June 2015: Another Seattle Sojourn
We were off to Seattle once again, this time in the Traverse, our 2003 Ford camper van complete with poptop. Destination: our son-in-law’s PhD ceremony and meeting with his wonderful family from Chile. The title of this blog entry could be “Magical” or “The Joy of Friends,” but an even better would be “We Are Rather Blessed.”
We postponed our departure to Seattle a few days in hopes of meeting Marilyn’s new grandson, but the young guy just did not wish to see the world yet, due date or not, and did not show up until three days after we finally left. Alas, a visit with Hudson and big sister Leah was to be on our way back.
We planned a leisurely 3-day drive to Seattle, instead of my normal 1-day excursion. As it was projected to be in the low 80s the first night, we decided on a motel in Red Bluff, CA, where it gets even hotter in the summer than in our San Joaquin Valley home—even I know the benefit of an air-conditioned room instead of tossing and turning in the Traverse with no AC or even a fan.
The next morning, freshly showered and fed, and after a stop at Joann’s Fabric so Marilyn could make just one more thing for her lovely grandbabies, we were off.
Another joy soon arose: the Traverse easily climbed the grade as I-5 rose above Lake Shasta, even with the air conditioning on, an interesting departure from the slow lane with the VW bus. Shasta’s brown watermark reminded us that California is in a major drought.
Our next stop was Ashland, OR. Marilyn had the opportunity to accompany high school students there for the Shakespeare Festival, so it was time for me to check out the city. After too short a visit, I realized that we need to spend a few days attending the plays and enjoying just walking the streets.
Once we had our taste of culture, it was back to I-5 and on north to Vancouver, Washington, and a first-time event: camping at an Elks Lodge. Confession: I joined the Elks based upon the recommendation of two friends who travel a lot and enjoy the fact that the Elks have camping next to their lodge. Thanks to the GPS, we easily located the Vancouver Elks, paid our $7, and pulled onto a level spot.
Soon the top was popped, passenger seat rotated, new table for Marilyn’s iPad and coffee cup deployed, and we were ready to enjoy our first night of camping in the Traverse. As with the MRV, I find the bed to be a comfortable place to just plop on and read, so all was good. A short while later, ready to crash, we made the bed (sleeping bags)and were ready for a good night.
I awoke the next morning to news that Marilyn’s new air mattress had helped her have a more comfortable night, a good sign. After a breakfast prepared on our Jet Boil stove, we were back on I-5, heading to Seattle and seven days of experiences.
An easy drive soon found us north of Seattle at our benefactor Michael and his lovely wife Ellen’s home, where we parked the Traverse. Tim, my friend of so many decades who had introduced us to them, picked us up and took us to the Seattle condo they had graciously offered for our use, right in the middle of Belltown, complete with a view of Elliot Bay.
It was just magical.
For those who do not know Seattle, Belltown is about 5 blocks from the Space Needle and 11 from Pike Place Market.
So much tenderness in the following photos:
As all good things come to an end, soon it was time for one last look at Seattle and the bay from the condo, hugs from all, and goodbyes to Katie and Javier. We were off again with Tim’s help to Michael and Ellen’s and the Traverse.
Back on I-5, we headed north to Mt. Vernon, WA, and a visit with JR, a former flying buddy and the previous owner of the MRV. He too has “seen the light” and is now the proud owner of a vehicle very similar to the Traverse. We camped out in his condo for 3 days, making it our base camp as we visited and explored the area.
The next morning, JR had appointments, so we elected to head to Bellingham and check on our place up there. If you don’t know the story behind 1123 Kenoyer, let me just say that Marilyn and I found and bought this 4-bedroom, 2-bath, split-level beauty about 10 years ago and keep talking about moving there for a while, whatever that means. So far, it is rented and we visit it once a year and meet with our great property manager, Bethany, and make the annual plan.
Once that was complete it was off to lunch with friends from my San Diego days, Alan and Gail, who live across the border in BC.
Somehow we goofed, leaving home without our passports, so a visit in Canada was not to be. As they enjoy Bellingham and seem to visit it at least weekly, we met there for lunch and after headed to Lake Padden and a three-mile hike. Soon Marilyn and Gail were wrapped up in stories of their kids and life, while Alan and I found no subject too weird.
Finally, with promises to return with passports, and the sun beginning to dip—in Washington it goes down after 9 PM in mid-summer—we headed back to JR’s. He'd join us in the first stages of our trip home down the Pacific Coast.
—Doug
Seattle: Sculpture Garden with Space Needle behind.
We postponed our departure to Seattle a few days in hopes of meeting Marilyn’s new grandson, but the young guy just did not wish to see the world yet, due date or not, and did not show up until three days after we finally left. Alas, a visit with Hudson and big sister Leah was to be on our way back.
Marilyn & her granddaughter, later in our trip.
Marilyn & her new grandson, later in the trip.
We planned a leisurely 3-day drive to Seattle, instead of my normal 1-day excursion. As it was projected to be in the low 80s the first night, we decided on a motel in Red Bluff, CA, where it gets even hotter in the summer than in our San Joaquin Valley home—even I know the benefit of an air-conditioned room instead of tossing and turning in the Traverse with no AC or even a fan.
The next morning, freshly showered and fed, and after a stop at Joann’s Fabric so Marilyn could make just one more thing for her lovely grandbabies, we were off.
Another joy soon arose: the Traverse easily climbed the grade as I-5 rose above Lake Shasta, even with the air conditioning on, an interesting departure from the slow lane with the VW bus. Shasta’s brown watermark reminded us that California is in a major drought.
Red is our route from home to Seattle: 963 miles.
Once we had our taste of culture, it was back to I-5 and on north to Vancouver, Washington, and a first-time event: camping at an Elks Lodge. Confession: I joined the Elks based upon the recommendation of two friends who travel a lot and enjoy the fact that the Elks have camping next to their lodge. Thanks to the GPS, we easily located the Vancouver Elks, paid our $7, and pulled onto a level spot.
PleasureWay Ford Traverse Poptop, which replaced the MRV.
Soon the top was popped, passenger seat rotated, new table for Marilyn’s iPad and coffee cup deployed, and we were ready to enjoy our first night of camping in the Traverse. As with the MRV, I find the bed to be a comfortable place to just plop on and read, so all was good. A short while later, ready to crash, we made the bed (sleeping bags)and were ready for a good night.
I awoke the next morning to news that Marilyn’s new air mattress had helped her have a more comfortable night, a good sign. After a breakfast prepared on our Jet Boil stove, we were back on I-5, heading to Seattle and seven days of experiences.
View of Puget Sound from our Belltown, Seattle condo.
An easy drive soon found us north of Seattle at our benefactor Michael and his lovely wife Ellen’s home, where we parked the Traverse. Tim, my friend of so many decades who had introduced us to them, picked us up and took us to the Seattle condo they had graciously offered for our use, right in the middle of Belltown, complete with a view of Elliot Bay.
Sculpture garden, boat on Puget Sound, from condo.
Seattle street.
For those who do not know Seattle, Belltown is about 5 blocks from the Space Needle and 11 from Pike Place Market.
Armed with the Uber app, we were soon traveling the streets of Seattle as if we knew what we were doing and realizing the joy of not having to drive or find a parking spot. For less than $10, we would find ourselves at Katie and Javier’s apartment in Capitol Hill and for less, at REI.
For those who have never used it, all you have to do is register with Uber and give your credit card info, which they keep in their secret place, so no money is passed. Just use your phone to tell Uber where you are, and like magic a car shows up on your screen and then pulls up in reality. Within minutes of exiting the car, a text message arrives stating what you’ve paid and asking you to rate the driver. We did not have a bad driver, so it was rather easy to register a 5 for a job well done.
I felt so comfortable wandering the city, sharing the joy with our new extended family, and just being around Katie.
We were in Seattle to celebrate Javier’s PhD in BioChem from the University of Washington, a feat that is just mind-boggling. Don’t ask what it means, as I really don’t know. I read his PhD proposal and the only word I understood was “protein.”
The past 12 months for Katie and Javier have been a whirlwind. He earned his PhD; began a start-up, Cyrus Biotechnology (cyrusbio.com), with two post-docs; received his Green Card (they don’t make it easy for smart guys either); and continued to be a great husband to his wonderful bride, who changed jobs and found a career as an Account Manager, Surety. They also moved to a great apartment and area. For both of them it is a 30-minute walk to and from work, so their car sits in the garage awaiting a weekend outing. They are both truly amazing.
We celebrated Javier’s years of hard work with his wonderful Chilean family. "Magical” again comes to mind—the family is just that and more. In all, his gregarious parents, 2 wonderful brothers and their wives, 4 bambinos with another on the way, and a nanny were there.
The oldest children, twins, turned 4 the day Javier graduated, and we all celebrated at the park the following day.
They all were there smiling, attempting to speak with me, as my Spanish is poquito (minimal), while Marilyn’s is a bit better, and somehow it all worked. All the while Katie was keeping it all organized.
I so remember this stop, love restaurants that flow to the outside & let the outside in. It was my introduction to Firestone's Union Jack IPA.—Marilyn
For those who have never used it, all you have to do is register with Uber and give your credit card info, which they keep in their secret place, so no money is passed. Just use your phone to tell Uber where you are, and like magic a car shows up on your screen and then pulls up in reality. Within minutes of exiting the car, a text message arrives stating what you’ve paid and asking you to rate the driver. We did not have a bad driver, so it was rather easy to register a 5 for a job well done.
Starbucks Reserve Roastery, not far from Katie & Javi's apartment.
I felt so comfortable wandering the city, sharing the joy with our new extended family, and just being around Katie.
Javier's parents, Maria-Eugenia & Gustavo, & us.
We were in Seattle to celebrate Javier’s PhD in BioChem from the University of Washington, a feat that is just mind-boggling. Don’t ask what it means, as I really don’t know. I read his PhD proposal and the only word I understood was “protein.”
Javier's parents, Gustavo & Eugenia; the graduate, Javier, & my daughter, Katie, at University of Washington.
The past 12 months for Katie and Javier have been a whirlwind. He earned his PhD; began a start-up, Cyrus Biotechnology (cyrusbio.com), with two post-docs; received his Green Card (they don’t make it easy for smart guys either); and continued to be a great husband to his wonderful bride, who changed jobs and found a career as an Account Manager, Surety. They also moved to a great apartment and area. For both of them it is a 30-minute walk to and from work, so their car sits in the garage awaiting a weekend outing. They are both truly amazing.
Javier's father, Katie's mother, Javier's oldest brother, Sebastién, Javier & Katie, Javier's mother, older brother, Cristobal, & Sebastién's wife, Francesca
We celebrated Javier’s years of hard work with his wonderful Chilean family. "Magical” again comes to mind—the family is just that and more. In all, his gregarious parents, 2 wonderful brothers and their wives, 4 bambinos with another on the way, and a nanny were there.
The oldest children, twins, turned 4 the day Javier graduated, and we all celebrated at the park the following day.
The birthday twins.
They all were there smiling, attempting to speak with me, as my Spanish is poquito (minimal), while Marilyn’s is a bit better, and somehow it all worked. All the while Katie was keeping it all organized.
Tio Javier with nephews & nieces.
Tio Javier & the birthday twins.
So much tenderness in the following photos:
Doug & twin.
Sebastién & son.
Cristobal & daughter.
There were balloons!
Gustavo & balloons.
Twin & balloons.
As all good things come to an end, soon it was time for one last look at Seattle and the bay from the condo, hugs from all, and goodbyes to Katie and Javier. We were off again with Tim’s help to Michael and Ellen’s and the Traverse.
Sailboats on Elliott Bay.
Back on I-5, we headed north to Mt. Vernon, WA, and a visit with JR, a former flying buddy and the previous owner of the MRV. He too has “seen the light” and is now the proud owner of a vehicle very similar to the Traverse. We camped out in his condo for 3 days, making it our base camp as we visited and explored the area.
Flying buddies & the Vans of Wrath.
The next morning, JR had appointments, so we elected to head to Bellingham and check on our place up there. If you don’t know the story behind 1123 Kenoyer, let me just say that Marilyn and I found and bought this 4-bedroom, 2-bath, split-level beauty about 10 years ago and keep talking about moving there for a while, whatever that means. So far, it is rented and we visit it once a year and meet with our great property manager, Bethany, and make the annual plan.
Once that was complete it was off to lunch with friends from my San Diego days, Alan and Gail, who live across the border in BC.
Somehow we goofed, leaving home without our passports, so a visit in Canada was not to be. As they enjoy Bellingham and seem to visit it at least weekly, we met there for lunch and after headed to Lake Padden and a three-mile hike. Soon Marilyn and Gail were wrapped up in stories of their kids and life, while Alan and I found no subject too weird.
Finally, with promises to return with passports, and the sun beginning to dip—in Washington it goes down after 9 PM in mid-summer—we headed back to JR’s. He'd join us in the first stages of our trip home down the Pacific Coast.
—Doug
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