Monday, July 23, 2012
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Day 1, a different type of cruising
Today Rich and I are experiencing a different type of cruising. Instead of being on the water we are in the air. We are flying to Oshkosh, Wisconsin to attend the air show. Doug is a partner of a Rockwell Commander 4-seat airplane and he is flying us there.
This morning we arrived at Bremerton airport at 7:15 am. We packed our gear, pulled the plane out of the hanger and prepared. The hanger is a bit of a man cave, complete with a couch, rugs, a small refrigerator, pictures on the wall, tools, etc. Once we were packed and the preflight completed we got in and taxied out. Rich is in the left seat, Doug in the right and I am behind Doug, as flight attendant and backseat pilot (oops).
At 8:14 am we were wheels up climbing to 5000 feet as we went over Puget Sound and then over SeaTac airport. As we continued east towards Ellensburg, we climbed to 9000 ft and up over the clouds. After a while we were able to see the top portion of Mt. Rainier.
So far it is a little like cruising on the water. You need to coordinate with the authorities on the radio and keep track of your progress toward the waypoints. Weather is a factor as well and so far we have been blessed with sun and smooth air. We have also had very little traffic as well. As the plane has an engine we are able to motor directly on our course, just as we would on Windarra on a wind less day.
At the airport in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, we stopped to fuel up at the self serve fuel station, very similar to a self serve gas station. It was a good opportunity for a bathroom break at the 'honey bucket' nearby. After fueling, we pushed the plane over to the side so it was out of the way and sat on the grass and had our sandwiches.
Soon we were back in the air again, heading to Bozeman, Montana. Doug moved to the left seat, Rich to the back seat and I sat in the right seat. After we were back at 9500 ft and on our course, Doug gave me a flight lesson. When you are sailing, you are moving in two dimensions excluding the rise and fall of the boat on the sea. In the air, you have to worry about your position in 3 dimensions. It was fun but a little intense after a while. We diverted around some storm clouds near Yellowstone, a good idea especially after we saw some lightening and virga, or rain that does not hit the surface. We could see farm circles, cars moving on the highways and long trains following the tracks. Here and there would be farms and towns. It is a view that not many of us get to see and we enjoyed every bit of it.
At just after 2:00 pm, we landed at the airport in Bozeman, Montana and taxied to our assigned spot. An attendant came out and helped us unload the luggage and secure the plane. A shuttle from the hotel came to pick us up. After settling in we went for dinner even though it was only 4:00 pm.
It has been a long day but full of new experiences and sites. Tomorrow we continue eastward.
Sent from SV Windarra iPad
This morning we arrived at Bremerton airport at 7:15 am. We packed our gear, pulled the plane out of the hanger and prepared. The hanger is a bit of a man cave, complete with a couch, rugs, a small refrigerator, pictures on the wall, tools, etc. Once we were packed and the preflight completed we got in and taxied out. Rich is in the left seat, Doug in the right and I am behind Doug, as flight attendant and backseat pilot (oops).
At 8:14 am we were wheels up climbing to 5000 feet as we went over Puget Sound and then over SeaTac airport. As we continued east towards Ellensburg, we climbed to 9000 ft and up over the clouds. After a while we were able to see the top portion of Mt. Rainier.
So far it is a little like cruising on the water. You need to coordinate with the authorities on the radio and keep track of your progress toward the waypoints. Weather is a factor as well and so far we have been blessed with sun and smooth air. We have also had very little traffic as well. As the plane has an engine we are able to motor directly on our course, just as we would on Windarra on a wind less day.
At the airport in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, we stopped to fuel up at the self serve fuel station, very similar to a self serve gas station. It was a good opportunity for a bathroom break at the 'honey bucket' nearby. After fueling, we pushed the plane over to the side so it was out of the way and sat on the grass and had our sandwiches.
Soon we were back in the air again, heading to Bozeman, Montana. Doug moved to the left seat, Rich to the back seat and I sat in the right seat. After we were back at 9500 ft and on our course, Doug gave me a flight lesson. When you are sailing, you are moving in two dimensions excluding the rise and fall of the boat on the sea. In the air, you have to worry about your position in 3 dimensions. It was fun but a little intense after a while. We diverted around some storm clouds near Yellowstone, a good idea especially after we saw some lightening and virga, or rain that does not hit the surface. We could see farm circles, cars moving on the highways and long trains following the tracks. Here and there would be farms and towns. It is a view that not many of us get to see and we enjoyed every bit of it.
At just after 2:00 pm, we landed at the airport in Bozeman, Montana and taxied to our assigned spot. An attendant came out and helped us unload the luggage and secure the plane. A shuttle from the hotel came to pick us up. After settling in we went for dinner even though it was only 4:00 pm.
It has been a long day but full of new experiences and sites. Tomorrow we continue eastward.
Sent from SV Windarra iPad
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Americana - 4th of July parade
On
July 3 my cousin Bari and her husband Bob came to visit us on their return to
Vancouver, B.C. after attending a Bar Mitzvah at Sun Valley, Idaho. We invited
them to join us along with Doug and Nancy to see the 4th of July
parade through ‘downtown’ Bainbridge Island. Attending this parade was a first
for us as well but Doug and Nancy assured us it was a fun happening, and indeed
it was. It was also the first time that my Canadian relatives got a chance to
experience a true piece of Americana and the Bainbridge Island 4th
of July parade fulfilled the expectation. A parade like this was not only a
chance for kids and dogs to be part of a larger celebration but for adults to
wave at neighbors and businesses to show how they are part of the community
just as the celebration we saw in La Cruz but it was different in only the way
that folks in the United States are different. I can’t put it in words exactly
and I am sure my pictures don’t capture it either.
Bari, Rich and Doug watch the parade. We were able to have margaritas from San Carlos restaurant as we waited for the parade to start.
All parades must have a marching band or two or three or ... This was the Olympia Highlanders
This octopus even had sunglasses since it was a nice sunny day.
At first I did not understand the significance of bread, a toaster, small pads of butter and folks carrying large jars of jam. This is representing the Blackbird Bakery that specializes in a great piece of toast.
The two dogs in the sidecar were having a great time
The Intensely Vigorous Revolutionary Volunteer Dixieland Band
Bob and Rich watch the parade as it turned the corner and went up Winslow Way toward the ferry dock
No sunny day on Bainbridge Island is complete without a chance to see Mt Rainier
Monday, July 2, 2012
I feel like dancing...
Rich is definitely feeling better.
On June 27, he went in to have two stents put in the backside of his heart. The procedure was similar to his previous angiograms but instead of going in through the groin, they went in through his left wrist. The procedure took just under two hours. The cardiologist found plaque build up at three locations and used two stents to open these up. The stents are medicated to help prevent a reoccurrence of plaque. Rich was returned to the cardiac care unit with a pressurized cuff around his wrist and ready for dinner as he had not eaten since 8 in the morning. A health appetite is a good sign.
Today was his first day back on the treadmill and lifting weights. He said he was a little less winded at the end of his treadmill workout, another good sign.
In the next few months we will monitor and of course check back with the doctors before we return to Mexico. At this point we are very encouraged.
Our son, Jesse and our daughter-in-law. Rae, came up on the train and spent the past weekend with us. It was good to catch up on what they are doing. They also went through some of the camping gear from our storage unit and some boxes of Jesse's things. The downsizing continues.
On June 27, he went in to have two stents put in the backside of his heart. The procedure was similar to his previous angiograms but instead of going in through the groin, they went in through his left wrist. The procedure took just under two hours. The cardiologist found plaque build up at three locations and used two stents to open these up. The stents are medicated to help prevent a reoccurrence of plaque. Rich was returned to the cardiac care unit with a pressurized cuff around his wrist and ready for dinner as he had not eaten since 8 in the morning. A health appetite is a good sign.
Today was his first day back on the treadmill and lifting weights. He said he was a little less winded at the end of his treadmill workout, another good sign.
In the next few months we will monitor and of course check back with the doctors before we return to Mexico. At this point we are very encouraged.
Our son, Jesse and our daughter-in-law. Rae, came up on the train and spent the past weekend with us. It was good to catch up on what they are doing. They also went through some of the camping gear from our storage unit and some boxes of Jesse's things. The downsizing continues.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Wining and Dining
At 1:00 pm, a stretch Hummer limousine drove up to the Birchfield Manor and 7 couples piled in, including Rich and I. I can count on one hand the number of times I have been in a limousine and in a Hummer. The door is in the back end and we either had to bend way over or crawl on your hands and knees (most of us were doing this at the end of the trip) to get to the seats in the front. The interior was generously appointed with places for wine bottles (cases went in the very back), plus a supply of wine glasses. We weren't driving so we could sample in between sampling.
If you have an iPhone or Android, you can use your QR reader and scan a code from the "Yakima Valley Grown to Greatness" guide to the valley wineries. You can read more about these wineries at www.yakima.mobilewinetour.com.
Todd, our chauffeur for the afternoon, took us to five wineries.
Our first stop was Masset Winery "located amongst beautiful orchards in the Rattlesnake Hills". Tastings are housed in an historic 1905 French inspired farmstead and by appointment only. Indeed we passed many pear and cherry trees on our way. We tasted a mixture of white and red wines. My preference is for white and I enjoyed the un-oaked Chardonnay and the Le Petit Blanc with a taste of green apple. Yummy. There was also a small calico cat that has the run of the tasting room and received many pets from Nancy and myself.
The next stop was Cultura Winery. This was voted the best by our group. Many purchases were made of various red wines. We bought 2 bottles of Merlot. The couple who own and run the winery were very friendly and engaging. If you like horseback riding, you can stay at a BB&B, bed, breakfast and barn, and visit different wineries on horseback including a lunch and tasting stop at Cultura.
The third winery was Silver Lake, more of a large production winery as opposed to the first two which were small boutique style. The person pouring was a little out of sorts and not very friendly as the 14 of us stepped in for tastings. The Girly Girl Chardonnay was okay but nothing to write home about other than the name.
Two Mountain Winery made up for the previous stop. We purchased another Merlot and some dark chocolate, an excellent combination which we all drank and nibbled on in the limo as we rode to our last stop. The two mountains the winery is named for are Mt Adams and Mt Rainier which you can see in the distance from just outside the tasting room.
Our final stop before returning to the Manor, was Hyatt Winery. We purchased a bottle for Riesling and some delicious Bing cherries. I was more excited about the cherries than the wine but the white is a decent table wine.
We returned to the Manor and relaxed before dinner. All 16 of us, some friends of Doug and Nancy's who live in the valley joined us for dinner, sat by the pool and relaxed before dinner. Doug showed us slight of hand trick with two corks that some of us tried to master but unsuccessfully.
Dinner was excellent. We enjoyed fresh baked bread, either cheddar cheese bread or caraway seed baguette, beef and mushroom soup followed by a choice of entrées. The entree choices were salmon in puffed pastry, filet mignon (my choice), rack of lamb (Rich's choice), steak Diane, or prawn and shrimp cakes. Dessert choices were brownie with a small creme brûlée or a cream Josephine with a raspberry coulis. Rich had the later and I chose the former and we shared. Both were great. To top off the evening was a sample of handmade Belgian chocolate, made on the premises.
Monday was definitely a gastronomic delight. Tuesday we drove home in the rain. The crawl space of the guest house we are staying at is being resealed. They started working on Monday and were still busy when we returned. So Rich and I opted to go see a movie and avoid the mess.
Sent from SV Windarra iPad
If you have an iPhone or Android, you can use your QR reader and scan a code from the "Yakima Valley Grown to Greatness" guide to the valley wineries. You can read more about these wineries at www.yakima.mobilewinetour.com.
Todd, our chauffeur for the afternoon, took us to five wineries.
Our first stop was Masset Winery "located amongst beautiful orchards in the Rattlesnake Hills". Tastings are housed in an historic 1905 French inspired farmstead and by appointment only. Indeed we passed many pear and cherry trees on our way. We tasted a mixture of white and red wines. My preference is for white and I enjoyed the un-oaked Chardonnay and the Le Petit Blanc with a taste of green apple. Yummy. There was also a small calico cat that has the run of the tasting room and received many pets from Nancy and myself.
The next stop was Cultura Winery. This was voted the best by our group. Many purchases were made of various red wines. We bought 2 bottles of Merlot. The couple who own and run the winery were very friendly and engaging. If you like horseback riding, you can stay at a BB&B, bed, breakfast and barn, and visit different wineries on horseback including a lunch and tasting stop at Cultura.
The third winery was Silver Lake, more of a large production winery as opposed to the first two which were small boutique style. The person pouring was a little out of sorts and not very friendly as the 14 of us stepped in for tastings. The Girly Girl Chardonnay was okay but nothing to write home about other than the name.
Two Mountain Winery made up for the previous stop. We purchased another Merlot and some dark chocolate, an excellent combination which we all drank and nibbled on in the limo as we rode to our last stop. The two mountains the winery is named for are Mt Adams and Mt Rainier which you can see in the distance from just outside the tasting room.
Our final stop before returning to the Manor, was Hyatt Winery. We purchased a bottle for Riesling and some delicious Bing cherries. I was more excited about the cherries than the wine but the white is a decent table wine.
We returned to the Manor and relaxed before dinner. All 16 of us, some friends of Doug and Nancy's who live in the valley joined us for dinner, sat by the pool and relaxed before dinner. Doug showed us slight of hand trick with two corks that some of us tried to master but unsuccessfully.
Dinner was excellent. We enjoyed fresh baked bread, either cheddar cheese bread or caraway seed baguette, beef and mushroom soup followed by a choice of entrées. The entree choices were salmon in puffed pastry, filet mignon (my choice), rack of lamb (Rich's choice), steak Diane, or prawn and shrimp cakes. Dessert choices were brownie with a small creme brûlée or a cream Josephine with a raspberry coulis. Rich had the later and I chose the former and we shared. Both were great. To top off the evening was a sample of handmade Belgian chocolate, made on the premises.
Monday was definitely a gastronomic delight. Tuesday we drove home in the rain. The crawl space of the guest house we are staying at is being resealed. They started working on Monday and were still busy when we returned. So Rich and I opted to go see a movie and avoid the mess.
Sent from SV Windarra iPad
Monday, June 25, 2012
A trip to Yakima
Yesterday, morning we caught the 10:25 am ferry from Bainbridge Island to Seattle and then on to Interstate 90 for a drive over to Yakima in eastern Washington. The weather was 'clearing', a weaselly expression meaning it was still cloudy and overcast but that the sun was starting to peak through in places. After we crossed Snoqualmie Pass, the sun was shining and you could see blue skies between the puffy white clouds. We met Doug and Nancy at the Yakima airport. They had flown in from Euphrata, where they had been judging an aerobatic competition. We drove to the Birchfield Manor where we are staying as we join 6 other couples to do some wine tasting on Monday before heading back to Seattle on Tuesday.
Rich and I realized it has been a long time since we were in eastern Washington. The last time may have been in 2003. I guess when you live on a boat, you don't go inland as much.
The Birchfield Manor includes a restored old home and a cottage house with nice accommodations including restored antiques. Our rooms has a large window seat and a private bath with a shower. It is named the Victoria. Other rooms with such names as Jenny, Anne, Elizabeth and Allison, vary in the size and amenities.
Last night several of us had a hankering for pie so we drove to the nearest Shari's restaurant for some cherry pie. Very delicious.
This morning we enjoyed breakfast in the large dining room. We have some time to relax, read and enjoy a little sun before the limousine pick us up this afternoon and takes us to several wineries to do some tasting. In the evening we will have dinner back at the manor.
Perhaps we will have a few bottles to add to our wine cellar in the bilge.
Sent from SV Windarra iPad
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)