retirement activity

Edmonds Washington Salish Sea Brewery and Taproom

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After our ferry ride from Kingston to Edmonds, Washington we wanted to grab a bite to eat. After a short ride around the streets of the coast town, we spotted a busy and interesting establishment, The Salish Sea Brewery & Taproom.

We were very pleased with the ambiance of this pub. The service was quick and responsive. The menu was filled with selections that would satisfy any craving. We all enjoyed our meals, and it is easy for us to recommend this establishment for dining and drinking in Edmonds.

House Specialty “Driftwood Bread Sticks”

Fish and Chips

Soup and sandwich

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edmonds is about 15 miles north of Seattle with a waterfront that faces west across Puget Sound to the Olympic Mountains. Whether you arrive by ferry or by car, this Seattle suburb is worth a visit.

Washington State Ferry between Kingston and Edmonds

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The Washington State Ferry System operates across the Puget Sound and the Salish Sea using 20 different terminals. These terminals are ports for the largest ferry system in the United States. Some of the ferries take vehicles, some are for foot travel only.

Waiting in line to get to the terminal

Ferry is approaching the dock, back left

 

 

 

 

 

 

During our recent road trip with family we traveled extensively on the Olympia Peninsula in the western part of the state.  We reached the port of Kingston and prepared to take one of the vehicle ferries on a 30 minute trip across Puget Sound to the port of Edmonds.

We were the first car to board the ferry

Lots of seating in the passenger lounge on the upper deck

 

 

 

 

 

We had a two hour wait to board the ferry at Kingston. It seemed like the wait on the road was not long, and we were actually first in line to board as we wanted easy elevator access to the passenger lounge.

This is the second ferry that runs the Kingston/Edmonds route

Downtown Seattle, 27 miles off, Space Needle far right

 

 

 

 

 

 

The rather short voyage was interesting. The scenery was something to see, not what landlocked Hoosiers are used to, that’s for sure. The Seattle skyline on the horizon was impressive, with the well recognized outline of the Space Needle visible 27 miles from our vantage point in the middle of Puget Sound.

Forks, Washington, home of Twilight saga books and movies

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The Twilight series of books followed by 5 movies captured the attention of a multitude of fans. Twilight tells the romance/adventure/scifi story of  a family of vampires, wanting to protect teenager Bella from a rival group of vampires. Oh, least I forget, there is also a tribe of Native Americans who happen to be shape shifter wolves who start out as sworn enemies of vampires.

Taking our typical tourist scene.

The Twilight books and movies were set in Forks, Washington, a small historic lumber town that claims to be the rainiest town in the contiguous United States. Even though most of the filming was done elsewhere, the town has grabbed onto the popularity and welcomes tourists.

Bell’s ’53 Chevy as described in the books

Bella’s ’63 Chevy featured in the movies

 

 

 

 

 

Interesting that described in the books, Bella drove a 1953 Chevrolet pickup truck. In the movies, she drove a 1963 Chevrolet truck. The movie’s original ’63 Chevy and a red ’53 Chevy are parked outside the Forks Chamber of Commerce.

Forks Chamber of Commerce

Forks has a long history in lumber business

 

 

 

 

 

Photos from the Movies: Left to Right, Jacob Black, (Shapeshifter wolf), Bella ( in love with Edward), Edward Cullen (vampire)

Forks is a small historic town on the Olympia Peninsula on Washington’s west Pacific coast. Since the debut of the intriguing vampire, shapeshifter wolves teen romance series of 6 books and 5 associated movies, this little town has become a mecca for Twilight fans world wide.

 

 

Massive amounts of driftwood logs on Washington’s Olympic National Park’s Ruby Beach

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Sher and I recently visited family in the Seattle area. We all took a two day road trip to  the Olympic Peninsula and other places. The natural beauty of this far north western part of the state provided one eye opening scene after another.

Driftwood logs on the shoreline

Driftwood logs, sea stacks in left background

 

 

 

 

 

Washington State Olympic National Park is on the Pacific coast in the north part of the state.  This national park has stunning scenery and beautiful coastlines. Highway 101 follows this coast and near the north end of the park it runs next to Ruby Beach. Dramatic “sea stacks”, rocks remaining after ocean weathering are visible from the shore.

Islands in the background off shore

People enjoying the beach, small islands almost gone background

 

 

 

 

 

Ruby Beach is home to an unbelievable amount of huge driftwood logs. Tidal currents have for centuries been responsible for the migration up and down the coastline  of the driftwood logs. Many of these weather worn logs have no doubt been on different parts of the beach over the decades.

 

Guy Johnson entertained us at the Oxford Saloon in Snohomish

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When Sher and I visit our family in the Seattle area, we always plan at least one trip to the Oxford Saloon in Snohomish. The Oxford (built in 1889) has quite the history, It was a brothel, a speakeasy and is documented as being haunted. Great food and good music highlight many enjoyable times we have had at the Oxford.

Guy on the Oxford stage

Roaming the crowd

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The evening we went the food as usual was delicious. (See our recent write up here.) Who was playing that evening became clear when Guy Johnson came in with his guitar, gear and a colorful coat. Guy is  a  singer, songwriter and performer from nearby Lynwood. He treated Sher and I with our genre of music: 60’s and 70’s!

Sher and I made our own dance floor!

We had the opportunity to chat with guy between sets. He shared with us some of his history, including details about his band. He was most generous with his time speaking to us. Guy is a very talented musician and he makes that guitar sing. We had a delightful time at the Oxford with not only our family but sharing stories and music with Guy Johnson.

You can find Guy Johnson on his Facebook here.

Vegas Fun – 2025

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We had a blast in Las Vegas! It was the first time either of us had been there.

We stayed at New York New York

We had a nice room, very clean and nicely decorated. A nice view from the window. We could see some of the roof top roller coaster. Lots of people were riding it and seemed to be having fun. Too scary for me and Maj.

Looking out the window.

We played some of the slot machines. We would win then lose. Had fun, but no big jackpot wins.

Frankenstein slot machine
Delicious food
The Hershey Shop

So many flavors of M&M’s. We didn’t buy candy because we couldn’t decide what we wanted. I did get a Reeces peanut butter milkshake, which was so good. It even had a real peanut butter cup in it. Maj and I got a baseball cap there.

Sites as we’re walking around.

I said walking around but really it was scootering around. Both of us have trouble walking long distances so we rented scooters. It was very easy getting around with them.

One of the highlights was seeing a Penn & Teller show. They are fantastic.

We had a fantastic time, our trip was full of laughs. And, the people were all so helpful and friendly.

Good eats in Madison Indiana at the Off Broadway Taproom

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We looked this place up the day before we went on our day trip to Madison. We had several places on our list, including a place to eat. We found the Off Broadway Taproom downtown on Main Street not far from the Courthouse.

You have to look for the sign above the entrance foyer

The entrance door in the set back foyer

The menu listed on the website promised quite a large and varied list of culinary delights. Sher ordered and enjoyed the vegetarian Avocado Caprese:  Mozzarella, Avacado, Tomato, Basal oil, and Balsamic Glaze on a Ciabatta Bun

Sher’s Avocado Caprese

Maj’s Philly Cheesesteak

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maj loved the Philly Cheesesteak with Shaved Ribeye, Sautéed Peppers and Onions, Provolone, Horsey Sauce and a Hoagie Bun.  We also ordered Soft Pretzels with House Beer Cheese and Sweet and Spicy Mustard. Both sandwiches came with fresh made potato chips.

Plenty of brews on tap

We enjoyed having lunch at the Off Broadway Taproom. The atmosphere is friendly, the service was excellent and the food was great. We both agreed that this is a pub to return too. We definitely recommend the self labeled “Madison’s Living Room”. That tag fits.

A splendid 1849 Greek Revival mansion on the Ohio River

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Madison, Indiana is a wonderful town on the Ohio River between Cincinnati and Louisville. The entire downtown has been declared a National Historic site due to the remarkable number of historic buildings including the Shrewsbury-Windle House.

The Official Designation Plaque

The “back door” on city street

 

 

 

 

 

One historic home brings back fond memories for me, as the most recent owners of the Shrewsbury-Windle house were close friends of my paternal grandparents, who also lived for a while in Madison.  As a young lad I remember many wonderful visits with John and Ann in the house. I loved climbing up and down that spiral stairway! John and Ann Windle founded the Historic Madison, Inc society.

3 story free standing spiral staircase

Frank Costigan was a famous architect who designed many Greek Revival style homes in both Indianapolis and Madison. The Shrewsbury House features 16-foot ceilings, 12 foot high entrance doors, intricate plaster moldings, and ornately carved stone details. The most remarkable (and acclaimed) feature is the 3 story, 53 step free standing spiral staircase. The stair case serves as a means of letting hot air raise and vent out of attic windows in addition to providing access to the second floor rooms.

The expansive yard, Ohio River in background past the far fence

Front door faces Ohio River, columns are typical Costigan style

Tours of the Shrewsbury-Windle House are available. For details please go to this page of Historic Madison Inc. In addition, I strongly recommend checking out this article outlining both the history of the house, and the history of John and Ann Windle’s ownership of the house and founding the Historic Madison, Inc society.

Church Basement Ladies bring smiles and laughter to Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre

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You probably know a lady who is a Church Basement Lady. You know, one of those unselfish women who give their time to help prepare meals and other chores for a variety of occasions at their church. Indy’s Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre has brought back the iconic musical comedy to share the exploits of four ladies and their Lutheran Pastor back in 1964.

The Church Basement Ladies sing that they’ve got their aprons on, they’re ready to go.

Back from the original production at Beef & Boards are Licia Watson as the matriarch Vivian Snustad, and Karen Pappas as the unforgettable Mavis Gilmerson. Joining them in the church basement kitchen are Carrie Neal as Karin Engelson, and Anya Burke as Karin’s daughter, Signe. John Vessels joins these ladies in the role of Pastor E.L. Gunderson.

The Church Basement Ladies and Pastor Gunderson are ready to hop of to the Hawaiian Easter Holiday Furnace Fundraiser

The cast is small but the story is filled with the hilarious discussions and antics of these ladies and their pastor. Church humor, references to church events (weddings, funerals, fundraising etc) and wonderful songs fill the stage. This comedy will have you rolling in the aisles. I have never laughed so hard.

“Who made that?” Vivian Snustad (Licia Watson) asks in disgust about the vegetarian lasagna brought for a funeral at the church

Church Basement Ladies is rated G and is on stage for through May 18 in the intimate space of Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. Tickets include Chef Larry Stoops’ dinner buffet and select beverages. Children under age 3 are not admitted. They are available online at Beef & Boards or by contacting the box office at 317.872.9664. Some showings are nearly sold out, order soon.