAAAUI/dQiYk1-DaLc/s320/313661_10150392990203094_609323093_8240333_1793240699_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
A duet to "I Can't Dance" with Kristen and my brother Marcel....<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wjyptFroYwk/TtPSkB8M5GI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/Z8ZkcGo5qvE/s1600/Photos+098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wjyptFroYwk/TtPSkB8M5GI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/Z8ZkcGo5qvE/s320/Photos+098.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
A great band later in the evening, and most importantly, plenty of generous people donating to the Pittsburgh food bank!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EEOn4vpEdJ0/TtPS7UckgnI/AAAAAAAAAUY/_ywjQ6G7EUg/s1600/391695_10150392990908094_609323093_8240336_1831450447_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EEOn4vpEdJ0/TtPS7UckgnI/AAAAAAAAAUY/_ywjQ6G7EUg/s320/391695_10150392990908094_609323093_8240336_1831450447_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JJ3kYDIoJFw/TtPTCmQS3MI/AAAAAAAAAUg/5-toYa3ijMg/s1600/Photos+102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JJ3kYDIoJFw/TtPTCmQS3MI/AAAAAAAAAUg/5-toYa3ijMg/s320/Photos+102.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
A very successful evening raising a bunch of money to feed the hungry. Local food banks do so much for our communities and the folks that rely on them to survive. For 1 in six Americans hunger is a reality.Many people believe that the problems associated with hunger are confined to small pockets of society, certain areas of the country, or certain neighborhoods, but the reality is much different. <br />
<br />
<br />
Right now, millions of Americans are struggling with hunger. These are often hard-working adults, children and seniors who simply cannot make ends meet and are forced to go without food for several meals, or even days. <br />
<br />
One of the most common misconceptions is the assumption that if someone is hungry, that means they do not have a job and are living on the streets. What most people don’t understand is that anyone can experience hunger. It is a silent epidemic that affects 49 million Americans. <br />
<br />
<br />
According to the US Census Bureau, in 2010, 21 million people lived in working-poor families. This translates into nearly 9.6 percent of all American families living below 100 percent of poverty have at least one family member working . In fact, 36 percent of client households served by the Feeding America network have one or more adults working. <br />
<br />
The hidden nature of hunger and poverty makes us less aware of its prevalence in the suburbs, but hunger does exist in the suburbs and it is growing. <br />
<br />
<br />
The growth in poverty and hunger in the suburbs is caused by the lure of job growth, the revitalization of central cities making city life too expensive for many poor people, and the creation of cheaper housing in "inner ring" suburbs, as middle class people move further out. <br />
<br />
The problem of childhood hunger is not simply a moral issue. Child hunger hampers a young person's ability to learn and becomes more likely to suffer from poverty as an adult. Scientific evidence suggests that hungry children are less likely to become productive citizens<br />
<br />
So become involved with your local food bank, their buying power allows a $1.00 donation provides from 5 to 15 pounds of food. So donate or volunteer at your local food bank. A great source of information is <br />
<a href="http://feedingamerica.org/" target="_blank">Feeding America</a> . A one stop informational and organizational page that will give you the facts on hunger in America and how you can help. With a network of 200 member food banks across the country, Feeding America supplies more the 3 billion pounds of food and grocery products annually. One $25.00 donation to Feeding America will provide 200 meals. <br />
<br />
So as you plan your holiday feasts this season, think of those in need and make a donation. Your turkey dinner will taste that much better!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Trippin Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02156093933672354884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652460265134940098.post-36816822403154245072011-11-16T15:26:00.001-08:002011-11-17T15:46:19.823-08:00Have Yinz Ever Been Dahntahn or the Sahside? Adventures in Pittsburgh, Part 1If the title has you confused, you are not from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Southwestern Pa has a language all its own. Over this past week Roger and I traveled to the "Burgh to surprise my youngest sister Jami for her birthday. Each year she forgoes the traditional birthday celebration and instead holds a public party for the benefit of the <a href="http://www.pittsburghfoodbank.org/" target="_blank">Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank</a> to honor our late mother, Billie Marlowe. <br />
<br />
<img alt="Jami Luvfest (in memory of Billie Marlowe)" class="photo img" id="profile_pic" src="https://fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/373658_106176879435447_1019503094_n.jpg" />More on the party later and the great venue in Part 2<br />
<br />
We arrived a day early, so my other sister Betsy, picked us up at the airport and arranged for our lodging..... second tent from the left!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZwDr6PqXXXo/TsRLoCJKFEI/AAAAAAAAARk/VDZI06q1JQg/s1600/Photos+057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZwDr6PqXXXo/TsRLoCJKFEI/AAAAAAAAARk/VDZI06q1JQg/s320/Photos+057.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Just kidding, we actually stayed at the <a href="http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/PITWG/main.wnt" target="_blank">Wyndham Grand Hotel</a> right on the point where the Three Rivers merge. Right next to Point State Park and across the river from Heinz Field, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The downtown area of Pittsburgh is a great walking city. And we really explored it. The first evening we met up with<br />
<a href="http://www.herocorp.biz/" target="_blank">Marcel Lamont Walker</a> and <a href="http://www.wayne-wise.com/" target="_blank">Wayne Wise</a>. Marcel was the originator of the surprise idea and a very close friend to Jami. Both talented Artists and Authors. We had met in San Diego a couple of years ago when they traveled west for the San Diego Comicon. Jami called me and said that a couple of her friends were coming out to San Diego and she asked us to put them up for the week. We were assured that they were only slightly weird and not serial killers. Since they were not wearing StarTrek uniforms and speaking in Klingon when we picked them up at the airport, we decided to go ahead and let them stay. We had a great time with them and have been great friends ever since. As you may recall, I mentioned Wayne in my last blog and his novel, Scratch. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xhikzdYTeeM/TsRQCYoDw5I/AAAAAAAAARs/o9qby9vhnNg/s1600/Photos+132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xhikzdYTeeM/TsRQCYoDw5I/AAAAAAAAARs/o9qby9vhnNg/s320/Photos+132.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">M.L.Walker and Wayne Wise</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We spent a great evening having dinner at NOLA Pittsburgh with the guys and Betsy, a New Orleans stlye creole restaurant in Market Square, then headed back to the hotel to hide out for a day. We subsequently found out that Jami was right across the Square having dinner with a friend at the same time, could have blown the whole surprise!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TsoLu-D3s_M/TsV83GGIgCI/AAAAAAAAAR0/DCchHP77OYM/s1600/Photos+033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TsoLu-D3s_M/TsV83GGIgCI/AAAAAAAAAR0/DCchHP77OYM/s320/Photos+033.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the hotel room of the river and thats PNC Park on the left.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After a restful nights sleep, we set off to discover Pittsburgh. Betsy was busily making all of the great food that we would indulge in at the Luvfest that evening and helping Jami set up the venue, so Roger and I set off on foot for the day of playing tourist. First on the list of priorities, a true Pittsburgh experience...<a href="http://www.primantibros.com/04history.html" target="_blank">Primanti Brothers Sandwiches.</a> If you have never had a Pittsburgh style sandwich, they put the whole meal on the bread. Meat, fries and coleslaw all in one sandwich. And Primanti's is the originator of this phenomena! A Pittsburgh institution since 1933.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HHyXKwngPeY/TsWPzFcE90I/AAAAAAAAASU/wv7hD_k4Wko/s1600/Photos+035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HHyXKwngPeY/TsWPzFcE90I/AAAAAAAAASU/wv7hD_k4Wko/s320/Photos+035.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tmpbVhxDjTA/TsWP5LAs25I/AAAAAAAAASc/_ODsmvscRiw/s1600/Photos+037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tmpbVhxDjTA/TsWP5LAs25I/AAAAAAAAASc/_ODsmvscRiw/s320/Photos+037.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
With a belly full of this huge sandwich, it was time to hit the streets. We wandered out of Market Square to find that Pittsburgh was having a Veterans Day Parade. I could see the barricades a block or so away, past a giant Macy's store and we headed in that direction. What a great parade, plenty of marching bands and all of the different veterans groups represented.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0WiClPdbfdI/TsWRBXnmtUI/AAAAAAAAASk/EXGkxIt6S8g/s1600/Photos+047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0WiClPdbfdI/TsWRBXnmtUI/AAAAAAAAASk/EXGkxIt6S8g/s320/Photos+047.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dtaIXkb28w0/TsWRHgbb6nI/AAAAAAAAASs/KDetybf4LuU/s1600/Photos+046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dtaIXkb28w0/TsWRHgbb6nI/AAAAAAAAASs/KDetybf4LuU/s320/Photos+046.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z4MoOq1XMDs/TsWRNQ9h8ZI/AAAAAAAAAS0/Qfd7xNPSEIk/s1600/Photos+049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z4MoOq1XMDs/TsWRNQ9h8ZI/AAAAAAAAAS0/Qfd7xNPSEIk/s320/Photos+049.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
After the parade, we walked around downtown a little. The architecture of the old buildings and churches was amazing. Something you don't see on the west coast.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MPnrUE7GRo8/TsWSAD_PD_I/AAAAAAAAAS8/mEsyQmgEKNQ/s1600/Photos+051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MPnrUE7GRo8/TsWSAD_PD_I/AAAAAAAAAS8/mEsyQmgEKNQ/s320/Photos+051.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8Xk9yR55z4/TsWSnh6U5PI/AAAAAAAAATE/lAjFXL6sw5Q/s1600/Photos+052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8Xk9yR55z4/TsWSnh6U5PI/AAAAAAAAATE/lAjFXL6sw5Q/s320/Photos+052.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e6DGWXIJ_gI/TsWSx3LQNdI/AAAAAAAAATM/qIRvuuBsTJo/s1600/Photos+060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e6DGWXIJ_gI/TsWSx3LQNdI/AAAAAAAAATM/qIRvuuBsTJo/s320/Photos+060.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I just love the old stone churches, they have great character and there is just a more awe inspiring feeling that you get from them. We made our way through the city until we hit the river. The Mighty Monongahela! So it was turn back to the hotel, or keep going and cross the bridge. We opted to cross over to the southside where all of the great nightspots are at Station Square. Of course as we appraoched the river, it started to snow. And the wind was whipping. At this point it seemed wise to duck into a handy tavern to warm up with a toddy. A little fortitude to cross on the open bridge. e made our way across and found a Ducky Tour booth and decided that was a great way to see the highlight of the city without wearing out the rest of our shoe leather. And it was a great choice, the tour covered some of the history of the city, as well as the sports venues and a float down the river, Although a bit chilly, still better than covering it on foot!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G-pF7S6jotM/TsWWAwXlqBI/AAAAAAAAATU/RG8AXRyjdUk/s1600/Photos+062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G-pF7S6jotM/TsWWAwXlqBI/AAAAAAAAATU/RG8AXRyjdUk/s320/Photos+062.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Station Square across the river</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GGYP-zNJQkg/TsWWHkZ8QxI/AAAAAAAAATc/6SKGxJzp8Ag/s1600/Photos+064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GGYP-zNJQkg/TsWWHkZ8QxI/AAAAAAAAATc/6SKGxJzp8Ag/s320/Photos+064.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7V6fLx5EHZI/TsWWYCyhtPI/AAAAAAAAATk/lje7p72efOg/s1600/Photos+080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7V6fLx5EHZI/TsWWYCyhtPI/AAAAAAAAATk/lje7p72efOg/s320/Photos+080.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downtown from the river</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b56ki79wyfM/TsWWdh3NROI/AAAAAAAAATs/4h-rXgq_HPU/s1600/Photos+083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b56ki79wyfM/TsWWdh3NROI/AAAAAAAAATs/4h-rXgq_HPU/s320/Photos+083.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heinz Field home of the Steelers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
All in all a great tour. Lasting about 90 minutes, we concluded back at Station Square right in front of the Hard Rock Cafe. Time for another hot toddy!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5wOQu7OeTSI/TsWXZ0n2LwI/AAAAAAAAAT0/O6QK4LseE9w/s1600/Photos+093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5wOQu7OeTSI/TsWXZ0n2LwI/AAAAAAAAAT0/O6QK4LseE9w/s320/Photos+093.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
After some fortification from an Isish Coffee, it was time to head back across the bridge and to the hotel to get ready for Jami Luvfest in Lawrenceville. Part 2 of the blog will be a recounting of that marvelous event and the actual surprise. Stay tuned!Trippin Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02156093933672354884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652460265134940098.post-14848092726289343672011-09-27T16:16:00.000-07:002011-09-27T16:27:40.603-07:00The rains are back, boo hoo.<span style="color: black;">It seems that the all too brief Seattle summer of 2011 is officially over. The rain has been pouring down for the last two days and the temperature has taken a dip. The autumn season is underway and the leaves will soon be changing. This weekend brought the Fall Carnival to B-Town and Oktoberfest is right around the corner which includes the B-Town Brat Trot, a charity 5k race benefitting the Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence, Safe Kids King County and Mary Bridge Childrens Hospital.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="http://openx.b-townblog.com/www/delivery/ck.php?oaparams=2__bannerid=148__zoneid=100__cb=8e9b578231__oadest=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.burienbrattrot.com%2F" target="_blank"><img alt="Ad" border="0" height="260" src="http://b-townblog.com/wp-content/dynamicads/brattrot_countdown.jpg" width="420" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Our favorite eatery The Tin Room Bar puts this on each year and it's a blast. There will be a German Oompah band, beer and brats. The yodeling dominatrix will be there. Everything a great Oktoberfest needs. So there that to look forward to in the coming days. I will give you a full report. But in the meantime it's chilly, rainy and windy. So I have made the first fire of the season and curled up with a good book. I am going to use my blog this week to give a shameless plug to my good friend Wayne Wise, the author of my current read, Scratch. </span><br />
<br />
<em><span style="color: black;">Wayne Wise is a writer, artist, seeker, shaman and magician, or at least claims to be in casual conversation. He has a BA in History and an MA in Clinical Psychology and in his life has worked as a counselor, an administrative assistant for a state legislator, an inter-office mail courier, a freelance comic book inker, and a department store Santa. He wrote music and comics-based articles for several local news mags and a couple of national magazines. In 1993 he and his business partner/collaborator Fred Wheaton self-published the comic book "Grey Legacy". In 2010 he wrote and drew a follow-up called "Grey Legacy Tales". Raised in rural southwestern Pennsylvania he is currently employed by the Eisner Award-nominated comic book store Phantom of the Attic in Pittsburgh and recently taught a course in Comics and Pop Culture as a guest lecturer at Chatham University. You can read his Blog at www.wayne-wise.com.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: black;"></span></em><br />
<em><br /><span style="color: black;"></span></em><br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=adveinbtown-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=B005JPKX44" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am really enjoying the book and highly recommend it to you. A horror/fantasy fiction that is entertaining and well written. If you are a Stephen King or Dean Koontz fan you will like Scratch. Great charactor development that plays on our most primal fears. I also have to disclose that the illustrations are done by my brother, Marcel Lamont Walker. The story is:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<em><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Like all small rural towns, Canaan, West Virginia has its secrets: lies, infidelities, and even murder are kept hidden in the minds of the residents there. But there is one secret they will go to any lengths to protect.</span></em><br />
<br />
<em><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A little girl named Gabrielle, believed to be an angel, has been kept chained in the church basement for over a century now, prisoner of an ancient pact. Unaging and unearthly beautiful, Gabrielle has the power to heal.</span></em><br />
<br />
<em><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A madman pursues outsiders Adam and Holly Mansfield to Canaan, intent on kidnapping their daughter. Once there they discover there is one other secret in Canaan.</span></em><br />
<br />
<em><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Chained deep in the heart of the mountain is another being, a demon called Scratch. If Gabrielle is freed, Scratch will be as well, and his vengeance and evil will consume the town. </span></em><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">A great read.</span>Trippin Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02156093933672354884noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652460265134940098.post-46594789738587410622011-09-19T13:41:00.000-07:002011-09-19T13:48:21.502-07:00And nary a bumbershoot in sight!We have been having remarkably great weather this past few weeks. As of yesterday, we have had nine days in a row of over 80 degrees, breaking the all time record for September in the Seattle area. It was really late, but summer has finally arrived in the Northwest. It seems that I have turned into a Northwester, when it hits 80 degrees I swelter. Last summer I chuckled at the folks complaining about the heat. Now I am one of them. I am now looking forward to Autumn weather. Perfect weather for enjoying the outdoors. And perfect weather for Bumbershoot! <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rLSpZyyS7q8/Tm6k-8Ba5EI/AAAAAAAAARA/OktlWlSGxV8/s1600/DSC02109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rLSpZyyS7q8/Tm6k-8Ba5EI/AAAAAAAAARA/OktlWlSGxV8/s320/DSC02109.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><strong>Bumbershoot</strong> is an annual international music and arts festival</span></span> <span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">held in Seattle</span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">. One of North Americas </span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">largest such festivals it takes place every September</span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"> at the 74-acre Seattle Center</span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">, which was built for the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Century_21_Exposition" title="Century 21 Exposition"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">1962</span></a> Worlds Fair<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">The name of the festival was taken from <i><a class="extiw" href="http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/bumbershoot" title="wiktionary:bumbershoot">bumbershoot</a></i>, a colloquial term for umbrella</span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">, probably coined in the 19th century a portmanteau</span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"> of the words umbrella and parachute. Seattle Center is also the home of the world famous Space Needle.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Pxrl2ug9xs/Tm6b2Y_vlGI/AAAAAAAAAQk/Qf_nbQDUfdg/s1600/DSC02166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Pxrl2ug9xs/Tm6b2Y_vlGI/AAAAAAAAAQk/Qf_nbQDUfdg/s320/DSC02166.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standing at the base of the Space Needle. Not a cloud in the sky.<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A picture perfect day for some great music and maybe a beer. We met up with our good friend Gary McMinn from San Diego, one of Roger's Golf Club buddies. He comes up for the festival every year and attends with his brother who lives in West Seattle not too far from us. It was great to see someone from home! The festival runs for three days, however we only attended on Sunday. The list of performers is immense, covering about a dozen venues. The artists range from comedy and bluegrass, to jazz and rap with everything in between. There were also many vender tents, art exhibits and street entertainers on the grounds.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Im99a2R6u8I/Tm6fcuRhW_I/AAAAAAAAAQo/gQ83TXL2NTk/s1600/DSC02168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Im99a2R6u8I/Tm6fcuRhW_I/AAAAAAAAAQo/gQ83TXL2NTk/s320/DSC02168.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4OUo7XMqTZ0/Tm6fh-ml7vI/AAAAAAAAAQs/7d2E0xYRgA4/s1600/DSC02169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4OUo7XMqTZ0/Tm6fh-ml7vI/AAAAAAAAAQs/7d2E0xYRgA4/s320/DSC02169.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The International Fountain at Seattle Center</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LoQRRFvTQWc/Tm6fr8WYu8I/AAAAAAAAAQw/sp3QXxQGZuw/s1600/DSC02174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LoQRRFvTQWc/Tm6fr8WYu8I/AAAAAAAAAQw/sp3QXxQGZuw/s320/DSC02174.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stage from inside the Beer Corral.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BOJHJgAyNY4/Tm6f8kQ44LI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/hnRsEKjx5S4/s1600/DSC02182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BOJHJgAyNY4/Tm6f8kQ44LI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/hnRsEKjx5S4/s320/DSC02182.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jessica Lea Mayfield</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J-BZUm1BHR8/Tm6gObM7wII/AAAAAAAAAQ4/fEQqZTRXOHw/s1600/DSC02196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J-BZUm1BHR8/Tm6gObM7wII/AAAAAAAAAQ4/fEQqZTRXOHw/s320/DSC02196.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leon Russel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Some of the acts this year were Hall and Oates, Wiz Khalifa, Big Boi, Fitz and the Tamtrums, local hits Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, Butthole Surfers, Mavis Staples, Trombone Shorty and so on......<br />
We saw a jazz singer Gail Pettis that was fantastic. Approximately 200 hundred artists and groups performed over the three days. We had a great day. <br />
<br />
On of the other things that the warm weather has brought to Western Washington, is forest fires. Nothing like the Texas fires that raged there, but fires none the less. One of these has been burning out of control on the Olympic Peninsula in a very remote area. We can't see the fire itself, but the smoke has really effected our sunset views. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XNtr-l7G8H4/Tm6kAt9KTGI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/T0apIjIpJAQ/s1600/DSC02217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XNtr-l7G8H4/Tm6kAt9KTGI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/T0apIjIpJAQ/s320/DSC02217.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see the layer of smoke hanging over the mountains.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Thats all I have for now, as I purchased a new carpet cleaner and need to give it a test drive aroung the dining room. Love to all! DeniseTrippin Vagabondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02156093933672354884noreply@blogger.com0