Author: Roadtirementvintage

Brackett’s Landing North at Edmonds, Washington

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The beach and jetty at Brackett's Landing

The beach and jetty at Brackett’s Landing

We found a really nice area at Edmonds, Washington. Brackett’s Landing North is located next to the Washington Ferry dock  that serves Edmonds and Kingston. What you don’t see is the 27 acre underwater park that opened in 1970. There are established trails and all sorts of underwater features including sunken ships and other structures that serve as a great environment for marine life.

.On the surface there is a very nice albeit small beach area. There is a clean restroom and a large changing room for the scuba divers who frequent the park. There were sea birds alll over the place. The views of the water were spectacular the day we were there.

 

Edmonds to Kingston Ferry

Edmonds to Kingston Ferry

We passed through LeClaire, Iowa last summer

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I-80 Bridge over the Mississippi River

I-80 Bridge over the Mississippi

Last summer on our trek from central Indiana to Seattle we went by LeClaire, Iowa right after we crossed the Mississippi River on I-80. LeClaire is the home base for the American Pickers TV show. You know, those two chaps who roam the country looking for antiques and other unique old items. We drove up through the town, but where they had their store was difficult to get to while towing a 29′ trailer. We did see their store, though. Maybe sometime we’ll be able to stop.

25th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall

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Two sections of the Berlin Wall

Two sections of the Berlin Wall

Today, November 9th, is the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. The Google Doodle tipped me off or I would not have known. We came through Rapid City SD last summer, and we spotted an interesting bit of history that applies to today’s landmark.

We were just driving around checking out the town and spotted a sign in a park next to the convention center that said “The Berlin Wall”. There is a memorial to the history of the divided city and the ultimate fall of Communism and the tearing down of the wall.

There are two sections of the original Berlin Wall displayed along with information filled plaques, signs and even old tank traps that were once used at Check Point Charlie, the only gate between East and West Berlin during the times of the divided city.

If you travel through the Rapid City area on your way to Mt. Rushmore, take a few minutes and go see this memorial. It is worth the time.

An ominous sign back then...

An ominous sign back then…

Knightstown, Indiana Jellystone Park resort

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Yogi greets you as you enter the RV Park

Yogi greets you as you enter the RV Park

This park, one of a chain of camping resorts themed to the Jellystone Hanna-Barbera cartoon characters, is located on I-70 between Indianapolis and Richmond. Exit 115 will take you to the park which can be seen from the interstate.

The Jellystone Park staff organizes many activities for kids of all ages. Seasonal themed events are often offered. The pool provides a nice summer break from the heat. If you want to wet a line, the fishing lake is well kept and well stocked. For a modest fee Yogi Bear himself will come to your site and tuck in the kids.

The facility is easy to negotiate with wide interior roads. Among the 130 sites there are several full hook-up pull through sites and a separate tent camping area for those who prefer a more primitive experience. The Comfort Station is immaculate and is large enough to handle a near capacity crowd.

Check the Knightstown Jellystone Park website for details. Be sure to notice the many specials that are listed. This campground has many different ways to offer its clientele reduced rates for seasonal campers and group camping.

This was one of the first campgrounds that we used back when we had our little Starcraft. It is kid and family friendly.

 

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band at Edmonds Center for the Arts

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L to R: McEuen, Fadden, Hanna, and Carpenter

L to R: McEuen, Fadden, Hanna, and Carpenter

Tonight Sher and I shared a theater full of fellow baby boomers in order to hear from an old friend. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band gave a one night concert at the Edmonds Center for the Arts (ECA) as they are wrapping up their 2014 tour. Press releases and the NGDB website itself refers to the band as “iconic” and a catalyst for American Rock. Since 1966 the band has earned those accolades and still command the respect of the music industry.

Tonight’s performance in the fine accoustics of the historic auditorium at ECA was a delightful trip down memory lane. The audience had obviously been concert goers for decades. Nearly every person in attendance (with the lion’s share over 55) did his or her own style of appreciation be it foot tapping, hand clapping or engaged in the classic ‘sitting body rock’. OK, maybe not everybody, but I sure had some good memories of concerts past.

From organ to honky tonk piano and everything in between, Bob Carpenter brings a diversity of sounds from his keyboards that have you wondering where the sounds are originating. Jeff Hanna’s vocals are truly powerful in effect. Guitar playing? Hanna shows his skills across several styles of guitar work and blends with the other instruments perfectly. Jimmie Fadden is a classic and superb drummer. I would challenge anyone to name a musician who can get as much out of a harmonica as Fadden can. John McEuen’s work on guitar, mandolin, steel guitar, fiddle and 5-string banjo is at times unbelievable. You won’t find a better 5-string picker than McEuen.

The playlist tonight was classic NGDB as you would expect. “Face on the Cutting Room Floor” was played early in the show with reference to the late John Goodman given. The band gave a moving version of “Dance Little Jean” one I had not heard for a long time. The instrumental solos offered by each of the men during the playing of “Ripplin Waters” was one of the highlights for me. I really got a kick out of the NGDB version of the Beatles “Get Back” with a 5-string banjo. And of course “Mr. Bojangles” was appreciated by all.

John McEuen was brilliant in his monologue and presentation of “The Ballad of Jed Clampett”. He successfully had an entire crowd of boomers singing along with him as he reminded us all that we would have to explain the ballad to our kids and (gasp) grandkids.

Don’t miss an opportunity to see NGDB in concert. This was one of those events that Sher and I can say we were glad we attended. This was a great concert in a great venue.

Kyoto: A great Japanese steak house in Everett, WA

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Chicken, steak, shrimp and veggies on the grill at the Kyoto

Chicken, steak, shrimp and veggies on the grill at the Kyoto

Last night Sher and I went to a Japanese Steak House named Kyoto in Everett, Washington. Our daughter and son-in-law and grandson were with us on this fun dining trip. The chef came to the table with the built in grill. Our chef was really a treat and he enjoyed taking to us as he cooked.

This place is stuck in the end of a strip mall building across the street from the big Everett Mall. It is worth seeking out. We would give this place a five star rating on both the service and the quaity of the meals.

 

Northwest Ballet put on a great performance of Drcaula at MBT

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The cast of Dracula

The cast of Dracula

The NorthWest Ballet Theater and Academy put on a fabulous evening of ballet at the Mt. Baker Theatre in Bellingham Washington last weekend. This production of Dracula, based upon the classic Bram Stoker novel, was both exciting and entertaining at the same time. Director and choreographer John Bishop showed his incredible talent with his direction of a most talented cast.

Other reviews of the show when presented at the McIntyre Hall mentioned a standing ovation. The MBT presentation was equally received by the audience. Joshua Deininger danced the lead role of Count Dracula. His techniques have been honed to near perfection, and his interpretation of the sinister undead character of the night just oozed from his stage presence.

Amanda Alexander was also delightful to watch as she danced the part of the wicked Queen Wraith, a partner in crime with the Count. Shannan McCormick Behrens as Mina Harker was outstanding as well. Delci Syvertson was cast as the victim of Dracula’s seductive powers, and the others in the performance were very well received. This ballet company has and continues to provide world class performances in Northwest Washington venues.

MBT

MBT

Director John Bishop has gone on record saying that the October performances of Dracula will be a yearly event. Make sure to check your calendar in 2015 and catch next year’s NorthWest Ballet production of Dracula.

A fun Halloween Pumpkin Glow at a pumpkin patch

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IMG_0524_resizedYesterday evening we had a fun time at a local event outside of Snohomish, Washington. We went to a local farm named Craven Farm to witness their Pumpkin Glow event. This facility had given 100 pumpkins to the local Boys and Girls Club. They also offered free pumpkins and carving tools anybody else who brought their kids.

The carved pumpkins were put on a pyramid frame. Just at dark the “friendly Harvest Witch” told some stories and then after a countdown all the pumpkins were lit up! It was really fun to see, and the throng of kids were delighted as well.

We really enjoyed this event. Local happenings like this are great to seek out and attend.

Our new short queen mattress from Mattress Insider

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Ok, how many of you RVers out there still have the mattress that came with your RV? If you do, you sure had a better mattress when you bought your RV than we had in ours. The mattress in our master BR was a five inch thick thing that appeared to be stuffed with the same material in a carnival prize stuffed animal. We both were waking up with backaches after sleepless nights.

innerspring-coil-rv-mattress-park-meadow-sml

This is the mattress we bought from Mattress Insider

Sher began to check around for a different mattress. She found the MattressInsider.com site on the web. Long story short, this site is a gold mine for RV replacement and custom made mattresses.

We looked at the many styles of mattresses and felt that we really would prefer steel coil construction for the firm support. We found the 8″ Park Meadow Pocketed Coil RV Mattress II. We placed our order by phone and received the mattress seven days after it shipped with free shipping.

Wow. This mattress is more comfortable than the one we had in our house. Backaches have gone. We sleep at night. (Now there is a concept!) We just love this mattress and should have ordered it sooner.

Don’t even hesitate to do business with Mattress Insider. They were great to work with on the phone. Delivery was as promised. Set up was easy: simply remove the packaging and the mattress unrolls itself. (The package is about the size of a 30 gallon drum, weighs about 70 pounds.) Let it “expand” for 3 hours and you are good to go.

Guarantee? You bet. If before 100 nights you are not satisfied, simply donate the mattress to a charity, get a receipt for same, and send the receipt to the company for a full refund. No sending the mattress back to the company on your nickel!

Need a new mattress for your RV? Browse the Mattress Insider website and/or call them at 1-888-327-3047. You will not be disappointed working with these great folks.