Here is the key flaw: Anytime you use the sink and therefore get your hands wet, you will need to dry your hands. Right? In the newer Hamptons the only place to hang up a towel is on the wall beside the shower, where there are plenty of towel racks. But none by the sink 12 feet away, and none by the sink 30 feet away.
One wonders if the Hampton Inn execs every stay in one of their suites.
As we were filling up in West Covina prior to returning to Tucson, we spotted this sign in the gas station. One has to wonder how they do on reading the brake repair manuals, given they can't spell the word correctly.
We spent a week on Orcas island, and it was a delightful getaway, if chilly. A nice flight to Seattle, then we took the 405 around Seattle, a big time saver. It’s fun to hang around at the Anacortes landing waiting for the ferry.
Cascade Harbor Inn has great views of Rosario Bay and the boats, and there are several nice places for walks. I had two routes through the forest, both steep, and it was fun, especially with the tame deer hanging around. We made a movie for the grandkids, to keep in touch with them.
We all four dinners at the Inn at Ship Bay, and each time they prepared the salmon as we wanted it. The corn poppies were so pretty, and I drooled over the peonies. They have been a favorite of mine for years. Luke tosses the salmon offal over the bluff to draw the buzzards and eagles, assisted by his dog Reveille.
With sadness, Vicki had to pack, and we came back to 111° F heat, and responsibilities, until next year.
The poor Grand Canyon is full of smoke from the California wildfires. I'm glad I'm not hiking the canyon this week. My California in-laws are staying inside until the air clears.
We went over to Los Angeles to visit Vicki's family, tour restaurants, and relax. Vicki's mom is a gracious lady and it is always a pleasure to escort her to a nice restaurant.
The bonus was the Jacaranda trees in full, gorgeous bloom. We have a few in Tucson, but they were badly browned by the deep freeze we had so there are no blooms. West Covina, where we stayed, has a profusion of the trees and they are a spectacular sight.
In Tucson we have the Palo Verde trees, which cover the valley in yellow blooms in the spring, and they are also gorgeous.
Durango, Colorado, was a nice break from the heat in Tucson. We spent most of the time on the balcony of the Doubletree, watching the water go past in the Animas River (we live in the desert, so this is a major change in scenery for us). Every morning I'd walk to the train station and watch the Durango-Silverton train depart. There's just something about being a kid again and watching the train.
The columbines were so pretty, as were the tulips, and this time the lilacs were in bloom.
Durango is where the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory started, and yes, we indulged. We couldn't resist. The enticing odor wafts down the street, so you can't miss it.
The old smelter across the river has been cleaned up and turned into the biggest and best dog park you can imagine. It has to be at least ten acres of fun, plus a nice river to jump in if the dog is so inclined, and many are.
Our favorite upscale restaurant is the Red Snapper, with several large aquariums, good food, and an attentive staff. It's nice to sit there and chat with your snoogy bears.
For English teachers everywhere, this was the sign in the Doubletree gym.
We went over to California to visit Vicki's family, and relax. We try to have one breakfast at Bailey's, usually eggs, bacon and grits for me, and blueberry pancakes for Vicki and her mom. We normally eat carefully, so this is our treat, and it is good.
We stay in the Hampton, around the corner from Bridgecreek, and Bailey's, in the suite, which is twice normal size and well worth it. But, this time the people in #118 next to us were awful, slamming the door until midnight, and smoking in the room (it is a non-smoking floor). They wouldn't stop, and eventually the police were called. We had one good night's sleep out of four. Not a good score.
We ate one night at the Pomona Mining Company, a place way up on a hill overlooking the freeway and Pomona. Good food, pretty views of Pomona at night, and a nice family meal together with Vicki's sister Judy, niece Heather, and mom Geri.
Every trip I wonder when this backyard is going to slide downhill, but it remains untouched.
We had a pleasant surprise in Blythe, California. While most gas stations were charging $3 per gallon, the ARCO station was $2.29 both times we stopped. Why would anyone buy gas for $3.09 at Texaco when ARCO is across the street and 80 cents cheaper?
No, we aren't there. This is Niagara Falls in winter, facing Goat Island on the American side. That is a great place to wander in the summer because you can walk within feet of the edge of the falls.
We are warm weather travellers. Kauai, for example. We do like to go to chilly places in the summer when it is beastly hot in Tucson, but chilly is our limit.
My really cold adventures are by way of webcams, and some of them are so interesting. This is a couple sitting on a bench with their child at sunset, waiting for Old Faithful Geyser, and here is Mount Rainier NP. Now that's pretty.
Last week was our 18th wedding anniversary, but for the first time we weren't together. These are the flowers I had ready for Vicki when she got back last night.
Vicki was in the Dominican Republic in a tour group visiting the children she sponsors through Compassion International. My wonderful wife sponsors four children around the world, and has persuaded other sponsors to provide for 146 impoverished children. These are her two girls in the DR, Maria and Denisse. The DR is a pretty country and has a decent economy, but much of the country is poor, with a dilapidated infrastructure. This is a home in one of the villages they visited.
We flew to Maine to visit daughter Cathy and her family. Vicki arranged for upgrades on United to business class, and most of the flights were luxurious. The seats leaned back almost flat and still weren't near the next row. Individual entertainment centers, hot towels before meals, beverages on demand. I could get used to this comfort really fast.
We stayed at Samoset resort, and dined with Cathy and Jeff at Marcel's 4-star restaurant. Some rain, foggy one day, and gorgeous the next. I walked way out on the granite breakwater to the lighthouse.
They live near Appleton, way out in the woods, on Fishtown Road. The area was settled by the Fish family, and we visited their cemetery. Cathy warned us to be careful of the ducks that camp out in the road but we also had to stop for the wild turkeys.
P (Cassie) takes riding lessons, and she is by far the youngest at 4-years-old. P and Ethan have a big play room in the basement. They have a nice garden at the side of the house, and two big Belgian horses next door. They also own 60-acres around the corner which they are clearing for a new house. The land is so pretty and peaceful, a perfect place to raise kids.
They have two dogs: Ace (on the right) is a runner and has to be watched, but Dodge, a 115 lb. mastiff/pit bull mix, is a cuddler and has no intention of ever leaving. He patrols the house at night, going from room to room to make sure everyone is safe. He also cleans dishes. They also have a new addition of a mother cat and two kittens, all FIV positive (similar to HIV in humans) and destined to be euthanized until Cathy rescued them. Tinkerbell is the mom, and Ariel and Rose are the kittens.
The leaves were just turning, with some trees spectacular. All the stores had their winter mums on display, and they were gorgeous. I also got to see milkweed for the first time in 50 years. When I was a kid we used to collect the dry pods and paint them for decorations.
Land surveyor, devoted husband, and the animals think I'm wonderful.
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