Thursday, July 7, 2022
Well, somehow it finally happened, I reached what is commonly known as my Platinum Birthday!
I turned 75 years old today.
The day started with our friends Susie and Mark Johnson abducting us from their wonderful vacation home on Camano Island to parts unknown for the day.
First up was a drive south to beautiful Seattle, but where were we going exactly?
They would not say other than it was someplace for lunch.
I was hoping for a dining al fresco experience at one of Seattle's prime restaurants, Dick's Drive-In.
We drove past this great fixer upper
Oh what stories could it tell us if only it could speak?
Finally we arrived at Ray's Boat House in the northwest part of Seattle.
The view from our table
at Ray's Boat House
As it turned out the food here was exceptional but what was even better was the surprise company that awaited our arrival.
We were joined by more wonderful
friends thanks to Mark and Susie's
organizational efforts
From Left to Right: Jon Kadletz, Dan and Mary Spriesterbach, Lee Kadletz, yours truly and Laurie
It meant a lot for all of these long time friends coming out to visit with us.
LIFE IS GOOD!
After our outstanding meal, we were back in the Johnson's vehicle headed to parts unknown yet again.
We were headed north but they would not tell us where exactly we were being taken. We got onto Washington's State Highway 20, a.k.a., The Scenic North Cascades Highway, and headed east. I must say that this road has got to be one of the Top Ten scenic highways in the United States.
After a time, about two hours of driving, I started to wonder if they were taking us to some remote area along this rugged and incredibly beautiful stretch of road to then pull out a Bowie knife and gut us for past sins against humanity.
They didn't.
Finally we stopped at The Eatery
at Glacier Peak Resort
An interesting stop for a shake or frosty beverage with a clean restroom to boot if time is not a factor.
Let's take a look at their decor . . .
Aren't these snow shoes
missing something?
Good to have while driving
in the desert in the Summer
Scrambles SIX dozen eggs?
A quaint wedding chapel
across the road from The Eatery
From this point on, we entered the North Cascades National Park with its spectacular vistas.
Dozens of waterfalls like this one
Diablo Lake
As you can tell by examining my
hair, the wind was blowing at
the Diablo Lake Vista Point
Why is Diablo Lake's
water so green?
This unique, intense turquoise hue is due to the surrounding glaciers that grind rocks into fine powder that is carried into the lake through surrounding feeder creeks. This fine powder is called glacial flour and stays suspended in the lake giving it its brilliant color.
to hit the road again
One last view of a mountain
overlooking Diablo Lake
Interesting log at the
Washington Pass Vista Point
farther up the highway
Rugged
Massive
Breathtaking
Panoramic view
Mark and me
It would be hard to get tired
of looking at this view
Somewhere through these
trees there is a forest
I think . . .
We continued on towards our still unknown destination and took a quick look at the town of Winthrop.
If Winthrop is striving for an 1860s
Wild West feel, they've succeeded
I hope that we can come back
to Winthrop for a deeper look
Finally, after over four hours of driving, we arrived at our final destination the sumptuous Sun Mountain Lodge just a few miles outside of Winthrop.
The Lodge has earned AAA's three diamond rating as a resort, I think that is a tad low.
The Lodge offers sweeping views
of the Methow Valley
The Sun Mountain area is noted for its cross country skiing, hiking trails, horseback riding, mountain biking, boating, fishing, river rafting and golfing opportunities.
Probably some hunting too
That's a big bison!
Dinner at the Sun Mountain Lodge's
restaurant continued to offer
wondrous vistas
The restaurant has been given four diamonds by the AAA reviewers. That might be a reach for the food but well deserved for the excellent wait staff.
Wild Turkey isn't just a Bourbon
Fine looking hairline?
Sun was setting quickly
Thus we headed to our rooms but we
still needed to hit the the hot tub
before retiring for the night
One final look at the sunset
from our room's balcony
The Johnson's succeeded in making my day beyond memorable.
As everyone knows . . .
75 is now the new 65!
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