Month: August 2017

For those of you just joining our adventure, here’s what’s happening.

We have rented our home in Alhambra (Los Angeles for those of you not in the know) and have decided to travel and see the world.  We left late June and have traveled along the west coast visiting friends and family for the last 7 weeks or so.  Our current plan is to start heading EAST in a couple of days winding our way through Idaho, Montana, a bit of Wyoming and South Dakota stopping in Nebraska before heading to Macomb Illinois to visit Janeen’s dad.  After the Solar Eclipse, on the 21st, we continue east to Springfield Virginia.

Staying with Jason, Terri and little miss sunshine until we fly to Portugal for a river cruise on the Douro River. Once we finish the river cruise, we fly to Stuttgart and pick up a new Mercedes-Benz with the stated goal of driving to Sicily. While we have some goals, we don’t have any specific plans. Our hope is to be able to stay in Europe having Christmas and New Years in Paris.

 

Today was a relaxing day. We contacted Janeen’s high school friend, Holly and arranged to meet them on Bainbridge Island.

So we walked down to the ferry landing, bought our tickets and headed out around 11 this morning. It was not a clear day, due to the smoke from the fires north in Canada and east in Washington but still a nice time to be on the water.

We connected with Holly and Wade (her husband) after we got off the ferry and walked towards the town for lunch. It was a nice time to reconnect with old friends.

 

 

 

After taking the ferry back to Seattle, we changed and headed out for a champagne tasting at FatCork.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bryan Maletis, owner of FatCork, has a tasting every so often and we surprised him by showing up! It was great to see his place, taste some really nice bubbles and meet some new folks who also enjoy bubbles. If you like Champagne you really need to reach out to FatCork.com and learn about grower producer champagnes from France. We have enjoyed virtually everything he has shared with us over the last 5 or 6 years.

 

Wednesday morning, celebrating 48 years together, and we are off to Chihuly Garden and Glass. This is an exhibit showcasing the studio glass of Dale Chihuly. This is a VERY prolific producer of decorative glass and the exhibit has stuff both inside and outside in the garden. Fantastic glass – and it really makes you wonder how he has had the time to do all of this over the years. Spent the better part of a couple of hours touring the exhibit

 

 

After getting our fill of glass, it was time to get some lunch. We picked up a Lyft and headed to a spot near the Pike Market called The Pink Door. It took us a while to find it but it was worth the effort. A refreshing Campari and soda for Janeen and chilled Arneis for me wet our appetites.

 

We got to our table and had some pappardelle al ragu Bolognese, slow simmered meat sauce with fresh pasta and Insalata Caprese Pink Door, the finest ripest organic heirloom tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, torn basil, ricotta salata, first pressed olive oil and Sicilian sea salt. Lo’s ice cream trio (cherry, lavender honey, and apricot praeline) completed the experience. The patio was reminiscent of Italian alfresco and our meal was delicious.

 

Now, the main event for the day in celebration of 48 years together ,dinner at RN74. After chilling for a while in our room (Seattle is in an unprecedented week of heat) , we Lyfted to a restaurant not far from our hotel. A local friend had recommended this to us; Bryan from FatCork (champagne importer) we know, and turns out, one of the managers is the daughter of our friend Beth’s best friend from college!

Chef Adam, Sommelier Paul, and Naomi presented the RN Experience in food and wine, highlights of bubbles and seafood.

 

 

 

During the course of our 6 or so course dinner, we had visits from the Executive Chef, Adam who presented a couple of “new” dishes to the menu both of which were spectacular.

The Black Garlic Cod in curry sauce was very tasty.

We had different wines with each course – a total of 8 different ones over the course of the meal – all were lovely parings for the dish presented.

Two different desserts were presented.

The presentations kept coming – likes waves on a beach – one after another and it was a wonderful evening.

On our way to Seattle, we stopped at this cozy, waterfront restaurant with Commencement Bay views serving up lobster & other seafood dishes to have lunch with

Janis Nelson, Janeen’s cousin. We had a wonderful lunch, as you can see, and a good visit!

 

 

 

 

Once we got settled into our hotel in Seattle, I found a barber that we felt might be able to trim my locks – the key here is Janeen likes the final result!

 

 

Our evening included a visit to the Jazz Alley. This Jazz Club has been around for a while. Many of the groups that we have seen at the Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood also cycle through here. I had previously checked and made a reservation to see Lee Ritenour & Dave Grusin – guitar and keyboards. We have see Lee 5 previous times and heard music the two have done together but never had the opportunity to see them live together. It was a delightful evening.