Nov 24, 2012 - Museum of Glass

Our trip to MOG showed amazing new works in the Gallery. Maestro by Lino Tagliapietra exhibited some of this spectacular artists latest works. The work in the Hot Shop was a wonderfully scripted creation of an almost 3' globe with an acorn enclosed. Called "Take that, Squirrel".

Aug 11, 2012 - Going, Boeing...Gone!

Destination: Tacoma, Washington This morning began with Aaron and Cara's hilarious kids being their usual hilarious selves. Their boundless imaginations never cease to amaze me, particularly with Lego. After I washed the bug-beard off the front of the Testarossa, I headed out for what was to be a very interesting day, for 4 reasons: 1) Boeing. Even if you're not much of an airplane enthusiast, which I'm not really, this is really something to see. Their manufacturing facility in Everett is a stunning operation. The building they manufacture...

Jul 26, 2012 - Tacoma, WA

Not far away, we were able to stay at the RV Park at McChord AFB, courtesy of my niece’s husband Ben McDonald, who is active duty military just relocated here 2 weeks prior. It was great to hug Nikki, Ben and, of course, 8 week-old Colin. They were very gracious to let me hold and snuggle Colin lots. Nikki and Ben are naturals at parenting – both are really great with him, enjoying every moment. We ate suppers together all 4 nights, went to the zoo at Point Defiance and Nikki and I enjoyed a shopping trip at the Commissary. Charlie and I...

Jul 5, 2012 - Vickie & Sammy

We picked Vickie and Sammy up tonight in Tacoma at the SeaTac Airport. They will be with us for a few weeks. We look forward to showing them all our favorite places in the area. Their flight didn't arrive until around nine at night, by the time we got back to Sequim it was after 12 PM, and time for bed. Our sight seeing tours will start tomorrow, let the fun begin. :-) Check back later for more from Washington.

May 27, 2012 - Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA

Stayed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord for seven nights in the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Travel Camp with 48 FHU & 10 overflow sites. Our campsite is on the shoreline of American Lake. This joint base formed on 10/01/10 by merging Fort Lewis & McChord Air Force Base is currently only one of 12 worldwide. With the establishment of the joint base, all installation support functions are provided by the Army-led Joint Base Garrison to all the services on the base - Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines. Highly recommended Military Campground for...

Sep 6, 2011 - Tacoma/Seattle Family Visit

We enjoyed this time with Sue's Sister Sharon and her family - husband Tom, son Brandon, daughter Kari, Brianna and husband Thomas, daughter Kayo and husband Hayden. Where to begin... * Dining: Always great meals at Sharon's, as it is usually fresh from her garden and a family affair. This time we tapped Gourmet Pizza, Thai food at Thong Thai, Oyster Bar in Olympia on the Wharf, Italian in Seattle at La Vita E' Bella Pizzeria and Spaghetti Carbonara by Brandon. * Activities: -Global Sand Sculpture Competition in Tacoma with artists...

Aug 27, 2011 - Applebees for Lunch

Saturday (August 27th) we met Jonika and Chris Matteson at Applebees; Patti and Eric Brakstad met us there too. After lunch we went to Brakstads to visit. Jonika and Chris showed us their wedding pictures. Patti and Eric treated us to some scruptious dessert. We had a really nice day. Since Marvin and I were planning to have breakfast with Kari at the Boston Bay Restaurant at the dock, Jonika and Patti decided to meet us on Sunday at Boston Bay for breakfast too.

Aug 26, 2011 - Dinner at Coach with Kari and Noah

Friday (August 26th) Marvin got the car washed—still have some tar spots and chips in the windshield that we will have to address when we get home. Kari and Noah came for dinner at the motor home. They told me at the Visitor’s Center that they could drive to the motor home if I sponsored them and they had their driver’s licenses and vehicle registration. When we pulled up to the gate, they said we needed to go back to the Visitor’s Center and get a visitor’s pass. So we just drove to the exit a mile down I-5 and they left their car at the...

Aug 25, 2011 - Lunch and Visit with Family

On Thursday (August 25th) we made plans to meet Jacob “Jake”, Shane, and Patti Brakstad for lunch at Olive Garden near the Tacoma Mall. Since we arrived a few days early Jake and Shane were available since they both work afternoon/nights on Fridays through Sundays. We had a good lunch, but its really hard to visit in restaurants so went back to their house in Puyallup and spent the afternoon. Got a really neat view of Mt Rainier from the Brakstads' yard.

Aug 23, 2011 - Sister Sharon's, Tacoma, Leavenworth and Twisp

It is good to see the Charbonnel's (Sue's sister Sharon and family) again. Friday, Aug 19 everyone gathers for a long enjoyable meal with catching up and a good time at their home in Tacoma. We also have catching up with laundry, finances and glitches back home - computers have become the new "can't live with them or without them" piece of technology - our connecting issues have been a challenge. Highlights: * Point Defiance and Gig Harbor Bridge bike ride with Sue's niece Briana - hilly and absolutely breathtaking views overlooking the...

Jul 21, 2011 - Quiet day - finally!

We had a down day today… could this have been our first? Jack and Auntie Midge had lunch at home while I took the girls to an incredible playground - sprayground. It was the newest, cleanest playground I've ever seen. The girls and I had lunch at DQ and came back to put puzzles together and play in the yard. Jack gave me a break in the afternoon by taking the girls to the beach. They learned about the force of high tide - you just can't win against the ocean. Auntie Midge's daughter Margaret and her husband Ralph came over with a delicious...

Jul 20, 2011 - Seattle Space Needle

Today was one of those days we couldn't quite get ourselves all going in one direction. We were unsure of the weather, so we didn't go to the mountain as planned. We went to Seattle to see the waterfront… but were distracted by the Space Needle. So we went up the needle and saw all there was to see. Then it was 2:30 by the time we got back down and the day was turning out beautifully. Partly sunny and 75. Jack wanted to get the RV washed. The first place we checked in Seattle turned out to be some residential street so narrow it didn't...