Barcelona

Arrived Barcelona with sunny skies and weather in the 70s. Visited Gaudi’s Casa Milà “La Pedrera”. It is a building that embodies nature—a huge wave set in stone. It has many the same characteristics as Casa Batllo that we visited last time. We wanted to see it because it figures large in Dan Brown’s latest book, Origin 

We noticed many people wearing yellow ribbons and saw them painted on surfaces everywhere.  They stand for political freedom. You can guess that means support for Catalonia to split from Spain. 

And then we returned to Sagrada Família. Started in 1882, it is now projected to be completed in 2024!!  Construction always ongoing. Gaudi spent 43 years of his life on it. He died in 1926 as the result

of a tram aaccident, but his vision continues. 

Finished off the day with Spanish wine, Iberico ham, Spanish manchego and other cheeses, and Catalonian tomato toasts. Yum!!

I Believe.....

in Bigfoot, that is. Lots of tee shirts sport that slogan here. I could even bring a statue of one home with me!!

We explored the Olympic peninsula for a couple days with a visit to Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park. It was a beautiful day above the clouds. 

This was a light year for snow. They only got 417” of snow. The record was set the winter of ‘98-99 when they got 747” or 62 feet of the white stuff!!

The coffee culture is alive and well in Oregon and Washington State. Besides Starbucks, there are the cutest coffee kiosks everywhere. Especially liked this one. 

We crossed over to Victoria, BC, by ferry and enjoyed the city (and some golf). The parliament buildings are lovely in the evening. 

Sleepless in Seattle?

So much to do in Seattle—visits to many of my favorite places and a first time stop at Geocaching HQ—the geocacher’s mecca!

It’s always fun to stroll Pike Place Market. 

We enjoyed a walk through Pioneer Square before paying a visit to a favorite bookstore—Elliott Bay Books. And finally a visit to the flagship REI store that is gigantic!!  Finished off the day at Duke’s Seafood and Chowder on Lake Union where they serve the crab cake voted best in Seattle last year. 

On the Road Again..........

We ended our cruise at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater rivers which then feed into the Columbia. We were so fortunate to have good weather the entire time—no rain. 

We then headed west, stopping at Spokane, second largest city in Washington. Then past the Grand Coulee dam. It is the largest producer of hydropower in the U.S.  

We then drove on to Wenatchee, self proclaimed Apple Capital of the World. Soooo many orchards, both apple and cherry. As a former beekeeper, I was impressed how the beehives are placed next to the orchards for pollination. They are in groups of 8 or 12 hives on pallets that can easily be moved from location to another. 

And every where there were crates stacked for the fall harvest. 

Many of the trees were blooming as were the wildflowers.