8/4 Equipment malfunction at the Ashford Alexander’s Lodge this morning so the “major motel chain style breakfast” of eggs and bacon etc was replaced with crappy breads. There were little cartons of milk in the fridge but no cereals. At least there were some bananas, fresh oranges and old apples. All this with loud country music. I am wondering if the “equipment malfunction” had anything to do with an overload of air conditioners last night. The best I can say for this rustic lodge with its tiny sometimes hot sometimes cold shower is that it was one of the closest (5 miles) to the entrance to Mount Rainier National Park although, as we drove towards the park entrance we saw other (probably) better options. They did have 2 plug ins for electric cars so there was ... read more

8/1 Debbie, the cook for the Brookside Bed and Breakfast, made a fresh breakfast for the 8:30am seating. Sweetened yogurt with berries was our first course with coffee, OJ and apple cider followed by a large cheese and tomato omelette with sautéed oregano potatoes and two slices of good bacon. Toast and bread options too. More than I could eat (again). The bowl of fresh locally picked local cherries were offered for us to take but in our hurry to get on the road we forgot to bring some with us for the day's adventures. Over breakfast Debbie gave us plenty of ideas for a packed day of exploration. Taking advantage of Debbie's local knowledge we left the Bed and Breakfast and headed up to Lost Lake stopping first for gas at Windmaster on Tucker Rd, ... read more

7/30 Fog hugged the lake on this chilly, foggy morning so I enjoyed our fireplace as long as possible before we bundled up and began the day with breakfast in the glassed in Roosevelt Room overlooking the lake and the Quinault resort. We had a window table with a lovely view. Dave watched as a Douglas squirrel perched himself on the windowsill lusting after his breakfast. As I sat eating my amazing pancake breakfast I wondered if President Franklin D. Roosevelt enjoyed the same experience as he sat eating his meal in this very room. Apparently he did because nine months later President Roosevelt signed legislation that created the Olympic National Park. I had reserved an early morning guided tour of the lake but on this chilly morning I wondered if I had done the right ... read more

7/28 Cape Flattery, the furthest northwestern-most point in the continental US was our next destination on this chilly 48 degree morning. I drove along on a very curvy and hilly, beautiful winding road through tall green forests. The fog broke around the tiny coastal town of Sekiu, a world famous recreational fishing destination. When the shoreline poked through we could see Vancouver Island draped in the low hanging clouds. Pillar Point was our first coastal stop where the eye popping scenery was sadly despoiled by the sign that read Danger Toxic Shellfish. We continued on the Strait of Juan de Fuca National Scenic Byway, 50 miles west of Port Angeles on Highway 112 stopping frequently to photograph the beautiful viewpoints along the road. We stopped at beautiful Clallam Bay, considered the twin city of Sekiu, where ... read more

7/26 We woke to sunshine, albeit chillier than what we are used to. The 1906 11th Avenue Bed and Breakfast provided a hearty breakfast that we enjoyed amidst fellow travelers. My friend Bob had arrived as promised to give us a tour of Seattle. We fastened our seatbelts and were off for a whirlwind tour of Seattle! I don’t think there was a highlight or historical detail that was missed. We began with a quick tour of the lovely little Chapel of St Ignatius at Seattle University. This tiny church, striking as it was reflected in a long pool, was designed by Architect Steven Holl who designed the chapel using vessels of light to define physical and spiritual spaces. Pools of light separated the dark spaces within, asking the visitor to experience light as it passes ... read more