On and Off the Map

Leaving country that wanted one to start singing “Tumbling Tumbleweeds,” it was on through New Mexico and into Arizona with the first stop being Tucson for several nights. We actually had to go through a Border Patrol checkpoint in New Mexico as every car (and truck) was stopped. License plates were recorded (cameras taking pictures)…

Leaving Oklahoma it was on to Dallas, Texas. Although we had lived in Dallas for 12 years, it was 25 years ago! So much has changed, yet, so much remains the same. We did the nostalgic drives through our “old” neighborhoods taking pictures of our prior two homes. The bulk of our time, however, was…

From one musical venue to another. . .curiosity drove us to check out Branson, Missouri. Part of the town, called Branson Landing, is situated on the bank of the river with a few hotels, a large shopping center and a fountain. Each hour on the hour there is a water show, and, at 10:00 p.m….

On the road again making our way northward through a bit of Alabama and into Mississippi with our primary goal being Ridgeland, just past Jackson and our secondary goal getting away from all the rain! We arrived late afternoon and true to form thus far, our room was not ready, but, without asking, they offered…

“Heading out on the highway, looking for adventure in whatever comes our way. . ..” With our car FULLY loaded, we began our cross-country trip with our first stop being Tallahassee. Although not the most likely of places to visit, it is, after all, the capital of Florida. Plus, being about a seven-hour drive from…

Wanting a change of scenery we drove east about 150 miles to visit the Bavarian village of Leavenworth, which is as close to a European experience we will have this year. Leavenworth is nestled in the “Alps,” more commonly identified as the Cascade Mountains. The entire village maintains a Bavarian theme. Most of us find…

We spend a lot of time on the “East Side” when we are here, especially in Kirkland, where our very good, long-time friends Jim and Kathy live. Just exactly where is the “East Side?” Very simply, it is the east side of Lake Washington with Seattle on the west side. The better known communities that…

If Rick Steves, the travel author and television host, lives in Edmonds, one may correctly assume it is a charming place. Plus, Ken Jennings, author and Jeopardy’s “Greatest of All Time” record-holding winner is from Edmonds, but, he now lives in Seattle in a house that ‘Jeopardy built!” Edmonds, with its walkable Main Street, is…

Brewers Cruise – Bellingham Bay Why go to Bellingham, a city on Bellingham Bay just 21 miles south of the Canadian border? One reason is to enjoy the beautiful views while cruising Bellingham Bay. However, our real reason was to sip the local brews while cruising the Bay, which we did! Upon arriving in Bellingham,…

Crossing the Tacoma Narrows Bridge takes you to both the harbor and city of Gig Harbor. As to its name, during a heavy storm in 1840 a captain brought the captain’s gig (a small boat) into the harbor for protection. Later, when a map was published, Gig Harbor was written on the map, and, the…

The Northwest provided an ideal escape with hot, humid weather in Naples and European travel plans canceled. In spite of the news filled with “snippets” of “protesting” (although, in some cases, rioting and looting would be more accurate descriptions) here in the politically active Northwest, for most people life goes on in the new “Covid…