Yosemite to Mariposa

After our day in Yosemite we headed to the River Rock Inn in Mariposa (technically it was a motel - supposedly the oldest one in town). Our room was very cute, albeit dark, with a white rabbit planter outside the door (yaaa rabbits!). That evening we enjoyed a lovely dinner at Savourys - a local restaurant recommended by the Inn owner. The next morning we had home-made pastries and breads along with a bountiful fruit salad out on the back patio. After breakfast I had a lovely chat with the proprietor. Interestingly, her grandmother was born in PA and when she told me she was heading to Italy for the next three months to visit family, I reminisced about the college trip I had taken there. She asked if I had gone to the town of Lucca. I had! Small world.

Sunday morning we decided not to spend a second day in Yosemite because of the fire. Accessing Yosemite Village (our planned destination for day two in the national park) would have required us to drive out of our way to get around the section of closed road. Instead we took a leisurely drive back to San Francisco and stopped at the Dunneville Cafe and Market for some of the best tri-tip sandwiches in the area.

Modesto to Yosemite

After a lovely breakfast at the Marriott (which we had to pay for - sigh), we headed on to Yosemite National Park. Along the way we found the most AMAZING road we've ever driven. At this point, Zach and I lamented not having a Lamborghini Murcielago (we've been watching too much "Top Gear"). When I say "amazing," think driving-through-the-Alps-amazing! This road was incredible! The pictures don't do it justice. Alas, we only had our trusty little Toyota Matrix, but it proved to be rather peppy - not too bad overall.







Once we got to Yosemite we took Tioga Pass Road (Rt.120) across the park (Dad, you'll be happy to hear they let us drive the whole way in our car.), stopping at several spots along the way (see map) until we finally made it to Tuolomne Meadows. There we walked along some trails to Soda Springs where we were able to sample some naturally carbonated water bubbling up from the earth.











Big Oak Flat Road was closed from Crane Flat down into Yosemite Valley because of a managed forest fire that got out of control. Thankfully I had read about this while were were waiting in the airport in Philly, so we planned to just take Tioga Pass Road (Rt.120) across the park. There was enough smoke to make everything look hazy even as we headed away from the fire toward Tuolomne Meadows.

I just went to their website again on Thursday morning (9/3) and now Tioga Road is closed from Crane Flat to White Wolf. Looks like we made it just in time.

Regardless of the fire, Yosemite was still a wonder to behold. Peaceful and immense with it's massive Redwoods and huge rock faces. We stopped at Olmsted Point (B) (see map above) and walked the .2 mile trail to catch a view of Tenaya Canyon. Then back in the car and on to Tenaya Lake (C) where we waded up to our knees before I lost most of the feeling in my lower extremities (glacier-fed lakes are cold!). We really wished we had had kayaks so we could have explored the lake further. Back in the car again and on to Tuolumne Meadows (D) where we got a quick bite to eat and then spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the meadows (and Soda Springs as mentioned before) via trails in the area.












After leaving Yosemite, we met up with more fabulous road with some incredible views of the valley below. Next time we're planning to camp in the park for several days. When it isn't on fire, of course.

San Francisco to Modesto

We arrived in San Francisco mid-afternoon, picked up our rental car at Hertz (thanks to AAA it only cost 28 bucks!) and headed to Modesto. Along the way we found a fun road winding up into the hills following along small houses tucked away from the hustle and bustle of life below. Unfortunately the road was blocked after only a few miles, so we had to turn back and drive the main roads to Modesto. We found a fantastic little Thai restaurant called SalaThai, where I tried sweetened coconut milk from an actual coconut and Zach tried some Thai beer (of course). Once we checked into the hotel, a dip in the pool and a soak in the hot tub and then we were off to bed - long day and maybe a bit of jet lag.

Only Yellow

I had a brainstorm today while I was driving to Trader Joe's. When I got home I decided to play around with the idea I had for a note card design. Unfortunately (actually fortunately) when I went to print them, I realized I was out of cyan and magenta inks. I really loved the vibrancy of the yellow ink, so I decided to play around with it...and this is what I came up with.

Vancouver on Friday

Mel and I went to Vancouver, BC on Friday and met my friend Janis for lunch and a bit of window shopping.



























After we dropped off Janis at the airtrain, we headed to Queen Elizabeth Park which hosts the Bloedel Conservatory, a triodetic dome at the top of the park filled with tropical flowers and plants and exotic birds that fly freely throughout the dome.


































After leaving Canada, we took a scenic detour on Rt. 11 (Chuckanut Drive) where we caught some incredible views of the San Juan Islands (amongst others) as the sun was setting.

Tulip Festival on Thursday

Seattle on Wednesday

Today was my first full day in Seattle. Mel is an excellent tour guide. She drove me all over the city, starting with...

the Fremont Troll under a bridge in the area (yes that's an actual VW Bug in his hand).














After that we went to Archie McPhee, a novelty store with all sorts of fun stuff...




























Then on to the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks. Every year salmon swim upstream and actually jump into the white drums with the water flowing out of them. Pretty cool.














Mel took sailing lessons last summer at The Center for Wooden Boats, so she brought me there to see all the boats and the area where people work on repairing and building them.

















After that, we toured a fascinating sculpture park with lots of fun and intriguing art.




































In the afternoon we took a ferry ride to Bainbridge Island and enjoyed the beautiful Seattle skyline.





























We went to La Casa Del Mojito for dinner where our super nice waiter, Luam, asked to have his picture taken w/ me when he found out I was visiting from across the country.

Lenten Results

Well, I wasn't nearly as successful as I deluded myself into thinking I'd be, but I did accomplish several things that I'm really excited about (one of them wasn't even on the list!).
I started knitting again and I finally figured out a pattern I've been pondering for years. I'm hoping to have it done in time to wear for spring/early summer (if spring would EVER come!). Here's some photos to show you my progress.

Orchids at Longwood Gardens

Zach and I went to Longwood Gardens today to see the International Orchid Show, part of the Orchid Extravaganza, which ends March 31. Here's a sampling of the some of the amazing blooms we saw.

Day 1

And so begins my Lenten journey devoid of TV....

For the next forty days I have decided to abstain from watching TV in the hopes that I will become more productive and actually do the things that I've been talking about doing for the past eight to ten years (in some cases), but haven't actually started. To assist me on my journey, I've decided to compile a list of all the projects I'd like to complete during this time in the hopes that it will serve as a sort of accountability keeper. Here goes...

1. Make fleece jacket (#507 for anyone who's interested) for Zach with fabric I bought a LONG time ago (possibly before we were married).
2. Make fleece vest (also #507) for me (more fabric from same time)
3. Make long-sleeved shirt with fabric I bought over three years ago. (I know, I know...enough with the fabric)
4. Make pot holders
5. Make one linocut
6. Frame three pictures
7. Make 11 mugs (2 sets of 4, plus 3 others)

I think that's more than enough. Probably overly optimistic, but at least I have something to shoot for. And since no one usually reads this blog anyway, I can probably get away with only finishing one or two goals. Kidding!

Now where did I put that fabric?

Up in the air, Junior Birdman!

During our weekly "Girl's Night" gathering last night, I was prompted to start singing the "Junior Birdman Song" I learned at camp, at least what I remembered of it.

Every spring my church would start promoting the fun to be had at Horton Center, a camp fully owned and operated by the New Hampshire Conference of the United Church of Christ. I can still remember my first summer there. Seven giggly nine and ten year old girls girls sharing a little cabin in the woods, laughing incessantly. Dean, one of the counselors at Horton Center, was assigned to our cabin. He made sure we knew where everything was at camp and just looked out for us. But mostly, he made us laugh. One of the ways he accomplished this was by singing the "Junior Birdman Song" while doing all the accompanying hand motions. We were rivetted and couldn't get enough of his performances.
"Sing it again, Dean!" we would shout.
I never thought too much about the lyrics, but as I was singing it for the girls last night, we concluded it must have been some sort of promotion for Marvel comics.
"So, don't be a glutten, get your Captain Marvel button and zoom!"
This prompted me to do some research.

It turns out the Junior Birdmen of America was a group of boys interested in building model planes back in the 30s. There are several versions of the song floating around in ciberspace, some with lyrics mocking novice aviators, but I can't seem to find the one mentioning Captain Marvel. I did find the Birdmen of American site sharing what I believe is probably the original version of the song. I also found several links to stores selling the pins issued by the aformentioned aviation club as well as a Captain Marvel button. Interestingly, one of the stores is located in Zach's hometown. I also found an article written by a women from the generation who grew up with radio as the technology of the day. She remembers the radio anouncer urging kids to send in their box tops etc. to get their pin. At any rate, this is how I remember the song:

Up in the air, Junior Birdman!
Up in the air, Birdman fly
Up in the air, Junior Birdman!
Get your wings up to the sky, to the sky

When you hear the grand anouncement
That you've earned your wings of tin
Then you'll know Junior Birdman
You gotta send them box tops in, send em in!

5 box tops
4 bottle bottoms
3 labels
2 wrappers
and 1 thin dime

So don't be a glutten
Get your Captain Marvel button...and zoom!

Lynne Drexler, painter

During our Christmas visit to NH, Zach and I spent a day in Portland, ME with Jean and Josh. While we were there, we stopped by the Portland Museum of Art. I was very intrigued by the special exhibit of Lynne Drexler works they had on view.
These paintings are some of my favorites.

But most importantly, I'm thankful for...

...all the fabulous people (and pets) that make my life good - including all the ones not shown here.

I'm thankful for...

Christmas in NYC • home-grown tomatoes • bananas • retro (and free!) filing cabinets • snow • Dale Chihuly glass • tea • avocados • clouds • Santa Barbara • daffodils • green plants in november • Zach's spice cookies • Boston • Vernors



What are you thankful for?