danodanodan

Had a funny sort of newbie experience.
Having lunch in the delightful high-ceiling restaurant, where you can pick out what you’d like. (No, it’s not at all like a US-style mall food court)
Well, thinking I was getting some sort of water or juice, I ended up having a rather nice little bottle of wine. Somehow the design of the bottle drew me and the wording was just small enough not to look too closely.
It was already a pleasant visit, and I guess I just relaxed a little bit more after that. Had a nice laugh on that one.

It’s a butterfly reserve!
This is an important stopping point for the monarch butterflies. It’s amazing to see the trees just covered with giant, bright monarchs.

Visited Des Moines (WA) sort of by accident.
Had lots and lots of time before my flight out of Sea-Tac. Instead of sitting at the airport, I just kept driving, following my nose toward the water.
I ended up at a nice little harbor with a comfortable place for a little seafood snack. (Another Anthony’s).
Best part: lots of locals and visiting boaters, making for a brief, but pleasant visit.

They really draw a wide range of great talent. It’s a beautiful and modern hall to enjoy performances.
The art museum is small. Be sure to plan ahead to make sure you make it while they are exhibiting. Try to go around Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead – near Halloween).

Several years ago I was driving from San Diego into Arizona. Passing through Yuma around dinnertime, drove up and down THE main road looking for something to eat. Nothing but franchise fast food after chain. Was starting to feel that it would be a grim meal…
Slowly, that traveler’s sense kicked in, and I followed the road beyond the neon and beyond the edge of town.
The road curved along, following something large and dark, like a military airport? Further along the road, I noticed quite a few cars parked around something along the left. I turned the car around, and pulling up, I knew this was no chain.
Just walking in was almost surreal, as it wasn’t like anything I had seen anywhere else in Yuma, or even in Southern California for that matter.
We were immediately greeted and seated by a warm couple. Tons of food were place on my table, family style.
There were lots of people enjoying their meals, and I soon discovered why.
There was lots of great and interesting food, steeped in this family’s own culture.
What a find!
I haven’t put many (any?) restaurants on my 43 places list, but this one deserves a mention – and a visit!

Wow!
Wandering out to the end of the pier, the local Hawaiian kids were having such fun, I decided to join them.
Looking over the edge into the clear water, it seems like a long way down. Still, the kids encouraged me and so off I went. They showed me some new ways to dive in joyfully – the genie, a forward flip, and Island Style. That last one is hard to explain but think about showing your trust as you careen toward the water looking like you’re going to do a painful belly flop, then at the last minute rolling into a ball. For the flip, they showed that sound effects really make things even more exhilirating.
Be sure to snorkel a little under the pier for some amazing schools.

It’s a wonderful observatory. It’s like the type of thing you’d see in an old movie, where the astronomer sits in a cage to move around this enormous (I mean, huge!) telescope.
The only catch – it’s not like anyone in the public can just drop in to have a look at some stars. Plan ahead!
Also, the gate closes up promptly, so don’t get your car caught inside when you’re having a hike on the wonderful nearby trails. (This hasn’t happened to me, but might have!)

Look for the water taxi on the West end of Seaport Village. It’s a great way to get a great ride to Coronado, or even just out into the bay.

I stayed in the Fretheim Hotel in Flåm for one night, letting the other train riders continue on the trip up the narrow fjord. October can be very nice and quiet.
Well….sitting in the large dining room and having a pleasant dinner, I happened to look back at the front of the lodge. It looked very comfortable and I was relaxed.
I noticed that there was a pretty little fire I could see through one of the front windows. Suddenly, it occured to me that there was no fireplace through that window! I tried to tell the waitress there was a fire, but didn’t know the Norwegian word. So, I jumped up and ran to where the fire was.
Apparently a nice, long, tall taper candle had fallen over on a tables in the lobby and started the tablecloth on fire. Fortunately, I and another guy in the lobby had noticed it and together we were able to smother the flames in the rest of the tablecloth.
I went back to dinnner.
I didn’t sleep too well that night.
I’m glad the lodge is still there.

Who ARE all these people? Are any of them buried under their star?