Yes, we are really going east from Seattle on our way to Canmore, Alberta!  
June 24, 2014, our first visit to a Red Robin Gourmet Burger restaurant and the day that Susan lost an egg yolk.  We go for the big things in life!  It was a grand day from the hilarity of the egg incident to the good food at Red Robin.  The egg story:  Susan, having plopped the whole egg into the cute little fry pan, decided that before she scrambled it with her fork, she would just see if a couple of swishes of the skillet would start the scramble. Nope! The egg yolk, in the blink of an eye, flew out of the skillet and disappeared.  It was so funny that we may have to try to re-enact it! 

Serendipitous Sunday, June 8.  Sedro-Woolley WA for breakfast at Joy’s Café only to discover there were “events”: a classic car show on the streets of downtown, a quilt show, and booths selling trinkets, jewelry, hula-hoops, food and nothing we wanted! 

Concrete/Grandy KOA

After leaving the Seattle area on June 7, our route took us on WA HW 20, the northern most route across the Cascade Mountain Range (closed in the winter).  Superlatives abound in our travels and this was another, with unbelievable beauty and waterfalls in abundance.  However, we never did really get a good view of the actual peaks and gather that is pretty much the norm in that area.  All of the campgrounds that we have stayed in have been lovely.  That is what comes from traveling with “Lucky Dave”.   

SEATTLE-May 2014

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We arrived in Seattle area at the perfect time for a glorious floral display: pink and white dogwood, spectacular rhododendron, and yellow flowering bushes along the highway with no identity!  Just could not seem to get a good picture of those beautiful dogwood trees.  But here is one of the rhodies.

We are staying in Bothell at the Lake Pleasant RV Park.  

Lake Pleasant from trail around park

The weather has been just great.  One day a little hot at 82 degrees, but most of the time 72 is about it. Nights are cool and wonderful - in the low to mid 50’s.  We had some rain the first couple of days, but since then only some cloudy days and a few sprinkles.  The park is beautiful, secluded and quiet. Within walking distance we have grocery, restaurants and fun shopping.  My idea of the ideal campground!

Our drives and explorations included Magnolia Hill, the Queen Ann area, the Boeing Plant, several golf courses, and Snoqualmie Falls.

Snoqualmie Falls

Chihuly Gardens

We took a lot of Zen navigation trips: follow that car or let’s try this road.  We rode the monorail to the Seattle Center where we viewed the Chihuly Glass Exhibit. This is amazing glassworks, but a lot of it reminds me of "Triffids Gone Wild".  (Day of the Triffids, a novel by John Wyndham, and 1963 movie.  Put it on your list for a classic sci-fi night.)

We wandered thru Pike Market, went down to the waterfront and back up (whew!).  

Restaurants discovered and worth visiting: Crab Pot (really good fish & chips) and Iver’s (very good clam chowder) at the waterfront; Uncle Peteza’s Pizza, Alisa’s Café and Patty’s Eggnest in Bothell. 

Dave had a memorable experience that I will try my best to share.  Haircut time and Dave drives about ½ mile from the Lake Pleasant campground to a small barbershop.  Outside waiting for customers are two well-seasoned women barbers – sort of Mutt and Jeff of the stringy bleached blond type.  Jeff cuts Dave’s hair and all was well – it ought to be for 5 bucks!  But wait - the bonus was yet to come.  On the same side of the street, separated from the barbershop by a two-car drive space, was “Paradise Espresso”.  The drive-thru window was facing the barbershop and Dave, (Mr. How-lucky-can-you-get), takes notice. What to his wondering eyes should appear but a beautiful young thing, serving the customers topless.  Wonder why he didn’t get a picture?

NOT

The highlight of the trip was Maureen Webb's graduation, Magna Cum Laude, from Cornish College of the Arts. A great day for a very hard working young woman. There were no caps and gowns and it was fun to see the graduates in their own chosen (and creative) attire.  Attending were: Melanie Webb, Ian Webb and friend Rose; Chris and Andrea Webb, Noah Webb, and the graduate with her friend, Josh Thorson.  We all spent some time wandering and, of course, eating down at the waterfront.  The younger group spent many fun hours playing games of all sorts.  We all went to a great production of “Little Shop of Horrors” and laughed a lot!  The gathering was over much too soon.

The Family