San Juan and Stuart Islands

After leaving Lopez, we sailed for about 1 hour to Friday Harbor on the island of San Juan.  San Juan is the largest island and the namesake.  The town of Friday Harbor is larger than the village of Lopez and less weird.  There is a busy ferry terminal dropping off and picking up visitors ALL summer.  You can drive or walk onto the ferry.  If on a motorcycle, you go to the front of the line!  

Pretty little harbor.

A quick shop for groceries, a trip to ACE hardware and to the local computer repair for my laptop - all is well now.  Next stop is Stuart island at the northern most part of the island archipelago.  This photo was taken at 5:40 a.m. in Prevost Harbor.

A scenic hike 

A rope swing out in the middle of nowhere.  But a place to sit and rest on the uphill trail.

Also on the trail is the Treasure Chest filled with souvenirs - t-shirts, hats, postcards, etc.  Take what you like, grab an envelope, put your cash in there and drop it in the lock box.  Nifty idea.

An old friend Mary and her friend Reyja have volunteered for the week to "wo-man" the visitors center at the Turn Point Light House.  Bring your own food and drink, the park provides housing and transportation to and fro.  It's like a free summer vacation!  The weather was terrific.

This charming house was used for the Lighthouse keeper and his family.  We heard a lot of fascinating stories about the people and families who lived there and 2 families who still have relatives on the island.  As you can tell by the color of the grass it was very dry there.  Big burn ban going on on all the islands.

Ah, then back to the west side of San Juan to the ritzy Roche Harbor where "all the big yachts stay"!

The Haro Hotel is the name of the resort.  Several weddings took place in the gardens while we were visiting.  It is the heart of what was originally a lime rock production company.  The laborers stayed in the hotel.  I'm sure it didn't look like this back in the mid-1800's.

The resort was formerly a company town surrounding the Tacoma and Roche Harbor Lime Company, which was incorporated in 1886. Lime production was a major industry and revenue source for a corporation run by John S. McMillin, whose ashes are buried in a large mausoleum nearby. The focal point of the resort is the historic Hotel de Haro.  From: Wikipedia

Near the resort, in a large field, is a sculpture garden full of fascinating original pieces.  Some even revolve with the help of wind.

This mausoleum was built by the owners with a Masonic theme.  Set in the woods, we arrived there around 6 p.m. and the angle of the sun created an eerie setting. 

Just south of Roche Harbor is Garrison Bay where the English Camp is located.

From Wikipedia:
The Pig War was a confrontation in 1859 between the United States and the British Empire over the boundary between the US and the British Empire. The territory in dispute was the San Juan Islands, which lie between Vancouver Island and the North American mainland. The Pig War, so called because it was triggered by the shooting of a pig, is also called the Pig Episode, the Pig and Potato War, the San Juan Boundary Dispute or the Northwestern Boundary Dispute. With no shots exchanged and no human casualties, this dispute was a bloodless conflict.

Because the British and Americans were called in to settle the dispute, 2 military camps were built: The English Camp and the American Camp.  The camps remained maintained for 12 years.  Check out Pig War on wikipedia for more info.

The Park Ranger and Paddy take down the British flag from the English Camp.

The wind was perfect to fly the spinnaker on our way to Anacortes, Washington.

LOPEZ ISLAND IN THE SAN JUAN ISLANDS

We arrived at Lopez Island just in time to celebrate July 4th.  It is a popular place to go for the 4th as it is well known for having the best fireworks around and so they did!  The only thing I was worried about was the fact that they are set off at dark - which was 10:30 pm!  Is this old lady going to be able to stay up that late?  Yes sir-ree!  The fireworks display was everything they said and more.

Le Chat Beaute' decorated in all her glory!

 Lopez is also known for their organic gardens and foods, along with the hippies that grow them!

Here we are after the July 4th 5k Walk and 10k Run which we both participated in.

 Paddy "the Stud" is showing off his certificate for coming in 2nd in his age group.  (yes, there were more than 2 running!)

The parade theme was "Keep Lopez Weird" - I don't think there is any way they will lose that reputation.

Whidbey Island where the air force launches it's fighter jets is close by and the residents "are up in arms" about the noise level.  And yes, it's very loud.

Most of the islands are quite close to the U.S. and Canadian mainland.  The only way you can get here is by ferry, boat, and float planes!  They land and take off about every 30 minutes.  Could this guy be any closer?

The first thing you will notice about the beaches in the northwest is that they are covered in wood - not the shells you see in Florida.  So here is some beach art.

And my contribution!

There are over 700 islands in the San Juans of which 172 are named.  Some you only see at low tide!  

Island hopping here we come.  More islands to visit...................

Pacific Northwest

Pacific Northwest

We returned to Portland on May 17th, just in time for the annual Rose Festival that takes place in Portland, The City of Roses. This city was stunning - there were colorful blooming flowers and roses all over town - even along the on ramps to the freeways!  The Maxeys came to visit and we toured the Rose Gardens in Washington Park.

 I took a zillion pictures of the roses, but so not to bore anyone, here a two photos!

 This one was an award winner ............................. no questions!

 Then off to the Japanese Tea Garden with Suzie and Aimee.  A most serene and calming place to be.  Charming quaint water features - everything from ponds to small and large waterfalls.

A view into the Zen Garden

We were docked in the Tomahawk Marina on Hayden Island in Portland along the Columbia River.  The adjacent neighborhood had lovely sidewalks under fragrant trees - perfect for our walks and runs.  Paddy's friend John loaned us a vehicle which was great because we had a lot of errands to run to get the boat ready to leave after being at the dock for 8 months.  Item number 1 - give the boat a bath!

On June 24th we said our goodbyes to Suzie, Aimee, John, Julie and Foos, other family and friends and set sails for Astoria to cross the "bar" (no, not the kind of bar you're thinking) and head north to the San Juan Islands.

The Western Part of the Harley Trip

After a stop-over in Tulsa to visit some cruising friends of Paddy's and traveling on the famous Route 66, we rushed on to Texas.  This was the first part of the trip I was able to ride in a short-sleeved top.  The wind was blowing and it was HOT.  You could see the sand blowing right for us. I was hanging on tight, squinting and trying to avoid smiling for concern of sand in my teeth!  Arrived in Amarillo (now that's an exciting place?!?!?) just as the sun was setting and fortunately the winds had calmed down.  Larry and Rudy were about a day ahead of us and had been in Amarillo the night before........"have dinner at the Big Texan - it's an experience".  Ah, yes it was.  There was taxidermy art on all the walls hanging high over head.  There wasn't a critter that was overlooked.  If you choose to accept the challenge of eating a 72 oz. steak along with all the fixings in under an hour, then you get it for FREE vs. $$$.  But of course you are sitting in the center of the dining room on a raised platform with the eyes of all the other patrons on you along with Management.  I choose the prime rib and it was yummy!  Paddy had a Large steak that he enjoyed.

Next morning, we are up bright and early to catch up with the Johnson boys who are now in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  When we pulled into the Harley dealership there, it was sleeting!  That's the white stuff in my helmet and on the bike.

After a chilly ride north to the Buffalo Thunder Resort and Casino we discovered that there was @ $5 million in art throughout the hotel.  Some of the art work was different and strange, while most of it was typical of this part of the country with the First Nations style.  Glass, feathers, fibers, and baskets were on display along with this one-eyed alien-looking dude.

   Central Plaza, Taos, New Mexico.

 Next stop - the magnificent Grand Canyon.  You can take all the pictures you want, they just don't do the views justice.  If you've never been - put it on your bucket list.

                                           

Paddy's sister Lynne and her husband Jason who live in Alaska, have just finished building a vacation home south of the Grand Canyon and north of Williams, Arizona.  It's off the grid!!  Meaning they are totally self-sufficient.  There are 12 solar panels that supply all the electricity, and they have water delivered when needed.  Yes, they do have all the conveniences - dishwasher, washer, dryer, air conditioning, etc.  Stacks of fire wood will feed the wood burning stove for heat.

                  In Sedona with sisters Diane and Lynne.  It was great to spend some time with them.

 Last stop, Palm Springs.  We arrived at Larry's on May 13th, after 13 days and 3,200 miles on the road.  I had a great time and I'm ready to jump back on that bike!

Southern path - Cross Country on the Harley

The Wild Hogs!

 

What a great trip we had with Larry and his brother Rudy traveling cross country on the bikes! Larry and Rudy shipped their bikes to Crystal River then flew out to join us for this cross country adventure! We left Crystal River on the morning of May 1st.  And the only rain we hit during the trip - was in Florida and on our first day.  Go figure!  First stop Dothan, AL where we stayed in this old golf course/country club that basically had fallen on bad times.  But not totally dilapidated!  The guys did get to hit some balls on the driving range.

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 Next stop, (after a visit to the Waffle House) was Montgomery, AL.  We got a little taste of the Confederate history and the Civil Rights Museum with the stunning fountain dedicated to Martin Luther King, Jr.  Around the rim of the fountain's edge are listed the events in chronological order during the civil rights movement era.  The water skims the top and slides down to the base.  The museum was very moving.

 Day 3 - (after a visit to the Waffle House) Columbus, Mississippi.  I had to see an antebellum home.  Oh goody - found one!  It was off the beaten path and charming.  Huge live oaks and magnolia trees.  The Waverley Plantation.  We had a private tour with the caretaker.  He was strange.................

No, not the caretaker.  That's Rudy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 


Then a beautiful drive on the Natchez Trace.  A must ride for those with a motorcycle.

Graceland, Graceland, Memphis Tennessee..........love Paul Simon AND Elvis!  

A little history.  Graceland was once part of a 500-acre farm that was owned by the S.E. Toof family. The land had been part of the family for generations and was named after one of the female relatives, Grace. According to Graceland history, in 1939, Grace's niece, Ruth Brown Moore and her husband, Dr. Thomas Moore, built the mansion, which became well-known to the locals of Memphis. The Moore's daughter, Ruth Marie, was musically accomplished and became a harpist with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. Classical recitals in the front formal rooms were common, just as rock 'n' roll and gospel jam sessions would be after the next owner moved in.

In the spring of 1957, when Elvis Presley was 22, he purchased the home and grounds for just over $100,000. The previous year had been a whirlwind - it was Elvis' first year of super-stardom including historic network television appearances, record-breaking live performances and armloads of gold record awards. At the time he bought Graceland, Elvis was working on his second motion picture, "Loving You," with "Jailhouse Rock" to follow, just the beginning of a long film career for Elvis Presley. 

I took a lot of pictures there....................but you are just going to have to see it for yourself.

Beale Street - music central for Memphis.


After another damn visit to Waffle House (I just can't do it anymore!  I'm going to weigh a ton!), we drive on to Little Rock, Arkansas to see the William J. Clinton Presidential Library located on the Arkansas River.   I was always a fan of the Clintons, and even more so after visiting that Presidential Library. There are binders with their daily schedule broken down to 15 minute increments!  They were busy and did some awesome things for this country and the world. www.clintonlibrary.gov

The William J. Clinton Presidential Library, a part of the National Archives, has been designated as one of the most energy efficient and environmentally friendly places to work in the United States by the U.S. Green Buildings Council under its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Program.
The 153,779 sq. ft. Library, designed by architect James Polshek, is the first federal building to receive a platinum rating, the highest in the LEED for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB) Green Building rating system. Only 29 other buildings in the world have achieved the LEED platinum designation.


Eureka Springs, Arkansas - what a charming Victorian-era town.  Lots of turn-of-the (other)-century homes line the hilly streets.  Big touristy destination.  It was established in the late 1800's when a local doctor claimed his blindness was cured by the waters in the springs.  The Crescent Hotel below was originally a "medicinal spa" - to cure all that ails you.  

  

                          Many of the 27 springs throughout town are located in a cave.

                                                   Had a great Mexican dinner here.

                                Another springs' entrance - some are more elaborate than others.

On my destination "dream list" was the Thorncrown Chapel.  Nestled in a woodland setting, Thorncrown Chapel rises forty-eight feet into the Ozark sky. This magnificent wooden structure contains 425 windows and over 6,000 square feet of glass. It sits atop over 100 tons of native stone and colored flagstone, making it blend perfectly with its setting. The chapel's simple design and majestic beauty combine to make it what critics have called "one of the finest religious spaces of modern times."  www.thorncrown.com

This chapel took my breath away.  Designed by E. Fay Jones, an appreciator of Frank Lloyd Wright's style.

After our visit here, we continued on our trip through the Ozarks which are soft rolling mountains.  Next stop Tulsa, Texas, New Mexico, the Four Corners, and then Arizona.