Seattle and Bainbridge Island


Friday 10 May 2019 – Bainbridge Island


Arrived at Bainbridge Island around noon. Susie, brother Steve’s wife, picked us up at the ferry and we went to lunch at Eunice’s (Susie’s mom) favorite place, Doc’s Marina Grill, a lovely restaurant on the water. Susie is the executive director of the children’s museum, KidiMu, on Bainbridge. Steve is a residential building construction supervisor. Lunch on the deck was filled with reminiscences of Eunice who recently passed away at age 101!


We spent the afternoon visiting Steve’s recently completed projects and a visit to the Japanese WWII internment memorial. Many Japanese Americans populated Bainbridge in the 40’s as farmers. Locals were very upset that the Japanese Americans were rounded up during the period.

Steve’s company does high-end remodels and new construction. His latest is a “down-to-the-studs” remodel overlooking Puget Sound and Seattle. It was interesting to hear the conflicts that come up between the builder, homeowner and the architect and be able to see the plans and the house at the same time.

Our morning walk near Pleasant Beach

Cocktails at Steve and Susie’s, dinner at The Inn at Pleasant Beach, near where we stayed while on Bainbridge Island.


Saturday 11 May 2019


We played nine holes at Steve’s golf club (Meadowmeer Golf and Country Club). The course was surprisingly empty for a sunny Saturday. Everything was lush – rhododendron and azaleas were in full bloom. We didn’t keep score and lost few balls, so all was good.

Dinner was at Steve and Susie’s with talk of taxes and retirement planning. While they miss her, they both are a little relieved since Eunice has passed.


Sunday 12 May 2019 – Boeing and Seattle


We caught an early ferry from Kingston to Edmonds for the 9:30 Boeing plant tour. The tour covered assembly buildings for their largest planes – 747, 787 and 777, all built in the largest building in the United States. It was interesting to see the difference in assembly methods between aluminum (747 and 777) and carbon fiber planes (787). A bit of trivia – the paint on a 747 adds ~1000 pounds to the weight of the plane, lasts 3 - 5 years and must withstand temperatures ranging from 100+ to -70 F.

No cameras allowed in the plant, so...

Steve and Susie’s son, Beau, is married to Sara. They live north of Seattle near the Boeing plant. They are recently married and have a 5-month-old son, Miles, who is adored by all! Beau is a construction supervisor like his dad. They enjoy pouring over house plans critiquing architectural features and homeowners’ choices. It’s fun to watch them debate. Sara is a high school counselor. We went to Beau and Sara’s for lunch and then on the Sara’s parents nearby for dinner. It was great to see the family and grandparent dynamics – both grandparents are “first-timers.”

Susie and Steve and baby Miles

Mothers' Day dinner at Sara's parents

We spent the night in Seattle at a condo we rented near the waterfront.


Monday 13 May 2019 - Seattle


We slept in, had delicious pastry and coffee from Macrina Bakery in our condo then walked to Pike Place Market area for the art galleries, chowder and pictures.

We met friends, Michelle and Karen, at the Edgewater Hotel for happy hour. Michell is a colleague from the past Lauve has kept in touch with. We talked about wellness and travels. They had recently visited Amsterdam and had some good tips for our upcoming trip. They showed us around the Olympic Sculpture Garden for a beautiful sunset. We had dinner at Local 360, a burger place that sources locally. There is an interesting trend around Seattle in restaurant charges. Some are automatically adding a 5% tip for the kitchen staff. I always thought that our tip was shared with the rest of the staff. Guess not! There was some discussion of whether that means our tip should be reduced by 5%. Concluded that at least we shouldn’t tip on the tip!

With Michelle and Karen at Local 360

Tuesday 14 May 2019 – Seattle to Tucson


Slept in again! Our plane didn’t leave till the evening. A bit drizzly in morning. Had to check out of our condo at 11 and find a place to store our luggage while we visited the Chihuly Garden and Glass Gallery.

Lake of the Ozarks Sister Visit


Friday 26 Apr 2019


We are visiting Central Missouri to see my sisters and their spouses. Sister Lindy is married to Weldon and live at the Lake of the Ozarks. Lindy works as a dispatcher for Dave’s Appliance Service. Weldon works part-time at Woods Supermarket in the liquor department.


Nancy is married to Peter and lives in Columbia, MO. They are both retired, but Nancy is an amateur writer. Peter was an economics professor who now enjoys music.


We are staying at The Lodge of the Four Seasons in a two-bedroom condo. We arrived today and visited Weldon at Woods to pick up “supplies.” Weldon had to work, but Lindy came to the condo and we had dinner (quiche, salad and asparagus) brought by Lindy and Nancy.

Weldon at Woods

Sib Rivalry - Lindy and Nancy

Nancy, Lauve, Peter, Lindy dinner at our condo

It’s Spring in the Ozarks. The trees are leafing out. Dogwood and Redbud trees are in full bloom, Azaleas too. The temperatures are cool and perfect to be outside. We saw a bald eagle cruising over the lake near our hotel.

Peter and Nancy at the Lodge Japanese Garden

Saturday 27 Apr 2019


The girls had a pedicure scheduled at the Lodge spa called Spa Shiki! The boys had lunch at a lakeside bar – Lake House 13 - and talked cars and health issues like real old guys.

Facilities at Lake House 13 - Ozark innovation

Dinner was at Lindy’s. Weldon fixed his own excellent version of Margaritas – the key was fresh squeezed limes. Dinner was “15 Bean” soup with grilled andouille sausage an option, mini corn bread muffins and salad. We watched a Denzel Washington movie.

Drinks on the patio at Lindy and Weldon's

Sunday 28 Apr 2019


We had breakfast at the Lodge and met Lindy and Weldon at Ha Ha Tonka (translates – smiling waters) state park for a hike. The park main attraction is a “castle” built by Robert Snyder in 1905 as a residence but is now in ruins. The hike took us down about 500 steps to a spring leading into the Lake of the Ozarks. Great day for a hike!


Dinner was overlooking the lake at Paradise Restaurant.

Monday 29 Apr 2019


Everyone went their own way and we flew home to Tucson.

Tuesday 11 Sept 2018 Azay to Paris

Indre River through Azay

We took the TGV to Paris with Peter and Barbara and said goodbye at the station. We went on to our hotel for two nights, the Hotel Cluny Square near the Latin Quarter on the Left Bank – very near where we stayed the last time in Paris. It was short-sleeve weather hot. The last time we were here in mid-September we had to wear a fleece vest under a windbreaker.

Our little street scene

We had enough time before dinner to do a walk and visit the Pantheon and Luxenberg Gardens. Outside the Pantheon was a very moving display following a young French Jewish girl through her harrowing experience as a prisoner during WWII. Luxenberg Gardens on a Tuesday afternoon was busy with joggers and walkers – when do the French actually work?

Pantheon

Wednesday 12 Sept 2018 – Paris

Place de la Concord near l'Orangerie

Our 5^th anniversary today! We celebrated by visiting the Muse de l’Orangerie – an impressionist art museum. The museum was modified extensively to house one of Claud Monet’s final masterpieces – two elliptical rooms with 2-meter-high panoramic paintings of his beloved Giverny gardens, meant to be a calming place to visit following WWI. Other impressionists were displayed in standard gallery fashion. All were a collection by early 1900’s dealer and patron Paul Guillaume. 

For our anniversary we took an early evening Seine dinner cruise with Bateaux Parisien. Great meal and sights from a different perspective. We walked the three miles back to our hotel to work it off.

Last day in Europe. Home tomorrow.

City of lights

Sunday 9 Sept 2018 Amboise to Azay le Rideau

This was a long day on our heavy hybrids – 42 miles. And hot, high 80’s. We did a picnic on the grounds of Chateau d’Artigny in Montbazon that has been converted to a 4-star hotel.

Our hotel in Azay, the Bienicourt, is 3-stars, but maybe the most cramped we have stayed at this whole trip. We’re asking for different room for the second night.

Along the road

Our navigation system is working well. I have the Garmin GPS loaded with the route and Lauve has the que sheet provided by the tour company. One is a double check on the other. It would be frustrating and stressful to do the rides with only one of the two. Peter and Barbara had the same arrangement.

Monday 10 Sept 2018 – Loop to Chateau de Villandry

What can I say – another beautiful day riding through the countryside on smooth, well maintained roads with little, if any traffic. Agriculture today was mostly orchards – apple and pear. It was harvest time so we did stop to sample – delicious. Lauve got stung by a bee or wasp as we traveled through the fields. It didn't look so serious till we got back to the hotel. Then it started to swell and itch - ouch!

The major stop for today was the chateau in Villandry. This chateau has the most beautiful gardens of any we have seen. It was also the most modern and complete in its renovation. You could almost envision living in it except for the lack of bathrooms.

Love garden

Kitchen garden

More kitchen garden

On the way back to Azay we road along the Cher River and past its confluence with the Loire.

We did get our room changed to a much bigger, more comfortable room – yeah!

Wednesday 5 Sept 2018 – Orleans to Blois

We spent the day walking to the high points of Orleans Museums - Joan of Arc, Fine Arts and Anthropology. Then took a late afternoon train to Blois for the start of our bike trip. Our bikes were delivered to our very small B&B, La Masion du Carroir. Our innkeeper had limited English, but we got by.

Thursday 6 Sept 2018 Blois loop to Chateau Chambord

We started at the bike shop for some adjustments then found our way out of town on the way to Chambord – 25 miles round trip. Most of the ride was on well-marked bike paths but having the route on the Garmin made navigating less stressful. It took us through forests and vineyards. Rain threatened, but it ended up sunny for most of the day.

On the way to Chambord

The chateau was spectacular – the architecture, the massive size, the beautiful grounds. These people had money! The route back to Blois was along the Loire.

Chambord

Chambord detail

Friday 7 Sept 2018 Blois to Amboise

Along the Loire and through countryside with vineyards. Visited Leonardo De Vinci’s house, Clos Luce, in Amboise – the place he spent his final years. Stay at Manoir du Parc in Amboise – our best hotel so far. The rooms were big. There was a nice garden for happy hour.

De Vinci House

His workshop

Saturday 8 Sept 2018 – Loop to Chateau Chenonceau

Sunset on the Loire in Amboise

This is the chateau built across a river, the River Cher. It was spectacular, but in a different way from Chambord. This one was not nearly as grandiose from the outside, aside from being built across a river, but had much better appointed and grand living quarters. The weather was bright and sunny with the temperature peaking at a still comfortable 86.

Chenonceau

A mushroom barn in the woods on the way back