Home at last. Not that I was in a hurry to get here, but it always feels nice to be back home. I see that there is work to be done around here. The house actually looks clean but don't bring any white gloves over. It doesn't feel dirty nor look in need of cleaning, so I think I will concentrate on the outside first. Those plants have a way of continuing to grow. If I don't prune them soon, I am afraid one or more of them will reach out and snare me in their clutches.
Don and Ruth had done a good job of watching out for things here. Sylvia and Chris, my across the street neighbors, are always great for tending to stuff that needs it.....magazines/papers left on the porch, boogey men that lurk in the shadows, etc. Thanks to all had helped in that effort.
I think the trip came in under budget, surprise, even though the coach racked up about 6500 miles. That's a lot of driving. Thanks to friend John Winter who was along the last three weeks and helped with the driving. And he cooked a lot, which also saved money, but importantly it was better food. I think I have had nearly every sort of seafood available in the last several weeks. And it was all great. But now I'm ready for Italian.
So, to wrap this up.....it was a great trip, glad I/we did it. Thanks to those of you who actually read this blog and many of you even commented on it. It was fun to read your take on things.
Happy traveling for those of you about to embark; and I hope to do the same before too long.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Tuesday, July 13
Did Seattle in my last blog post.....but I noticed that I failed to mentioned that I saw another Frank Gehry masterpiece. It is a very contemporary design, naturally, this one very colorful. Bright colors that can be seen from many parts of the city. It is right in the heart of Seattle's cultural center and near the Space Needle.
Then had a nice drive down to Portland, OR, and I had a lovely dinner and time with my old college roommate from my freshman year. That is most assuredly a bit of time ago. We had a great time catching up and sharing life/career experiences as well as remembering old times, our favorite classmates and faculty (were there any of the latter?).
The last two days have been spent on the Oregon Coast in a town called Florence, and many points all around. It is just lovely, and very much as I remembered it from the time that my family traveled through here when I was seven. Much is new or newer, of course, but those kinds of details I wouldn't remember from earlier anyway. Today was a sunny day, about 65 degrees, but very windy, which made it feel like somewhere in the 40's. The wind is too strong to even put out the awnings on the coach.
Tomorrow is a stop in Grants Pass with a side trip to Medford and Ashland....home of their Shakespeare Festival and I think the Oregon Bach Festival also. Then the California Redwoods and a straight trip back home. I expect to be there by Sunday, the 18th. Those will be longer driving days than I have grown accustomed to. But, oh well.
Hope all is well with you all.
Then had a nice drive down to Portland, OR, and I had a lovely dinner and time with my old college roommate from my freshman year. That is most assuredly a bit of time ago. We had a great time catching up and sharing life/career experiences as well as remembering old times, our favorite classmates and faculty (were there any of the latter?).
The last two days have been spent on the Oregon Coast in a town called Florence, and many points all around. It is just lovely, and very much as I remembered it from the time that my family traveled through here when I was seven. Much is new or newer, of course, but those kinds of details I wouldn't remember from earlier anyway. Today was a sunny day, about 65 degrees, but very windy, which made it feel like somewhere in the 40's. The wind is too strong to even put out the awnings on the coach.
Tomorrow is a stop in Grants Pass with a side trip to Medford and Ashland....home of their Shakespeare Festival and I think the Oregon Bach Festival also. Then the California Redwoods and a straight trip back home. I expect to be there by Sunday, the 18th. Those will be longer driving days than I have grown accustomed to. But, oh well.
Hope all is well with you all.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Sunday, July 11
Back in the USA. A little more normalcy in terms of cell phone and Internet. Otherwise, we meld together quite well....US and CA, that is.
Got to Seattle Friday afternoon. Met up with Carol Christensen and her family for a fabulous Halibut dinner. Then last night she prepared a superb meal of shrimp kebobs on the grill, and a wonderful clam dish........I OD'd on bread sopping up the last of the tasty clam sauce left in my bowl. This all topped off with Marionberry pie, a local favorite.
Yesterday Carol took us on a whirlwind tour of some highlights of the city. Pike's Market was of course a major highlight, a driving tour of some of the waterfront, spent some time at the locks that connect the Sound with fresh water Lake Washington. We had perfect weather, in fact, almost too hot. This was the first warm weather they have experienced so far this year. Friday was in the 90's, a high for them. So I guess it doesn't rain every day in Seattle. Carol's house is up the hillside, about a half block from the Sound. She has a great deck overlooking the expanse of the sound and the islands beyond. So beautiful.
Today will be on to Portland. So I'm starting my way back home. Another week.
Got to Seattle Friday afternoon. Met up with Carol Christensen and her family for a fabulous Halibut dinner. Then last night she prepared a superb meal of shrimp kebobs on the grill, and a wonderful clam dish........I OD'd on bread sopping up the last of the tasty clam sauce left in my bowl. This all topped off with Marionberry pie, a local favorite.
Yesterday Carol took us on a whirlwind tour of some highlights of the city. Pike's Market was of course a major highlight, a driving tour of some of the waterfront, spent some time at the locks that connect the Sound with fresh water Lake Washington. We had perfect weather, in fact, almost too hot. This was the first warm weather they have experienced so far this year. Friday was in the 90's, a high for them. So I guess it doesn't rain every day in Seattle. Carol's house is up the hillside, about a half block from the Sound. She has a great deck overlooking the expanse of the sound and the islands beyond. So beautiful.
Today will be on to Portland. So I'm starting my way back home. Another week.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Thursday,July 8 (p.m.)
I thought I had lost the earlier posting from today, but I see it went through after all. Drove 6.5 hours today (really heavy day!) and am now at Kamloops, British Columbia.....which is about halfway between Banff Nat'l Park and Seattle.
What a gorgeous drive. Mountain peaks on both sides most of the way, with beautiful green pine trees standing so erect, nearly to the tops of the peaks. The early part of the day, the many rivers we passed all were a sort of milky aqua color. Kind of weird. They manufacture mica up here so maybe that is what's in the water. Later we were again blessed with clear green water. Yes, beyond blue, it was green.
Unfortunately we had lots of construction along the way. The roads between construction sites were pretty bumpy, but by next year, the roads will be great. So plan your trips for 2011.
Next is Seattle.
What a gorgeous drive. Mountain peaks on both sides most of the way, with beautiful green pine trees standing so erect, nearly to the tops of the peaks. The early part of the day, the many rivers we passed all were a sort of milky aqua color. Kind of weird. They manufacture mica up here so maybe that is what's in the water. Later we were again blessed with clear green water. Yes, beyond blue, it was green.
Unfortunately we had lots of construction along the way. The roads between construction sites were pretty bumpy, but by next year, the roads will be great. So plan your trips for 2011.
Next is Seattle.
Thursday, July 8
OK, Banff/Lake Louise. Been there, done that!
Actually had a very nice time here, no rain, no major calamaties. Lots of beauty to see. So much snow on the mountains, in fact, some major snow ledges visible from down below. We had the chance to go up top on a gondola, but the value added just wasn't there for me. The fact that I don't like heights in a confined (gondola) space, doesn't add value for me anyway. So I'll take pictures and enjoy the view from below. This place must be even more spectacular in the winter. However, July brings out way too many tourists. Did I know that? Duh!
There were several places that were so crowded that it just wasn't worth going to see them. Didn't really miss anything major, but there was one hotel I wanted to see and have lunch at, but too crazy with people. And park a mile away. I can do only so many mile-long hikes in a day.
It is warming up here in Canada, with temps going up into the 90's today. And I'll be back into cell phone service areas starting Friday in Seattle. Yeah!
An interesting observation here in Canadian tourista areas has been that while the majority of license plates on cars are either Alberta or British Columbia, one does hear a number of languages spoken. Certainly lots of French from the bi-lingual locals, but many European languages heard as well. Yesterday I admired an Asian woman check-out clerk at a shop. While waiting in line, I heard her being conversant in English, French and some Asian language....without missing a beat. It made her customers feel very comfortable in the process.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Wednesday morning, July 7
Early morning here and a big day ahead, but observations to date are worth putting on paper. Or is it on screen?
The drive up into Canada was so interesting yesterday. We quickly left the snow-capped mountains of Glacier/Waterton, and were in treeless plains with beautiful animals grazing everywhere. Really beautifully put together cattle of all colors.........white calves suckling on their Black Angus mothers. And the horses, so many of them, and also multi-colored. Truly painted ponies. And so interesting to observe their postures and apparent motivations. One area had large pastures on either side of the road with a tunnel under the freeway connecting both. This herd of hundreds of cattle was rushing from one side of the freeway to the other, for no apparent reason. Was it "cattle see as cattle do"?
Then we approached Calgary. A huge city spread out over rolling plains. Lovely sky line in the distance. We only skirted the city as we aimed for Banff. We are actually staying in a town just outside of the Banff National Park. Very cute. Very "newly quaint". Very mountain chalet-like. At least half of the commercial businesses are the same as we see at home. Lots of Subway sandwich shops, Dairy Queen, A & W Root Beer, even Safeway and Starbucks. And most spectacular, almost unnerving, is the "set" outside our front window. Majestic snow-capped mountains that I am sure are just a Hollywood set. I think they are made perfectly out of styrofoam. On second thought, no human could have designed such grandeur. I feel so privileged to be able to take this all in. I'll probably miss lots of beauty, just trying to remember the last beauty just seen, but I'll try to do it justice.
And now for my morning coffee here in the coach before heading off for a gondola ride....with a Starbucks at the base. Are we combining natural beauty with creature comforts here?
You have a good day, too, and I'm sure you have natural beauty all around you as well.
The drive up into Canada was so interesting yesterday. We quickly left the snow-capped mountains of Glacier/Waterton, and were in treeless plains with beautiful animals grazing everywhere. Really beautifully put together cattle of all colors.........white calves suckling on their Black Angus mothers. And the horses, so many of them, and also multi-colored. Truly painted ponies. And so interesting to observe their postures and apparent motivations. One area had large pastures on either side of the road with a tunnel under the freeway connecting both. This herd of hundreds of cattle was rushing from one side of the freeway to the other, for no apparent reason. Was it "cattle see as cattle do"?
Then we approached Calgary. A huge city spread out over rolling plains. Lovely sky line in the distance. We only skirted the city as we aimed for Banff. We are actually staying in a town just outside of the Banff National Park. Very cute. Very "newly quaint". Very mountain chalet-like. At least half of the commercial businesses are the same as we see at home. Lots of Subway sandwich shops, Dairy Queen, A & W Root Beer, even Safeway and Starbucks. And most spectacular, almost unnerving, is the "set" outside our front window. Majestic snow-capped mountains that I am sure are just a Hollywood set. I think they are made perfectly out of styrofoam. On second thought, no human could have designed such grandeur. I feel so privileged to be able to take this all in. I'll probably miss lots of beauty, just trying to remember the last beauty just seen, but I'll try to do it justice.
And now for my morning coffee here in the coach before heading off for a gondola ride....with a Starbucks at the base. Are we combining natural beauty with creature comforts here?
You have a good day, too, and I'm sure you have natural beauty all around you as well.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Tuesday, July 6
Sorry for no recent posts as Internet connections have been very spotty. Not even sure this one will get through, so will be brief. And my Sprint cell connection is nil. In fact, I have my phone turned off. John's AT&T cell was working earlier but not now. But I do seem to get some emails on normfriesen1@gmail.com that don't come through on my regular Cox account.
Stopped in Great Falls, MT the other day. Visited the C.M. Russell Museum....famous western artist of the late 19th and early 20th Century. He is often compared to Remington. Very lovely museum and very interesting work....his and several of his peers.
Then on to Eastern Glacier, staying in St. Mary's. Although I had been in Glacier a few years ago, that way the lower, west end. Very nice, but lots of rain. It didn't really hinder much except for the fact that some views were distorted or probably not visible because of clouds. But the clouds themselves were spectacular as they shrouded the mountains. Further, we have been hindered in the hiking and walking opportunities. Went up to the Waterton/Canadian side of Glacier Park. Nosed around, explored their Waterton Village.....everything up here is geared to fishing, hunting, riding the rapids, etc.
Today we go up to Banff. Can't wait. Oh, oh, just got a message that this effort is failing on the Internet. Hope you get this.
Stopped in Great Falls, MT the other day. Visited the C.M. Russell Museum....famous western artist of the late 19th and early 20th Century. He is often compared to Remington. Very lovely museum and very interesting work....his and several of his peers.
Then on to Eastern Glacier, staying in St. Mary's. Although I had been in Glacier a few years ago, that way the lower, west end. Very nice, but lots of rain. It didn't really hinder much except for the fact that some views were distorted or probably not visible because of clouds. But the clouds themselves were spectacular as they shrouded the mountains. Further, we have been hindered in the hiking and walking opportunities. Went up to the Waterton/Canadian side of Glacier Park. Nosed around, explored their Waterton Village.....everything up here is geared to fishing, hunting, riding the rapids, etc.
Today we go up to Banff. Can't wait. Oh, oh, just got a message that this effort is failing on the Internet. Hope you get this.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Friday, July 2
July??? Are we already halfway thru the year? Golly gee!
Had another great thunderstorm in Billings the other night. Still having nice days though. Visited a wonderful old mansion in Billings, called the Moss Mansion, built by another European frontiersman. The home was modeled after the Alhambra in Granada, Spain. Beautiful, intricate workmanship throughout. Took three years to build and then decorate by a Chicago firm.
That day there was a tremendous storm golf ball-sized hail in Bozeman....which is where we are now. Lots of crop damage, some friends here had a large window broken, and the resort told us when we checked in that a lot of motorhomes had damage to their roofs, vents, etc. Glad we weren't here yet.
Lots of snow still on the mountaintops, even though it is July. So between the mountains, snow, partly cloudy skies and sun....and remember, everything is very green here.....it was spectacular. Drove up to Big Sky ski resort. Not as many people as during ski season, but the bikers are having a good time biking down the ski trails. Beautiful vistas.
Today more roaming around Bozeman, and enjoying the good daytime weather.
Had another great thunderstorm in Billings the other night. Still having nice days though. Visited a wonderful old mansion in Billings, called the Moss Mansion, built by another European frontiersman. The home was modeled after the Alhambra in Granada, Spain. Beautiful, intricate workmanship throughout. Took three years to build and then decorate by a Chicago firm.
That day there was a tremendous storm golf ball-sized hail in Bozeman....which is where we are now. Lots of crop damage, some friends here had a large window broken, and the resort told us when we checked in that a lot of motorhomes had damage to their roofs, vents, etc. Glad we weren't here yet.
Lots of snow still on the mountaintops, even though it is July. So between the mountains, snow, partly cloudy skies and sun....and remember, everything is very green here.....it was spectacular. Drove up to Big Sky ski resort. Not as many people as during ski season, but the bikers are having a good time biking down the ski trails. Beautiful vistas.
Today more roaming around Bozeman, and enjoying the good daytime weather.
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