Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
Dreaming of the Big Island of Hawaii
What do you do when it’s April in Seattle and it’s cold and dark and the rain just won’t stop? Why not armchair travel to the Big Island of Hawaii? That’s right, I’m casting off the gray and clouds that threaten my skies and dampen my spirit and dreaming of my favorite Hawaiian Island. Yes, I’ve decided once and for all that my favorite of all the Islands is the Big Island of Hawaii and here’s why!
Punalu’u Black Sand Beach
When I first saw it I swooned. This remote black sand beach is frequented by resting green sea turtles, rimmed by coconut trees and free of crowds. I wish I was there right now!
Akaka Falls
You walk the easy trail through lush tropical forest and arrive at this beauty. Pinch me again.
Snorkeling
I’m not a great swimmer but it was at Kahalu’u Bay, that I was first persuaded to try snorkeling. Easy access, shallow waters, lots of fish. Lifeguards. O the joy!
Hawaii Botanical Tropical Garden
Wander on nature trails through tropical rainforest, enjoying more than 2,000 species of tropical plants from around the world, passing streams and waterfalls on your way to Onomea Bay on the rugged Pacific Coast. We did that once. Once is not enough.
Kona Coffee Farms
Visit the farms and watch them process coffee beans with a cuppa fresh brew in your hands. Yes, please!
Pu’uhonua o Honaunau
Don’t try to pronounce it. Just go. And see why this ancient walled city on the southern Kona Coast was a Place of Refuge. And you’ll see more turtles too.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Walk the trails, stop by the Visitors Centers, but most of all look for the steam and lava erupting from vents in the Park.
Finally I leave you this parting shot from the top of the island, sunset on Mauna Kea.
I’m feeling better already. Is it too early to start planning next year’s trip?
~ Susanne
Spokane and Riverfront Park
Spokane lies almost 300 miles east of Seattle making it a 5 hour drive without stops. It seems even farther because the 2 cities are so different from each other: in geography, size, weather, traffic, and even politics. On a recent trip to Montana we decided to spend the night in Spokane and visit Riverfront Park, site of the 1974 World’s Fair, Expo ’74. Better late than never.
The weather had been dreary on the way over but we woke up the next morning to sunshine and blue skies. Spokane is like that, receiving an average 16″ a year of rainfall, compared to Seattle’s 36″. (Though Spokane makes up for it in snow.)
We made the easy drive downtown and found Riverfront Park shrouded in construction as part of a multi-year renovation project. Still much of it was accessible and we started our visit at the 1902 Clock Tower.
And stopped to see the iconic Giant Red Wagon, the world’s largest Radio Flyer.
Look closely and you will see my traveling companion in the wagon. No, he didn’t take the slide down.
We walked along the Spokane River, crossing the pedestrian bridges and admiring the Falls below.
We would have braved the Sky Ride had it been running. Maybe next time.
Spokane, like Seattle suffered a major fire in 1889. The foundations of the old water pumping plant can be seen along the river. A plump marmot called it home.
Though I love my hometown of Seattle, I understand the appeal of Spokane. Better weather for one. Less traffic for two. And it maintains a small town atmosphere. It will be worth a return visit to enjoy the Park after construction is complete.
~ Susanne
P.S. The link below describes the renovation project in more detail.
https://my.spokanecity.org/riverfrontpark/redevelopment/five-major-elements/
Weekly Photo Challenge: Awakening
I love to walk in the park nearby for exercise and fresh air and I love to take pictures of the trees. Last month they appeared black and craggy, exposed like skeletons against the clouds and sky.
This week you can see fresh green leaves emerging as their covering.
It is a time of awakening.
~ Susanne
Benji and the Chair
I have a special chair in my office. I’ve had it many years and I’m starting to feel the springs in the seat. Many cats have made their mark on it including the current feline residents. All have loved it but none as much as Benji. He has used it more effectively than all the others. The chair is worn and it’s time to replace it. I don’t know how to break the news to him.
Perhaps there’s room for two chairs in my office. We’ll see how it goes.
~ Susanne and Benji
Rainy Day Walk and the B-17
Rain, rain and more rain was the forecast for the week, along with wind and stormy weather for the weekend. So we weren’t surprised to wake up to heavy, pounding rain this morning. Did we dare go out for our walk? We headed to Starbucks to consider our options and after running a few errands the rain slowed down. We decided to take a chance and headed to the Cedar River Trail where sunbreaks and patches of blue accompanied us on our walk.
The Cedar River Trail follows the river north into Lake Washington. On one side of the river is the Renton Boeing Plant, that recently turned out its 10,000th 737. On the other side is the Renton Municipal Airport, which not only serves Boeing, but also other small planes.
Today we were treated to a special one. I heard its distinct rumbling before I saw it taxiing on the runway. I knew it was from another era and my husband identified it for me as a B-17.
We watched it take off, circle the sky and come in for a landing again and again over the lake.
And then as we finished up our walk and headed for the car, the rain returned. We won this time.
~ Susanne
A Smile on the Face of the Tiger
For this week’s photo challenge I give you the sleeping Tiger.
I do believe that is a smile on his face.
~ Susanne
Road Tripping though the Beautiful Skagit Valley
An hour north of Seattle lies the fertile Skagit Valley known for its fields of tulips and daffodils.
We were fortunate to be at the fields yesterday, on a weekday without the crowds, and before the rain was scheduled to appear. The daffodils were full and glorious in bloom. The tulips are still waking up but many wonderful colors were on display.
The fields above were at Roozengaarde, the largest producer of tulip bulbs in the country. Their display gardens show the magic that occurs when you put the best combinations together.
Enjoy!
Susanne
Big Sky After Sunset
~ Susanne
Springtime at Seward Park
Since rediscovering Seattle’s Seward Park last year, it has become one of our favorite places to walk. Less than 30 minutes from our house, this beautiful park on Lake Washington has beaches, old growth forest, hiking trails, picnic areas, and scenic views of Seattle. Yesterday’s walk was chilly yet bright and full of color.
The welcoming garden at the entrance to the park was fragrant with rock daphne in bloom. The 8-ton Taiko Gata stone lantern in the center was a gift from the City of Yokohama in 1930, to thank the citizens of Seattle for their assistance to Japan after the devastating Kanto earthquake in 1923.
We explored different areas of the park this time, including the amphitheater where young people were playing the latest outdoor games.
From there we walked through the forest,
then back to the lake via the Hatchery Trail.
There we saw a handsome mallard duck, alert yet as still as a decoy, watching his mate nearby.
We finished our walk around the park on the lakeshore trail,
and enjoyed views of the Seattle skyline, dwarfed by the massive cloud hanging overhead.
There were clouds yes, but fortunately our spring walk in the park was rain free.
~ Susanne
Benji the Cover Cat
“Hey Benji, remember when you were just a young lad and we took pictures of you for American Rescue Cat? We had to take a lot to finally get one that was suitable. They’re all here in The many faces of Benji
“Wow Sue, I really was young then, wasn’t I? And pretty wound up, judging by the pictures. I hope I wasn’t too much trouble for you.”
“Not at all Benji. You were lots of fun. You still are! But now that you’re a mature cat of two, I thought we could get an updated head shot of you.”
“Sure, no problem. How’s this?”
“Ha! Very funny Benji.”
“Just kidding Sue. I know just what you’re looking for. How about this?”
“Perfect Benji! You’re still the best cover cat!”
~ Just for fun, from Susanne and Benji
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 