George and I are really just one lug nut away from matching Hawaiian shirts. We just ate our third meal at Tillamook and that does not count the ice cream cone. I know I made fun of people who bought t-shirts there, but I can feel it coming. Today the two giant pancake special, tomorrow the hot pink size xxxl women's t-shirt telling the world to Moooove To The Groove.
The great thing about all the rain in Washington and Oregon is the lush environment it provides for riding. The coast in Oregon is one small town after another, Cannon Beach, Rockaway Beach, Lincoln, Newport, Coos Bay, and many others. We stopped in Newport to stretch and took the opportunity to watch the harbor seals. What a show!
We arrived at our delightful hotel in Bandon in the late afternoon. Our room was located on the second floor with a direct view of the ocean. This is heaven. I am watching the ocean waves break as I write and from this angle they appear to be just out my window. Lovely.
We are guests at the Windermere in Bandon, OR.
Tomorrow - Gold Beach
Sunday, August 31, 2014
The End Is Near
George and I got off to a late start this morning. Our camera went missing and despite a valiant effort, we were unable to find it. My Nook also stopped working. I decided to buy a book so I went to a bookstore in Sequim called The Good Book. I was hoping it was filled with good books, it was....
Then after riding for hours in the rain, which I happen to enjoy, (George not so much, he says he can't see the road), we stop for lunch in a random town, and have a really tasty meal. I visit another book store, but no one was interested in selling me a book so I left. At this point George has changed to his goggles, we both have our rain gear on, and we ride down the road looking like twin ticks.
We entered into Astoria and Oregon at the same time. It was late in the afternoon so we found our hotel and relaxed. We had eaten at the Wet Dog Cafe the last time we visited Astoria, and we were so taken by it we wanted to try it again. The Wet Dog makes its own beer, which as everyone knows, is a popular and successful business in Oregon. They sell T-shirts, taffy, glassware, beer, hats, etc. George had salmon fish and chips for dinner and I had build your own quesadilla. Yum! I did notice in Canada that they do not really make Mexican food. Of course they don't make what I consider Mexican food in Mexico either.
Astoria is a charming port town situated on the mouth of the Columbia river. While we were eating George pointed out the difference between two tankers. The tankers are painted in horizontal stripes, the top is red, the middle is cream, the lower is blue. When the tanker is empty you can see all three stripes. However, when it is loaded, the tanker is so heavy, the blue stripe disappears underneath the water.
Tomorrow- breakfast in Tillamook then onto Bandon.
Then after riding for hours in the rain, which I happen to enjoy, (George not so much, he says he can't see the road), we stop for lunch in a random town, and have a really tasty meal. I visit another book store, but no one was interested in selling me a book so I left. At this point George has changed to his goggles, we both have our rain gear on, and we ride down the road looking like twin ticks.
We entered into Astoria and Oregon at the same time. It was late in the afternoon so we found our hotel and relaxed. We had eaten at the Wet Dog Cafe the last time we visited Astoria, and we were so taken by it we wanted to try it again. The Wet Dog makes its own beer, which as everyone knows, is a popular and successful business in Oregon. They sell T-shirts, taffy, glassware, beer, hats, etc. George had salmon fish and chips for dinner and I had build your own quesadilla. Yum! I did notice in Canada that they do not really make Mexican food. Of course they don't make what I consider Mexican food in Mexico either.
Astoria is a charming port town situated on the mouth of the Columbia river. While we were eating George pointed out the difference between two tankers. The tankers are painted in horizontal stripes, the top is red, the middle is cream, the lower is blue. When the tanker is empty you can see all three stripes. However, when it is loaded, the tanker is so heavy, the blue stripe disappears underneath the water.
Tomorrow- breakfast in Tillamook then onto Bandon.
Saturday, August 30, 2014
F.A.T. Riders
What a wonderful morning. I slept in until 7:30! The rest was essential, however I was having a terrible nightmare brought on by the turkey burger I didn't eat for dinner or the M&M's I did eat. The sleep did allow my brain to get the Kamloops thing. Kaml-oops!
Yesterday is a blur. We left Kamloops and headed for the border where we waited in a very long line to be questioned by a serious young man about the nature of our visit. He wanted to know everything we had purchased, walked around the bike, looked us up and down again, and finally allowed us to enter the United States. The other lane- cars were breezing through. So off we flew headed towards Coupeville where we would catch the ferry. We left at 6:30 and arrived at the ferry around 1:45. By this time we had not eaten, and we had been on the bike way too long, so to say we were both testy would be about right. Some food, a nice ride in the ferry, and a rest and we disembarked in Port Townsend and rode on to Sequim.
So here's a shout out to the F.A.T. Riders, Dan, Patty, Mark, John, and Doris. George and I were talking about how much the F.A.T. Riders would enjoy this trip. Then we started thinking about a two week ride, the togetherness, everyday, two weeks, and it was clear there would need to be therapy first. Perhaps even during the ride. Just for the full members.
Sequim is a cute town, small, and apparently known solely for the lavender farms and the yearly festival. I always laugh when I think of people traveling from other states to attend the festival. What do they do? There is no eating, drinking, dancing, quilting, mating, or any other fun outlets. The farms are tiny, the products are nice, but how long can one discuss lavender soap versus blending lavender and lemon?
We went to the Black Bear Cafe for dinner, only because we could walk to it. George orders lots of red meat and I order a veggie burger. He gets lots of really red meat and I get a turkey burger. It had been a long day and when the smell of the burger hit me, I lost what little appetite I had. Our lovely server removed my plate, almost crying in distress. Pretty soon another lovely young women comes over, kneels down, and introduces herself as also a vegetarian. She said she totally understood and would have been totally upset if that had happened to her. By now we are the floor show of the evening.. Really, I am not that fragile and that wasn't my first rodeo. I have been served meat before. I even thought she was the manager, but our server came back and said she was discussing the situation with a server who was a vegetarian and that person said she would come over and see to me!
Anyway, they were all so sweet, I think everyone clapped as we left.
Tomorrow Astoria
Yesterday is a blur. We left Kamloops and headed for the border where we waited in a very long line to be questioned by a serious young man about the nature of our visit. He wanted to know everything we had purchased, walked around the bike, looked us up and down again, and finally allowed us to enter the United States. The other lane- cars were breezing through. So off we flew headed towards Coupeville where we would catch the ferry. We left at 6:30 and arrived at the ferry around 1:45. By this time we had not eaten, and we had been on the bike way too long, so to say we were both testy would be about right. Some food, a nice ride in the ferry, and a rest and we disembarked in Port Townsend and rode on to Sequim.
So here's a shout out to the F.A.T. Riders, Dan, Patty, Mark, John, and Doris. George and I were talking about how much the F.A.T. Riders would enjoy this trip. Then we started thinking about a two week ride, the togetherness, everyday, two weeks, and it was clear there would need to be therapy first. Perhaps even during the ride. Just for the full members.
Sequim is a cute town, small, and apparently known solely for the lavender farms and the yearly festival. I always laugh when I think of people traveling from other states to attend the festival. What do they do? There is no eating, drinking, dancing, quilting, mating, or any other fun outlets. The farms are tiny, the products are nice, but how long can one discuss lavender soap versus blending lavender and lemon?
We went to the Black Bear Cafe for dinner, only because we could walk to it. George orders lots of red meat and I order a veggie burger. He gets lots of really red meat and I get a turkey burger. It had been a long day and when the smell of the burger hit me, I lost what little appetite I had. Our lovely server removed my plate, almost crying in distress. Pretty soon another lovely young women comes over, kneels down, and introduces herself as also a vegetarian. She said she totally understood and would have been totally upset if that had happened to her. By now we are the floor show of the evening.. Really, I am not that fragile and that wasn't my first rodeo. I have been served meat before. I even thought she was the manager, but our server came back and said she was discussing the situation with a server who was a vegetarian and that person said she would come over and see to me!
Anyway, they were all so sweet, I think everyone clapped as we left.
Tomorrow Astoria
Friday, August 29, 2014
Camels to Kamloops
We have almost forgotten what day it is, we are not missing our telephones, in fact time is rather meaningless on vacation. Except in the morning. To George. By 6:00 he has showered, packed, and had a cup of coffee. I awake to, " Woman, time to get going." I roll out of bed, throw some water at my face, ( I have given up showering, makeup, and brushing my hair), brush my teeth, pick up the clothes I threw on the floor last night and put them on. By this time George has the luggage carrier loaded so I throw myself on top of the suitcases and George rolls us towards the start of a new day.
When we were sitting by the pool in Victoria we spoke to a man who lived in Kamloops. I asked him if it was a Native American name. He said that Kamloops is a desert area and there was a man who imported camels there thinking they would thrive in the climate. They all died. Supposedly the city was named for this man, or for the camels.
The ride to Kamloops was amazing. The Canadian Rockies are stunning and they are the backdrop to the scenery that unfolds as the ride goes along. There was the fabulous Seton Lake. It is described as being a dull turquoise, but the color is succulent. There was no one in the lake and it was just beautiful. The roads in Canada are wonderful to ride a motorcycle on. They go on forever, they are well maintained, the scenery is breathtaking, and there is no signage or garbage.
We stopped in a small town to have lunch- a really small town. We ended up eating at Dina's Greek Diner. We were walking by when I spotted a sign for Italian food and grilled cheese sandwiches in front. How bad could it be? We walk inside and one side of the restaurant is filled with a group. The waitress says something to us that I could not here, because at the same time the group was all talking at once making it clear we were not with them! They were a group from Germany, some on bikes, some in cars, and as the waitress said, they just all showed up at once. She tried to shake us out of the place, but someone told us to find a table. I think it was one of the Germans. It really was quite funny. Another woman came out to help, who knows what her job was, and the waitress kept complaining, and then the German men began lining up at the cash register to pay. She just ignored them as she was still serving people in their group. We were very entertained. George ordered some baked ravioli and of course I had a grilled cheese sandwich. We were both very pleased. Good food and entertainment. At a Greek Cafe in the middle of no where.
It was serendipitous that we enjoyed lunch, because by the time we made it to Kamloops dinner was whatever snacks we could find. We never did see the town.
Tomorrow- returning to the USA- and traveling to Sequim
When we were sitting by the pool in Victoria we spoke to a man who lived in Kamloops. I asked him if it was a Native American name. He said that Kamloops is a desert area and there was a man who imported camels there thinking they would thrive in the climate. They all died. Supposedly the city was named for this man, or for the camels.
The ride to Kamloops was amazing. The Canadian Rockies are stunning and they are the backdrop to the scenery that unfolds as the ride goes along. There was the fabulous Seton Lake. It is described as being a dull turquoise, but the color is succulent. There was no one in the lake and it was just beautiful. The roads in Canada are wonderful to ride a motorcycle on. They go on forever, they are well maintained, the scenery is breathtaking, and there is no signage or garbage.
We stopped in a small town to have lunch- a really small town. We ended up eating at Dina's Greek Diner. We were walking by when I spotted a sign for Italian food and grilled cheese sandwiches in front. How bad could it be? We walk inside and one side of the restaurant is filled with a group. The waitress says something to us that I could not here, because at the same time the group was all talking at once making it clear we were not with them! They were a group from Germany, some on bikes, some in cars, and as the waitress said, they just all showed up at once. She tried to shake us out of the place, but someone told us to find a table. I think it was one of the Germans. It really was quite funny. Another woman came out to help, who knows what her job was, and the waitress kept complaining, and then the German men began lining up at the cash register to pay. She just ignored them as she was still serving people in their group. We were very entertained. George ordered some baked ravioli and of course I had a grilled cheese sandwich. We were both very pleased. Good food and entertainment. At a Greek Cafe in the middle of no where.
It was serendipitous that we enjoyed lunch, because by the time we made it to Kamloops dinner was whatever snacks we could find. We never did see the town.
Tomorrow- returning to the USA- and traveling to Sequim
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Green Light
George and I have reached the Nanaimo Ferry which will take us to Horseshoe Bay. We arrived here with a few hours to spare and are enjoying the beautiful setting. This particular ferry has a market building with a variety of eateries, kiosks selling "stuff", and seating that allows for perfect viewing of the ocean. Everyone is relaxed, enjoying the sun, and life is good.
The market has wifi and as I am basking in the sun I thought I would tie up some loose ends;
The mystery of the wand: Being on vacation with the same person day after day after day after day, conversation tends to get a bit stale. So George and I really leapt on the mystery of the wand. I will share only my deductions. I think Canadians are really clean people. They take a bath, drain the tub, then they turn the water back on, click the lever, and use the wand to wash off the dirty bath water. Mystery solved.
George and I are also learning some Canadian. For example, when I referred to the blisters on the bottom of my feet I said, "Blimey, they are as big as a loonie (the Canadian one dollar coin)!"
George, when asked what he would like to drink says, "I'll have a Canadian beer that tastes like Bud Lite."
The ferry ride to Horseshoe Bay was amazing. The ferry itself had two stores, two cafés, a quiet room, and a naturalist gave a talk on the sun deck. The best part was the wonderful view. We sat in the bow and relaxed as the panoramic scene slowly floated by.
After disembarking from the ferry we took off for Whistler. The ride was incredible. The highway, which was build in honor of the 2010 Olympics was artfully built with the ocean on one side and
forests on the other. The road is great. The rhythm of the curves, the pristine condition of surrounding area, and the magnificent view of the Canadian Rockies.
We arrived in Whistler and were delighted to find our little hotel was located across the street from
Whistler Village. The 2010 Winter Olympics were held in Whistler and the village is filled with family friendly parks, shops, and restaurants. We walked around looking for a place to have dinner later, when we stumbled upon the "best ice cream place" in Canada. It was very busy and we were drawn in against our better judgment They did not lie. The ice cream was awesome! As we were walking through the village we saw mountain bike riders who ride at death defying speeds down the ski trails. They are dirty and some are limping as they walk through the village.
When we were returning to our hotel we wanted to get pictures at the Olympic Rings. George took mine first. He then walked over for his picture. This young woman decides to go over too and lounges in one of the rings so her friend can take a picture. At this point I don't want to take the picture with her in it, but McGrumpy is telling me to hurry up. I am trying to signal to him that there is a person in the picture, but apparently McGrumpy didn't care. I told him I did not want a strange woman in the 5 rings with him- he did not see the problem.
We returned to the village for dinner. We sat outside and watched hundreds of people stroll by. In front of our restaurant there was a pavilion lit with green lights. People were attracted to this place
like moths to light. They might look at their clothes in the light, a lot of them danced, one dad posed like the Hulk and had his daughters take pictures, the possibilities were endless. In the green light everyone relaxed, laughed, played, and then moved on. We loved the show.
Tomorrow Kamloops
The market has wifi and as I am basking in the sun I thought I would tie up some loose ends;
The mystery of the wand: Being on vacation with the same person day after day after day after day, conversation tends to get a bit stale. So George and I really leapt on the mystery of the wand. I will share only my deductions. I think Canadians are really clean people. They take a bath, drain the tub, then they turn the water back on, click the lever, and use the wand to wash off the dirty bath water. Mystery solved.
George and I are also learning some Canadian. For example, when I referred to the blisters on the bottom of my feet I said, "Blimey, they are as big as a loonie (the Canadian one dollar coin)!"
George, when asked what he would like to drink says, "I'll have a Canadian beer that tastes like Bud Lite."
The ferry ride to Horseshoe Bay was amazing. The ferry itself had two stores, two cafés, a quiet room, and a naturalist gave a talk on the sun deck. The best part was the wonderful view. We sat in the bow and relaxed as the panoramic scene slowly floated by.
After disembarking from the ferry we took off for Whistler. The ride was incredible. The highway, which was build in honor of the 2010 Olympics was artfully built with the ocean on one side and
forests on the other. The road is great. The rhythm of the curves, the pristine condition of surrounding area, and the magnificent view of the Canadian Rockies.
We arrived in Whistler and were delighted to find our little hotel was located across the street from
Whistler Village. The 2010 Winter Olympics were held in Whistler and the village is filled with family friendly parks, shops, and restaurants. We walked around looking for a place to have dinner later, when we stumbled upon the "best ice cream place" in Canada. It was very busy and we were drawn in against our better judgment They did not lie. The ice cream was awesome! As we were walking through the village we saw mountain bike riders who ride at death defying speeds down the ski trails. They are dirty and some are limping as they walk through the village.
When we were returning to our hotel we wanted to get pictures at the Olympic Rings. George took mine first. He then walked over for his picture. This young woman decides to go over too and lounges in one of the rings so her friend can take a picture. At this point I don't want to take the picture with her in it, but McGrumpy is telling me to hurry up. I am trying to signal to him that there is a person in the picture, but apparently McGrumpy didn't care. I told him I did not want a strange woman in the 5 rings with him- he did not see the problem.
We returned to the village for dinner. We sat outside and watched hundreds of people stroll by. In front of our restaurant there was a pavilion lit with green lights. People were attracted to this place
like moths to light. They might look at their clothes in the light, a lot of them danced, one dad posed like the Hulk and had his daughters take pictures, the possibilities were endless. In the green light everyone relaxed, laughed, played, and then moved on. We loved the show.
Tomorrow Kamloops
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Happy Anniversary Elizabeth & Ben
Five days- we are the barely walking wounded. I try to pack light so in place of tennis shoes I bring a pair of black flats. Due to the current state of my memory I never recall that the shoes give me huge blisters after about 10 feet. I am still limping around. Then, when we had lunch with Ed, George fell. It was a long drawn out fall that seemed to go on forever. He finally landed and appeared to be fine, but he is badly bruised and two of his toes are in pain. Finally, after dinner last night George was brushing his teeth and realized he had lost half of a tooth. We are hoping we get back to the states before we need medical care.
We were going to relax and sit by the pool today, but decided to give Victoria another chance. I should say where we are staying for future reference, Oak Bay Beach Hotel. We took a wonderful ride to Duncan and had a yummy, yummy lunch. When we returned we went swimming and basked in the sun. It was beautiful, overlooking the ocean, quiet, really breathtaking.
So about the room. Wow. It is almost as big as our house. The shower is sublime, and then there is the bathtub. Well, the bathtub. It is large, comfortable, and yesterday when I took it for a spin I ran into a little issue. I reached behind the faucet to a lever I thought would lower the plug in the tub, when all of a sudden this wand (located to the right of the faucet) began spurting water and leaping out of control. I was able to grab it, turn off the lever, but I still have not been able to figure out what the Canadians do with it!
Happy Anniversary Elizabeth and Ben. We are so proud of both of you and we love you more each year.
Tomorrow - Whisler
We were going to relax and sit by the pool today, but decided to give Victoria another chance. I should say where we are staying for future reference, Oak Bay Beach Hotel. We took a wonderful ride to Duncan and had a yummy, yummy lunch. When we returned we went swimming and basked in the sun. It was beautiful, overlooking the ocean, quiet, really breathtaking.
So about the room. Wow. It is almost as big as our house. The shower is sublime, and then there is the bathtub. Well, the bathtub. It is large, comfortable, and yesterday when I took it for a spin I ran into a little issue. I reached behind the faucet to a lever I thought would lower the plug in the tub, when all of a sudden this wand (located to the right of the faucet) began spurting water and leaping out of control. I was able to grab it, turn off the lever, but I still have not been able to figure out what the Canadians do with it!
Happy Anniversary Elizabeth and Ben. We are so proud of both of you and we love you more each year.
Tomorrow - Whisler
Humptulips II
It's time to take the ferry to Victoria. I was ahead of the game and packed last night, organized my clothes, and had my toiletries ready so I could avoid the early morning stink eye. We were at the terminal by 7:15 for our 8:25 ferry. Yes! The ride was glorious. The sky bright blue, the weather perfect, the scenery was filled with islands. We were surrounded by people speaking different languages, playing games to pass the time I had never seen, everyone looking for whales in the occasional wake.
George and I made the decision to turn our phones off prior to entering Canada. I rarely use mine and even though I just bought one for personal use, I never hear it. (That's a story for another day). So, here we are in the ferry, me sitting at our booth, George off making friends. The second year we went on a trip we traveled by a river called Hunptulips. I was intrigued and discovered that it was Native American word loosely defined as one who is having a difficult day poling the river. Today was a Humptulips kind of day for me. I spend a lot of time avoiding my thoughts, working, talking, playing computer games, reading, talking. And here I was without the means to talk ( I love George to pieces, but he does not talk), to my sister or a friend and the tears started to flow. Well, trickle. Okay, there were a couple. George would come back every now and then and see my funk and go meet another friend. It was cathartic.
Victoria. When I moved to California I was 9 and my dad took my sisters and me to Disneyland. As we drove through an ugly industrial area I kept wondering where the pink clouds were. Yeah, it was kind of like that. So the speed limit is 90 km. there is one sign on the island that says 55=90. Then the speed limit is always 80, only everyone is going 100.
After some inappropriate American language usage we located the uppity hotel I booked for two nights. Unbelievable place. We feel like the Folsom hillbillys. We decide to do some gift shopping and get lunch, another bad decision, and ride for an hour to end up in a neighborhood five minutes from our hotel. We then go to the downtown area which ends with George having a tiny little melt down and a sweet stranger telling us how to get back. This is what comes of having no phone, no GPS, and leaving the good old USA! OK. The truth is we could not figure out what the big deal was about Victoria. Maybe we missed something?
Tomorrow - who knows?
George and I made the decision to turn our phones off prior to entering Canada. I rarely use mine and even though I just bought one for personal use, I never hear it. (That's a story for another day). So, here we are in the ferry, me sitting at our booth, George off making friends. The second year we went on a trip we traveled by a river called Hunptulips. I was intrigued and discovered that it was Native American word loosely defined as one who is having a difficult day poling the river. Today was a Humptulips kind of day for me. I spend a lot of time avoiding my thoughts, working, talking, playing computer games, reading, talking. And here I was without the means to talk ( I love George to pieces, but he does not talk), to my sister or a friend and the tears started to flow. Well, trickle. Okay, there were a couple. George would come back every now and then and see my funk and go meet another friend. It was cathartic.
Victoria. When I moved to California I was 9 and my dad took my sisters and me to Disneyland. As we drove through an ugly industrial area I kept wondering where the pink clouds were. Yeah, it was kind of like that. So the speed limit is 90 km. there is one sign on the island that says 55=90. Then the speed limit is always 80, only everyone is going 100.
After some inappropriate American language usage we located the uppity hotel I booked for two nights. Unbelievable place. We feel like the Folsom hillbillys. We decide to do some gift shopping and get lunch, another bad decision, and ride for an hour to end up in a neighborhood five minutes from our hotel. We then go to the downtown area which ends with George having a tiny little melt down and a sweet stranger telling us how to get back. This is what comes of having no phone, no GPS, and leaving the good old USA! OK. The truth is we could not figure out what the big deal was about Victoria. Maybe we missed something?
Tomorrow - who knows?
Monday, August 25, 2014
Chuck Norris is the Man
I love our mornings. Today at 5:30am George is up and and tooling around so I decide to read. I offer to get up too, to which George replies "No, just relax." At 6:00 am the same man walks in and looks at me, relaxing, and says, "You're not ready?" Everyday we are the only motorcycle on the road at the crack of dawn with two people and luggage. Everyone else is waiting for the ice to melt on their windshields. Then as we are cruising along at 70 miles an hour and George spots something interesting, he asks me if I got a picture. Really?
George has friends everywhere. There are people he has known for years through business who have become trusted friends. One of them is Ed. Ed lives in Washington with his wife, Gretchen, and their three children. We arrived at their lovely home after about five hours on the bike and were treated to a great lunch. Of course when I took my helmet off the first thing Ed wanted to know was where I kept my halo. This is a theme whenever I meet anyone from George's world. They all think I'm a saint or an angel. I should be worried. Anyway, their backyard is immense. They share the yard with a neighbor and agreed not to put a fence up so the children could play together. Robert Frost would be pleased.
Despite some early morning chill, today's ride was outstanding. We rode by a hot air balloon fest. There must have been 30-40 balloons. The traffic through Seattle is always an issue, but looking at the bridges and skyline full of buildings helps pass the time. We finally arrived in Anacortes and located our wonderful inn. The Sunrise Villa Inn and Suites. Our room was 201. There are two buildings and we were located in the main one. I walked down a hall searching for the room, went outside, noticed the rooms were all numbered 102, 103, etc. So I went back down the hall, up the stairs, and, found more rooms numbered 105, 106, etc. By this time I am a sweaty pig, I am thirsty, and I am carrying 30 pounds of stuff around. Occasionally I hear George yelling from where he is unloading the bike, "Have you found the room yet?" In a last act of desperation I recall some odd directions about a room out the door and head back down the $&@$&@ hallway. This time I take a
left and there in the middle of nowhere is our wonderful room! Truly, we loved this place. One more
thing. ...the ice machine was in the other building! It was too funny. But the room was perfect.
We were exhausted after a long, long, long ride, and a walk around the town, and eating pizza, so we were both totally excited to watch our hero Chuck Norris in Braddock Missing In Action Three. Go Braddock!!!
Tomorrow we sail for Canada.
left and there in the middle of nowhere is our wonderful room! Truly, we loved this place. One more
thing. ...the ice machine was in the other building! It was too funny. But the room was perfect.
We were exhausted after a long, long, long ride, and a walk around the town, and eating pizza, so we were both totally excited to watch our hero Chuck Norris in Braddock Missing In Action Three. Go Braddock!!!
Tomorrow we sail for Canada.
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Not All Ducks Quack
Redding is an not an interesting city and that is only if I am being really generous and polite. The only point of interest is the Sundial Bridge-which is quite awesome. Unfortunately we did not get to see it this trip. We did see the back of Redding before the sun woke up because George had been up since 4:00 checking his mini Ipad to see if he left an out of the office message. So, after that sleeping seemed redundant. We froze our way through the beautiful mountains, and the truly wide open spaces. We had a yummy breakfast in Weed, a tiny town that has capitalized on its name. George's dad lived there until his dad passed away when he was twelve. You can buy just about anything in Weed that celebrates pot.
The ride was lovely. I thought of so many ideas I wanted to write about. How I used to dream about singing, and how I realized today that the world sings to me and I often find myself embraced by the colors, rhythms, and sounds. That is part of the magic of traveling on a motorcycle. You feel everything.
We arrived in Eugene and set off on a walk to see if George could rediscover his years as a Duck. He was able to locate his dorm and the library, which to my astonishment he said he used. (George's years as a Duck played a lot like the movie Dazed and Confused.) Beautiful campus, lots of work being done for future Ducklings, and the weather is fabulous. The reason George left after two years was the constant rain and fog. It's hard to imagine as it is so lovely now.
Tomorrow we are going to visit with a friend of George's and then head to Anacortes.
The ride was lovely. I thought of so many ideas I wanted to write about. How I used to dream about singing, and how I realized today that the world sings to me and I often find myself embraced by the colors, rhythms, and sounds. That is part of the magic of traveling on a motorcycle. You feel everything.
We arrived in Eugene and set off on a walk to see if George could rediscover his years as a Duck. He was able to locate his dorm and the library, which to my astonishment he said he used. (George's years as a Duck played a lot like the movie Dazed and Confused.) Beautiful campus, lots of work being done for future Ducklings, and the weather is fabulous. The reason George left after two years was the constant rain and fog. It's hard to imagine as it is so lovely now.
Tomorrow we are going to visit with a friend of George's and then head to Anacortes.
Jelly's Belly
So the trip begins. The house was sorted out, the animals tucked in, and the bike was fully loaded. Once we were on the road familiar feelings returned, the delight of a brand new adventure, the comfort in being so close to George, the endless possibilities on the road ahead. I hold tight to George and we begin the journey toward Canada with great anticipation.
When we get a new dog or cat I am going to name him/her Jelly. Super name. Rolls right off your tongue. JellyJellyJelly. I love it.
Tomorrow Eugene. Jenson
When we get a new dog or cat I am going to name him/her Jelly. Super name. Rolls right off your tongue. JellyJellyJelly. I love it.
Tomorrow Eugene. Jenson
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Bears In Prison
The journey this year has been surprisingly challenging to plan. There were the usual issues of where to go, why didn't we (me) lose more weight (any) and the chronic back problems. And then there was the passport......I was born in Kansas to a Texan mother and a New York father. I was the last of four daughters and my parents named me after my Texas grandmother and a Texan aunt. Virginia Vesta. Somewhere along the line my sister, Karen, nicknamed me Jenson and the rest is history. Until I needed a passport. It appeared I would have to legally change my name, or change all of my documents to reflect my birth name. What I discovered was that I did not want to give away the name my parents, I hope lovingly, picked out for me so many years ago. It is really all I have of them. I was lucky, it turned out it was unnecessary to make any changes. I am now the proud owner of a passport and I cannot wait to fill that baby up!
When I was looking for ideas to name this blog I went onto a site with cute facts about Canada. In one town everyone leaves their keys in their cars in case someone gets chased by a bear and needs to jump into a car and make a quick get away. There are also jails for bears who steal food!
So, George and I will be leaving Friday. See you on the road...again. Jenson
When I was looking for ideas to name this blog I went onto a site with cute facts about Canada. In one town everyone leaves their keys in their cars in case someone gets chased by a bear and needs to jump into a car and make a quick get away. There are also jails for bears who steal food!
So, George and I will be leaving Friday. See you on the road...again. Jenson
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