What a wonderful day this has been. We started the morning leaving Fork, Wa (yeah, the Twilight place) and went on a little there and back hundred mile trip to Cape Flattery. Cape Flattery is the most northwestern place in the continental United States. It is out of the way, but well worth the trip. Very scenic, changing weather, our first sighting of the Pacific on this trip. The hike out to the point wasn't too bad--great way to start the day.
Our next stop was at the Hoh rainforest. Unbelievable trees and moss and ferns and all the other stuff you'd see in a rainforest. It rained like crazy, but you could actually find dry places every so often. A little tougher hike, but nothing real difficult. Lots of old growth trees---real interesting visit.
Next up was Ruby Beach. Black sand, lots of "tree bones". Water was temperate....suppose you could sunbath if you had a notion to. Would have liked to see the changes when the tide comes in....
Amazing to the Misses and I how many changes in landscape, vegetation and weather can occur in such a short distance. Enjoyed very much our visit to Olympic National Park, and would recommend it to anybody visiting the area, especially those who like to hike. The longer hikes really looked interesting, but you'd have to know what you're doing.
That is going to about end our visit to Washington. Think we'll swing by the old Olympia Brewery in the morning, take a couple of pictures of the capital, and then it's on to the next stops. Oregon.
Sunday, July 26, 2015
Day 6--Olympic Mountains
Only went about 200 miles or so today on the odometer, but sure saw and experienced lots. Started the day taking a ferry from Seattle to Kingston---the Misses says it saved me a lot in time and fuel, but since I'm on vacation I don't do math. Olympic National Park and the surrounding area is a very diverse and beautiful area. Waterfalls, lakes, all kinds of different plant life, some wildlife, different weather conditions from one side of the mountain to the next, all very interesting. Looking forward to Sunday (today) to see what it will bring.
Friday, July 24, 2015
On the Road Day 5---Seattle
Well we were up early this morning, headed up to Seattle. Washington is a very pretty state, but they have a few short comings. Like road signs. Very very bad. The drivers aren't the best in the world either. But these are things you deal with, just the way it goes. So once we arrived in Seattle, we were off to Pike's Market. Lot's of little shops, good beer, touristy market place. I was amazed at the number of people walking around this downtown area. Pretty soon we headed a couple of miles away to head up the Space Needle.
Now we know how I feel about heights. And waiting around for three hours or so didn't help the situation any. But the Misses wanted to go up, so away I went. I wasn't wild about the elevator ride up, but I tried not to look out on the rip up. And it wasn't too bad while I was in the enclosed observation deck. But then I threw caution to the wind and headed outside with the Misses. It wasn't that bad as I stayed away from the edge. So I started trying to catch up with the Misses to surprise here. And then the wind hit. And that about did it for me. Grabbing on to anything that was fastened down. People were nice enough to get out of my way, and I did make it back inside without any further incident. Was very happy to get back on solid ground.
Had dinner at a place called The Pike Brewery. This place has the best collection of brewery flats I've ever seen, along with tap knobs, signs, trays etc. I figure somewhere around two to three hundred grand in stuff. Good food, great beer. Would highly recommend it. It was really a nice leisurely day. Lots of walking, but a fun day in Seattle. Beautiful city, lots of people. Glad we spent the day, can only imagine what else there is to see here. Spending the night here in Seattle at some no name hotel (it'll do), and tomorrow off to Olympic National Park. We may get wet, we won't melt.....
Now we know how I feel about heights. And waiting around for three hours or so didn't help the situation any. But the Misses wanted to go up, so away I went. I wasn't wild about the elevator ride up, but I tried not to look out on the rip up. And it wasn't too bad while I was in the enclosed observation deck. But then I threw caution to the wind and headed outside with the Misses. It wasn't that bad as I stayed away from the edge. So I started trying to catch up with the Misses to surprise here. And then the wind hit. And that about did it for me. Grabbing on to anything that was fastened down. People were nice enough to get out of my way, and I did make it back inside without any further incident. Was very happy to get back on solid ground.
Had dinner at a place called The Pike Brewery. This place has the best collection of brewery flats I've ever seen, along with tap knobs, signs, trays etc. I figure somewhere around two to three hundred grand in stuff. Good food, great beer. Would highly recommend it. It was really a nice leisurely day. Lots of walking, but a fun day in Seattle. Beautiful city, lots of people. Glad we spent the day, can only imagine what else there is to see here. Spending the night here in Seattle at some no name hotel (it'll do), and tomorrow off to Olympic National Park. We may get wet, we won't melt.....
Random Rumblings of a Middle Aged White Guy: On The Road, Day 4
Random Rumblings of a Middle Aged White Guy: On The Road, Day 4: Well we were up early on Thursday, trying to decide if we were going to head north to Glacier. A quick look and the morning news actually m...
On The Road, Day 4
Well we were up early on Thursday, trying to decide if we were going to head north to Glacier. A quick look and the morning news actually made the decision easy. Cars on fire and abandoned, roads closed and campers being evacuated. We don't need to see fire. So we decided to head to Mt. Rainer in Washington. Sadly, I doubt if I'll ever make it to Glacier now. But that's the way it goes sometimes.
We were about an hour from the Idaho boarder, and headed out. Now I do enjoy driving as many of you may know, except for a couple of things---bridges and mountains (even high hills actually). And although Idaho is probably 60 miles across in the panhandle, it is pretty much the Bitter Root Mountains that you are dealing with. I know the roads are much better than they used to be, but I still get a little nervous with the back and forth up in the altitudes. The scenery was beautiful (when I took a second to look), and we drove into Washington without incident. Later in the day I would wish I was only dealing with the Bitter Roots.
Western Washington was pretty uneventful. We weren't interested in stopping in any of the cities or towns along the way, just heading for Mt. Rainer. Until we decided to stop and stretch at a roadside overlook. Which just happened to overlook the Columbia River. Just gorgeous. Washington needs to do a better job with their signage!!!
Soon enough, we were in the Yakima valley, and could see our destination in the distance. And it was time to get off the interstate and onto the state highways, and the beginning of white knuckle time for me. Now I don't mind the uphill so much, but I'm not wild about the 6% decline with the blind turns waiting at the bottom. Oh yeah, and the local guy right on my tail because he knows where he is going. Once again though, beautiful scenery....
We finally arrived at Mt. Rainer National Park about 2:30 local time. We arrived from the east, and the first place we wanted to stop (old growth forest) was so packed we figured we'd catch it on the way out. Didn't know we wouldn't go back that way. We stopped at a few places along the drive, and the beauty made everything we'd seen all day pale in comparison. We came around one corner, and there was Mt. Rainer, and a parking area to boot. So I stopped for a quick photo, and was soon joined by quite a few other people, enjoying a glorious sight. Which I soon learned is not really all that common. I guess that the top of the Mountain is more often than not in the clouds, so it is a real treat to see the top. Never knew....
Well, we finally reached the visitor center, which is 5400 or 5500 feet up. People are all wearing coats and hiking gear, I get out of the car wringing wet, just all sweated up. Don't think I have ever been that scared driving in my life. Twists and turns, no guard rails, zero room for error. And Mt. Rainer is just beautiful. Trees and flowers, even the rock and snow look amazing. The place is just crawling with people, and I'm willing to gear up for a hike, but the Misses nixes it. Says she doesn't want to go, but I think she knows if we go it will probably be dark when we head down the Mountain, and the going down is worse than the going up.....
Except it wasn't. We left through the east side of the park, where the trees grow, so I couldn't see where I'd end up if I went over the edge. And the have a new road...piece of cake. But what a beautiful place to see and visit......
We were about an hour from the Idaho boarder, and headed out. Now I do enjoy driving as many of you may know, except for a couple of things---bridges and mountains (even high hills actually). And although Idaho is probably 60 miles across in the panhandle, it is pretty much the Bitter Root Mountains that you are dealing with. I know the roads are much better than they used to be, but I still get a little nervous with the back and forth up in the altitudes. The scenery was beautiful (when I took a second to look), and we drove into Washington without incident. Later in the day I would wish I was only dealing with the Bitter Roots.
Western Washington was pretty uneventful. We weren't interested in stopping in any of the cities or towns along the way, just heading for Mt. Rainer. Until we decided to stop and stretch at a roadside overlook. Which just happened to overlook the Columbia River. Just gorgeous. Washington needs to do a better job with their signage!!!
Soon enough, we were in the Yakima valley, and could see our destination in the distance. And it was time to get off the interstate and onto the state highways, and the beginning of white knuckle time for me. Now I don't mind the uphill so much, but I'm not wild about the 6% decline with the blind turns waiting at the bottom. Oh yeah, and the local guy right on my tail because he knows where he is going. Once again though, beautiful scenery....
We finally arrived at Mt. Rainer National Park about 2:30 local time. We arrived from the east, and the first place we wanted to stop (old growth forest) was so packed we figured we'd catch it on the way out. Didn't know we wouldn't go back that way. We stopped at a few places along the drive, and the beauty made everything we'd seen all day pale in comparison. We came around one corner, and there was Mt. Rainer, and a parking area to boot. So I stopped for a quick photo, and was soon joined by quite a few other people, enjoying a glorious sight. Which I soon learned is not really all that common. I guess that the top of the Mountain is more often than not in the clouds, so it is a real treat to see the top. Never knew....
Well, we finally reached the visitor center, which is 5400 or 5500 feet up. People are all wearing coats and hiking gear, I get out of the car wringing wet, just all sweated up. Don't think I have ever been that scared driving in my life. Twists and turns, no guard rails, zero room for error. And Mt. Rainer is just beautiful. Trees and flowers, even the rock and snow look amazing. The place is just crawling with people, and I'm willing to gear up for a hike, but the Misses nixes it. Says she doesn't want to go, but I think she knows if we go it will probably be dark when we head down the Mountain, and the going down is worse than the going up.....
Except it wasn't. We left through the east side of the park, where the trees grow, so I couldn't see where I'd end up if I went over the edge. And the have a new road...piece of cake. But what a beautiful place to see and visit......
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
On The Road Again.....
Hey Buckaroos, I'm back to do a little blogging. On the road again, this time to the Great Northwest. Really can't imagine I'll ever head out this way again, so we will see how it goes. The Misses and I really have no itinerary, which I like because I can go where I want. We also have no reservations, which may prove to be a problem. We will see......
I'm calling this trip the "Practice Retirement", or "Way Out West". We left home on Monday and headed to Minneapolis to check in with he Darlin' Daughter. We went out to dinner at Surly Brewer with Lee and her friends Adam and MaryAnn. Food was good and the beer was excellent. Spent a couple of hours with the gang, dropped off some birthday presents, dropped of the kids anddayd were on our way. Headed west, looking to get to St. Cloud. Made it to Rogers, MN. It's not far from Minneapolis. We were tired......
We were up and at it early on Tuesday, headed for North Dakota. Now I know everyone says there isn't anything to do or see in North Dakota, but they are wrong!!! We stopped and saw the world's largest buffalo (and one of the white buffalos----one in a million ya know---drove past some interesting welding art as well as the worlds largest Holstein cow, and stopped at the Painted Canyon--beautiful. Finally, we arrived at Madora North Dakota. Madora is where you will find the main entrance to the southern part of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Don't imagine too many folks visit this park. There is a nice 36 mile driving loop, as well as place to park to go for various hikes of different lengths and difficulty. We too a few of these short hikes, and the scenery is amazing. We were there in the early evening, and the sun and shadows only enhanced the beauty. As we were driving around the loop, we came to the prairie dog village (blah), stumbled across a lone buffalo just laying by the side of the road, and also had a wild stallion come down the road at us.
We were feeling pretty lucky to see what we did when we came to the turn for the last couple of miles of the loop. Yup a whole herd of buffalo. Big ones, little ones, huge ones. Unbelievable!!! I parked the car right in the middle of the road and just let them walk on by. It was quite the experience--they were less than a foot from the car.....great pictures.....
Wednesday is day three of the trip, and we want to get up to Glacier National Park. Montana is a heck of a big state. We ended up putting on about 700 miles today. Seatereatus has set in. We did take some time out to visit Pompey's Pillar. I've seen pictures of this since at least 8th grade, if not earlier. It is a stone where William Clark carved his name while on the exposition. It is the only record left that Lewis and Clark were ever anywhere. You see, the carved their names all over the place, and we know where because they kept meticulous records. But this is the only place they put their name that wasn't a tree. And we know what happens to trees......
So we are hunkered down in Missoula Montana trying to plan tomorrow....Glacier National Park is having some problems with fire and is half shut down. We are having a bit of a problem finding lodging. We'll see what tomorrow brings.....we may be Oregon bound......
I'm calling this trip the "Practice Retirement", or "Way Out West". We left home on Monday and headed to Minneapolis to check in with he Darlin' Daughter. We went out to dinner at Surly Brewer with Lee and her friends Adam and MaryAnn. Food was good and the beer was excellent. Spent a couple of hours with the gang, dropped off some birthday presents, dropped of the kids anddayd were on our way. Headed west, looking to get to St. Cloud. Made it to Rogers, MN. It's not far from Minneapolis. We were tired......
We were up and at it early on Tuesday, headed for North Dakota. Now I know everyone says there isn't anything to do or see in North Dakota, but they are wrong!!! We stopped and saw the world's largest buffalo (and one of the white buffalos----one in a million ya know---drove past some interesting welding art as well as the worlds largest Holstein cow, and stopped at the Painted Canyon--beautiful. Finally, we arrived at Madora North Dakota. Madora is where you will find the main entrance to the southern part of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Don't imagine too many folks visit this park. There is a nice 36 mile driving loop, as well as place to park to go for various hikes of different lengths and difficulty. We too a few of these short hikes, and the scenery is amazing. We were there in the early evening, and the sun and shadows only enhanced the beauty. As we were driving around the loop, we came to the prairie dog village (blah), stumbled across a lone buffalo just laying by the side of the road, and also had a wild stallion come down the road at us.
We were feeling pretty lucky to see what we did when we came to the turn for the last couple of miles of the loop. Yup a whole herd of buffalo. Big ones, little ones, huge ones. Unbelievable!!! I parked the car right in the middle of the road and just let them walk on by. It was quite the experience--they were less than a foot from the car.....great pictures.....
Wednesday is day three of the trip, and we want to get up to Glacier National Park. Montana is a heck of a big state. We ended up putting on about 700 miles today. Seatereatus has set in. We did take some time out to visit Pompey's Pillar. I've seen pictures of this since at least 8th grade, if not earlier. It is a stone where William Clark carved his name while on the exposition. It is the only record left that Lewis and Clark were ever anywhere. You see, the carved their names all over the place, and we know where because they kept meticulous records. But this is the only place they put their name that wasn't a tree. And we know what happens to trees......
So we are hunkered down in Missoula Montana trying to plan tomorrow....Glacier National Park is having some problems with fire and is half shut down. We are having a bit of a problem finding lodging. We'll see what tomorrow brings.....we may be Oregon bound......
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Graduation Time Again.....
Well, that time of year has rolled around again, and I'm going to write about a few things I have learned in my fifty some years on the ol' orb. Hoping that my young friends and family will read this and talk about it and share it and maybe learn from some of my mistakes and experiences. So here I go....
Congratulations on your recent graduation my young friends. I am sure you are all excited about your upcoming careers. I would also imagine that some of you may be getting nervous about finding the perfect first job. You need to know this. You may not land your dream job right off the bat. Doesn't always happen. Sometimes it never does. Do not fret. Stay at it, and things tend to work out. You need to find that first job in order to get the next, "better" job.
Pay yourself first. If you have never heard this, somebody has failed you in your education. In about forty years or so, you will be looking to retire. You are going to need some funds. Social security? Good luck, I hope it is still around. Learn the miracle of compounding, the Rule of 72. I am sure you all know a business major. Ask if you don't know.
Do your best to take care of your health. You can stay on your parents plan until you are 26 years old. Enjoy it while you can. You will have premiums and deductibles and co-pays. It will not be cheap. There are some things that you can't control. Stay fit and healthy. You will save money and be happier.
Apologies to the marketing and advertising and salesmen/women who are my young friends out there, but you don't need everything people are trying to sell you. Apple will come out with a new product probably every year long after you and I are both gone. You don't need it just because somebody says you do. Know the difference between needs and want. You NEED food and shelter and to be clothed. You may need a car. You don't need a new Lexus. Yet.
You have not won, nor will you ever win, the Nigerian lottery. Do not be a fool. You are educated!! There are people out there who want your money. They are smart---but lazy. It is easier for them to steal from you than to earn things on their own. They are tricky. So guard your privacy. Change your passwords---if you think it's a pain now, wait until you're old like me. Don't make it easy for the leaches to take your stuff---you'll will have worked too hard.
Put the phones down once in awhile and talk to people. Not text them or IM them. TALK to them. It's interesting. You will probably learn something. While your at it, take noet of your surroundings. There is lots of stuff going on around you as you're walking down the street or driving around looking at your phone.
See the world. Whether the be your city or state or America or the world. It is truly a wonderful thing. Please remember in your travels that although most people are good, danger does lurk. Know where there is unrest. I would hate to read about a kidnapping, or worse. And while I'm on the subject of the world, you have work to do. The last hundred twenty five years or so, we have really screwed it up. We have eradicated species and resources, fouled the air and water, just really messed up. So reduce reuse recycle. Give a hoot, don't pollute. You all know the drill. It's the only earth we have---hope you can save it.
On you handheld device that you use to text and IM and FB and what not, there is a little icon that looks like a handset (goggle it!). If you punch in a series of numbers, you will be able to TALK to your parents and grandparents if you are lucky enough that they are still around. CALL US!! We are interested in how you are doing, if we can help you with anything, if you need anything. We know stuff. We won't be around forever.....
Just a couple of more things for now. Don't compare yourself with others, for always there will be those greater and lesser than you. Whatever career you choose, try to be the best at it that you can be, whether it be accountant or teacher or ditch digger. Just do your best. Have a little humility. I know a lot of successful people, a lot of people who are good at things. I would say one of the traits they all share is that they are at least a little humble.
Never argue with an idiot.
On your way up the ladder, try not to forget those not as successful as you. Most times it's not their fault. Help when you can. Remember, but for the grace of God, there go I......
Finally, life is meant to be LIVED!! Be involved. Find solutions. Cure something. Start something. Watch out for each other, take care of each other. You have already accomplished much---you have much to do. And once again.....CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Congratulations on your recent graduation my young friends. I am sure you are all excited about your upcoming careers. I would also imagine that some of you may be getting nervous about finding the perfect first job. You need to know this. You may not land your dream job right off the bat. Doesn't always happen. Sometimes it never does. Do not fret. Stay at it, and things tend to work out. You need to find that first job in order to get the next, "better" job.
Pay yourself first. If you have never heard this, somebody has failed you in your education. In about forty years or so, you will be looking to retire. You are going to need some funds. Social security? Good luck, I hope it is still around. Learn the miracle of compounding, the Rule of 72. I am sure you all know a business major. Ask if you don't know.
Do your best to take care of your health. You can stay on your parents plan until you are 26 years old. Enjoy it while you can. You will have premiums and deductibles and co-pays. It will not be cheap. There are some things that you can't control. Stay fit and healthy. You will save money and be happier.
Apologies to the marketing and advertising and salesmen/women who are my young friends out there, but you don't need everything people are trying to sell you. Apple will come out with a new product probably every year long after you and I are both gone. You don't need it just because somebody says you do. Know the difference between needs and want. You NEED food and shelter and to be clothed. You may need a car. You don't need a new Lexus. Yet.
You have not won, nor will you ever win, the Nigerian lottery. Do not be a fool. You are educated!! There are people out there who want your money. They are smart---but lazy. It is easier for them to steal from you than to earn things on their own. They are tricky. So guard your privacy. Change your passwords---if you think it's a pain now, wait until you're old like me. Don't make it easy for the leaches to take your stuff---you'll will have worked too hard.
Put the phones down once in awhile and talk to people. Not text them or IM them. TALK to them. It's interesting. You will probably learn something. While your at it, take noet of your surroundings. There is lots of stuff going on around you as you're walking down the street or driving around looking at your phone.
See the world. Whether the be your city or state or America or the world. It is truly a wonderful thing. Please remember in your travels that although most people are good, danger does lurk. Know where there is unrest. I would hate to read about a kidnapping, or worse. And while I'm on the subject of the world, you have work to do. The last hundred twenty five years or so, we have really screwed it up. We have eradicated species and resources, fouled the air and water, just really messed up. So reduce reuse recycle. Give a hoot, don't pollute. You all know the drill. It's the only earth we have---hope you can save it.
On you handheld device that you use to text and IM and FB and what not, there is a little icon that looks like a handset (goggle it!). If you punch in a series of numbers, you will be able to TALK to your parents and grandparents if you are lucky enough that they are still around. CALL US!! We are interested in how you are doing, if we can help you with anything, if you need anything. We know stuff. We won't be around forever.....
Just a couple of more things for now. Don't compare yourself with others, for always there will be those greater and lesser than you. Whatever career you choose, try to be the best at it that you can be, whether it be accountant or teacher or ditch digger. Just do your best. Have a little humility. I know a lot of successful people, a lot of people who are good at things. I would say one of the traits they all share is that they are at least a little humble.
Never argue with an idiot.
On your way up the ladder, try not to forget those not as successful as you. Most times it's not their fault. Help when you can. Remember, but for the grace of God, there go I......
Finally, life is meant to be LIVED!! Be involved. Find solutions. Cure something. Start something. Watch out for each other, take care of each other. You have already accomplished much---you have much to do. And once again.....CONGRATULATIONS!!!
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