We were fortunate enough to take a whale watching cruise this past fall. We love the Island Mariner cruises out of Bellingham, Washington. The sun was out and there were dramatic fog banks rolling in and out of some of the San Juan Islands.
Sunset over the Gulf
There is something about a Florda sunset
Old Spaghetti Factory at Lynnwood Washington
Tonight we had a nice time at the Old Spaghetti Factory in Lynnwood, 
Washington. We went with our daughter and son-in-law and grandson. This is one of a chain of these eateries that are spread out all over the country.
We had a great meal. Each entree on the menu comes with either a soup or a salad and is topped off with a dish of spumoni ice cream for dessert included in the price of the entree. There was endless warm bread and butter brought to the table right after we ordered. The Cokes were a bit pricy at $2.75 but refills were free.
The entree I had was the ‘Meat Lover’s” which was spaghetti with meat sauce and two huge meatballs and a large link of Italian suasage. The sauce was thick and chock full of meat crumbles. The portion of spaghetti was a decent size, and the two huge meatballs and the extra large link of sausage made for a filling meal.
Sher enjoyed the spinach and cheese ravioli. The moderate sized portion was just right fo her. It was very tasty and well presented.
The atmosphere at this version of the Old Spaghetti Factory was relaxed and comfortable. There was an old Seattle trolley car in the main dining room set up with tables in the car. This was an unique sight to say the least. Our waitress was a delightful addition to our meal. She kept our drink glasses full, made sure we had fresh bread at all times, and served us with a smile. Mia did a great job making us feel welcome, and we will ask for her again.
The Lynnwood facility is worthy of your patronage. It is located at 2500 196th Street SW, Lynnwood, WA.
Portrait of a sea gull
When we were out a couple of days ago, I noticed a sea gull on a low perch on the beach. The photo is a result.
Brackett’s Landing North at Edmonds, Washington
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
We passed through LeClaire, Iowa last summer
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
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…
Remembering our August 2014 trip
Going through some of the photos from our trip this past summer I couldn’t help but share this great photo of Sher at our stop in Ten Sleep Canyon, Wyoming.
Knightstown, Indiana Jellystone Park resort
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
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.
Roadtirement 