MV Dirona travel digest for Spring 2023


Show Spring 2023 travel log map Click the travel log icon on the left to see these locations on a map, with the complete log of our cruise.

On the map page, clicking on a camera or text icon will display a picture and/or log entry for that location, and clicking on the smaller icons along the route will display latitude, longitude and other navigation data for that location. And a live map of our current route and most recent log entries always is available at //mvdirona.com/maps/LocationCurrent.html.


   

3/2/2023: Denver
Snow-dusted buildings outside James' hotel room in Denver during a short business trip.
3/2/2023: DEN3
The mascot of the Amazon DEN3 fulfillment center in Denver is a dinosaur. They have a massive and quite impressive dinosaur mural inside the building and this fine specimen greeting at the entrance.
3/2/2023: Iridium GO! Exec
We just received an Iridium GO! Exec for use when we are outside the range of available forms of connectivity. The Iridium GO! Exec uses the new Iridium Certus 100 technology, with pole-to-pole operation at data speeds up to 22 Kbps upload and 88 Kpbs download. This is not very fast, but is more than ten times faster than the original 2.4 Kbps Iridium GO! and should allow us to at least send and receive email using standard email apps.

Our initial motivation in purchasing the newly-released product is connectivity for our cruise to the geographic North Pole this summer aboard Le Commandant Charcot. Much of our trip will be north of 70° latitude, beyond the reach of the ship's satellite system, and being disconnected for over a week doesn't work well with James' job. The GO! Exec also would open up some land-based trips out of cellular range where our Starlink satellite system is either too big to transport or doesn't yet have coverage.
3/3/2023: Daniel's Broiler
The impressive list of awards the wine list at Daniel's Broiler steakhouse in downtown Seattle. The restaurant recently reo-opened after being closed during the pandemic. During this period, we often stopped in at their bar for some tasty appetizers, and it's great to see the full restaurant operating again.
3/3/2023: Studio 410
After dinner at Daniel's broiler, we stopped by Studio 410 for cocktails. It was our first time in, and we really enjoyed the drinks, the ambiance, and the friendly staff.
3/4/2023: NF-55
A snowy winter scene along National Forest Road 55 on our way to the new Annette Lake Sno-Park for our first snowshoe trip of the season. We're surprised not to have gone snowshoeing already this year, but we did a ton last year and this is actually only a week later than our first snowshoe hike last year.
3/4/2023: Parking
The parking lot at the Annette Lake Sno Park was lightly occupied at 08:40 on a Saturday morning.
3/4/2023: Snow Boots
We normally wear hiking boots with gaiters when out snowshoeing. The gaiters are effective at preventing snow from getting into our boots over the top, but our feet still can get quite wet and cold through the hiking boots. We recently purchased some Muck Arctic Sport winter boots for surf landings on our trip to Antarctica. The boots are warm, waterproof and comfortable to walk in, so we decided to try them snowshoeing instead of hiking boots. They worked very well, and we'll keep using them.
3/4/2023: Humpback Creek
Crossing a small bridge over Humpback Creek. We're loving being back out in the beautiful winter setting.
3/4/2023: PtoC
Walking a section of the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail. The historic rail trail follows a portion of the route of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, and Pacific Railroad, in operation between 1908 to 1980.
3/4/2023: Breaking a Trail
Several inches of snow had fallen in the past few days and we soon reached unbroken snow.
3/4/2023: Changing Lead
Breaking a new trail through deep powder is tiring, so we frequently swap position to give the leader a break.
3/4/2023: Avalanche Avenue
Avalanches are a major problem for railroads operating through mountain passes. A 1910 avalanche in Stevens Pass killed 96 people and destroyed 2 trains. To protect the tracks, the railroad companys built snowsheds in avalanche-prone areas such as the one we are walking through, known as "Avalanche Avenue". Most of the sheds were demolished in the 1990s, but the one we're walking toward in the previous photos was rebuilt for historical record.
3/4/2023: Whiteout
Just past Avalanche Avenue, gusty winds filled the air with snow blown off the trees and slopes. It was like being in a sudden miniature blizzard.
3/4/2023: Shortcut
Rather than return the way we came, we took a shortcut down through the trees. Here James is disappearing into the trees.
3/4/2023: Steep
The shortcut we're taking is quite steep. Jennifer is just visible up the hill during another snow gust.
3/4/2023: Deep Powder
The snow here is a very deep light powder, and we're sinking in a long way. But going downhill through unbroken snow is much easier than walking on even ground.
3/4/2023: Standing Up
James righting himself with his poles after catching a snowshow on a branch and tipping over.
3/4/2023: Nature Trail
Crossing a second bridge over Humpback Creek to walk along the Asahel Curtis Nature Trail. This bridge was completed in 2014, the work of Washington Trail Association volunteers who moved more than 200,000 pounds (90,718 kg) of rock, gravel, and dirt over the course of 300 volunteer days.
3/4/2023: Snack
Enjoying some hot tea and a snack overlooking a creek along the Asahel Curtis Nature Trail.
3/4/2023: Interpretive Sign
One of the few beautiful interpretive signs along the Asahel Curtis Nature Trail that isn't buried in the snow.
3/4/2023: McClellan Butte
The view to snow-covered 5,162 ft (1,573 m) McClellan Butte as we head back towards Seattle from our snowshoe trip.
3/4/2023: North Bend
Our trusty Honda Passport parked by the railroad tracks while we have lunch at the North Bend Bar and Grill.
3/4/2023: Wild Ginger
Dinner at one of our favorite Seattle restaurants, Wild Ginger in South Lake Union, before heading to Climage Pledge Arena for the Cirque du Soleil show Corteo.
3/4/2023: Corteo
A two-sided stage for the Cirque du Soleil show Corteo has temporarily replaced the Kraken's ice hockey rink at Climate Pledge arena.
3/4/2023: Seated
In our front-row seats, ready for the show.
3/4/2023: Curtain Rising
The curtain rising on both sides of the stage as the show starts. You can see right through to the audience on the other side.
3/4/2023: Chandeliers
The show Corteo is about a clown, Mauro, who imagines his own funeral procession. In this scene, women representing the clown's past lovers perform aerial acrobatics on three giant chandeliers that spin above his bed.
3/4/2023: Cyr Wheel
An acrobats spinning around the stage on a Cyr Wheel.
3/4/2023: Helium Dance
In the Helium Dance, a diminutive Clowness floats above the crowd, slowly descending, and reascending again with a gentle push from an audience member.
3/4/2023: Teeterboard
Acrobats on a teeterboard, a plank similar to a playground seesaw.
3/4/2023: Jugglers
Jugglers working seven clubs between them. We had a fabulous time at the show and really enjoyed the variety and creativity of each act.
3/4/2023: Navy Strength
The bartender at tiki bar Navy Strengh preparing their signature Jet Pilot cocktail. We stopped in for a delicious drink on our way home from the Cirque du Soleil show Corteo at Climate Pledge Arena.
3/4/2023: Fire Truck
Engine 2 heading back home to nearby Seattle Fire Station 2 in Belltown as we walked home from Navy Strength.
3/6/2023: Chetzemoka
The WA state ferry Chetzemoka under tow in Elliott Bay. The ferry runs on the route between Vashon Island and Point Defiance near Point Ruston in Tacoma.
3/6/2023: Another Floor
Another floor being readied for a concrete pour at the 4th and Bell construction site.
3/6/2023: Shinya Shokudo
Shinya Shokudo specializes in Yakitori (a Japanese style of skewered chicken) and other grilled meats and vegetables. Since we first stopped a month ago, the restaurant has become one of our favorites.
3/7/2023: Winemaker's Dinner
At the Butcher's Table Winemaker's Dinner in their Gold Dust private event space. With is us Trey Busch, winemaker and co-owner of Sleight of Hand cellars in Walla Walla. We had a fabulous evening over a delicious meal and really enjoyed tasting and learning more about the Sleight of Hand wines. The winery make several excellent reds, particularly Merlot, but also a wonderful Chardonnay that is aged in stainless steel and doesn't have the dominant oaked flavor common with wines of this varietal.
3/8/2023: 2208 4th Ave
Prepearing the site for another new Seattle apartment building. This one at 2208 4th Eve will be 29 stories with 212 units.
3/9/2023: Morning Sun
The morning sun lighting up the The Modern apartment building at 3rd and Lenora.
3/9/2023: Fruit Cup
Proof that at least some of James' snacks are healthy.
3/9/2023: IPA Tasting Flight
Enjoying an IPA tasting flight at the Yard House in downtown Seattle.
3/10/2023: Four Tugs
An unusual sight of four tugs helping the MSC Clorinda onto the docks at the Port of Seattle. We typically see only two or three tugs in assist.
3/10/2023: Lush
We've started exploring some of Seattle's seemingly endless number of cocktail bars, each with their own unique setting and drink menu. Here we are having a delicious Bubble Grunge and James's Giant Peach at Lush on 3rd Ave in Belltown.
3/10/2023: Siamese Connection
Temporary fire truck Siamese connection for use during construction of the building at 4th & Bell.
3/11/2023: Insignia Pub Crawl
Our apartment complex, Insignia, has a regular pub crawl that we attended for the first time tonight. We had a great time getting to know some of the people in our building that we'd not yet met or had only chatted with briefly in passing.
3/11/2023: Hatch Cantina
The first stop on the Insignia Pub Crawl, Hatch Cantina, went all out and even built a custom drink menu for us, including an Insignia "Condopolitan".
3/11/2023: Elf
We got a kick out of this rear-wiper cover featuring Will Ferrell's character from the movie Elf.
3/12/2023: Eagle Harbor
Fog spilling out of Eagle Harbor on Bainbridge Island, with the Olympic Mountains beyond.
3/12/2023: St. Patrick's Day Dash
Participants in Seattle's annual St. Patrick's Day Dash passing the entrance to our apartment building garage as we head out snowshoeing.
3/12/2023: Snoqualmie Mountain
Snow-covered Snoqualmie Mountain, left, as we crest Snoqualmie Pass for a snowshoeing trip.
3/12/2023: Parking
Approaching the Summit Central at the Summit at Snoqualmie ski area. Just past 10am, a long line of cars is parked on either side of highway 906. We continued to the far south end of this area to snowshoe, where parking was still available in the lot.
3/12/2023: Hyak Creek Trail
Starting up the Hyak Creek trail to Hyak Lake from behind the Silver Fir Lodge.
3/12/2023: Trail
As we progressed, the trail split into multiple branches. Here we're following a lightly travelled one along the north side of Hyak Creek.
3/12/2023: Outback
Partway along the snowshoe trail, we popped out alongside the Outback run at Summit Central at the Summit at Snoqualmie. This medium-difficulty run was quite busy today.
3/12/2023: Breaking a Trail
Breaking a trail through the woods as we head uphill from the Outback run towards Hyak Lake.
3/12/2023: Hyak Lake
Snow-covered Hyak Lake. We were expecting to see a lot more people on this hike since it's so close to the Summit at Snoqualmie, but was saw perhaps a half-dozen the entire time.
3/12/2023: Hyak Creek
Jennifer peering down an opening in the snow to Hyak Creek way below.
3/12/2023: East Crossover
Enjoying some hot tea and a snack while we watch skiers and snowboarders head down the East Crossover that connects Summit Central to Summit East.
3/12/2023: Descending
Heading back down towards the trailhead from our snack spot.
3/12/2023: Lower Crossover
Looking up snow-covered Hyak Creek from the Lower Crossover near the trailhead.
3/12/2023: The Commonwealth
The Commonwealth is a popular stop for us on the way back from the Snoqualmie Pass area, and we particularly like the mountain views from the bar seating along the window. We've not been to the Commonwealth since last fall when we were out camping—it was great to be back.
3/12/2023: Snow
A light snow had been falling most of the morning, but it got heavier as we were leaving the Commonwealth.
3/12/2023: Frozen Waterfalls
Frozen waterfalls along I-90 as we head back home from our snowshoeing trip.
3/13/2023: cloud haiku
The sculpture cloud haiku by American artist Squeak Meisel at the intersection of Westlake, 7th and Virginia avenues. The whimsical artwork consists of several bronze pillows, some stacked upon each other and the rest strewn seemingly at random.
3/13/2023: Le Caviste
Enjoying a charcuterie plate and some excellent wine at Le Caviste French wine bar on 7th ave.
3/13/2023: Scorched Earth
The bartender at Deep Dive, a speakeasy underneath the Amazon Spheres, preparing their signature "Scorched Earth" cocktail for Jennifer.
3/14/2023: Dusk
Two ferries passing in Elliott Bay at dusk on a calm evening.
3/15/2023: Lucky SLU
St. Patrick's Day decoration at the Amazon South Lake Union (SLU) campus. The balloon sculpture shows a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.
3/15/2023: Woman with Blue Heron
The mural Woman with Blue Heron by Canadian mural artist Ola Volo on the side of the 9th & Thomas building. The mural is not painted on, but rather is an 8 1/2-story banner created and installed by manufacturing company Rainer Industries. They printed the banner in sections on their grand format printer, then sewed and RF welded the pieces together into a single unit for installation.
3/15/2023: Rob Roy
A late 1970s Phase Linear 5100 Series Two FM tuner on display among other music memorabilia at Rob Roy cocktail bar in Belltown. We quite liked the atmosphere here, and their cocktails.
3/16/2023: Orcas
A rare Orca sighting in Elliott Bay. Orcas generally aren't this far south in the Puget Sound, and this is the first time we've seen any from our apartment.
3/17/2023: Theodore Roosevelt
The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt underway from Bremerton. The ship is undergoing sea trails after a 20-month refit to accommodate the F-35 multirole combat aircraft.
3/17/2023: Chinese Magnolia
It's spring in Seattle, and these Chinese Magnolia at Westlake and Denny are in full bloom.
3/17/2023: Spitfire
Spitfire dozing in the sun. He spends a lot more time sleeping than he used to, but at 5 months shy of 20 years old is doing remarkably well.
3/18/2023: Hill Top Ale House
Lunch outside at the Hill Top Ale House in Queen Anne on a warm and sunny Saturday afternoon.
3/18/2023: REI
At the flagship REI store in downtown Seattle. REI sells outdoor equipment, and we bought a lot of camping gear from them last year. Today we are looking for rain pants.
3/18/2023: Paving
A new section of pavement going in at Pike St and 4th Ave in downtown Seattle.
3/19/2023: Little Belt Mountains
View to the snow-coated Little Belt Mountains in Montana from James' business flight to the east coast.
3/19/2023: Wanaque Reservoir
The Wanaque Reservoir in New Jersey was created in 1928 with the construction of the Raymond Dam in 1928 along the Wanaque River. The reservoir provided a safe drinking water source to many communities that were previously without.
3/19/2023: Manhattan
View across the Hackensack River in New Jersey, foreground, to the Hudson River and Manhattan. Taken as James' flight is about to land at Newark airport.
3/19/2023: Hyatt Regency
The light-filled and airy atrium at the Hyatt Regency Princeton where James is staying on business.
3/20/2023: EWR4
James at the Amazon EWR4 fulfillment center in Robbinsonville, New Jersey. Amazon fulfillment and data centers are named after the nearest airport, in this case EWR for Newark Liberty International Airport. The EWR4 team is proud of the daily volume they ship to customers, and "Beast of the East" is their logo.
3/20/2023: ABE8
An employee adding a hand to Amazon ABE8's fifth work anniversary tree. ABE8 is an inbound cross-dock in Florence, NJ near the Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) in Pennsylvania. An inbound cross-dock takes deliveries from Amazon sellers and vendors and distributes them to fulfillment centers for shipment to customers.
3/20/2023: PHL7
Banners at the entrance to the Amazon PHL7 fulfillment center in Middletown, Delaware near the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).
3/20/2023: Lemonade Selfie Museum
Proof there's no lower bound on the material required for a museum: the Lemonade Selfie Museum in Baltimore has 20 different interactive themed rooms and spaces for self-created photoshoots.
3/21/2023: DCA1
The entrance to the Amazon DCA1 fulfillment center in Sparrows Point, Maryland near Reagan International Airport (DCA) in Arlington, Virginia.
3/21/2023: From Bookshelf to Beyond
A historical timeline of the company at the Amazon BWI2 fulfillment center near the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.
3/21/2023: Cascade Mountains
View to the Cascade Mountains on James' return flight back to Seattle from the east coast.
3/21/2023: Excavators
Excavators at work digging below ground level at the 2208 4th Ave construction site. The crew has braced the north corners with steel pipe to prevent collapse.
3/21/2023: Daffodils
Daffodils in bloom along Bell Street. Spring has most definitely arrived in Seattle.
3/22/2023: Smoke
Smoke billowing from an MSC container ship as it departs the Port of Seattle.
3/22/2023: Momiji
With the temperature hitting 60°F (15° C) today, it's warm enough to have dinner outside under a patio heater at Momiji Japanese restaurant in South Lake Union.
3/24/2023: Zoox
A specially-equipped Zoox Toyota Highlander. The Amazon subsidiary makes purpose-built driverless taxis and tests on city streets using Highlanders equipped with sensors that approximate the sensor positioniong that will be used in their production purpose-built vehicle. We often see them driving in our neighborhood, and they're also testing in San Franciso and Las Vegas.
3/24/2023: Sacramento River
View to the Sacramento River from our flight to Santa Barbara. The river rises in northern California and drains into San Francisco Bay, carrying 35% of the state's developed water supply. The California Gold Rush began with the discovery of gold along a tributary of the Sacramento River, leading to a huge increase in the population of California.
3/24/2023: Oil Rigs
Five oil rigs in Santa Barbara Channel, viewed as our flight descends for landing. Oil and gas has been extracted in the channel for over a century, with nineteen oil rigs currently active.
3/24/2023: Palihouse
The retro kitchenette and north patio in our room at the Palihouse Hotel in Santa Barbara.
3/24/2023: Happy Hour
Enjoying Happy Hour by the courtyard fountain at the Palihouse Hotel in Santa Barbara.
3/24/2023: Restaurant
We had a wonderful meal streetside at OPPI'Z Bistro on State Street in Santa Barbara. While we were there, a hummingbird buzzed our table then settled in to drink from the flowers beside us.
3/24/2023: Live Music
The appealing live music at OPPI'Z Bistro attracted many passersby who stopped to listen. The musician is playing a Yamaha SLG200N Silent Guitar.
3/24/2023: Bird of Paradise
Beautiful bird of Paradise flowers growing along State Street in Santa Barbara. We've never lived anywhere warm enough to grow them and it is always a treat to see these striking plants.
3/24/2023: Pickle Room
Cocktails at the Pickle Room in Santa Barbara on our way back to our hotel. The historic bar began life as Jimmy's Oriental Gardens Chinese restaurant in 1947 and is full of memorabilia from that period. Today it is a popular local's hangout, where everyone seemed to know each other and seats are rarely vacant for more than seconds.
3/25/2023: Breakfast
Breakfast on the main patio of our room at the Palihouse Hotel in Santa Barbara. The morning temperature is a little cool at around 45°F (7.2° C), but the sun warms us up and we love being outside.
3/25/2023: Palihouse
Looking back to our hotel, the Palihouse in Santa Barbara, as we head out for the afternoon. The 24-room boutique hotel opened in 2021 in a building that once housed the Santa Barbara School of the Arts from its 1920 inception. We really enjoyed the neighborhood feel to the establishment, and had a great stay.
3/25/2023: Stearns Wharf
At Stearns Wharf, the most visited landmark in Santa Barbara. When completed in 1872, the 2,300-ft (701 m) pier was the longest deep-water wharf between San Pedro and San Francisco and currently is the oldest working wharf in the state of California.
3/25/2023: West Beach
The view south from Stearns Wharf across West Beach to the Santa Ynez Mountains beyond Santa Barbara.
3/25/2023: Longboard's Grill
We had delicious tacos for lunch at Longboard's Grill on Stearns Wharf with a wonderful view north to Santa Barbara Harbor.
3/25/2023: Compass
Colorful compass painted on the head of Stearns Wharf, with fishers working from either side.
3/25/2023: Azure Seas
The Azure Seas heading out for a cruise along the Santa Barbara coast. We saw several boats out doing tours in the beautiful sunny Saturday weather.
3/25/2023: Santa Barbara Sandman
The "Santa Barbara Sandman", Tony Cheatom, at work on his latest creation.
3/25/2023: Land Shark
A Santa Barbara Land Shark amphibious tour vehicle. Rather than using repurposed World War II "Ducks" with their poor safety record, this company is using Hydra Terras built in the past twenty years specifically for the tourist industry.
3/25/2023: State Street
A large section of Santa Barbara's State Street has been converted into a pedestrian mall that is full of restaurants and stores. It's a wonderful place to stroll on a sunny afternoon.
3/25/2023: Chase Restaurant
Stopping for a refreshment at Chase Restaurant with a great view to the happenings on State Street.
3/25/2023: Fire Lily
Colorful Fire Lily (Clivia miniata) growing on Garden Street near our hotel. We love the varied and colorful plant life in Santa Barbara.
3/25/2023: Zaytoon
The line-up outside highly-rated Zaytoon Lebanese restaurant near our hotel caught our attention last night, so we decided to check it out tonight. The restaurant checks people in right at the sidewalk, producing what is likely a constant lineup outside that is pretty effective advertising based on our experience. Walking by, you'd otherwise never know the restaurant was there as they have no sign or other advertising.
3/25/2023: Outdoor Only
One of Zaytoon's appeals to us is that it's an entirely outdoor restaurant with no indoor seating. We really enjoyed the ambiance, and the food was delicious.
3/25/2023: Succulent Garden
Beautiful succulent garden near our hotel.
3/25/2023: Courtyard
Enjoying a nightcap in the tranquil courtyard of the Palihouse Hotel in Santa Barbara.
3/26/2023: Retro Phone
Our room at the Palihouse in Santa Barbara was full of retro appliances and equipment, like this phone.
3/26/2023: Marshall Speaker
A small Marshall bluetooth speaker, built in the style of their iconic rock guitar amplifiers, fits the retro theme of our room at the Palihouse in Santa Barbara.
3/26/2023: El Presidio
Passing El Presidio in Santa Barbara on our way to lunch. The restored building is part of a 1782 Spanish fortress.
3/26/2023: La Playa Azul
A delicious lunch on the terrace at La Play Azul. We're really enjoying the Santa Barbara weather and ambience.
3/26/2023: Coast
View to the Pacific Ocean on James' drive from Santa Barbara to the MARS conference at the Ojai Valley Inn.
3/26/2023: Ojai Valley Inn
Trees on the grounds at the Ojai Valley Inn, home of the MARS conference, lit up at night.
3/27/2023: Seattle Police
Eight Seattle Police vehicles at a Bell St building between Fourth and Third avenues.
3/27/2023: Window Cleaning
It's spring window-cleaning time in our apartment complex.
3/27/2023: Space Robots
Yuto Nakanishi arriving riding in on top of a Gitai Inc Space Robot for his "Robots to Build a Moonbase" presentation at the 2023 MARS conference.
3/27/2023: Twelve
Etosha Cave demonstrated at MARS the Twelve electro-chemical reactor that transforms CO2, water, and renewable energy to make thousands of chemical compounds that today are made from petrochemicals.
3/27/2023: Electro-chemical Synthesis
Lee Cronin demonstrated an automated electro-chemical synthesis machine with applications in drug discovery or other domains where new compounds need to be proposed, synthesized, and tested efficiently.
3/27/2023: Pipedream Labs
Pipedream labs has built a tunnel-based logistics system that essentially moves materials around in tunnels with automated elevators at each end. Here at MARS the team stands beside a demonstration system with the autonomous transport truck that rides inside the tunnel moving goods in the central tote.
3/27/2023: Space Telescope
A space telescope with electrically adjustable reflector mirrors at MARS.
3/27/2023: Lunar Mining
A vehicle designed to be able to take large samples of lunar regolith, on display at MARS. Capturing a sample requires significant torque to be applied at the rotating capture wheel but, when operating in a low gravity environment, the vehicle would simply flip over. The designers mitigate this problem by having one digger on each end of the vehicle where the torque of each counteracts the other only needing gravity to counteract the small differences in load on the two rotating diggers.
3/27/2023: Chemputer
The Chemputer produced by Lee Cronin's research team at the university of Glasgow. The idea is a machine learning system can investigate possible new compounds and then send candidates to the Chemputer to be synthesized for testing.
3/27/2023: Inch-worm
A demonstration of the Gitai inch-worm. The inch-worm is a essentially robotic arm with sockets on each end allowing it move from socket to socket along the sides of a demonstration space vehicle. Once in place at the work site, one end of inch-worm will be attached to the space vehicle and the other end will have an appropriate work implement.
3/27/2023: Moon Vehicle
Demonstration of a Gitai produced transport vehicle designed for use on the moon.
3/27/2023: Prime Air
A Prime Air autonomous delivery drone.
3/27/2023: Micromagic Systems
Matt Denton of Micromagic Systems has designed, developed, and built a unique 6 legged transport vehicle. This 2-ton hexapod is powered by a 40 hp diesel engine and a custom designed control system supporting joystick operation. Here's a video of the hexapod in action: https://youtu.be/DC7DhZQeVsE.
3/27/2023: Electric Tractor
The Monarch company is producing an innovative electric agricultural tractor, on display at MARS 2023.
3/28/2023: Koniku
Oshiorenoya Agabi, founder of biotech company Koniku, on stage at MARS. Koniku builds small form-factor smell cyborgs designed to diagnose disease and maintain health and wellness, and plans to have their equipment in 10 million homes within the next decade.
3/28/2023: C-Ray
Pietro Filardo demonstrated C-Ray, which can generate power when placed in a water flow or can move in water under battery power.
3/28/2023: Transverse Range
View to the Transverse Range from the Ojai Valley Inn outside Santa Barbara.
3/28/2023: Squirrel
A thirsty squirrel having a drink from the edge of a fountain at the Ojai Valley Inn.
3/28/2023: Bartender
A robot mixing and pouring drinks at the 2023 MARS conference. A video of the robot in action is at https://youtu.be/voK29iJRi2w.
3/29/2023: Sunset
Fabulous orange sunset over the snow-covered Olympic Mountains.
3/30/2023: N5125
This helicopter flew by our building a few times today with a big camera mounted under the nose. We initially assumed it was military, but closer inspection of the photograph showed its tail number as owned by a trust company.
3/30/2023: Carrello
James had a late meeting in the Seattle neighbourhood of Capitol Hill, so we met for dinner nearby at Carrello, a new restaurant for us. Their roast chicken was exceptional, and we had a wonderful evening.
3/31/2023: Pacific Northwest Limo
When traveling downtown, we either walk or Uber. When out on weekend trips, we normally drive. We decided to try a run at a long-distance Uber. The appeal of a driving is complete flexibility and, the further you go, the more advantaged you are to drive yourself. But, there are some upsides of paying for a ride. In this case, James had a late Friday meeting. We have a pretty strongly-held rule that we get a nice dinner Friday night with a bottle of wine. The only way to make that work when heading out for a weekend expedition that is two hours from town is to go Saturday morning.

We decided to try an idea. What if we "Ubered" and brought along a great bottle of wine and a nice meal? We decided to give it a try and it was an amazing success. We had a great meal in the car and got to enjoy an evening at an eastern Washington resort and listen to some live good music. It was a fun adventure and is yet another tool in our adventure tool kit. It's a fun way to work around late meetings on Friday and still get to a great weekend resort. While more expensive than driving, it was in many ways more fun in that the trip out became part of the entertainment.
3/31/2023: Dine In Your Car
There was a drive-in restaurant near Microsoft that advertised "dine in your car"—we used to chuckle whenever we passed it. But now, having given it a try, it's not so bad. In our version of "dine in your car" we had a great bottle of wine, a high quality charcuterie plate, and we were underway in the back seat enjoying the scenic trip through the Cascades. A two-hour car trip became a great dinner.
3/31/2023: Vantage Bridge
Crossing the Columbia River on the Vantage Bridge.
3/31/2023: Cliffhouse 12
Our home for the next two nights, Cliffhouse 12 at Sagecliffe Resort, overlooking the Columbia River gorge in eastern Washington.
3/31/2023: Columbia River
View to the Columbia River from our room at the Sagecliffe Resort.
3/31/2023: Great Room
The wonderful great room in the main building at the Sagecliffe Resort. We found the chandelier particularly striking.
3/31/2023: Brian Sacco
The Sagecliffe has live music most weekends, and tonight was Brian Sacco playing saxophone. We took in the show from a private corner spot near the stage.
3/31/2023: Fireplace
Enjoying the warm glow of the two-sided fireplace in our room at the Sagecliffe Resort near Quincy, WA.
4/1/2023: The Office
Getting a little work done in the morning in our room at Sagecliffe Resort with a view to the Columbia River gorge.
4/1/2023: Sagecliffe Resort
Sagecliffe Resort and the Columbia River gorge viewed from just outside our room (at left).
4/1/2023: Lunch
Shrimp tacos and a hummus plate for lunch at Tendrils Restaurant at Sagecliffe Resort.
4/1/2023: Sangiovese
Sangiovese grape vines just outside the Sagecliffe Resort main building. The facility is co-located with Cave B winery, whose owners built the resort and the Gorge Amphitheater. Both have since been sold.
4/1/2023: The Gorge Amphitheater
Sagecliffe Resort is adjacent to the striking Gorge Amphitheater concert venue.
4/1/2023: Quincy Lakes Wildlife Area
View from Sagecliff across the Quincy Lakes Wildlife Area on both sides of the Columbia River gorge.
4/1/2023: Vineyard Path
The path from the main building to the Cavern Rooms runs through the vineyards.
4/1/2023: Cavern Rooms
The Cavern Rooms of the Sagecliff Resort appear to be part of the original resort, with the cliffehouses where we are staying added later.
4/1/2023: Trailhead
At the trailhead for a hike down to the Columbia River. It's quite cold today, with strong winds, so we're bundled up.
4/1/2023: Flood Basalt Lava
Six to 17 million years ago, ancient volcano eruptions sent basalt flows into this area forming rock layers up to 2,000 ft (600 m) thick and creating the canyon. The thick layers, visible in the foreground and distance, are slowly eroding.
4/1/2023: View to Sagecliffe
Looking back up to Sagecliffe Resort and the Cavern Rooms, just left of center.
4/1/2023: Wanapum Lake
This section of the Columbia River flows through Wanapum Lake, created in 1963 when the Wanapum Dam was built.
4/1/2023: Abandoned Car
An abandoned car along Wanapum Lake, part of an old homesite in the area.
4/1/2023: Toe in the Columbia
Jennifer dipping a toe in the Columbia River. We've not been on the river since our Columbia River cruise in 2012.
4/1/2023: View Upriver
Looking north upriver across Wanapum Lake.
4/1/2023: Waterfall Trail
We returned back to the resort on the Waterfall Trail loop, with some great views to the Gorge Amphitheatre in the distance.
4/1/2023: Fitzpatrick Waterfall
The Fitzpatrick Waterfall along the waterfall trail flows year-round.
4/1/2023: Caymus Cabernet
A delicious steak dinner and a bottle of Caymus Cabernet for dinner at Tendrils restaurant in Sagecliffe Resort.
4/1/2023: Pianist
A fairly talented, and dexterous, pianist was the evening's entertainment in the Sagecliffe Resort great room.
4/1/2023: Sunset
Sunset over the Columbia River Gorge. We really enjoyed our weekend at Sagecliffe Resort.
4/2/2023: Cave B
Looking across the Cave B vineyards to the Columbia River Gorge as we depart Sagecliff Resort to return to Seattle.
4/2/2023: Grandfather Cuts Loose the Ponies
The sculpture Grandfather Cuts Loose the Ponies, also known as the Wild Horse Monument, by American artist David Govedare. The artwork, atop a bluff near Quincy WA, consists of 15 life-sized steel horses conceived in memory of the wild horses that once lived in the area and is among the most-viewed artworks in the state.
4/2/2023: Scenic Overlook
The view north up Wanapum Lake from the Scenic Overlook of the Columbia River.
4/2/2023: Vantage Bridge
The Vantage Bridge seen from the Scenic Overlook of the Columbia River. The bridge carries I-90 over the river—we'll be crossing it soon on our way back to Seattle.
4/2/2023: Keechelus Lake
A frozen Keechelus Lake, with fresh snow on the mountains beyond, near Snoqualmie Pass.
4/2/2023: Snow
Fresh snow is falling as we approach Snoqualmie Pass. This is the tail end of a major storm system that dropped many inches of snow over the Cascade Mountains this weekend.
4/2/2023: Season Over
Despite the fresh snow, much of the Summit at Snoqualmie ski resort is already closed for the season, with only a few chair lifts operating.
4/3/2023: Parts
The 22 pieces of wood plus attachments to build a small cabinet for our master bathroom.
4/3/2023: Completed Cabinet
The completed cabinet, sitting next to the toilet in the master bathroom. It's a simple item, but quite convenient to have.
4/4/2023: CLEAR Queue
The CLEAR program is designed to expedite security checking. Streamlined identity checking allows passengers to bypass the TSA identity check queue and go right to the physical security check. But today something like a hundred people were lined up in the CLEAR lane, whereas the TSA preCheck identity queue was nearly empty.
4/4/2023: San Francisco Bay
San Francisco Bay, viewed from James' flight on a quick business day trip to San Jose. The marina that we lived at for several weeks back in 2012, Westpoint Harbor, is visible just below center, up and to the right of the winding waterway (click image for a larger view).
4/4/2023: Guadaloupe Parkway Solar Farm
The Santa Clara County Guadaloupe Parkway Solar Farm produces was completed in 2018 with a peak capacity of 1.7 MW.
4/4/2023: PayPal Park
PayPal Park, home of the San Jose's Earthquakes Major League Soccer club, visible beyond the runway as James' flight is about to land.
4/4/2023: Apple Park
Apple Park, the massive corporate headquarters for Apple Inc. in Cupertino, California, viewed as James' flight departs from San Jose. Completed in 1993 at an estimated cost of USD $5billion, the 64-acre (0.26 km2) 4-story building supports 12,000 Apple employees.
4/4/2023: South Sound
The sun setting over the South Puget Sound as James's flight returns to Seattle.
4/4/2023: Edmonds
Ferry departing Edmonds, Washington, off the large Edmonds marina, with the now-defunct Point Wells refinery visible on the point below (click image for a larger view). Point Wells has been a refinery and fuel terminal since 1912, but in 2010 the valuable waterfront property was sold for real estate development.
4/4/2023: Portage Bay
View to Portage Bay in Lake Union, home of the Seattle Yacht Club, with the 520 bridge over Lake Washington at right and the Montlake Cut connecting the two lakes at left. The University of Washington Husky Stadium, emblazoned with a large 'W', is visible at upper left along the Lake Washington waterfront.
4/4/2023: Lake Washington
Wonderfully calm conditions on Lake Washington as James' flight turns south to land at Sea-Tac airport. The 520 bridge is at left, with the I-90 bridge at right and downtown Bellevue across the lake between them. The snow-covered Cascade Mountains, where we snowshoe in the winter and camp in the summer, are visible in the distance.
4/5/2023: Garner Construction
We passed this Garner Construction truck with its creative logo showing a crane lifting the letter 'E' in their name.
4/5/2023: Cobham Explorer
A Cobham Explorer 8120 auto-acquire, drive-away Ku-band satellite dish being setup on a small truck parked in the lot across from our building.
4/5/2023: Hatch Cantina
A great meal from the new menu at Hatch Cantina, at our usual table at the window.
4/6/2023: San Juan Clipper
The San Juan Clipper out on sea trails this morning prior to the start of the 2023 season. Until last year, the vessel ran a ferry service between Seattle and Friday Harbor in the San Juan islands, but now only makes three-hour whale-watching tours. A recent Coast Guard regulation change limited the vessel to only 150 passengers, 3/4 of its maximum 200-person capacity, making the ferry route unprofitable.
4/6/2023: Above Garage
The floor above garage level at the 4th and Bell construction site is nearly ready for a concrete pour with rebar in place.
4/6/2023: Digging
The excavators at the 2208 4th Ave construction site have dug well below ground level now and the crew has shifted the corner braces down.
4/6/2023: Des Moines
The Des Moines marina, just south of Seattle, viewed on James' flight back down to San Jose. The marina has room for 840 boats in dry and wet storage.
4/6/2023: Ingredients
The extensive ingredients measured and set out to make Red Hen rigatoni.
4/6/2023: Lot of Pots
The Red Hen rigatoni recipe isn't particularly complicated, but it does require a lot of pots.
4/6/2023: Red Hen Rigatoni
The finished result, Red Hen rigatoni, looked and tasted delicious. We made up a large batch of sauce to freeze in portions and use later.
4/6/2023: Perbacco
Both Jennifer and James had Italian food for dinner, albeit in different cities. While Jennifer was making rigatoni, James was at Perbacco Italian restaurant in San Francisco. This is their kitchen, cleaned up and ready for the following evening, viewed as James leaves for his hotel after a late business dinner.
4/7/2023: Urban ArtWorks
Chalk artwork by Alexandra Nason as part of the South Lake Union Urban ArtWorks program, a non-profit with a "mission to engage youth and communities in the creation of public art that inspires connections and honors their voices."
4/7/2023: Waymo
A Waymo autonomous ride-hailing car on the move in San Francisco. The Google subsidiary also operates in Los Angeles and Phoenix.
4/7/2023: Tacoma Narrows
View to the Tacoma Narrows bridge, at lower right, as James' flight from San Francisco returns to Seattle.
4/7/2023: Point Ruston
Looking down on Point Ruston and the Tacoma Yacht Club. The hotel we stayed while visiting last year, the Silver Cloud Inn, is along the water roughly at center, below the large black rectangle.
4/7/2023: Bremerton
View across West Seattle to navy docks at Bremerton as James' flight descends into the Seattle area.
4/7/2023: Eagle Harbor
Six Washington State ferries docked at their Eagle Harbor maintenance facility on Bainbridge Island (five on the main dock and a sixth partially visible at the bottom right corner of the picture). The complex has ten different trade shops ranging from pipefitting to carpentry to welding, and employs over 100 people.
4/7/2023: Hedley Spit
Houses packed along both sides of Hedley Spit at the north end of Bainbridge Island. The sand bar has an elevation of only 3.5 ft (1 m) and rising sea levels likely will inundate many of the houses by the middle of this century.
4/7/2023: I-5 Corridor
Looking south along the I-5 corridor, with Lake Washington at far left and Boeing Field at right, as James' flight descends southbound to land at Sea-Tac.
4/7/2023: Wild Wheels
Jennifer picked James up at the airport and we continued south for a weekend of snowshoeing at Mt. Rainier. On the way we passed this old police car that had been modified with incredibly large wheels and low-profile tires.
4/7/2023: Trillium Kitchen
A first look at Trillium, the Ashford VRBO cabin we've rented for the weekend while we snowshoe at Mt. Rainier. The kitchen was bright, spacious and well-equipped. After a big week of traveling for James, we had a late sushi dinner and a relaxing evening.
4/7/2023: Trillium Master Bedroom
We really liked the private and spacious Trillium second-floor master bedroom with its view to the tree-tops.
4/8/2023: Entering Mt. Rainier NP
Entering Mt. Rainier National Park shortly before 9am for a day of snowshoeing.
4/8/2023: Longmire
At Longmire, the visitors service center for Mt. Rainier. The road beyond to higher elevations is closed during the winter except on weekends between 9am and 4pm. It has just opened this Saturday morning, so we can head right through with no waiting.
4/8/2023: Tatoosh Range
Mountains in the Tatoosh Range, a sub-range of the Cascades, viewed from the Paradise Valley Road. The Tatoosh Range includes 25 prominent named peaks with an average height of 6,420 ft (1,960 m).
4/8/2023: Nisqually Downriver
Looking south downriver as we cross the Nisqually River on the Nisqually Glacier Bridge.
4/8/2023: Snowplow
A snowplow clearing out snow that has fallen onto the road. This section of Paradise Road has a high avalanche risk and drivers are warned not to stop.
4/8/2023: Snow Banks
The snow banks are getting higher as we ascend towards Paradise.
4/8/2023: Parking Lot
Barely a half-dozen cars at the Narada Falls parking at at 9:20 this morning. We'll be snowshoeing from here to Reflection Lake.
4/8/2023: On the Trail
Fresh snow on the trail to Reflection Lake. Last weekend the road up to Paradise didn't open at all due to a major snowstorm, and we're the first ones here for two weeks. The trail has been well-trod in the past though, so the going is relatively easy.
4/8/2023: Stevens Canyon Road
The marked trail we were following continues across Stevens Canyon Road, but we decided to take the road to Reflection Lake and trail back to make a loop of it. Stevens Canyon Road, where we drove last summer, is closed in the winter. But it is kept partially plowed, possibly for emergency access, and the snow banks are really high.
4/8/2023: Plows
We reached a point where the road had so little snow, the work of these parked snowplows, that we opted to walk and carry our snowshoes.
4/8/2023: Mini Avalanches
Mini avalanches streak the hillside above Stevens Canyon Road.
4/8/2023: View South
The view south from Stevens Canyon Road to the Tatoosh Range, with the Cascades in the distance.
4/8/2023: Walking
Stevens Canyon Road remained plowed for quite some distance, so we continued walking.
4/8/2023: Final Snowplow
At the final slowplow on Stevens Canyon Road, with Caterpillar D8T in the background. Deep snow covers the road beyond.
4/8/2023: Snowshoes
Re re-donned our snowshoes to walk the rest of the unplowed route down Stevens Canyon Road to Reflection Lake in Mt. Rainier.
4/8/2023: Fresh Snow
The rest of Stevens Canyon Road beyond the plowed section was deep in snow. Evidence of past snowshoers was visible, but it had been two weeks and a major storm since anyone had walked along here, so we'd be breaking new trail.
4/8/2023: Breaking Trail
Breaking a new trail through the snow is tiring work, so we switch places often. Here Jennifer is bringing up the rear, following the path James made. The snowy scenery is just beautiful.
4/8/2023: Unicorn Peak
6,971 ft (2,125 m) Unicorn Peak, right, the highest in the Tatoosh Range.
4/8/2023: Snowshoe Hare
We think a Snowshoe Hare made these tracks in the snow.
4/8/2023: Taking Stock
We've just reached the junction at Reflection Lake with the marked snowshoe trail that leads back to the parking lot and are deciding if we want to continue around the lake or start back.
4/8/2023: Mt. Rainier
We decided to keep going around the lake. A little slice of Mt. Rainier is visible looking south across Reflection Lake, but the mountain was mostly hidden today. On a clear and still summer day, this location is famous for its view of Mt. Rainier reflected in the water, hence the name.
4/8/2023: Reflection Lake
The view northwest across Reflection Lake from the southeast corner.
4/8/2023: Louise Lake
Looking down into the valley containing frozen Louise Lake. We opted to turn around here and head up to the ridge north of Reflection Lake.
4/8/2023: Offroading
No obvious trail leads up to the ridge, so we took the clearest path we could find. The way wasn't always very clear though.
4/8/2023: Deep Powder
The powder is very deep, and we're sinking in quite a bit as we ascend the ridge.
4/8/2023: Ravine
To continue higher up the ridge, we had to cross a fairly steep ravine. Here Jennifer is following the excellent path that James made.
4/8/2023: Tea & Snack
Once across the ravine, we continued climbing a bit more to the top of the ridge, where we stopped for some tea and a snack with a fabulous view to the Tatoosh Range.
4/8/2023: Heading Down
Heading back down to Reflection Lake from the ridge viewpoint.
4/8/2023: And Back Up
And back up the ravine. We chose a slightly closer, but steeper route.
4/8/2023: And Back Down
And descending again towards Reflection Lake.
4/8/2023: Reflection Lake North
Looking south across frozen Reflection Lake to the Tatoosh Range.
4/8/2023: Wolf Prints
These look like wolf tracks, but may be from a large dog.
4/8/2023: Marked Trail
After the tiring work of breaking trail through the deep snow, we enjoyed the relatively easy walking on the marked and already broken trail back to the parking lot.
4/8/2023: Intersection
At the intersection with the Mazama Ridge trail that we followed last winter.
4/8/2023: Nisqually Glacier
Nisqually Glacier, viewed as we descend from Narada Falls in the truck.
4/8/2023: Nisqually River North
Looking north upriver as we cross the Nisqually Glacier Bridge over the Nisqually River.
4/8/2023: The Resort
A picture from Wagly Pet Campus in Bellevue, where Spitfire is staying while we are at Mt. Rainier.
4/8/2023: Trailhead Bar & Grill
A delicious pork taco lunch at the Trailhead Bar & Grill
4/8/2023: Heart Rate
Over lunch we took a look at our cardio data tracked with our Google Pixel watches. Snowshoeing can be a real workout. James had an average heart rate of 125bpm and a maximum of 170 over the 4:29 that we were out there.
4/8/2023: Hot Tub
Relaxing in the hot tub at our rented VRBO cabin Trillium in Ashford.
4/8/2023: Swing
Enjoying a swing on the porch before a Rigatoni dinner at our rented VRBO cabin Trillium after a day of snowshoeing at Mt. Rainier. We loved how quiet and private the place was with the woods behind.
4/9/2023: Easter Bunny
The Easter Bunny found us in Ashford WA and hid treats throughout our rented VRBO cabin. Here's James with his haul.
4/9/2023: Mt. Rainier NP
Entering Mt. Rainier NP for another day, hopefully, of snowshoeing in the Paradise area at the top of the Mt. Rainier road. The weather forecast is calling for rain at high elevations later today, even at Paradise at elevation 5,400 ft (1,645 m). We are hoping to get just above the snow line and out of the rain before that happens.
4/9/2023: Rain
We're seeing rain at elevation 4,957 ft (1,510 m), with only 500 feet (152 m) before we reach the top of the road at Paradise. We're still hopeful, but it's not looking great.
4/9/2023: Snow!
Just before we reached Paradise, the rain changed to snow, so off we went!
4/9/2023: Trail
Following the marked Nisqually Vista trail that we hiked last summer.
4/9/2023: Nisqually River
View to the snow-covered Nisqually River from the end of the Nisqually Vista trail. The river rises from Nisqually Glacier and we cross it on the Nisqually Glacier Bridge on the drive up to Paradise.
4/9/2023: Paradise
After the relatively short hike to Nisqually Vista from the Paradise lower parking lot, we moved the truck to the upper lot and set off on the Glacier Vista trail.
4/9/2023: Footprints
Lots of previous footprints heading up from Paradise, unlike yesterday, when we were the first people in two weeks to snowshoe through most of places we went.
4/9/2023: Tea
From Paradise, we climbed about about 800 ft up (245m) and stopped for a hot tea break. We decided to turn back here since we'd gotten a late start and the Packwood Brewery beckoned.
4/9/2023: Road Closed
Unfortunately the road to Packwood was closed, likely for fallen trees, so no Packwood Brewery lunch for us. We instead returned to our rented cabin for lunch.
4/9/2023: Happy Hour
Happy Hour before dinner after a soak in the hot tub at Trillium in Ashford. We had a fabulous weekend snowshoeing at Mt. Rainier and the cabin was a big part of it. Trillium was clean and comfortable, very private, and well-equipped with great amenities including the hot tub and a sauna.
4/10/2023: Bookshelf Door
James discovered that the bookshelf in the master bedroom of our VRBO cabin in Ashwood was actually a door that opened by pulling out one of the books.
4/10/2023: Opening Door
Opening the bookshelf door.
4/10/2023: Secret Bedroom
Behind the bookshelf door was a secret bedroom off the master bedroom. Perhaps this used to be an office or a nursery. But it seemed a little spooky to be hidden away like that, with no windows.
4/10/2023: Spitfire
Picking up Spitfire from "the resort", Wagly in Bellevue, where we board him when we are away. Spitfire is always ready to get out of his carry bag when we're transporting him by car. We tried opening the "slideouts" to see of that would settle him down, but it didn't help much.
4/12/2023: Winemaker's Dinner
At a second Winemaker's Dinner at the Butcher's Table. Here Gilles Nicault, director of winemaking and viticulture at Long Shadows, is describing the wines we are about to taste.
4/12/2023: Tasting Flight
A tasting flight of Mishama Reserve steaks paired with various vintages of Long Shadow's Chester Kidder Cabernet-Syrah blends.
4/12/2023: Conversation
James in conversation after the Winemaker's Dinner with Longshadows' president Dane Narbaitz (left) and Jason Sanneman, the Assistant General Manager and Wine Director at Butcher's Table.
4/13/2023: Ferrari Modena
A sedan painted Ferrari red and labeled convincingly as a Modena F120. If Lada was to design a Ferrari, this might be it :-).
4/13/2023: Peter & Laurie
A great dinner with Peter and Laurie Hayden, owners of Nordhavn 68 Tanglewood.
4/14/2023: Quartermaster Harbor
View to Quartermaster Harbor on Vashon Island from James' flight to Tokyo on business. We anchored there frequently when we kept our boat in Seattle.
4/14/2023: Seattle
West Seattle, foreground, Elliott Bay and downtown Seattle, with the 520 Bridge over Lake Washington in the background.
4/14/2023: Spitfire
Spitfire in his favorite new sleeping location, tucked between the pillows in our bed.
4/15/2023: Norwegian Bliss
The first cruise ship of the 2023 season, Norwegian Bliss, arrived into Seattle this morning.
4/15/2023: Crane Pit
A pit being readied for the construction crane at the 2208 4th Ave construction site.
4/15/2023: Another Floor
One smaller floor has been added, with the rebar in place for the floor above, at the 4th & Bell construction site.
4/15/2023: Dual Time Zones
James' Samsung S23 Ultra phone has a handy feature of showing both home and local time zones on the home screen.
4/15/2023: Runway D
As James' flight was landing Haneda Airport in Tokyo, they passed low over Runway D, completed in 2010 using land fill.
4/15/2023: International Terminal
The modern International Terminal at Haneda Airport in Tokyo was completed in 2010 with Runway D.
4/16/2023: Westin Tokyo
James' room at The Westin Tokyo for a week-long business trip.
4/16/2023: Tokyo
The view south across Tokyo from James' hotel room. The treed area at left is the Institute for Nature Study, a nature preserve that is a Natural Monument and a National Historic Site of Japan.
4/17/2023: Ingredients
While James is away in Japan, Jennifer tried out a new Shrimp Scampi recipe. These are all the ingredients measured out and ready to go.
4/17/2023: Shrimp Shell Stock
The Shrimp Scampi recipe calls for making a stock from the shrimp shells to get good seafood flavor.
4/17/2023: Shrimp Scampi
The finished Shrimp Scampi was delicious and full of flavor, with a little kick from some red pepper flakes.
4/18/2023: Bandage
Spitfire sporting a temporary bandage after bloodwork at the vet today. He continues to do well for a nearly 20-year-old cat, but we monitor his health carefully and get his bloodwork done every 6 months.
4/18/2023: Asean Streat Food Hall
Picking up lunch at the Asean Streat Food Hall, recently opened in Westlake Center in Seattle. This was our first time in, and the food was quite good, with a wide variety of choices.
4/18/2023: Sagami River
James crossing the Sagami River in Japan on his way to a fulfillment center. The river has been dammed in a number of places for hydroelectric power generation.
4/19/2023: Namiki Dori
Looking down Namiki Dori Street as James passes through downtown Tokyo.
4/19/2023: Koi Pond
A well-stocked Koi Pond at the Tsukiji Jisaku restaurant in Tokyo where James is having dinner.
4/19/2023: Timeshifter
The Timeshifter app, recommended by a co-worker, helps battle jet lag by shifting time zones over the course of multiple days rather than all at once. It also optionally recommends caffeine and melatonin to further improve the change in sleep times. James tried it for the first time on his trip to Japan and it seemed quite effective. We'll be heading to the Spanish Grand Prix in a few weeks, and will try it again.
4/20/2023: Crane Pit
Rebar installed in pit for the construction crane at the 2208 4th Ave construction site.
4/20/2023: QCB1
Employee-signed robots at the Amazon QCB1 fulfillment center on the outskirts of Tokyo.
4/20/2023: Stacked Parking
A stacked parking arrangement in Tokyo not far from The Westin where James is staying. Building-dense Tokyo uses every inch of space.
4/21/2023: Airport
The shiny new international arrivals terminal at Sea-Tac airport as James returns to Seattle from Tokyo.
4/21/2023: Snowshoe Tails
Our MSR Lightning Ascent snowshoes have optional tails that snap on quickly to extend the surface area. This should help float us higher when walking on fresh, loose powder.
4/21/2023: Urban Artworks
Utility box artwork by Victor Melendez, another Urban ArtWorks creation. The non-profit has a "mission to engage youth and communities in the creation of public art that inspires connections and honors their voices."
4/22/2023: Tulips
Masses of tulips in bloom at Seattle Center near the Space Needle.
4/22/2023: NHL Playoffs
Entering Climate Pledge Arena to watch the Kraken's first ever NHL playoffs home game. After two games in Denver against the Colorado Avalanche, the series is tied 1-1. It's amazing the Kraken even reached the playoffs in their second year of existence, let alone actually beat the defending Stanley Cup champions in game one of the series.
4/22/2023: Red Alert
Red Alert, the Seattle Kraken marching band, playing inside Climate Pledge Arena before the playoff game.
4/22/2023: Warm Up
The Kraken and Avalanche players warming up before the game. Draped across the back of each seat is Kraken towel for fans to wave in support of the team.
4/22/2023: Pete Carroll
Partway through the first period, Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll appeared to rally the fans, saying "This is history in the making! We're living history tonight!" as the Kraken play their first ever NHL playoffs home game.
4/22/2023: Faceoff
After the Kraken scored first, the Avalanche followed with three unanswered goals. In the second period, we scored 2 goals 19-seconds apart to bring the score to 3-3, and the crowd went wild. The game was super-exciting, but sadly, we lost 6-4 putting the Avalanche one up in the series.
4/23/2023: Mirall
Jennifer standing inside one of the twin sculptures that make up Mirall (Catalan for mirror) by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa. We passed it walking to the South Lake Union Kenmore Air station.
4/23/2023: Kenmore Air
At Kenmore Air for a day trip to Friday Harbor in the San Juan islands.
4/23/2023: Our Plane
Our plane to Friday Harbor, a De Havilland (Bombardier) DHC-2 Turbo Beaver.
4/23/2023: Light Loaded
It's early in the season, and not many people are making the flight to Friday Harbor today. Only four are on board, plus the pilot, leaving three seats empty.
4/23/2023: Traffic
Lots of boat traffic at the raised Fremont Bridge as our plane taxis to the north end of Lake Union for takeoff.
4/23/2023: Gas Works Park
Gas Works Park, on the north end of Lake Union. The park sits on the former site of the Seattle Gas Light Company gasification plant.
4/23/2023: West Lake Union
West Lake Union shortly after takeoff.
4/23/2023: East Lake Union
East Lake Union, with I-5 beyond, viewed from our seaplane to Friday Harbor.
4/23/2023: Seattle Center
Flying over Seattle Center, with the brightly-colored Museum of Pop Culture to the lower left of the Space Needle. Our apartment complex is the tall gray building at upper center, beyond the shorter blue, green and white building.
4/23/2023: Elliott Bay Marina
Elliott Bay Marina, where we kept our first boat for a decade.
4/23/2023: USNS Richard E. Byrd
This looks like the USNS Richard E. Byrd dry cargo ship, but we couldn't see a number or flag to confirm.
4/23/2023: Edmonds
A ferry departing the Edmonds dock for Kingston.
4/23/2023: USGS Marrowstone
The USGS Marrowstone Marine Field Station at Marrowstone Point near Port Townsend is the exclusive marine/seawater-based research facility for the Northwest Region. We've passed there by boat many times over the years.
4/23/2023: Smith Island
Smith Island at the eastern end of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, with Minor Island in the background. The spit between them is covered at high tide. We've anchored a couple of times off the north side of the island. The spot is quite lumpy and exposed, but really beautiful and wild.
4/23/2023: Shaw Island
In the San Juan Islands off the sound end of Shaw Island, with Orcas Island and East Sound visible beyond.
4/23/2023: Chelan
The Washington State Ferry Chelan arriving into Friday Harbor with our flight.
4/23/2023: Friday Harbor Landing
Landing with a splash off Friday Harbor.
4/23/2023: Docking
In what looks like a crazy maneuver, the pilot shuts off the engine and leaps out of the plane to the dock, then pulls the craft over. The process usually goes smoothly, but this time the plane couldn't be brought onto the dock due to a heavy cross wind and he had to try again, pictured.
4/23/2023: We're Here
An hour after departing Seattle, we're here in Friday Harbor.
4/23/2023: Departing
Our plane and pilot didn't stay long in Friday Harbor, and took off shortly after dropping of the passengers.
4/23/2023: Scoot Coupes
Scoot Coupes for rent at Susie's Mopeds in Friday Harbor. Powered by an Italian-made Piaggio 4 Valve 49cc engine, the vehicles have a maximum speed of 30 mph (108 kph) and are classified as mopeds in most states.
4/23/2023: San Juan Island Brewery
A delicious pizza for lunch with local brews at the San Juan Island Brewery in Friday Harbor.
4/23/2023: Matthews
As we were walking the dock for our flight home a US Customs agent called us out by name. That made us both a little nervous, but agent Matthews recognized us from our blog and just wanted to say hello and chat.
4/23/2023: Our Plane Arriving
Our return plane to Seattle arriving into Friday Harbor.
4/23/2023: Cockpit
We returned to Seattle on a De Havilland (Bombardier) DHC-3 Turbo Otter aircraft.
4/23/2023: Seals
Dozens of seals crowding a rocky islet off the south end of San Juan Island.
4/23/2023: Chetzemoka
The Washington State Ferry Chetzemoka, underway with tug assist just south of Port Townsend.
4/23/2023: Portage Bay
Looking south across Portage Bay, between Lake Union and Lake Washington. At upper left is the marina and clubhouse of the Seattle Yacht Club. We've enjoyed many dinners there and presented there ourselves several times. In the distance is Highway 520 that crosses Lake Washington, while houseboats fill the western shore.
4/23/2023: Houseboats
Beautiful modern houseboats along the east shore of Lake Union.
4/23/2023: Lake Union Landing
A splash as we return back to Lake Union in Seattle.
4/23/2023: La Palmera
We stopped in for dinner for the first time at La Palmera Mexican restaurant on our way home from Kenmore Air. Their house margarita is huge!
4/23/2023: CMA CGM Ships
The CMA CGM Rigoletto arriving into Seattle as the LNG-powered Integrity departs. The 1,145-ft (349m) Rigoletto, built in 2006, has a nominal TEU (20-ft equivalent unit) capacity of 9415 while the 1,200-ft (366m) Integrity, built in 2020, has a nominal TEU capacity of 14,806. The Integrity is only 5% longer than the Rigoletto, but with 26ft (8m) more beam, it has a 60% higher capacity.
4/23/2023: Blood Pressure Monitors
For years James has used a wrist-cuff blood pressure monitor, which is nice and small, but less accurate than arm-cuff monitors. We just picked up the Omron Platinum. Ironically, Spitfire has hypertension and also needs blood pressure monitoring. He gets too excited at the vet for them to be able to accurately measure his blood pressure, so we do it at home with the CONTEC08A-VET at left.
4/24/2023: Testing Blood Pressure
Testing Spitfire's blood pressure with a the CONTEC08A-VET at left. The smallest size cuff is just barely small enough for him, but we are able to take more accurate readings when he is at home and calmer than at the vet. He mostly sleeps through the whole thing.
4/24/2023: Game Four
At Climate Pledge Arena as the Seattle Kraken take on defending Stanley Cup champions the Colorado Avalanche for game four of the first playoff round.
4/24/2023: Two All
Kraken fans cheer for the home team with the score tied at 2-2 against the Colorado Avalanche partway through the 2nd period of game 4. This is way before the game, so the seats haven't filled in yet and we are walking around the arena to see it from all perspectives. The arena is going to be packed tonight.
4/24/2023: Tie-Breaking Goal
The Kraken celebrate after scoring a game-winning overtime goal to tie the series 2-2.
4/26/2023: Royal Princess
The Royal Princess, the second ship of the 2023 Alaska cruise season, arriving into pier 66.
4/26/2023: Tavolata
Enjoying a meal at our favorite table at Tavolata before watching the Kraken take on the Colorado Avalanche in Denver for game 5 of the series. It's late April, and the weather is warm enough at 63°F (17.2°C) to sit by the open front windows.
4/26/2023: Squeaks Mobile Dog Run
The Squeaks Mobile Dog Run van parked outside our building intrigued us, so we stopped by to chat with owners Seth Goldberg and Nicole Sesar. Their non-powered dog-propelled treadmills are designed to provide 30-minute runs for dogs up to 150 lbs (68 kg). Their mobile dog gym, founded in July of 2022, is the first in Washington State.
4/27/2023: 2023 Draft Party
The Seattle Seahawks hosted a 2023 Draft Party at the Space Needle. Here the Seahawks Dancers are entertaining the crowd before the doors open.
4/27/2023: Blue Thunder
The Seahawks drumline, Blue Thunder, also was on hand at the 2023 Draft Party. The weather remains wonderfully warm for late April, with a high of 64°F (17.8°C).
4/27/2023: High Fives
High fives from team mascot Blitz as we enter the Space Needle.
4/27/2023: Norwegian Jewel
The Norwegian Jewel moored at Pier 66, viewed from the Space Needle. We'll be taking that ship in four days on an Inside Passage cruise from Vancouver to Alaska.
4/27/2023: Cabin 9004
The bridge of the Norwegian Jewel. Our cabin for next week, 9004, has the lower forward balcony on this side (starboard) of the ship and a second balcony along the side beneath the bridge wing.
4/27/2023: Seattle Skyline
The Seattle skyline and Mt. Rainier, viewed from the top of the Space Needle.
4/27/2023: Insignia
The north tower of our apartment complex, Insignia, viewed from the Space Needle. Our apartment is in the south tower, hidden behind the north tower.
4/27/2023: Glass Floor
Looking down through the glass floor in the Space Needle. Jennifer is at bottom and our friend Kimanh Moreau is wearing the fabulous chartreuse boots.
4/27/2023: Draft Selection
All eyes focused on the video display as the Seahawks announce their first draft pick.
4/27/2023: Blitz
Jennifer has been trying for years to get a picture with Blitz, the Seahawks mascot, and finally got one tonight.
4/27/2023: Evening View
Evening view to Seattle from the Space Needle.
4/27/2023: Ice Sculpture
This ice sculpture was full of shrimp and other seafood at the start of the Seahawks Draft Party and is pretty much picked bare now.
4/28/2023: Game 6
The pre-game show before the Kraken take on the Colorada Avalanche in game 6 of the playoffs. Attendees were given remote-controlled LED wrist bands that flashed and changed colors synchronously to a quite impressive effect. Here the wristband lights are reflecting onto the ice surface.
4/28/2023: Kraken Banner
Supporting a large Kraken banner that is being passed through the crowd. We had a great time at the game, despite the Kraken losing 1-4 to the Avalanche. The series is now tied at 3-3 with the 7th and final game in Denver.
4/29/2023: Eurodam
The Holland America cruise ship Eurodam arriving into Pier 91 this morning will be the 6th Seattle departure for the 2023 Alaska cruise season.
4/29/2023: Tulip Festival
Passing heavy traffic at Mt. Vernon on our way to Vancouver for a cruise to Alaska. The traffic is from the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, a major tourism event in this time of year.
4/29/2023: Entering Canada
Entering Canada for the first time since visiting Victoria in 2017.
4/29/2023: Vancouver Skyline
Looking north near Richmond B.C. to the Vancouver Skyline and the mountains of the Garibaldi Range.
4/29/2023: Cherry Blossoms
The Vancouver streets are lined with cherry trees in bloom.
4/29/2023: Pacific NW Limo
Our ride with Pacific Northwest Limo from Seattle to the Pan Pacific hotel in Vancouver. We initially were planning to drive out last night, but we changed plans to attend the Kraken playoff game.
4/29/2023: Pan Pacific Lobby
The light-filled atrium at lobby level in the Pan Pacific Hotel.
4/29/2023: Pacific Rim Coastline Fountain
A large fountain and pond in the lobby of the Pan Pacific Hotel. A plaque on the fountain reads "In the spirit of Canada Place, this representation of the Pacific Rim coastline is dedicated to the enhancement of friendship and trade between Canada and our Pacific neighbours". Canada Place, where the hotel is situated, originally was the Canadian Pacific Railway's ocean liner terminal in the 1920s and later the Canadian Pavilion for The Expo 86 World Fair. 
4/29/2023: Luggage
A truckload of cruise ship passenger luggage arriving at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Vancouver. The hotel is adjacent to the cruise ship terminal and a popular stopover for cruise passengers.
4/29/2023: Ogre Magi
This two-person Dota 2 Ogre Magi costume, built by urban fabricators Styrogirls, won the Biggest Transformation at the 2018 International Cosplay Competition in Vancouver. Their work-in-progress photos of the costume show the impressive amount of effort put into the project. It must be hot inside that costume on such a warm day.
4/29/2023: Bunkering
The cruise ship Sapphire Princess bunkering at the Vancouver cruise terminal.
4/29/2023: Rhododendron
Vancouver is in bloom everywhere. Here is a beautiful Rhododendron 'Purple Gem' near our hotel.
4/29/2023: Granville Island
At Granville Island, a popular shopping and restaurant district a few miles south of downtown Vancouver. We came here frequently in our first boat and haven't been back for close to 20 years.
4/29/2023: Bridges
Lunch on the patio at Bridges, a restaurant we frequented when we visited Granville Island by boat. We had a great lunch overlooking False Creek in the warm and sunny weather.
4/29/2023: False Creek
Looking north from our table at Bridges over False Creek to downtown Vancouver, with the Burrard Street Bridge at left.
4/29/2023: Public Market
The Granville Island Public Market is an excellent indoor market with a wide variety of high-quality food, produce, and hand-crafted products for sale. Here is a selection of cheese at Benton Brothers Fine Cheeses.
4/29/2023: Armando's
Sausages and other prepared meats at Armando's Finest Quality Meats in the Granville Island Public Market.
4/29/2023: South Seas China Trading Co.
A wide variety of Asian, Indian, Caribbean, and Latin American herbs, spices, sauces, and condiments at South Seas China Trading Company.
4/29/2023: Fresh Fruit
We bought some fresh fruit from this stand for our breakfast over the next two days.
4/29/2023: Artisan Bread
Artisan bread on display at Stuart's Bakery at the Granville Island Public Market.
4/29/2023: Granola
Buying some homemade granola for our breakfast over the weekend from Stuart's Bakery at the Granville Island Public Market in Vancouver. It was delicious.
4/29/2023: Giants
The mural Giants, by Brazilian twins Gustavo and Otavio Pandolfo, painted on silos at Ocean Concrete on Vancouver's Granville Island. Ocean Concrete, the island's longest tenant, has been here since 1917.
4/29/2023: Propeller
Jennifer posing with a large propeller in display at Granville Island in Vancouver.
4/29/2023: Traffic
Heavy automobile and pedestrian traffic entering and leaving Granville Island in Vancouver.
4/29/2023: Top of Vancouver
At the "Top of Vancouver" viewing platform and revolving restaurant to take in the sites. It's an ideal day to visit, with the weather clear and calm.
4/29/2023: Stanley Park
View from the Top of Vancouver across Vancouver Harbor to Stanley Park and the Lions Gate Bridge beyond. The 1,001-acre (405-hectare) park, a protected area since 1886, is immensely popular and was voted "top park in the entire world" by Tripadvisor in 2014.
4/29/2023: Cruise Ship Terminal
The Vancouver Cruise Ship Terminal at Canada Place, viewed from the Top of Vancouver.
4/29/2023: Port of Vancouver
Looking northeast across the Port of Vancouver from the Top of Vancouver.
4/29/2023: Sun Tower
When completed in 1912, the 270-ft (82m) Sun Tower was the tallest in the British Empire.
4/29/2023: Rogers Arena
Looking from the Top of Vancouver to Rogers Arena, the home of the Vancouver Canucks NHL team, the Vancouver Warriors lacrosse team, and the Vancouver Titans Overwatch esports (a form of competition using video games) team.
4/29/2023: Canadian Geese
We got a chuckle out of this sign warning that not all Canadians are polite and to stay away from wild geese nesting in the area.
4/29/2023: Sapphire Princess
Looking across the bow of the Sapphire Princess from the walkway at Canada Place.
4/29/2023: Loading Luggage
Cart after cart of luggage was loaded onto the Sapphire Princess as it sat at the dock alongside Canada Place
4/29/2023: Pan Pacific Hotel
Our room at the Pan Pacific hotel, with a great view over Vancouver Harbor.
4/29/2023: Departing
The Sapphire Princess departing the Vancouver Cruise Port for Alaska.
4/29/2023: Kevin & Arlene
Dinner at Hydra Estiatorio in downtown Vancouver with Kevin and Arlene Hickman. James, Jennifer and Kevin all met in 1982 while starting the Computer Science degree program at the University of Victoria and later all worked at the IBM software lab in Toronto. Kevin and Arlene live in Vancouver and we've not seen them since they visited Seattle in early 2020. It was great to see them again and we had a super-fun evening catching up.
4/30/2023: Turnstile
Ready to go through the turnstile to take the Waterfront SeaBus across Vancouver Harbour to North Vancouver.
4/30/2023: SeaBus
Watching as the SeaBus departs from the Vancouver Waterfront Terminal.
4/30/2023: Cruise Ship Port
View across the cruise ship port to downtown Vancouver. Our hotel, the Pan Pacific, is at the head of the quay between the two cruise ships.
4/30/2023: The Shipyards
The Shipyards in North Vancouver is a revitalized industrial district that previously was home to The Wallace Shipyard. Established in 1906 and sold in 1971, the shipyard reached its peak during World War II with the construction of 109 "Victory Ships". Today it is full of restaurants, shops and apartments, with several of the original buildings preserved, along with some of the heavy equipment such as the crane pictured.
4/30/2023: Burrard Dry Dock
The design of this public space in North Vancouver reflects the Burrard Dry Dock that originally stood here.
4/30/2023: Pier 7
A great lunch with a view to the Vancouver skyline at Pier 7 in North Vancouver.
4/30/2023: Think Tank
Think Tank in North Vancouver is "one of the world's premier training centers for motion picture effects, television animation, and video game design and production."
4/30/2023: Capilano Suspension Bridge
At the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park in North Vancouver. A tourist attraction since 1889, the park currently sees over 1.2 million visitors a year.
4/30/2023: Capilano River
View to the suspension bridge spanning the Capilano River canyon. The bridge is 460 ft (140 m) long and is suspended 230 ft (70 m) above the ground.
4/30/2023: On the Bridge
Enjoying the river view from partway across the Capilano Suspension Bridge.
4/30/2023: Boardwalk
On the other side of the Capilano Suspension Bridge is the Nature's Edge Boardwalk, leading through the temperate West Coast rainforest. Above the boardwalk are the walkways of the Treetops Adventure.
4/30/2023: Treetops Adventure
The Treetops Adventure is a series of suspended walkways high in the rainforest canopy in Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. We quite enjoyed the walk, and it reminded us a bit of the Canopy Tower at Daintree National Park in Australia.
4/30/2023: Great Horned Owl
A spectacular Great Horned Owl at the Raptors Ridge facility in Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.
4/30/2023: Harris Hawk
A Harris Hawk at the Raptors Ridge facility in Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. It is one of the few birds of prey that hunt in co-operative groups rather than alone.
4/30/2023: Peregrine Falcon
A Peregrine Falcon keeping a close eye on us at the Raptors Ridge facility in Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.
4/30/2023: Eagle Carving
We quite liked this large carving of an eagle at the Raptors Ridge facility.
4/30/2023: Cliff walk
Having returned back to the original side of the bridge, we walked along Cliffwalk, the latest addition to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. In a creative design with some interesting engineering challenges, narrow walkways are suspended above the ground on cantilevered supports anchored to a sheer cliff face.
4/30/2023: Viewpoint
Taking in the Capilano River from a cantilevered viewpoint on the Cliffwalk.
4/30/2023: North Point Brewing
On our way back to our hotel from the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, we stopped in at North Point Brewing for a delicious craft IPA.
4/30/2023: Ferraris
An innocuous-looking building in North Vancouver was full of Ferraris.
4/30/2023: North Vancouver Skyline
The North Vancouver skyline, viewed as our SeaBus departs back to downtown Vancouver.
4/30/2023: Discovery Princess
The Discovery Princess departing the Vancouver Cruise Terminal for Alaska.
4/30/2023: Artificial Rock #143
The sculpture Artificial Rock #143 by renowned Chinese artist Zhan Wang caught our attention from the Top of Vancouver yesterday. Jiashanshi ("fake mountain rocks") date back over 2,000 years when they were placed in front of buildings and in gardens to provide a connection to nature.
4/30/2023: Kim & Joy
Dinner at Joe Fortes Seafood with Kim Knuttila and Joy Schiffer. James, Jennifer and Kim all worked at the IBM software lab in Toronto and we've not had dinner together for many years. We had a great evening catching up and enjoying their company.
4/30/2023: Game 7
On our way back to the hotel from dinner, we stopped in at Malone's Taphouse to catch the third period of the Seattle Kraken game. The Kraken were taking on the Colorado Avalanche in Denver in the 7th and final game of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Amazingly, we were up 2-1 when we arrived at the start of the third period, and that was the final score. In their second year of existence, the Kraken beat the defending Stanley Cup champions and will proceed to the second round of the playoffs.
5/1/2023: Norwegian Jewel
The ship we'll be taking to Alaska, the Norwegian Jewel, arrived early this morning and is docked outside our room at the Vancouver Pan Pacific hotel.
5/1/2023: Eagle
An eagle perched atop one of the Canada Place sails.
5/1/2023: Exercising
Working out in our hotel room prior to boarding the Norwegian Jewel. The exercise program we follow, You Are Your Own Gym with added High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), adapts well to travel.
5/1/2023: Checking In
Checking in just prior to boarding the Norwegian Jewel. The Vancouver Cruise Port isn't as modern as Norwegian's dedicated building in Miami, but the check-in was just as efficient with few people in line.
5/1/2023: Deck 12
We boarded shortly after checking in and toured through the ship. This is looking across the pools on deck 12
5/1/2023: Helijet
A Helijet arriving into the Vancouver Harbour Heliport. The company runs scheduled flights between the harbors of Vancouver, Victoria and Nanaimo, plus Vancouver International Airport.
5/1/2023: Bunkering
The Norwegian Jewel taking on fuel with a SeaBus departing for North Vancouver beyond.
5/1/2023: Grand Princess
The cruise ship Grand Princess docked opposite the Norwegian Jewel at the Vancouver Cruise Terminal.
5/1/2023: Cabin 9004
Our cabin, 9004, on the Norwegian Jewel. On our previous cruise, aboard the Norwegian Encore, we had an aft cabin and spent a lot of time underway on the sheltered balcony. We decided to try a forward balcony for this trip, for better views, and chose this cabin because the side balcony would give us a sheltered spot outside when the forward balcony was too windy due to the ship being underway at speed.
5/1/2023: Forward Balcony
Checking out our forward balcony on the Norwegian Jewel.
5/1/2023: Bridge Wing Floor Window
From our forward balcony, we can see the bridge of the Norwegian Jewel two decks above. This is looking up through the glass floor in the bridge wing as the officers get ready for departure.
5/1/2023: Side Balcony
On our side balcony to watch the Norwegian Jewel depart the Vancouver Cruise Terminal.
5/1/2023: Removing Lines
The lines coming off the Norwegian Jewel.
5/1/2023: Watching Departure
Watching from our side balcony as the Norwegian Jewel departs the Vancouver Cruise Terminal.
5/1/2023: Vancouver Skyline
View across the Vancouver Cruise Terminal and the downtown skyline as the the Norwegian Jewel departs.
5/1/2023: Koningsdam
The cruise ship Koningsdam heading under the Lions Gate Bridge ahead of the Norwegian Jewel. The bridge clearance looks very close.
5/1/2023: Captain
The caption of the Norwegian Jewel, facing the camera, on the bridge with another officer.
5/1/2023: Harbour Air
Harbour Air seaplanes are constantly arriving and departing from Vancouver Harbour. Here one is landing as the Norwegian Jewel departs.
5/1/2023: Seaspan
Large gantry crane at Seaspan's Vancouver Shipyard.
5/1/2023: The Lions
Looking north to the snow-covered twin peaks, The Lions, as the Norwegian Jewel departs Vancouver. The 5,427 ft (1,654 m) peaks are the namesake of the BC Lions Canadian football team.
5/1/2023: Lions Gate Bridge
The Norwegian Jewel passing under the Lions Gate Bridge, another reference to The Lions twin peaks. The bridge first opened in 1938, and the entire suspended structure was replaced in 2000/2001.
5/1/2023: Prospect Point Lighthouse
The Prospect Point Lighthouse with the Stanley Park seawall winding away beyond. The first light, a white beacon atop the keeper's house, was installed at Prospect Point in 1888, and the current light was erected in 1948.
5/1/2023: English Bay Anchorage
Cargo ships moored in the Port of Vancouver's English Bay anchorage.
5/1/2023: West Vancouver
Colorful apartment buildings in West Vancouver, northwest of the city on the northern side of English Bay.
5/1/2023: Dusk
Dusk in the Strait of Georgia en route to Alaska aboard the Norwegian Jewel.
5/2/2023: Harbor Porpoises
Harbor Porpoises chasing the Norwegian Jewel in Johnstone Strait. The diminutive cetaceans have similar markings as Orcas, but are much smaller.
5/2/2023: Blackfish Sound
Small boat underway in Blackfish Sound off the mouth of Knight Inlet, where Johnstone and Queen Charlotte straits join.
5/2/2023: Breakfast
Bundled up to have breakfast on our side deck as we pass through Blackfish Sound.
5/2/2023: Pilot
Picking up a pilot from Port Hardy at Pine Island at the northern end of Queen Charlotte Strait. Pilotage is compulsory the entire length of British Columbia's Inside Passage. The pilot boarding will remain on the Norwegian Jewel until we reach Prince Rupert at the Alaska border, and the pilot we had on board from Vancouver will depart here.
5/2/2023: Forward Balcony Door
The heavy-duty door to our forward balcony. In case of heavy weather, a large metal storm plate stored on the balcony can also be mounted over the adjacent window.
5/2/2023: Spitfire
Spitfire on walkabout at "The Resort" (Wagly Pet Campus in Bellevue), where we board him when we are away.
5/2/2023: Stardust Theater
The three-deck Stardust Theater at the bow of the Norwegian Jewel.
5/2/2023: Duo Sweet Serendipity
The aerialist team Duo Sweet Serendipity practicing on the Norwegian Jewel's Stardust Theater stage for tomorrow night's show.
5/2/2023: Tsar's Palace
The Tsar's Palace main dining room at the stern of the Norwegian Jewel is one of several complementary dining options on the ship. Several upscale restaurants are available at additional charge.
5/2/2023: Gym
Not many people are in the Norwegian Jewel's well-equipped gym this afternoon.
5/2/2023: Court
Enclosed basketball/tennis court on deck 13 of the Norwegian Jewel. Years ago we watched a cruise ship pass through narrow and treacherous Seymour Narrows while someone was shooting hoops on the upper deck. We wondered then how anyone could be so little interested in their surroundings, and still do.
5/2/2023: Haven Courtyard
The Haven Courtyard on the Norwegian Jewel. We quite liked the "ship-within-a-ship" Haven concept on the Norwegian Encore, and booked it again on the Jewel. The much-smaller Jewel doesn't have the dedicated restaurant and lounge areas of the Encore, but we still appreciated the overall experience.
5/2/2023: Smokestack
Looking aft past the Norwegian Jewel's smokestack from the Haven Sun Deck on deck 15.
5/2/2023: Captain's Reception
Attending a Captain's Reception at the Bliss Ultra Lounge where the Norwegian Jewel's officer and senior crew members form a receiving line and chat briefly with each passenger. The captain is partially visible in side profile, roughly at center, speaking to the man in the light gray shirt.
5/2/2023: Kraken vs Stars
We ordered pizza and IPAs to our cabin on the Norwegian Jewel to watch the Seattle Kraken take on the Dallas Stars in game one of the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. In an exciting and closely-contested match, the Kraken beat the Stars 5-4 with a sudden-death goal in overtime.
5/3/2023: Ketchikan Arrival
The Norwegian Jewel arriving into Ward Cove, about 7 miles (11 km) north of Ketchikan.
5/3/2023: Forward Deck
Watching the arrival into Ward Cove from our forward deck.
5/3/2023: Messenger Line
Shore workers pull in a lightweight messenger line thrown from the Norwegian Jewel. A midweight line attached to the messenger is just about to come over the yellow railing. This midweight line in turn is attached to the two heavy mooring lines that they will put on this mooring point. When they are done they will be using twelve lines on six mooring points.
5/3/2023: Winch
The lightweight messenger line, with a monkey fist on the end for more accurate throwing, is on the ground while the shore workers wind the midweight line onto a winch to pull in the heavy mooring lines to shore.
5/3/2023: Mooring Lines
After winching the Norwegian Jewel's heavy mooring lines to their station, shore workers lift them onto a bollard.
5/3/2023: Inflatables
Several rigid hull inflatable boats moored at Ward Cove. One of the available excursions on the Norwegian Jewel is to a self-drive, group tour of the surrounding waterways.
5/3/2023: The Mill at Ward Cove
The Mill at Ward Cove cruise ship terminal is built on the site of the former Ketchikan Pulp Company, and one of the old mill buildings, pictured, houses the passenger Welcome Center. Ketchikan Pulp Company operated from 1953 to 1997, and was subsequently declared a Superfund site due to the high levels of industrial pollution. After remediation, Norwegian Cruise Lines in 2019 jointly developed a two-berth floating cruise dock here and the first ship, the Norwegian Encore, arrived in 2021.
5/3/2023: Harbor Tug
Old Ketchikan Pulp Company harbor tug on display in The Mill at Ward Cove.
5/3/2023: Ketchikan Pulp Company
Looking across ruins of the former Ketchikan Pulp Company to the Norwegian Jewel as we depart for a shore excursion.
5/3/2023: Ketchikan Adventurevue
At Ketchikan Adventurevue for an off-road UTV safari through Tongass National Forest.
5/3/2023: Wolverine X2
Ready to go in a Yamaha Wolverine X2 UTV. With a 847cc parallel-twin, liquid cooled, 4-stroke, DOHC, 4-valve engine and weighing only 1,676 lbs (760 kg), the vehicle really steps out.
5/3/2023: George Inlet
The view east across George Inlet, northeast of Ketchikan, in Tongass National Forest.
5/3/2023: Bull Island
Looking north to Bull Island, with snow-dusted mountains beyond, at the head of George Inlet in Tongass National Forest.
5/3/2023: Safari Group
Our small group of UTVs parked at a viewpoint above George Inlet. Although we would have preferred to explore on our own, we had a great time in the UTV tour and found the Yamaha Wolverine X2 surprisingly capable.
5/3/2023: With our Wolverine
Posing for a photo with our Wolverine.
5/3/2023: Mahoney Lake River
Crossing over the lake that drains Mahoney Lake, our ultimate destination, into George Inlet. The route we're traveling is along old logging roads.
5/3/2023: Achilles Mountain
3,015-ft (981 m) Achilles Mountain burst into view as we rounded a corner. In addition to having fun driving the UTV, the scenery has been amazing.
5/3/2023: Boardwalk
Walking a boardwalk to Mahoney Lake.
5/3/2023: Mahoney Lake
The view east across Mahoney Lake. The road we drove in on, and the river we crossed, is at the far side.
5/3/2023: Turning Around
Following a loop in the road to turn around and head back to Ketchikan Adventurevue base. One of the rules for the UTV tour is that we couldn't go in reverse.
5/3/2023: Mud Puddles
The road is full of big muddy potholes arguably making the drive more fun. We expected to be rather muddy when we returned, but managed to stay clean. We had a great time on the UTV tour. Here's a quick video highlight: https://youtu.be/PnyEjstWJ0c.
5/3/2023: Reindeer Link
A reindeer link on a bun for lunch back at Ketchikan Adventurevue base. It was quite tasty.
5/3/2023: Picnic Tables
Enjoying our lunch at Ketchikan Adventurevue base with a view to George Inlet.
5/3/2023: Bus to Ketchikan
We returned back to Ward Cove and the Norwegian Jewel with 90 minutes to spare before we needed to be back aboard. We wanted to see Ketchikan, about a 15-minute drive away, and took one of the buses into town for a quick look.
5/3/2023: Deer Mountain
3,002-ft (915 m) Deer Mountian rising above Ketchikan, still with snow on top in May.
5/3/2023: Koningsdam
The cruise ship Koningsdam moored in downtown Ketchikan. We're told that Norwegian built the dock at Ward Cove to avoid difficulties of getting dock space here.
5/3/2023: Arctic Bar
Arctic Bar, "Home of the Happy Bear", has been in operation for 85 years and is the oldest establishment in Ketchikan.
5/3/2023: Asylum
Asylum Bar, across the road from Artic Bar. Ketchikan supports a dozen or two bars, a lot for a town of less than 10,000 people. But this is down from the town's logging heyday, when the mill was operating, and over fifty bars operated here. One of the popular Ketchikan tourist activities is to do a pub crawl.
5/3/2023: Totem Bar
Totem Bar, along Ketchikan's Front St., is only three minutes away from Artic Bar.
5/3/2023: Thundering Wings
Thundering Wings eagle carving in Eagle Park by Tlingit master carver Nathan Jackson of Ketchikan, who in 2021 was named a United States artist fellow.
5/3/2023: Beer
Sharing a pint on the outside deck at Arctic Bar. We didn't have time to do a full pub crawl, but did want to at least have a drink in one of the bars.
5/3/2023: Malaspina
The recently-retired Alaska state ferry Malaspina moored at Ward Cove. The passenger and vehicle ferry vessel was launched in 1963 and initially ran the Inside Passage route between Washington state and Alaska panhandle communities. More recently, it operated as a day boat in the upper Lynn Canal.
5/3/2023: Winch and Lines
The tightly-pulled mooring line, with the medium-weight and messenger lines coiled beside it next to the winch on the Ward Cove dock.
5/3/2023: Fenders
The well-fendered dock at Ward Cove. You can see how tightly the Jewel is moored, squeezing the fenders up against the dock.
5/3/2023: Elephant
We returned to our room to find an elephant on our bed. It's amazing the steward could create an elephant out of bath towels. Throughout the trip we learned that elephants aren't his only creation.
5/3/2023: Brown Mountain
Looking northeast across Ward Cove to 2,979 ft (907 m) Brown Mountain, left, and 2,941 ft (896 m) Diana Mountain.
5/3/2023: Floatplanes
Floatplanes, a popular form of transport in Alaska, moored at Ward Cove.
5/3/2023: Bridge
View to the bridge of the Norwegian Jewel, with the pilot at right, as the ship is about to get underway.
5/3/2023: Spitfire
A close-up of Spitfire at "The Resort", Wagly Pet Campus, where he stays when we are away.
5/3/2023: Le Bistro
A delicious meal at Le Bistro French restaurant while underway on the Norwegian Jewel.
5/3/2023: Duo Sweet Serendipity
After dinner, we watched the aerialist team Duo Sweet Serendipity perform in the Norwegian Jewel's Stardust Theater. They put on an impressive and entertaining performance.
5/3/2023: Clarence Strait
Beautiful mountain scenery as the Norwegian Jewel travels north through Clarence Strait on the east side of Prince of Whales Island.
5/3/2023: Spinnaker Lounge
With the Norwegian Jewel underway, our forward balcony was a little too cold and windy to take in the views. We instead found a great spot at the front of Spinnaker Lounge on deck 13.
5/3/2023: Sunset
Fabulous sunset as we enter Snow Passage between Sumner and Clarence straits.
5/3/2023: Current
Active water in Snow Passage as the Norwegian Jewel passes through. Today the current is flooding at about 2.6 knots, but on ebb it can exceed 4 knots.
5/4/2023: Juneau
Alaska's capital, Juneau, is the only mainland US capital city with no road connections. The only way in or out is by air or sea. And despite having a population of only 32,000, it's the second largest city in the US by area, after Sitka, also in Alaska.

We arrived by boat, as do the majority of visitors to the city. Read more ...
5/5/2023: Skagway
During the Klondike Gold Rush of 1896 through 1899, roughly 100,000 prospectors poured into the Yukon in northwestern Canada, in the hopes of striking it rich. The main routes to the Yukon gold fields were from the southeast Alaska towns of Skagway or Dyea, across White Pass or Chilkoot Pass respectively. No roads or railways existed back then, so the prospectors had to cross on foot and Canadian authorities required they carry a year's worth of food to enter the country. The stores weighed roughly a ton and took several trips to transport it all.

In 1898, construction began on a narrow-gauge railway to reach the gold fields that became the main route when completed in 1900. The railway continued to operate until 1982, mainly transporting ore from Canadian mines. Six years later, with cruise ship tourism increasing, the railway was re-opened as a heritage tourist route, the White Pass Scenic Railway.

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5/6/2023: Glacier Bay
Dramatic Glacier Bay National Park was the only overlap between our Norwegian Jewel cruise and our 2010 Southeast Alaska trip on Dirona. But we could return here every year and never tire of the amazing scenery.

On another unusually clear day for early in the season, we cruised slowly up Glacier Bay under a bright blue sky between soaring mountains still covered in snow. Although the sun was shining, the day was cold, and we bundled up to watch from our stateroom's forward balcony. The topography, and temperature, reminded us very much of our recent trip to Antarctica.

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5/7/2023: Hubbard Glacier
Hubbard Glacier, at the head of Yakutat Bay, is the largest tidewater glacier in North America at 76 miles (122km) long and 7 miles (11km) wide. The terminal face is 600 feet (182m) high, with 250 feet (76m) hidden below the waterline. The 350 feet (106m) visible above the waterline is actively calving, filling the surrounding waters with large chunks of ice.

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5/7/2023: Seward Highway
The 125-mile (201 km) Seward Highway, between Anchorage and Seward, is considered one of the most scenic routes in the state of Alaska. Named a National Forest Scenic Byway in 1989, the 2.5-hour journey from Seward passes through the Kenai Mountains and between Turnagain Arm and the Chugach Mountains, with numerous lakes and other attractions along the way.

An alternative to driving, that follows the same route, is the Coastal Classic tourist train. Making a few sightseeing stops along the way, the train is popular with cruise ship passengers transferring between the Anchorage airport and Seward.

The train had not yet begun running for the season when we'd be arriving into Seward aboard the Norwegian Jewel, so we opted for a sightseeing transfer with Aurora Limousines instead. This gave us an opportunity to make several stops along the way, particularly at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, where orphaned or injured bears and other animals are cared for.

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5/9/2023: Game 4
Ready to cheer on the home team as the Seattle Kraken take on the Dallas Stars in game 4 of the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. We'd entered the game leading the series 2-1, but Dallas tied up the series with a 6-3 win tonight.
5/10/2023: Scenic Eclipse
The luxury cruise ship Scenic Eclipse arriving into Seattle en route to Vancouver to start its Alaska cruise season.
5/11/2023: Game 5
After recovering from a 0-2 deficit in game 5, the Kraken couldn't answer 3 more goals from the Stars and lost 3-5 in Dallas. The next game is a must-win for Seattle.
5/12/2023: Mt. Rainier
Mt. Rainier viewed from the I-90 bridge as we cross over to Bellevue for an appointment.
5/12/2023: Globe Optical
At Globe Optical being measured for variable focus lenses for some new glasses. Our last pair of new glasses, from SpecSavers in Amsterdam in early 2019, lasted well.
5/12/2023: AQUA
A wonderful meal on the terrace at AQUA in unseasonably warm weather for May in Seattle.
5/12/2023: Seattle Waterfront
The Seattle waterfront viewed from our table at AQUA.
5/12/2023: MS Roald Amundsen
From a distance this ship looked just like a Hurtigruten, familiar to us from our time in Norway. And we were right. It was the Hurtigruten MS Roald Amundsen about to commence its Alaska cruise season.
5/12/2023: Corvette
On our way back from dinner a heavily modified Corvette with an unusual paint caught our attention.
5/12/2023: SUV
The paint on this SUV was less eye-catching than the Corvette we passed earlier :-).
5/12/2023: Parrot Tulips
Brightly-colored Parrot Tulips blooming along Bell Street.
5/13/2023: Game 6
The Kraken are up 5-2 in game 6 against the Dallas Stars in the 3rd period. We ended up winning 6-3, tying up the series again. The final game will be in Dallas to decide the winner.
5/14/2023: 83 F
The typical temperature for mid-May in Seattle is 50-65°F (10-18°C) and is rarely above 75°F (24°C). But today's temperature is a near-record 83°F (28°C).
5/14/2023: Momiji
Enjoying the unseasonably warm May weather with sushi for lunch on the terrace at Momiji.
5/14/2023: Hershel Harris
Dinner on the terrace at Elliott's Oyster Bar with Hershel Harris, who led the IBM Toronto DB2 team while James was lead architect. We've not seen Hershel for years and had a wonderful evening catching up.
5/14/2023: Dusk
Enjoying the view to Elliott Bay from our terrace at dusk.
5/15/2023: Game 7
Sadly, the Dallas Stars beat the Kraken in Game 7 of the playoffs, and we were eliminated. But it was an amazing and unexpected run for a two-year-old team, and we're super excited about the prospects for the next year.
5/16/2023: Geraniums
Geraniums in full bloom spilling over the sidewalk on Bell St near our apartment complex.
5/16/2023: Old Stove Brewing
Enjoying more of the unseasonably warm May weather with dinner on the terrace at Old Stove Brewing overlooking Elliott Bay.
5/17/2023: Spitfire
Spitfire helping James exercise by giving him a little more weight to lift. He loves jumping up on James when he lies on the floor.
5/17/2023: King Leroy
Chicken wings for dinner on the terrace at King Leroy near the Amazon Spheres.
5/17/2023: Sunset
Beautiful sunset over the Olympic Mountains viewed from our apartment balcony.
5/18/2023: Los Trompos
Los Trompos (Spanish for "Spinning Tops") temporary interactive sculpture installation at the Amazon South Lake Union campus.
5/19/2023: Anacortes
With two large marinas, Anacortes, WA is a popular boating destination close to the beautiful San Juan Islands. The city also is the gateway to the islands for those without a boat, with nearly a million arriving by ferry in 2021. That is how we visited the islands last fall. And Anacortes has been the home of the Trawlerfest in the Pacific Northwest for over a decade.

This year, we stayed in Anacortes for two nights while we presented at Trawlerfest. For past presentations, we'd stayed on our own boat. But boatless this time, we stayed at the Majestic Inn in a room with great view to Guemes Channel and towards the San Juan Islands.

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5/21/2023: Twin Bridges Marina
Twin Bridges is a heated dry-stack marina just south of Anacortes. We stopped there on our way home to learn about pricing and availability. We'd had a great time touring the San Juan Islands yesterday in the rented Boston Whaler, and felt that purchasing a small, fast boat and keeping it here might work for us. But there was a several-year waiting list for all but the smallest open skiffs, and we really wanted a boat with a small cabin for warmth.
5/21/2023: Mt Vernon Brewery
A good lunch with delicious craft beer at Mt. Vernon Brewery overlooking the Skagit River.
5/21/2023: Traffic
The traffic on I-5 either en our out of Seattle always is heavy. Here we are merging onto I-5 north from I-90 after picking up Spitfire at Wagly in Bellevue on our way home from Anacortes. I-5 and I-405 traffic has been super-heavy this year.
5/21/2023: Happy Hour
Happy Hour on our balcony, with the Norwegian Encore moored at Pier 66 below. The warm May weather has ended and we're bundled up to be outside.
5/21/2023: Encore Departing
The Norwegian Encore, the ship we took on a Caribbean cruise, departing Pier 66 in Seattle for an Alaska cruise.
5/24/2023: Smith & Hook
A wonderful bottle of Smith & Hook Cabernet Sauvignon over dinner at one of favorite Seattle restaurants, Butcher's Table.
5/24/2023: Eclectic & Interesting
Joshua Borsman always has interesting stuff underway. He currently has a lab on the Amazon campus where he has a large CNC machine, a robotic arm, and lots of other interesting and fun-to-explore engineering artifacts. We usually drop by every few months to see what is new.
5/26/2023: Major League Sports Weekend
We'd normally take advantage of a long weekend and make a trip somewhere. But having just returned from Anacortes the previous weekend and scheduled to fly to Barcelona the following Wednesday, we decided that all three of us should take a staycation for Memorial Day Weekend. As luck would have it, three of Seattle's five major league teams were playing home games, each on different days.

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5/29/2023: Cedar Butte Trail
On most of our airplane trips, we prefer to pack light and bring carry-on luggage only. This saves us time at the airport and also avoids the risk of lost bags. For our upcoming trip to Barcelona, we had one hike planned, but not enough to warrant bringing our large hiking boots as we did for Switzerland. Instead, we bought some Salomon trail running shoes that have excellent tread, but on a lightweight packable shoe.

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5/29/2023: Label Maker
Testing out a new Brother P-Touch Cube Plus bluetooth label maker. Labels are easy to make through a phone app and we're quite happy with the result.
5/29/2023: Yuck
Our shower was draining poorly and this is what we fished out from it. Yuck. It wasn't nearly as bad as working on the blocked black water hose on Dirona, but we did use the same auger to tackle the problem