The Summer Solstice on Camano Island

Sunday, June 20, 2021

As continues to be the case today, the longest day of sunlight of the year, Mark and I started the morning with a long walk.

We opted to celebrate this first day of Summer with a walk along nearby Portage Bay.

We skirted by the

Seattle Yacht Club's moorings

A house with a grand view

of Portage Bay

Our two mile walk behind us, we only needed to spend about half an hour re-stowing into the Johnson's storage shed most of the lawn furniture that was used at yesterday's celebration.

This gave me ample time to keep a sharp eye on the various crafts working their way through the Montlake Cut between Portage Bay and Lake Washington that serves as the Johnson's extended back yard.

A one-person scull was up first

Then came a bevy of kayaks

A paddle boarder happy for

the lack of wakes at this hour

The house in order, the next move was how to properly observe today's Summer Solstice.

Only one thing to do really, jump in the car and drive about an hour north of Seattle to the Johnson's cabin on Camano Island.

The view from their cabin

This body of water is known as the Saratoga Passage that separates Camano Island from Whidbey Island in the distance.

Further in the distance are the peaks of the Olympic Mountains on the Olympic Peninsula.

We opted to take another walk . . .

. . . boats lined up along Madrona Beach

about 150 meters from their cabin

Lots of pebbles, driftwood and

clam shells along the beach

Another view of the Olympic Mountains

far in the distance

Mark led me past lots of logs . . .

. . . and even one formerly tall tree!

This 700 square foot/65 square meter

waterfront castle recently sold for

$1,000,000 USD/843.360 Euros

Lots of crabbing goes on

in Camano Island's waters

Golden Poppies on the Johnson property

Gorgeous in the late afternoon!

Meanwhile, the first weekend results from new European League of Football . . .

. . . are official and here

are the current standings

NORTH DIVISION

Hamburg Sea Devils 1-0

Leipzig Kings 1-0

Wroclaw Panthers 1-0

Berlin Thunder 0-1

SOUTH DIVISION

Stuttgart Surge 1-0

Barcelona Dragons 0-1

Cologne Centurions 0-1

Frankfort Galaxy 0-1

As for today's final exercise totals . . .

. . . I'm more than pleased

Finally, a GORGEOUS sunset

 from Camano Island!

A Glorious Saturday in Seattle

Saturday, June 19, 2021

Before we look at today's events in the Pacific Northwest city of Seattle, let's take a look at a key opening day result from the new European League of Football's inaugural season.

The Barcelona Dragons (0-0) were

hoping the Stuttgart Surge (0-0)

It was an absolute battle that came down to the wire late inn the Fourth Quarter as the Surge scored the winning TD to take the hard fought game 21-17.

Next up for the Dragons (0-1) is a long road trip to Germany next weekend to play the Cologne Centurions (0-1) who lost today to the Wroclaw Panthers (1-0) 55-39.

Mark Johnson and I started the long, warm, spectacular day with a long walk.

The University of Washington's

Frosh Pond was our first stop

Mark using the duck ramp

to almost go into Frosh pond

Mount Rainier in the distance

behind Frosh Pond

One has to wonder how long these

bricks have been sitting here

on the UW's Quad?

At the main entrance to the UW

Selfie time by the Big W

Mark in front of his old

Sigma Nu fraternity

This Starbucks has an amazing

men's restroom it could boast about too

Walking a small part of the

Burke-Gilman trail that runs

through the UW campus

Once back at Mark and Susie's home, we had to get to work setting up their backyard for this afternoon's celebration of their youngest daughter Mallory's recent graduation from the UW.

The Olive Tower in downtown

Seattle where I resided while

student teaching in the Fall of

1969 at Lincoln H.S.

We passed it on the way to the day's necessary Costco run.

Once we were set up, we all enjoyed a Chamber of Commerce day in the Johnson's backyard facing the Montlake Cut that connects Portage Bay and Lake Washington.

LOTS of boats taking advantage

of the great weather today

Some had scantily clad women

Shocking!

Some were quite large

The Johnson's ordered a

taco truck for the shindig

May I state once again, I have absolutely no problem with the concept of a taco truck on every street corner in the USA.

Mamacita Margarita herself,

in action, making GREAT tacos!

Then a sea plane floated by us

Revelers enjoying Mallory's celebration

A Pirate Ship sailed by us?

 

Mega Boat

Andrea and Jake enjoying a moment

Andrea is Mark and Susie's delightful niece and Jake is her significant other.

Lots of fun, food and wonderful friendship today in Seattle . . .

. . . and also a lot of walking

How did I hit 19,000 steps on the dot today? 

Walking eight miles is becoming easier both mentally and physically.

"My Body is a TEMPLE!"

The Final, Torturous Day of the Road Trip - North to Seattle

 

Friday, June 18, 2021

After a good night of rest, I needed to get my juices flowing again, so I was off on a two mile walk through the downtown streets of Eugene.

As always, there were things of interest to view in this college town.

A different style of advertising

signage caught my eye

Eugene is indeed

"Tracktown, USA"

As mentioned yesterday, the USA Olympic Track and Field Trials were to start today at the University of Oregon's recently modernized Hayward Field facility.

The top three finishers in each event this weekend will earn a spot on the American Olympic Track Team that will compete later this Summer in the Tokyo Olympics.

Tranquility in the downtown area

Grateful Dead Taqueria?

I discovered the Dutch Brothers

Cocomo coffee concoction today

My life will never be the same . . .

Good thing that I didn't

discover this winery last night

Hmmm . . .

EXACTLY!

I gassed up before leaving Eugene for what was billed as a mere four hour drive, boy was my app wrong for once!

A comment going into Day Three of my drive is needed. Taking a break at about the two hour mark to stretch my back, legs and hips has been perfect.

Unfortunately, my bladder can only go a maximum of one hour and 55 minutes before reaching its bursting point.

It makes for some potentially perilous senior moments but what the heck, I like living on the edge.

The traffic from Salem, Oregon to Seattle was horrendous! Instead of the anticipated four hours, it took me closer to nine hours!

I made an unscheduled stop here

Why you ask?

Because my friend Mark Johnson

is a revered alumni of the school

I'll be staying with Mark and his wife Susie in Seattle this weekend.

Nice stadium at the high school

Tribute to the legendary Sid Otton

Tumwater H.S. Head Football Coach

1974-2016

Solid seating capacity at

Tumwater's District Stadium

Good sight lines too

Enough of these side trips, it was on to Seattle!

The view from Mark and Susie's

backyard today was

MAGNIFICENT!

I was inspired to walk some more around our old stomping grounds.

Guarding the Montlake

Draw Bridge

My first glimpse of the main campus

from th Botton of Rainier Vista

At the other end of the aptly named

Rainier Vista with beautiful

Mount Rainier in the distance

The University of Washington's

Henry Suzzalo Library

Construction on the library began in 1926 and was officially finished in 1963. In 2000, this venerable campus sight went through a complete renovation.

I just love its look!

Diversity is a big issue at the UW as

it is everywhere in the USA these days

Heading back to the Johnson home,

the Montlake Draw Bridge was

up to allow a tall masted boat to pass

Despite the incredibly slow traffic

today, I still got in a good day

of walking for the badly needed

renewal of my health

GOOD TIMES!!!