Anecdotes, Antidotes, and Anodes

More Seattle Memories

There were other memories made during my visit to Seattle other than at Cave B . . .

Yes, it's morning and that's the sun (S-U-N) shining.

And it did that most of the time.

Someone has crawled on top of the Space Needle and painted it o-r-a-n-g-e !

Any idea why ?

The view from the roof as seen by this pilsner of Young's Double Chocolate Stout.

 

Inside this place is the "Speak Easy" . . . one of the most interesting bars ever !

 

Getting ready to enjoy a creation from the bartender mixologist.

Mine was called "Black Strap."

Because I love molasses.

Do you have a draw bridge where you live ?

There aren't many of them in Grand Junction.

University of Washington stadium being torn down in the background.

It's a  tradition to go to  "Joey Tribbiani's."

My SiL incognito with hair !

 

It's also a tradition to have grits for breakfast.

That tradition began years ago at "The Library" in Norman, Oklahoma after Mom's Weekend.

There are no better grits than from The Kingfish Cafe.

Another tradition is to have one of these from here . . .

 

. . . Stumptown !

A quick trip to Fremont for these . . .

 . . .Pho (pronounced Fuh) Noodles and an episode of Mad Men. 

Life is good.

Only in Seattle can you get away with this . . .

. . . and this . . .

. . . and this. 

If I did that, my car would be towed, impounded, crushed, and sold as scrap metal.

"Why is Wayne Newton on the tails of all Alaska Airline jets?"


And in a blink of an eye,  it was time to fly back home.

***************************

There are always new and interesting things I learn when visiting my daughter and SiL.

This time, I was very impressed with THIS ! 

And THIS PLACE is always a tradition, too !  What a happy lunch that was !

Hey guys, thanks for the memories !

Cave B Inn . . . Part 2

When the gal at the front desk informed my SiL after our first hike that there was a Great Horned Owl in one of the cliffs, it was inevitable that we would certainly go on another hike the next day.

Not sure just exactly what time we left our Cliff House, but it was before breakfast, but not before coffee.

Once again, we headed DOWN the hill (and I'm thinking this hill isn't going to be any less steep coming back up than it was yesterday).

 

Guess which trail we took.

Both my daughter and I were hoping it was the one without any snakes.

Yup.

It was the Waterfall Trail.

And this is the cliff where the Great Horned Owl dwells.

But in order to have the best vantage point for viewing, one must continue walking, slipping, sliding on one's derriere to make it to the bottom of this canyon.

And yes, you don't have to remind me, I have on Uggs ! 

Not the best footwear for this type activity.

 

Please notice he is proceeding down the hill.

Please notice her body language.

Please notice he is continuing down the hill.

Please notice she has not moved an inch.

Please notice the look on her face.

The photo does not do the incline justice !

Nor does it show the rocks that tend to roll under the feet when stepped on.

This photo should explain how steep this hill really is.

And I'm still thinking, "We have to climb UP this hill at some point in our day."

 

The owl is there.

Hint: It's on the lower crevice.

See it ?

Now, you are thinking...is this as close a shot as you're going to get ?

This is as close a shot as I can get with my lens.

So, if you're now thinking it's not a close-up enough shot, feel free to mail me a new and bigger and better lens.  (Canon)

Look very carefully, because the next photo has the owl circled in red.

We waited for quite some time, hoping it would take flight, but no such luck.

 

We finally made it back up that hill without incident to more solid, level ground.

 
The photos just don't do the views justice.

 

Scat ?

Where's Waldo and his buddy ?

The layers and layers and layers in the photo above have something to do with THIS.

This is when you need HansMan, the geologist to explain.

Finally, back to civilization among the grapevines and their shadows.

There are yurts nestled in and among the vineyards.

Even though they are equipped with indoor bathrooms, we chose to stay in a Cliff House.

After a long hike. . .

. . . it was time to visit the Cave B Winery for a little taste of their grape juice.

This was our 'score card.'

Back to the main lodge to check out and continue our adventure elsewhere.

There are some very special memories of this place ! 

 

Cave B Inn

There are very few things I'd rather do than to travel to new places . . . unless it's traveling to new places with my family.

Cave B Inn is located nine hundred feet above the Columbia River in Central Washington.

The view looks something like this.

Only a few minutes after arriving, it was time for a hike.

Sitting among the grapevines, hoping  to find Wi-Fi before heading to the trail.

And at the beginning of the trail, we are welcomed by this sign.
Not exactly what we expected.

Our fearless leader.

Whatever could he be looking at ?

This !

 

And these !

Don't you wonder what Don Quixote would have thought about these ferocious giants ?

Please notice the little gap in the upper left corner of the above photo.

 

Same gap in the middle of the above photo.

Same gap !

Hey Dude !

We found your car !

We even found a waterfall.

Looking back up the 'hill.'

And believe me, it's a long w-a-a-a-a-y back up that hill.

The incline was fairly steep, but the effort was well worth it ! 

There was a massage waiting !

Is it a bird ?

Or a plane ?

See the snow ?

See the boat ?

See the owl ?

Stay tuned.  You'll see one in the next post ! 

A Great Horned Owl !

 

 

 

I think you can see Russia from here .

Any geologists out there ?

What caused all those formations in the distance . . . just past the vineyard.

Finally, we made it back to the Inn . . .

 

. . . in time to enjoy a beautiful sunset.

 

Hiking Gear

Blogging  Hiking !

 Not exactly what I expected to see on a leisurely 'walk' at Cave B Inn.

Iguana Safari . . . Upcoming

For fun, I have promised a grandkid or two an "I Spy" activity.

But, because I've had a change of plans and will be traveling again, here's just a teaser.

During my teaching days, these were called figure-ground activities. 

Howard Gardner classifies it as Visual-Spatial activity.

When we were driving, we called it "I Spy" or "See It."

No matter what you choose to call it, everyone will probably agree it's fun !

Look at the first photo and locate the Iguana.

If you can't find it, the next photo will be zoomed in a little closer so that the Iguana is easier to find.

BUT !

Do not give up too quickly and scroll to the next photo until you've spent a while looking for the Iguana in the first photos.

This is a fairly easy one.

Ready !

Set !

Go !

1)

2)

3)

4)

Now . . .

Look at the word:  I G U A N A

Close your eyes and spell:  Iguana

What would you like to name this guy ?

Have your mommies or daddies post your ideas on the comment page.

Even grown-ups can name-the-iguana !

As soon as time permits, there will be about TWENTY of these posted.

Have fun !

Meet My New Best Friend, Raptor !

One never knows what one might find on one's daily beach walk !

This is Raptor, a twelve-year-old Green Iguana.

Here is Wikipedia's take on Green Iguanas.  

Here is National Geographic's take on Green Iguanas.

This photo was taken by Marco Cossu. 

So, if you're ever on Akumal Beach, be sure to find him and Raptor.

Here is Marco's Facebook page with many, many beautiful photographs.

Randomness in Akumal, Mexico

Is randomness a word ?  If it isn't it should be.

Because randomness pretty well explains this post.  There is no rhyme or reason to the photographs below except that they were all taken with my camera.

Each photograph is numbered so that you can easily add a caption or two or seven  of your own.

Or, you can choose a favorite . . . or not.

Or, you can see if I can still count . . . or not.

And . . . somewhere down below, you will find me in a bikini ! 

1)

Bubbles on the Beach under a Blue, Blue Sky
Alliteration or Onomatopoeia ?

2)

Dog on Log     Bird on Rock

3)

Can anyone identify this bird ?

4)

What shipwreck were these cannons on ?

5)

What does Akumal mean in Mayan ?

6)

How many songs can you think of that have to do with a coconut ?

7)

What is your favorite recipe using coconut ?

8)

Anyone for . . .

9)

. . . fresh coconut 'milk?'

10)

Critter on the Beach

11)

Up Close and Personal

12)

Just messin' with your eyes . . .

13)

Flowers on the Beach

14)

Can you spell w-e-d-g-i-e ?

15)

 

There is never a dull moment with this man.

16)

Tree Art

17)

Do you see what I see ?

18)

Can you see him now ?

19)

How about NOW ?

20)

I've got a tiger an iguana by the tail . . .

21)

My favorite tree on the beach. . .

22)

Perfect spot to relax, that is if you can balance on a palm tree trunk

23)

Gynna as in Aynn 'AK,   Lionfish Hunter, Myrna Bush, LauraBush Wolfe, and David . . .
Don Pablo Bush

24)

Wonderful dinner at The Lol Ha Restaurant

25)

Full Moon on the Beach

26)

Me . . . in my itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka dot bikini.

27)

Ocean Spray #1

28)

Ocean Spray #2

29)

Ocean Spray #3

30)

Super Bowl Night

31)

Palm Tree Big Screen

32)

Things that wash ashore . . .

33)

. . . that make you go "H-m-m-m-m !"

34)  AND . . .

FINALLY . . .

 

THE END ! 

(Sorry, I just couldn't help myself)

Gynn' AK

Lunch at Gynna's Restaurant is always pleasure !

One reason is that Gynna is always there.

Another reason is that the food is absolutely delicious !

 

Gynna dives for the Lionfish in the morning and then serves them up at lunch.

You can't get any fresher than that.

How many Lionfishdo you see ?

Before . . .

. . . and . . .

. . . AFTER !

Tequila, Lime, and Cilantro Lionfish Tacos !

Beer Battered Lionfish Tacos !

Ginger Lemonade

How do you spell Habenero ? 

H-O-T !

The view from one of the tables at Gynna's.

And, finally some information about the Lionfish.

So, if you're ever in Akumal, be sure to ask where Gynn 'AK is located ?

It is well worth spending part of your afternoon there !

You can find her on Facebook at THIS LINK.

And, at THIS LINK.

 

 

Akumal, Mexico...Tuesday, February 7, 2012

My day started with a hot cup of tea . . .

. . . here on the beach at Akumal .

My plan today is to post photos of the last couple days' activities.

Hope you will come back later today and join me for a relaxing time in Mexico.

Sunrise . . . Finally at Akumal !

Yes !