HurricaneMaine

Washington mountains and Oregon beaches

From Seattle, travels led me to Rainier. Beautiful driving and only a little hiking. And yes you can see Rainier from everywhere!

Sad there was no Sasquatch but definitely saw bear skat on the trail.

I made friends with this beautiful black squirrel. He chirped at me and stood and stared. He was a great conversationalist and was there to greet me on my return trip back.

From Rainier I headed to the Oregon coast to check out the towns along the coastline. Along the way, I could have stopped to see Mt St Helens, but I was not sure how far out of the way it was. The day before and that day was longer drives. I’ll come back again. Washington is definitely beautiful (Montana is too as Becca and her Ryan is now living there.)

My first stop was Pacific City. Really small town and a great place to relax.

From Pacific city, my next hotel was in Seaside. This gave me enough time to take the coastal loop along the Oregon coast.

Cape Kiwanda

The water is very cool so at low tide one can walk in the tidal pools along the beach. Ok, It is still really cold but nice nonetheless.

Cape Lookout

Cape Meares

Octopus tree. The forces that made this happen were either natural or from Indians bending branches for direction pointing and navigation.

After the Capes I stopped in Tillamook at a creamery and had huckleberry ice cream.

I stayed over in Sunset Beach. Not a quiet beach, but not the busiest either. I visited a small aquarium that is family owned. The reviews looked good and the animals looked will cared for. You could feed the sea lions with fresh fish which was fun.

I stopped for a moment in Long Beach. The world’s longest beach but not much to see….

Later I saw a sign for oyster shooters. I had to stop.

Skokomish and Olympic national Park. One of the better places I stayed at was Waterfront at Potlatch. Right on the Hood Canal, and close to the staircase entrance of Olympic national Park.

Hike in Olympic.

Very large Western red cedar with 14′ diameter.

Difficult to see but there is a lot of moss on the trees due to the temperature rainforest.

Bremerton and the Seattle ferry. This is a much better way to get back to Seattle than going the highways. So easy and quite a bit of fun.

You can see Rainer in the center of the picture.

Now to get back to PA and pack for Ecuador…..

Seattle

2 days in Seattle and so much to choose from. Of course one needs to see the space needle which was erected in 1962 fire the world fair and at the height of the space race. The space needle was fun to go up in and see the city. Not usually something that I do but the history of it and seeing the city was spectacular.

Picture they took as we entered and could choose the backgrounds for each.

We also visited the Chihuly Garden and Glass to view a master glass artist’s creations. So incredible what he did with glass to create such large installations.

This was on the ceiling and the light cast shadows into the corners of the room.

On the way back to the hotel so Sunni could get ready for her flight, we had to pass a parade. Fun! It was pretty long but we were able to watch more of it on the the TV in the room.

Alaska airlines was fun to watch as they danced.

What to do in Seattle? There is a lot but I really did not plan and was happy to do some shopping (I had yet found a pair of jeans I was happy with and each region of the country has slightly different offerings). I also wanted to walk along the water and see some of the sights

Sculpture in the Olympic sculpture park.

Not a distorted face (with a seagull on top).

I passed pier 62 and noticed they had a free Zumba class at the end of the pier. Such fun!

Of course the aquarium was pretty amazing. Next to pier 62, it is along the water so fresh salt water is used for the exhibits.

Sea anemones. I love how when you stick your finger between the spines they hug your finger.

And the trip would not be complete without going to Pike Place Market to get something to eat and watch for flying fish.

This guy would put money in the mouth of a fish and they would toss it back and forth. The money never fell out of the fish. Quite the show!

The weirdest thing was the Gum Wall at Pike Place Market. There are so many used pieces of bubble gum dripping along all sides….

It smells like gum and is a bit disgusting.

Ketchikan, Alaska and Victoria, British Columbia and back to Seattle.

Ketchikan is known for its salmon fishing and native Indian population. It is surrounded by the Tongass National Forest.

Victoria, British Columbia was different as the architecture looked quite British. It was a good opportunity to get off the ship and walk around for about an hour.

The next morning we docked back in Seattle. Plans for the day are to leave the ship, get a rental car, and visit the space needle.

Skagway and Glacier Bay National Park

Skagway is one of the first mining towns in Alaska and still looks like it did in 1898. It is at the top of the inner passage inside Alaska. Lots of stores selling gems and a few other things to do and see.

White Pass Scenic Railway

The railway goes through the Tongans National Forest. The views were really pretty and we entered just briefly into British Columbia.

Good thing girls with two legs could use the bathroom also.

George Buchanan had a campaign to bring young people to skagway. On to Alaska with Buchanan was carved into the rocks below the customs house.

This older caboose on the edge of the forest can be rented for overnight stays.

We made our way from Skagway and by the next morning we were in Glacier Bay National Park. It was incredible. Park rangers provided commentary over the loudspeakers on outside decks and on the TV’s in the room. Since we upgraded to a better balcony, we didn’t need to leave the room. Being near the glacier dropped the temperature quite a bit. We headed to the Marjorie glacier. This is at the northern part of the Park. At a distance it does not look big but it is 350 feet tall and extends 100 feet below the water surface. Here is a video of a piece of the glacier falling off, called calving: https://youtu.be/5LhBpAcVma8 https://youtu.be/5LhBpAcVma8

Seagulls taking a break on a piece of glacier ice.

Sea otters floating in the water. It is hard to get a clear picture as we were moving in opposite directions from each other.

Juneau, Alaska and whale watching

The first port of call was Juneau. Lots of jewelry, gemstones, and totem poles! It is one of the largest state capitals by land size but has a small population. The only way to get to Juneau is by air or sea and artists to be a popular cruise port!

We had booked a tour to go whale watching. It was fabulous. They served Alaskan seafood and had a naturalist on board helping to look for whales and offer commentary. We actually saw both a mother and baby humpback breach (jump out of the water) and do acrobatics in the water.

A video of a mama and baby rolling and waving their fins: https://youtu.be/2LNL9oT6M80 https://youtu.be/2LNL9oT6M80

Bucket list: Alaska cruising

Pretty much all of my travels are bucket list but going to Alaska on a cruise is definitely one of them. My SIL Sunni and I had been planning this trip for 6 months.

The long awaited vacation had arrived! We flew into Seattle and her friend Kathi picked us up at the airport. She has a beautiful property on the water and was so good to meet her even for a brief visit.

The next morning we headed to Pier 99 to board the Royal Princess. After a little snafu with paperwork, we finally boarded the ship. On the top deck we enjoyed some merriment.

I had never been on a cruise before. I would start the morning with a cup of coffee (I really need to break that habit) and a small bite for breakfast (I rarely have smoked salmon…) Then a dip in the pool for about 5 minutes… Yes, the temperature is just below 60 degrees F. But it was great on my knee and I followed it up with a hot tub session.

I listened to various music or watched games throughout the day when not in port. Of course the Love Boat series was featured as a TV channel. Walking on the Sun deck was also beautiful. The best parts? Spending time with Sunni and eating fabulous food. We met some wonderful people who we danced with most nights and met up for drinks.

We danced often with Wendy and Tasy from Hawaii

I had posted that I left on the cruise when Darcie from AISG (my last school) mentioned her mom was on a cruise that left the same day. Turns out we were on the same ship and we got to meet! Debbie was so much fun to talk to.

It was also fun to dress up for the formal nights. The pictures are so fun!

On the cruise we stopped in several Alaska ports and one in British Columbia. One of our days at sea was inside the Glacier National Park which was one of the highlights of the cruise.

“As seen in Yellowstone…”

The voice interrupted my concentration in taking a picture of the Missoula courthouse from across the street. I was trying to take it without passing cars in the picture and was too lazy to cross the street.

In his defense, I guess many people are coming to Montana because of the popular TV series. I have actually watched Yellowstone but didn’t think it would have been shot in Missoula. Afterwards, I found that it is the courthouse they used. Interesting. I just like architecture and take pictures of cool buildings I see in my travels.

An old railway station found along the river trail.

It was a quick trip as Rebecca and my now son-in-law Ryan are selling into new jobs but have not moved into their new apartment yet. I am also fitting this trip between my own scheduled life. Mostly we spent time together and toured Missoula which is such a cool small city. It really is beautiful.

Kayaking on Flathead Lake was beautiful and gave me the opportunity to chill and practice taking pictures with my new phone.

Becca’s cat would spend time between our 2 kayaks.

Becca and I also went on a road trip along route 12 which is the Lewis and Clark trail. So beautiful.

On one of the rest stops they had a trail that went to one of the sites where Lewis and Clark stopped on their travel West.

The ground squirrels were so fun to watch.

On future longer trips, I can’t wait to go to Glacier National Park and Yellowstone. Montana is very beautiful. I had a great time with Becca and Ryan before I go to Ecuador in August.

Low key summer… so far….

I was home at the beginning of 2022 but it had been a crazy time in China since. A lot of time with family and not many pictures…. Just absorbing the time with them!

Becca, Ryan (soon to be son), and my boy Ryan

I settled into spending time with family and just relaxing a bit. Hard to believe that it had been 40 years since I graduated high school. The reunion was great and such a good attendance!

I stopped to look at my old house and talk with teachers I worked with in Punxsutawney. So good to see them!

Small Town living in Worthington means parades and carnivals….

Christmas in July movies with my SIL (and sushi)…

Movies…

I visited Candy and David in Atlanta. Always good to talk about lots of stuff with them and see how retirement is treating them!

Love how they are in the ‘burbs but deer are just happy to roam and eat flowers!

Covered bridge in Georgia built by a former slave.

Most of time was didn’t taking care of banking, retirement, and everything else. Not too informative but memories of being with my loved ones I’ll remember. And on to Montana.

Cruising a museum and the Bosphorus

Looking for a low key last day in Istanbul, I went to the Archaeological museum and also a cruise along the Bosphorus River.

Bosphorus River cruise

The cruise went from a port near the bazaars, further up the Bosphorus, then down to the sea of Mármara through an area known as the Golden Horn, before returning.

The minaretes of the two mosques: the Hagia Sophia on the left and the Blue Mosque on the right.

The Maidens Tower has been present since 1000 AD though past tiers have been destroyed in earthquakes, fires, etc. Some versions also connected to walls which are still visible in parts under water.

The view of the Sea of Mármara from the veranda of my hotel. What a beautiful view!

After passing the pier on the tour, i stopped at the first place I saw for a fish sandwich. Freshly caught, grilled, and put together quickly. So yummy.

The glass with red juice is actually pickled veggies.

Archaeological museum

So many cultures and empires in Constantinople/Turkey history, it is difficult to put it all together quickly but I like picking up pieces here and there.

Did you know that in some cultures it was thought that the sarcophagus was your home as you lived in your afterlife, therefore they were often shaped as houses?

The stairs on the right is that of an eagle (head missing)

Limestone sculpture of Bes 7th to 6th century BCE

Statue of Alexander the Great, 3rd century BCE

Gigantomachy (Battle between Gods and giants). 2nd century.

Excavation of Troy found that there are 10 distinct periods of culture in the city. This picture is of Troy 6 from 1700-1350 BCE. The oldest period is 3500 BCE and the youngest is from 13th to 14th century.

Pottery samples from Troy.

Macedonian pottery found in Troy dating back to 13th century BCE shows trading between t HH e two regions goes far back in history.

Crowns from Byzantine and Constantinople reigns. First century.

Alexander sarcophagus, 300 BCE. Sarcophagus of the lasr King of Sidon. The artwork is the winning of the battle of Issus which gave Alexander a gateway to Syria and made the deceased the king of Sidon.

When in Turkey…..do as a local and visit a hammam

Obviously first go shopping. The Grand Bazaar is packed with people and lots of people wanting you to buy rugs and scarves.

Generally that is a place that I avoid but I needed to pass through to get to the spice Bazaar where I was meeting a tour (one should really get the Istanbul e-pass as I saved so much money and had people on Whatsapp to help at any moment).

Entrance to spice Bazaar in the historic district.

I did buy Turkish delight there. Hazerbaba is the best. But I followed the recommendation of someone I know to buy Iranian saffron from a reputable dealer (Gülhane Spice) which is near Gülhane park. I forgot to take pictures there. I also bought a cashmere wool scarf with silk embroidery.

This bread is also the best and can be found all around the city.

Experience a hammam

A hammam is a traditional Turkish bathhouse that has been a central part of Turkish culture for centuries. The experience in a hammam began with a warm and humid environment (sauna). I was given a pestemal, a traditional Turkish cloth, to wear around my body along with disposable string underwear. Now with open pores I am prepared for exfoliation of the skin.

Next, I was led to a hot room with a large, heated marble slab known as the göbektaşı. Laying on the marble slab, I was splashed with warm water and gently scrubbed with a kese, a coarse mitt used to remove dead skin cells and impurities. After another rinsing and then turning over to complete the process on the backside, I was then covered with lemon scented suds. It felt like I was floating on clouds of super soft bubbles. They used a really light towel to skim over your skin and caress you with the bubbles. It felt pretty great. Then you are massaged to thoroughly clean the skin. Afterwards, you are led to a marble seating area to eat your hair and rinse you completely. After seeing your hair and face, you are wrapped tightly in a fuzzy towel.

After this cleaning and relaxing process, I was moved to a cooler room with a traditional Turkish coffee service, allowing rest and enjoying the feeling of rejuvenated skin and muscles. My skin is so soft….

No pictures to show but the experience was amazing. There are many hammams in the city including one of these oldest ones which is pretty expensive. But any hammam that had an older grandma type person does a super job.