A blog of food, travel, rescue dogs & creativity from a young-at-heart baby boomer.
“Nowhere else has a large and beautiful and in every way wonderful section of the ancient …forests been discovered, and after it is cared for by the Nation and made easily accessible, it will, I am sure, become one of the most attractive and famous places in all our Western Wonderland.” ~ John Muir (Sept. 12, 1906)
Continue reading “Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona”
We started our Christmas journey in heavy rain. Although not conducive to picture-taking, the steady rain made a valiant attempt to green up the landscape. We were pushing hard to get as many miles into our trip while dodging snowstorms and severe thunderstorms. Chester, the moose, helped navigate our way!
For several years, I had been scouring RV Trader and Craigslist for a used Roadtrek 190 Class B camping van. I’d love to buy new but that was way above our budget. Fortunately, a little over a year ago I found one in our price range, with low-mileage and in great condition. Bonus – it was located in the Midwest. After a little negotiation, we were able to purchase our Roadtrek.
I’m infatuated with Mt. Rainer. Everyday when I’m in Washington, I’m looking to see if the “mountain is out.” When it is out – it’s awe-inspiring. The magnificent grandeur, majesty, and splendor never cease to capture-my-breath with each day this towering monticle is visible. When I fly home, I twist in my seat until the mountain-view finally fades from sight. That’s how it was when I flew home this week. I’m always torn between staying in the PNW that I love, and my homeland of birth.
Continue reading “Goodbye Pacific Northwest — Hello Midwest”
My next adventure was off to see Whistler, Canada with my son and his family. Whistler was the location of the Nordic events during the 2010 Winter Olympics. The weather was gorgeous so mountain views were abundant on our drive from Seattle all the way through to Whistler. I was like a kid in a candy shop looking at all the amazing eye-candy in every direction!
Day two of our adventure begins! Portland is famous for their variety of eateries and we took full advantage of that fact. We started out the morning at Bushel & Peck, a quaint little bakeshop stuffed with tasty morsels and decorated with a cool collection of antiques.
I had a super yummy gluten-free quiche with a hot almond, chai tea latte.
I’ve always wanted to visit Portland, Oregon. Perhaps it was the quest to return to the era of the hippies during the 60s and early 70s that I associate with Portland. Growing up in the country, graduating class of 40 students, in the center of the Midwest, I was really only exposed to that culture through the news channel on TV. 
If I’d lived on the West coast, I probably would have been one of the ones up in the trees to keep them from being cut down or to save the nesting area of the spotted owl. I wore the hip-hugging bell bottom jeans, muslin smock tops, long beads. We heated our house solely with wood and made a stab at “living off the land.” (I was really glad a grocery store was only 10 miles away or I probably would have starved to death.) I did, and continue to, make most of our meals from scratch. I was against the war and listened in horror each night as the number of soldiers killed was reported on the news. That’s about my extend of the “hippie movement.”
While visiting my daughter in Washington this weekend, she asked if I wanted to explore Portland and the Columbia Gorge. Heck yes! By the time we drove down Saturday and had to return Sunday, we had about 24 hours. Boy did we pack each minute! Here’s our amazing journey. We have also decided to make an annual “Girls Weekend in Portland.”
With the forecast for Saturday as “off and on rain,” we decided to save our waterfall viewing and hiking for Sunday. Our first stop was to the famous NW 23rd Avenue.
Continue reading “24 Hours in Portland – Day 1”
With temperatures next week to soar in the 90’s and humidity levels almost as high, Charlie and I took advantage of today’s gorgeous, tepid weather to head to the lake for our daily walk.
Charlie pranced as we set out on our walk. She glanced up at me and gave me her heart-melting golden retriever grin. She LOVES going on walks! We started off visiting with the dancing mallard ducks watching them maintain a steady stream of quacking conversation and then continued around the winding path.We stopped to soak in the beauty of a few on the wildflowers before Charlie’s first of three chances to swim.
Continue reading “Dog days of Summer”