Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
The Cruise Begins!
Seven nights – five ports of call – Seattle – Astoria – San Francisco – Monterey – Victoria – and two full days at sea. It was time to cruise!
I admit I’d had some concerns. The week before we left, the weather was as bad in Seattle as it can be – heavy rain, pounding hail, even thunder and lightning. Why had I booked such a late season cruise? But when Sunday rolled around the forecast showed sunny and dry all week – yippee! So we happily bid Seattle farewell and headed out to sea on the Star Princess leaving Pier 91 at 4:00 p.m.
We’d boarded the ship at 1:00, had lunch and checked out our room – it was perfect. More spacious than we remembered from our one and only previous cruise, and we were thrilled to have a balcony. We explored the ship, doing our best to understand the layout – it would take all week. The top three decks (14, 15, 16) contained the buffet, pools, outdoor theatre, small bars, clubs, and wonderful, wonderful views. Lower decks (5, 6 & 7) had the formal dining rooms, speciality restaurants, entertainment venues, shops and the promenade. In between were the staterooms – we were on Baja Deck 11.
Soon enough it was time for dinner. We’d ended up with a 5:00 seating in the traditional dining restaurant, where we shared our table with two other couples (one local, one not) friendly and easy to be with. Lots of bantering ensued about travel and cruising and places and things and somewhere along the line this exchange happened:
Unnamed party: ‘Do you know who Archie Bunker is? You sound just like him.’
Archie (not his real name) with a laugh : ‘Everybody from New York sounds like Archie Bunker.’ Including you-know-who but we stayed clear of that.
After a wonderful dinner and dessert we said goodbye to our new friends and headed up top to watch the sunset.
When it got a bit chilly we remembered we had the same view from our room and headed back down where it was warm and cozy.
We watched the scenery go by from our balcony – as we headed west to the Pacific Ocean. There were our own Olympic Mountains – as beautiful a sight as any we would behold from sea –
and the brilliant colors of sunset staining the sky.
Later on we fell asleep to the gentle movement of the ship … and slept soundly until we woke to sunrise the next morning.
Now I’m not what you’d call a morning person but with so much on the horizon I had to get up early and check it out.
There were so many mountains in the distance as we sailed down the Washington Coast, including the tallest which must have been Rainier – but don’t quote me – I’ve never seen them from sea.
When this finally happened I knew we’d made the right choice – it was a wonderful start to our cruise and I looked forward to every day ahead.
That’s enough for now but there’s lots more to come, including our first stop at Astoria, followed by a full day at sea.
Stay tuned!
~ Susanne
The Fall Colors of Coulon
Fall is in full swing in the Pacific Northwest so I went to see the show at Coulon Park where the trees are alive with color. I thought you’d enjoy seeing them too!
Still sorting through my photos and will bring you my first cruise post soon! 🙂
~ Susanne
After a Week of Cruising
After a week of smooth sailing down the West Coast under summery blue skies and sunshine – lazy days spent at sea and excursions at ports of call – we returned to beautiful, cold and damp, Seattle.
I’m still getting my land legs back and settling in. Unpacking luggage. And stories. And hundreds of photos I was compelled to take. I look forward to sharing them with you in the coming days.
I’m also ready to embrace the fact that summer is really over – a chill is in the air, leaves are changing color, and salmon are running on the Cedar River – fall is here to stay and winter follows close behind.
The cats are adjusting too – confused and a bit agitated about our absence – they require more love and attention which I am happy to give.
The cruise was wonderful, even better than I expected. Still, it’s great to be home. 🙂
~ Susanne
Choosing Cruising
For the second time we booked a cruise.
You may remember our first one to Alaska two years ago. Here’s a little reminder if you don’t – Juneau and Mendenhall Glacier.
In fact, cruising to Alaska might be considered a gateway cruise – for some people it can lead to other cruises to far and distant lands. Like the Panama Canal. Or the Caribbean. Or Mexico.
We opted for something a little less exotic and closer to home – where we can still enjoy the cruising experience. Down the coast from Seattle. To San Francisco. And Monterey. With a stop by Victoria on the way back. Not because we’ve never been to these places before but because we have – and loved them. Only this time we’ll leave the driving to someone else. And arrive by sea. Relaxing don’t you think?
I hope to tell you all about it soon.
In the meantime, here’s a sneak preview of sunrise from the ship.
~ Susanne
A Promise to Tiger
“Tiger, I need to talk to you.”
“Sure Sue, what is it?”
“I wanted to let you know that Benji and I won a spot in the International Cat Care Calendar for 2020.”
“So I heard.”
“I entered him into the competition because the category was ‘cat-human relationships.’ Benji’s a lap cat so it was much easier for me to get a picture of us together. But trust me Tiger. The next contest that comes along for most handsome cat I’m entering you. You’d win paws down!!”
“Really Sue?”
“Yes, Tiger, I promise!”
“Okay thanks! I guess I should start getting ready. How’s this?”
“Beautiful Tiger! That’s a winner for sure!”
~ Susanne
Take Time to Smell the Sunflowers
Just like Tiger! 🙂
~ Susanne
The Antique Cars and Trucks of Hood River
Not the river itself of course but the town so named. We’d seen signs for the Western Antique Air and Auto Museum on earlier trips to Hood River but this time we decided to stop for a look.
I have to admit it was not at the top of my list of things to do. After all, Mt Hood is less than an hour away, and beautiful orchards dot the way ; there are windsurfers to watch on the river and there’s an historic shopping district just waiting for people like me.
Still, the museum is a hidden jewel and I enjoyed walking in the midst of cars, trucks and planes tucked into every nook and cranny of the two and half acres of buildings.
The automobile collection includes manufacturers still building cars today – Ford and Chevy – and those who were left behind – Locomobile and Stanley and Nash.
I liked those from the fifties and sixties the best with their loud colors and sizes.
My favorite was a 1950 Kaiser, which reminded me of a plump melon.
Bob liked them all and could have used more time – he actually reads the signs – but we’d arrived late in the day and only had an hour to spend.
So I suspect we’ll be back on our next trip to the Columbia River Gorge. At least he will. I’ll probably drop him off and go shopping.
Shared with Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge, Cars and Trucks.
~ Susanne
The Last Summer Sunset and First Fall Walk
Summer said goodbye with a brilliant sunset that illuminated the clouds and dwarfed the trees.
Fall came in with more rain the next day but we took our chances and went for a walk at Deep Lake where all was serene.
The air was heavy with the piney fragrance of evergreen trees combined with the musty scent of maples dropping their leaves.
It’s only the beginning of color but it won’t be long until only the evergreens are fully clothed waiting for frost and snow.
~ Susanne
The Eagles and the E Bike
Remember the sunflowers I found last week in Sequim?
Well the reason we made the three hour drive was to look at an E Bike.
‘What’s an E bike?’ I hear you ask. Exactly what I said.
It’s a bike with a battery that gives you a burst of power whenever you want it – perhaps as you are pedaling up a hill or maybe just for the fun of it! Bob thought we’d ride our bikes more if they gave us more oompf than depended on us.
‘Sure,’ I said. (Well, not exactly. It was more like – do we really need them? – they’re so expensive – well, okay if we get used ones.)
So he found one for sale at a good price in Sequim and off we went to see it.
We arrived at the seller’s home and the bike was as advertised. But I was more interested in the cries of two eagles sitting high above us.
So while Bob took the bike for a ride I watched the eagles as they chatted up a storm.
‘Let me see your profiles,’ I said, and they did.
When Bob returned from his test drive he said the bike was more my size so why didn’t I take it for a spin.
I did.
It was a good day.
With sunflowers.
And eagles.
And a new E bike.
~ Susanne
Columbia River Gorge and Multnomah Falls
Whatever time you spend at the Columbia Gorge will not be enough; you will wish for more and plan future visits even as you are leaving.
According to the visitcolumbiarivergorge website, “Just taking a drive through the Columbia River Gorge is an experience in itself as you will be in awe of this spectacular geological wonder. The Columbia River is the second largest river in North America, starting in northern Idaho and southeastern British Columbia, and traveling over 1,200 miles to the ocean. Through millenniums of geologic events, waterfalls have found their home in the Columbia River Gorge. A visit to the area is not complete without a visit to the breathtaking waterfalls.”
And so it was that we headed south to the Gorge last week to celebrate my birthday. Our plan was to drive the scenic highway on the Oregon side (the best views and attractions are there) take in a few waterfalls and small towns, then cross over to Washington for a stay at Skamania Lodge near Stevenson.
Our first stop was at Vista House on Crown Point. Built in 1916, it offers spectacular views of the Gorge and is one of the most beautiful scenic points on the Historic Columbia River Highway.
I forgot to get a picture of Vista House but here’s how it looks from below. Look carefully at the top of the cliffs to the right and you’ll see the tiny knob 733 feet above. I took this as we were leaving the Gorge a couple days later, after the clouds had rolled in.
From there we continued on the old highway which as you can see, is charming in its own right.
We passed by many waterfalls the area is famous for,
until we reached the granddaddy of them all, Multnomah Falls.
Upper Falls can be seen from a distance, dropping 542 feet to the first pool below;
Lower Falls drops another 69 feet, making Multnomah Falls one of the tallest in the country at 611 feet.
After gazing at the falls for a suitable amount of time and taking too many pictures, we stopped by the gift shop for a souvenir and reminisced about our visit here almost 37 years ago on our honeymoon. (Awww.)
Then we fueled up on soft serve Ice cream and headed down the road to Hood River which I’ll save for later.
Stay tuned.
~ Susanne
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 