A Day Trip North and Mike’s Birthday

Good manners: The noise you don't make when you're eating soup.

Day trips can be fun.  Last Monday I took a little day trip heading West.  Then, Friday Terry and Sandi went along with me for another ride.  This time the direction was North.  When we first started out we had a little bit of an idea where we were heading but not exactly where.  Duchess was dropped off for a play day with Leo and Scotty --  Michael’s two little dogs. We were off with no time frame of when we needed to be back.  It was On The Road Again …. and it felt good!

Our first stop was Camp Murray.  This is a little gem of an RV park on American Lake by Fort Lewis.  We stayed there a couple years ago.  At that time we had an amazing site right on the lake.  The Eagles were flying overhead and the weather had been perfect.  We went back this day  just to check it out again.  Sometimes we visit a place and like it and then the next time we wonder why.  There was no reason to wonder why here.  It was still an amazing place but it was pretty much packed.

View of Ferry dock

Ling Cod at Anthony's

Sandi dreams of the day she’s old enough to follow in the footsteps of her older cousin, Justin.  She’s wanted to join the Navy for years.  We were only a few miles south of Bremerton, home of a large Naval base.  That’s where we headed.  Since we were already past the point of a choice of our route to go, we continued on to the Narrows Bridge in Tacoma.  This section of I-5 is always packed with traffic.  It starts north of Seattle and continues on through Tacoma and as far south as Olympia.  Many times it’s stop and go. It can also be a zoo from Bremerton south.  Timing is everything.  Our timing north worked even though it still was packed with cars and we experienced a few stop and go areas.

Ships in the Sound (Puget Sound) are the first sites you see when rounding the bend into the town of Bremerton.  The Navy definitely is visible around this area.  Sandi wanted to check the Navy base out so we let her do just that.  

This area is very popular for boating and every other water activity.  Not only the Navy ships fill the waterfront but several marinas dot the area.  The Seattle ferry makes trips back and forth to Seattle.  It's a 45 minute ride to the Seattle waterfront and about another 20 minute walk to Pikes Market from there.

After checking out the Navy we were on to Anthony’s ….. one of my favorite places to eat.  Anthony’s sits on the waterfront just above the ferry dock.  Outside seating on a beautiful day can’t be beat and it was a beautiful day and we were lucky enough to get a perfect table.

  

After lunch we checked out the USS Joy Turner.  It was a Vietnam era destroyer.  

  

We figured Sandi just might want to tour this ship and we were right. She had to check out the hatches, the sleeping quarters and of course, the mess hall. She was pleased.

Then there was the gun.  She liked that too.

It was a great day but time was fleeting and before long it was time to head back. We had a decision to make and we made the wrong one.   It took us much longer to get back than planned. Traffic was horrendous.  It was Friday and everyone else seemed to be trying to get out of town too.

There was no traveling for us on Saturday. We decided to hang close. Instead it was kayak time.

We headed to Horseshoe Lake.  Tammi and Robert were already there and they had decided to fish.

We just enjoyed time on the water.

This week starts with two birthdays to celebrate. On July 30th our grandson, Michael, turns 20. He’s leaving those teenage years behind. We have a scheduled birthday lunch and we’ll see what happens after that.

Happy Birthday, Mike

As it happens Duchess also has a birthday on July 30th too. She turns 12. She’s still doing fine but you can tell she’s not the young pup she used to be. Just like everyone else, age is creeping up on her.

‘Tis life on the road.

A Fantastic Ride - Heading West

Life is a song – sing it.  Life is a game – play it.  Life is a challenge – meet it.  Life is a dream – realize it.  Life is a sacrifice – offer it.  Life is love – enjoy it.

It was time to do a little itching.  I did just that.  Okay, so maybe it wasn’t in the motorhome but it was a chance to get on the road and revisit a few of my favorite places.  To begin with I headed west.  It was due west towards the coast.  I love the coast and I love the drive along Highway 4.  There is a cute little RV park that sits off the road.  We have spent a good deal of time in this park over the last few years.  The big ships travel this part of the Columbia heading towards Longview and Portland from the Pacific Ocean.  You can chart the ships online as they travel.  We love it and best of all is the price …. $10 a night for water and electricity with a dump on site.

Next stop was Cathlamet at the ferry dock on Puget Island.  Now it’s not a big ferry but then again, it’s not a big island.  The ferry ride is a short one and it doesn’t take you very far.  It’s a short hop across the river to the Oregon side and Westport. 

This little ferry holds about 9 cars and costs you $5 for the ride. 

It was just for the adventure of the trip and the adventure of the day.

Next stop was the Twilight Eagle Sanctuary.  I’ve stopped here several times before too.  I’ve never seen any eagles here but it must be a nesting and feeding area or it wouldn’t be here.  Maybe I just need binoculars.

It was supposed to be a beautiful day. The fog and the clouds were supposed to lift. That’s what was predicted for the beach town of Seaside. Well, it never lifted while I was there. It definitely wasn’t a hot day but heck, I was at the beach. I wasn’t swimming. Others were but not me. I was walking the beach, smelling the wonderful salt air and people watching. It was fantastic.

Seaside is a beautiful little beach town.  During the summer it is packed with tourists. There are many great seafood restaurants  and lots of activities for everyone including fun rides.

The town pulls lots of interesting people to watch.  Some were swimming, some were enjoying the rides, eating seafood and even flying kites.  Then, there were those out building sand castles.

Check this palace out.

Someone started working on a roadster.  I wonder if they ever came back to finish it.

It was a foggy day but it was still beautiful.  Before long … it was time to start the short 60 mile trip back. I love the beach no matter the weather.  I hadn’t been disappointed in the little day trip clouds or no clouds.

That was the day trip that was taken on Monday.  On that day travel was towards the West.  Now on Friday another day trip was taken.  This time the travel was towards the North.  We took Sandi with us and we checked out another area.  We have another one planned heading East and are still thinking on the one we do heading South.

FYI ---  I do have a Google+ ID.  Matter of fact while I was messing around with it, I discovered I actually have two.  Still I can't leave a comment on a blog requiring Google + without switching from my normal browser, Firefox, to Internet Explorer.  I spent quite some time on it the other day and that's when I found out if I switched to IE, it could comment.  I just can't using my Firefox but I prefer Firefox and that's what I use. There is a fix but right now I'm not so sure I want to hunt it down and spend the time figuring it out.  Maybe later ... maybe.  Heck, you know how busy I am! 

‘Tis life on the road.

Getting Specific

I'd like to live as a poor man with lots of money.

I have hitch-itch really bad. Sometimes I  have more hitch than itch and other times more itch than hitch. However, with very poor planning Terry has had one appointment after another.  They sometimes are just close enough or far enough apart that they spoil each week for getting on the road.  We are still staying put and still mooch-docking.

Our calendar is not empty though.  We really do have some things in chalk on our calendar.  August should give us an opportunity to relieve that hitch itch some.  We'll be in Port Angeles for about a week but then have to hurry back towards Portland for another doctor's appointment.  Later in the month we have plans to spend about a week at Long Beach during their kite festival .

The other day I decided to borrow Sabrina’s bike.  The idea was good.  The outcome not so good.  The little town we are in is all downhill.  Or, is it all uphill?  I was going to ride the bike to the marina.  The problem with that is there is a huge bridge across the railroad tracks.  No way was I going to carry the bike up and over that bridge.  I thought there might be a break in the fence to get through.  Not so.  So, back I went.  That’s when I discovered it wasn’t really downhill at all.  It was up and up and up and up. It was straight up and I wasn’t riding the bike up.  I was dragging it up ... straight up ... well, kind of.  If you think I’m exaggerating, come visit.  You’ll realize there was no exaggeration to this at all.  This whole town sits on a hill.   I made it … no heart attack along the way but plenty of rest stops.

Blueberries are ripe and so are blackberries.  I’ve been picking both and freezing them.  They sure make good snacks.

More DNA Stuff -  Obesity Again The other day I was on the topic about the discovery of a Fat Gene. We all knew there was such a gene. It just took science a much longer time to figure that one out. However, I was curious about my own DNA and if I had inherited that fat gene. I wanted someone to blame and I didn’t want that someone to be me. You all know I had my DNA analyzed by the folks at 23andme . They also analyze the chromosomes you inherited for certain traits and health purposes as well as for ancestry links. I had to check my fat gene out. Nine specific markers in DNA had been targeted as “obesity” markers. Since I also had my brother and Terry analyzed there, I checked out their markers too. This is what I discovered and I wasn’t too happy about it. I’m the only one out of the three who genetically does not have the higher odds of obesity!! Now that didn’t make me happy. It looks like any weight I gain is actually my fault and not that of any ancestor. Terry actually has the best genetic excuse and I have none!  Lower BMI Tendency Typical BMI Tendency Higher BMI Tendency Me 5 4 0 Brother 2 5 2 Terry 1 4 4

 

I got an email from Justin this morning.  Homecoming is just around the corner ... only two months away.  He's getting excited about it and so are we.  Virginia here we come!  Washington here he comes!!


Now back to that hitch-itch thing.  Monday I also decided to do a little itching and you’ll hear about that on my next blog.

That’s it.  ‘Tis life on the road ….

All About Justin

The secret of your future is hidden in your daily routine.

Everyone knows I am not really into Facebook.  However, Sabrina sent me some pictures posted on the page of the USS Gravely.  Pictures of Justin were posted there.  Check out the photos below.

Posted on the page    ……………    “We pulled into Souda Bay, Crete for a brief overnight visit to pick up some passengers for an upcoming training event. One day is not a long time in port but it provided the opportunity to make some phone calls, do laundry, get some sun on the beach and have a non-mess deck dinner.”

Crete is a gorgeous Greek Island.  We’re glad he got to stop there.  We know …  been there, done that.  However, this is all about Justin so here it is.

Now let me see … can I say loving the water is genetic?   Can I say it’s obvious that Justin wanted to train for the ship’s SAR (Search and Rescue Swimmer)?  What do I base this on?  I want to pat myself on the back for something so let me start here.  He learned to swim in our pool when we lived in Texas.  His father is a scuba diver.  His mother is a Dive Master and his grandparents (Terry and I) are Advanced Scuba Divers.  It sounds genetic to me and I’m patting myself on my back anyway.

For Justin, ‘Tis life on the sea …….

A Fat Gene ?

The devil has put a penalty on all things we enjoy in life.  Either we suffer in health or we suffer in soul or we get fat.

Is there such a thing as a Fat Gene?  Well, some researchers have said there definitely is.  We all want an excuse and this may be it … but then again, it may  not.  If there is a Fat Gene, that definitely explains why some folks can eat more and never gain an ounce while others put on many ounces for a little bit of food.

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Well, you know I’m into chromosomes and genes and such! Now aren’t you glad I passed this excuse on to you?

Evidently the discovery of this gene has brought up some controversy.  However, I vote that there really is a Fat Gene.  What they say it does is let the person know that they are full.  I’m guessing some folks never feel full and the itty, bitty, skinny little folks always are full even when they hardly eat a bite.  So now the researchers have tied this Fat Gene to the Hunger Hormone.  Heck, I could have told them that!

Siblings don’t necessarily inherit the same traits.  I wonder what my brother and I inherited that was the same.  Was it natural good looks?

The Fat Gene may be little like this too.  You know how some folks gain all their fat on their rear-end and others in their stomach.  Some never gain an ounce anywhere else and then there are those who put it on nice and even ... just all over.  It’s hard to tell those folks even tip the BMI scale.

I wonder if there is a Wrinkle Gene.  I’m sure there is.  Have you noticed how some people hardly have a wrinkle regardless of their age and others start wrinkling at 40?  My son-in-law’s father is 89 years old and his face is as smooth as a baby’s face.  I’m wondering if Robert will look that good at 89.  I know it's not in my genes.

I received this sketch a couple days ago.  My first cousin, our family artist, sketched it of my great grandmother.  I wonder which of my genes she is responsible for?

Another discovery I made is that at my age the skin doesn’t shrink along with the fat.  Wrinkles seem to be a little bit more prominent.    Terry’s comment on this was that folks would have to decide whether they would rather be fat or ugly? That’s a big decision … think about it.  What would you rather be?

The good thing is that we have someone else to blame.  It’s not our fault regardless of what we weigh and what we look like.  We finally have a scapegoat and that scapegoat happens to be our ancestors.  I don’t know about you but reading that made my day.

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Speaking of food I seem to have hit a plateau.  I can’t jar myself right now to go up a pound or down a full pound. I'm just going up a little and down a little and right back up.   I was hoping I’d be beyond this by now but I’m not.  The best way I figured to get around that was to go out to lunch.  That’s what we did with Jordan and Brendan for her birthday.  We took them to Applebee’s.  I had the most amazing salad there.  It was so good in fact that I plan on making my own version of it.  Imagine having a salad with greens and also fruit and nuts!!  Was it low calorie?  What do you think?  I'm saying probably not.

I’m going to have to talk to Brendan about sticking out his tongue when I take a picture.  Hmm.

 The important thing with Jordan's birthday as far as she is concerned is that she's legal!  She's waited for this day for 18 years.  I'm guessing bells and whistles went off and all kinds of miracles happen on your 18th birthday but it's been a while ago for me.  I can't remember.  I just know she thought it was a magic day.

One summer birthday down.  In another couple weeks it follows with Michael's.  Three days after that it's Lee's and six days after that it's Tammi's.  In September we celebrate three birthdays within five days.  What a busy birthday time this is.

‘Tis life on the road.

Happy Birthday, Jordie! ...... Firing Up the Smoker!

Your birthday is a special time to celebrate the gift of ‘you’ to the world.

Jordie turns 18 years old today.  Happy Birthday to you! 

We are meeting Jordie and Brendan today for a birthday lunch.  She is taking two college courses during the summer so we plan to pick her up from there and go someplace close for lunch.

I love using our little Weber and I love even more using the smoker we bought earlier this year.  Food cooked in a smoker just can’t be beat.  That’s a problem though.  It’s hard to eat just one bite.   I have experimented with all kinds of seasonings, rubs and even marinades.  Some I like and some not so much.  Cooking on a smoker isn’t for fixing a quick meal and especially when the smoker we bought is heavy and at the cabin.  Now if we’re there, it’s easy.  If we’re not, it takes a little planning.  Well, it usually always takes a little planning.

Smoked Salmon

Smoked Chicken

I rolled all the cooking and planning into Monday.  The day before I had defrosted a wild caught salmon and looking at it I just knew it would taste so much better smoked than barbecued.  The decision was made.  Monday morning I packed a few things in the car and headed to the cabin.  I also grabbed about 5 chicken breasts I had just wrapped up and put away the day before.  Terry wasn’t interested in going to the cabin but I certainly was.

First thing I did when I arrived wasI put a brown sugar and salt rub on the salmon. Next stop …. a trip to Costco and Albertson’s to check out the meat counter.  Costco sells an already-cooked turkey breast which we discovered from another RV’er. I figured I’d slice it with our amazing meat slicer and then freeze.

Rolled Pork

Sirloin

Once back the preparations began.  I filled the water pan in the smoker mostly with apple cider.  The alder wood chips were soaked for about 30 minutes, the propane turned on.  Now the grill was fired up and ready to start turning the raw meat into yummy pieces of meat for several

future dinners.

After a light spattering of extra-virgin olive oil over several of the pieces I saturated some meat with Grill Mates Smokehouse Maple seasoning.  I love, love that seasoning. They also have a Molasses Bacon seasoning I like too.

Several hours later the meat was done.  Of course, they weren’t all done at the same time.  First it was the smoked salmon.  Then, it was the chicken.  After that, the rolled pork roast and finally the sirloin. Thank goodness for the wireless talking thermometer I have.  It always lets us know when the perfect temperature has been reached.

There was no way we could eat all this food in one day or even one week.  So, it was wrapped in plastic wrap, put in a freezer bag and then in the freezer. 

I’ve tried doing a little smoking with wood chips using our Weber.  It does work but nothing beats the smoker for smoked food. 

On the small grill I wet some wood chips, wrap them in aluminum foil, make slits and put them under the grate where the actual fire is.  Then, I just barbecue meat like I normally do.  The meats absorb the flavor of the wood.

Know what this is?  The Jeep was filthy.  I went through the car wash!

I also had a few other things I wanted to do at the cabin.  My sewing machine was there and I had a pair of pants to hem and take in.  After doing that I started pulling out the other clothes I had left there.  It was time to sort those out too.  I had a pile of give-aways on the floor.  I also had some of the “better” ones that I wanted to see if someone I knew could wear so I snapped a few pictures and sent them along. Of course, you really can’t tell what something looks like by these pictures but if they don’t want them, I might do a few in a local consignment shop here … maybe. (I had a whole bunch more pictures I sent too but didn't think I should post here.)

Several Christopher & Banks Jackets

Reba Shirt - Never Worn

Peter Nyland - Never Worn

That was my Monday.   Terry was happy to stay in town.  I guess you could say I went on vacation.  I think I’ll stay one more day to feed the deer, take a few walks and water the plants.

 

Tammi had an embroidery machine for sale at the garage sale.  I have been going back and forth if I want another one.  She paid over $4000 for the machine and equipment several years ago but I already have one.  I love fiddling with embroidery.  Hmmm .. what to do?  It’s still for sale though.

I also wanted to post a picture I received the other day from a “cousin”.  His grandmother is an artist.  If you drive through Hale Center, Texas and see all the paintings on the buildings, that’s her work.  She sketched a picture of my great grandma.  I was thrilled to receive it and will be taking it to our family reunion next month.

‘Tis life on the road.