MV Dirona travel digest for Spring 2024

Position: 47°26.93'N, -122°18.40'W

Riding the underground train to SeaTac's N Concourse for our flight to Los Angeles.

Position: 47°26.39'N, -122°18.49'W

View as our flight takes off from SeaTac to the International Arrivals Facility (IAF) Pedestrian Walkway connecting S Concourse with IAF in A Concourse. The 85-foot-high (26 m) walkway crosses an active taxiway, with room for planes to pass under. At 780-feet (237m m) long, it is the largest of the three existing taxiway bridges in the world.

Most international flights into SeaTac arrive into S Concourse, so we often walk that bridge when returning home from outside the country. The bridge is one-way, because passengers departing the US don't pass through any immigration or customs formalities and simply take the underground train to S Concourse.

Position: 33°57.50'N, -118°20.43'W

Flying over SoFi Stadium on Los Angeles, the home of the Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams NFL teams. The stadium seats 70,240, and was completed in 2020 at an estimated cost of $5–6 billion. At upper right is The Intuit Dome, home of the Los Angeles Clippers NBA team.

Position: 33°57.33'N, -118°22.08'W

Passing over I-405, a bypass freeway along the southern and western sections of greater Los Angeles. The freeway is famous for being the busiest and most congested in the US, day and night.

Position: 33°58.77'N, -118°26.77'W

Jennifer checking out the views to the boats from our room for the weekend at the Marina del Rey Hotel in Los Angeles.

Position: 33°58.77'N, -118°26.77'W

A view to the pool area at our hotel, and some of the boats moored at Marina del Rey. The basin is the largest artificial pleasure boat harbor in North America, with a capacity for 5,000 vessels.

Position: 33°58.78'N, -118°26.76'W

Enjoying a drink on the patio at SALT Restaurant and Bar in our hotel.

Position: 33°58.98'N, -118°26.67'W

A large koi pond outside The Warehouse restaurant in Marina del Rey.

Position: 33°58.97'N, -118°26.67'W

We had a great meal on the deck at The Warehouse in Marina del Rey. With temperatures just under 60F (15.5 C), wind, and light scattered rain, we were just able to make it work by sitting near a patio heater.

Position: 33°58.76'N, -118°26.77'W

The 3rd annual LA County Dragon Boat Festival is being held today at Chase Burton Park in Marina del Rey. The race was popular enough that registration was full a month in advance.

Position: 33°58.77'N, -118°26.77'W

Sunrise over the boats, viewed from the balcony of our room at Marina del Rey Hotel.

Position: 33°58.77'N, -118°26.77'W

Dragon boats racing in Marina del Rey as part of the 3rd annual LA County Dragon Boat Festival.

Position: 33°58.77'N, -118°26.78'W

Marina del Rey has a boisterous sea lion population that loves to haul out on the docks. Many boats have fenders and buckets placed on their swim platform to keep the animals off. The fenders on this boat didn't help much.

Position: 33°58.77'N, -118°26.77'W

The buckets on the dock didn't deter these sea lions. They just found a way to jump up between them.

Position: 33°58.77'N, -118°26.77'W

A well-fed sparrow, what we refer to as a "pudjo", at SALT restaurant in our hotel.

Position: 33°58.78'N, -118°26.76'W

An aerial photograph of the Marina del Rey Hotel from 1964. Although at least a thousand boats are moored here already, the area looks positively barren compared to today.

Position: 33°59.01'N, -118°26.87'W

A good dinner at Tony P's Dockside Grill overlooking the California Yacht Club, one of five yacht clubs in Marina del Rey.

Position: 33°58.81'N, -118°26.76'W

While we were at dinner, we got a text from our hotel indicating that the water would be shut off until 10pm that night due to emergency water leak repairs. On returning to the hotel, we chatted briefly with this plumber who had dug a hole through the concrete sidewalk and was repairing a broken water pipe.

Position: 33°58.77'N, -118°26.77'W

The moon reflecting into still waters, looking southwest across Marina del Rey from our hotel balcony.

Position: 33°58.77'N, -118°26.77'W

The sea lions don't seem to like fresh water, or perhaps they don't like being sprayed. They all jumped into the water when someone on the dock at Marina del Rey hosed them down (partly visible at right).

Position: 33°58.77'N, -118°26.78'W

Spraying water on the sea lions did get them to move, but they were all right back in place within a half hour.

Position: 33°58.77'N, -118°26.78'W

Rowing is popular in the wide fairway at Marina del Rey.

Position: 33°58.74'N, -118°28.00'W

A delicious lunch overlooking the ocean at The Venice Whaler in Venice, CA.

Position: 33°58.73'N, -118°28.04'W

These two beautiful choppers reminded us of the great time we had at Bike Week in Daytona Beach back in 2017.

Position: 33°58.70'N, -118°28.08'W

We had fun watching the sandpipers working the surf at Venice Beach. As the waves went out, they'd scurry to the edge of the exposed sand to probe for small invertebrates, then rush back just ahead of the water as the waves came back in.

Position: 33°58.70'N, -118°28.09'W

An LAPD helicopter was in the air surveying the beach area most of the afternoon.

Position: 33°58.66'N, -118°28.15'W

Looking out to sea along the Venice Fishing Pier. The pier was originally built in 1963, but fell into disrepair and by the 1980s was slated to be destroyed. Residents campaigned to save it, and the pier was retrofitted and re-opened in 1997. After suffering extensive storm damage in 2005, the pier was again closed, and re-opened the following year.

Position: 33°58.67'N, -118°28.15'W

View from the Venice Fishing Pier to the big waves rolling onto the beach in today's high winds.

Position: 33°58.97'N, -118°28.21'W

A modern home overlooking Venice Beach.

Position: 33°59.07'N, -118°28.29'W

The colorful signs of the Ocean Front Kitchen, one of the dozens of small establishments bordering Venice Beach.

Position: 33°59.14'N, -118°28.36'W

The Muscle Beach Venice outdoor bodybuilding gym opened in 1963, attracting famous weight lifters such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferigno.

Position: 33°59.22'N, -118°28.52'W

Venice has long been a mecca for top skateboarders such as Jay Adams, whose innovate style in the 1970s helped popularize modern skateboarding, and Tony Hawk, who won the National Skateboard Association championship 12 years in a row. We spent ages watching the many talented riders at the Venice Beach Skatepark.

Position: 33°59.24'N, -118°28.50'W

Venice Beach was the center of the 1970s roller dancing phenomenon. The Roller Skate Dance Plaza was created in 1999 to give skate dancers an official place to practice, learn and perform within Venice Beach Park.

Position: 33°59.34'N, -118°28.53'W

The "Venice Beach Chorus Line" mural created in 2004 by artist Rip Cronk

Position: 33°59.36'N, -118°28.54'W

Another mural by artist Rip Conk, this one a self-portrait created in 1990 and titled "Venice Beach".

Position: 33°59.44'N, -118°28.61'W

2024 Tesla Cybertruck painted in graffiti by 11-year-old artist "theminididi".

Position: 33°59.49'N, -118°28.67'W

A colorful display of art and plants at a Venice Beach house.

Position: 33°59.49'N, -118°28.67'W

An unusual display of dolls and laundry opposite the Venice Beach house we photographed earlier.

Position: 33°59.64'N, -118°28.78'W

Large and small metal sculptures at the Titanic Boutique. The creativity and detail is quite impressive.

Position: 33°59.85'N, -118°29.03'W

A mostly-empty Santa Monica State Beach. Today's high winds and cool temperatures make beach-going unappealing.

Position: 34°0.02'N, -118°29.19'W

The beach isn't very busy, but the beach volleyball courts at Santa Monica State Beach are.

Position: 34°0.48'N, -118°29.64'W

A gymnast swinging between rings at the original Muscle Beach in Santa Monica. The facility opened in the 1930s with outdoor exercise equipment installed as part of a New Deal agency Works Progress Administration, sparking the physical fitness movement in the US. Gymnastic and acrobatic demonstrations were held, and famous body-builders such as Joe Gold worked out with the weight-lifting equipment installed on a platform off the beach. Today the original Muscle Beach has an extensive gymnastics training area, and some weight-lifting equipment, but much of the latter activity has been transferred to Muscle Beach Venice.

Position: 34°0.47'N, -118°29.64'W

Tightrope walker balancing at the original Muscle Beach in Santa Monica.

Position: 34°0.51'N, -118°29.72'W

The famous Santa Monica Pier was the first concrete pier on the West Coast when completed in 1909. Today the pier supports an amusement park and several restaurants and other attractions.

Position: 34°0.53'N, -118°29.83'W

Bumper cars at Pacific Park, the compact amusement park on the Santa Monica pier.

Position: 34°0.50'N, -118°29.85'W

A skimboarder working the waves off the Santa Monica pier. Unlike surfing, a skimboarder waits on shore for a wave and rides out towards the surf. A skimboard resembles a small surf-board without fins.

Position: 34°0.46'N, -118°29.98'W

Enjoying a beer and the view at Maria Sol Mexican restaurant at the head of Santa Monica pier.

Position: 34°0.46'N, -118°29.99'W

A chute in the bar at Maria Sol Mexican restaurant opens to the ocean below.

Position: 34°0.52'N, -118°29.90'W

The high winds may have discouraged the beach-goers, but not visitors to the Santa Monica pier. It was positively packed.

Position: 34°0.68'N, -118°29.70'W

When this landmark sign was erected at the foot of the Santa Monica pier in 1941, a harbor for about 100 boats did exist off the pier. The harbor ceased to exist after the breakwater protecting it was destroyed in a 1982 storm.

Position: 34°0.79'N, -118°29.69'W

The late-model Corvettes sure are exotic-looking.

Position: 34°0.87'N, -118°29.68'W

One of several whimsical fountains along the 3rd Street pedestrian promenade in downtown Santa Barbara.

Position: 34°1.04'N, -118°29.90'W

Taking in the street scene over a margarita at Cabo Cantina on the 3rd Street pedestrian promenade in downtown Santa Barbara.

Position: 34°0.81'N, -118°29.67'W

Checking out a Vinfast all-electric car at dealership in Santa Monica Place mall.

Position: 34°0.81'N, -118°29.63'W

Looking down into the central atrium of Santa Monica Place at the southern end of the 3rd Street pedestrian promenade. Originally opened as an indoor mall in 1980, it was one of the first works of famed architect Frank Gehry. In 2010, the mall was redesigned to be all-outdoor.

Position: 33°58.77'N, -118°26.77'W

Dawn under a clear sky at Marine del Rey in Los Angeles. We've experienced uncharacteristically rainy weather for the past two days, but expect better conditions today.

Position: 33°58.77'N, -118°26.76'W

The sign outside our Marina del Rey hotel managed to get the word "marina" in the name three times.

Position: 34°2.60'N, -118°28.12'W

Enjoying a drink on the terrace of the Thunderbird Bar in Los Angeles after an appointment nearby.

Position: 33°59.69'N, -118°26.32'W

A delicious pizza on the terrace at Pitfire Pizza in Los Angeles. With the temperature at 57°F (14°C), it seemed too cold for the locals. We were the only ones outside, but were warm and comfortable under a heater.

Position: 33°57.13'N, -118°23.80'W

An airplane crossing over Lincoln Blvd shortly before landing at Los Angeles airport. A park nearby, aptly-named Airplane Landing View Point, is one of the best places in the country to watch planes land.

Position: 33°56.82'N, -118°24.77'W

A diverse collection of airlines represented at Los Angeles Airport, from closet to fathest, Chilean LATAM, Japanese All Nippon Airways, Korean Air, South Korean Asiana Airlines, a Star Alliance airline, and United Airlines.

Position: 33°56.62'N, -118°28.13'W

View to Marine del Rey, where we stayed for the weekend, as our flight for Seattle takes off from Los Angeles airport.

Position: 35°33.80'N, -118°41.05'W

The Lake Isabella reservoir in California, viewed from our flight back to Seattle from Los Angeles airport. The reservoir was created in 1953 with the damming of the Kern River.

Position: 35°37.64'N, -118°40.55'W

View to the dam complex on Lake Isabella. In the center is the recently-constructed labryinth wier, completed in 2022 to mitigate the risk of flooding should the lake overflow. The unique shape of the wier allows it to handle much higher volumes of water than a straight wier, and increases the spillway discharge capacity tenfold, from 50,000 cfs (1,415 cms) to 506,000 cfs (14,328 cms).

Position: 46°44.98'N, -122°44.28'W

A wonderful view to Mt. Rainier as our flight from Los Angeles nears the Seattle area.

Position: 42°9.00'N, -77°3.24'W

James was in Corning, New York this week to meet with the Corning Glass team. Corning is an incredible company founded in 1879, initially making incandescent light bulbs. Back in the beginning, many customers will have never heard of Corning glass and yet use their products every day. The same is true today with the bits you are reading today likely having flowed over Corning-supplied optical fibers and the phone sitting in front of you very likely using a Corning cover glass. Good companies produce widely-used products but only great ones do it consistently for nearly two centuries. In this picture, James is blowing a drinking glass with a lot of help from the Corning Museum of Glass team.

Position: 47°36.99'N, -122°20.58'W

Jennifer sauteing asparagus and grilling salmon for dinner while James is away. We initially bought a grill pan to allow us to grill while camping without having to carry an entire barbecue. It worked so well that we bought one for the apartment as well, where we can't have a gas grill on the patio. The apartment does have a very nice Miele range (seen here) with a built-in gas grill, but it's a hassle to clean. The grill pan works just as well, if not better, and clean-up is a breeze.

Position: 42°9.86'N, -76°53.56'W

Workers de-icing the plane prior to James flight from Elmira, NY to return home to Seattle after visiting Corning. Little did he know this was to be only the first of two de-icings before successfully lifting off nearly 5 hours later.

Position: 42°9.86'N, -76°53.56'W

After the first de-icing, James' plane sat at the end of the runway to wait for the fog to clear to the point where the plane had the 1,600' of visibility required to safely take off. The wait continued and, after 10 min, the pilot shut down the engines to avoid needing to refuel. An hour later, the weather had cleared and the engines were restarted, but the entire place was vibrating and the engines were quickly shut down. While the engines were shut off at the end of the runway, the low-lying fog had been freezing on the jet engine blades and they were unbalanced. Jet engines are cleared of ice when underway by momentarily ramping up to full power, but this is an in-air recovery technique not typically used on the ground.

The plane was disabled at the end of the runway and needed to be towed back to the gate for service by the maintenance staff. They were very slowly towed back to the gate and the maintenance team brought out to service the engines. Once the ice was clear, they wanted to spin the engines up to full speed on the ground for testing but, apparently, procedures don't allow that with passengers on the plane so everyone was asked to step back off the plane. Once the engines were tested the plane again needed to be fueled, passengers reloaded, and then it was de-iced for the second time that morning before we got underway.

Position: 42°12.42'N, -76°49.68'W

The three geocentric domes of Elmira College's Murray Athletic Center. One dome contains a 3,200-seat hockey arena, another a 2,000-seat gymnasium with a basketball court, and the third houses four indoor tennis courts.

Position: 47°36.99'N, -122°20.58'W

The sky went dark this afternoon as a big squall passed through, bringing heavy rain and hail.

Position: 47°36.93'N, -122°20.37'W

Enjoying an evening drink at Deep Dive, a speakeasy under the Seattle Spheres. The drinks are amazing and the Victorian-themed decorations always remind us of our visit to the Teyler's Museum of Wonder in Haarlem, the Netherlands.

Position: 47°36.93'N, -122°20.37'W

A bartender at Deep Dive flaming an orange peel. The drink menu is constantly evolving with new creations and we love sitting at the bar and watching the bartenders in action.

Position: 47°36.85'N, -122°20.48'W

We returned to SIFF Cinema today to watch Dune 2. We're big Frank Herbert fans and really enjoyed the movie. And the SIFF Cinema, with reserved seating and a bar, is a wonderful venue to take in a show.

Position: 47°37.11'N, -122°20.42'W

After watching Dune 2 at SIFF Cinema, we ended the evening with a fun dinner on the heated patio at Momiji Japanese restaurant near our apartment.

Position: 42°22.80'N, -70°52.53'W

Wind-streaked waves off the Boston suburb Nahant as James flight arrives into the area for a business trip.

Position: 42°21.85'N, -70°57.98'W

The distinctive red, white and blue striped water tower in the town of Winthrop Beach at the entrance to Boston Harbor. James is flying in on a business trip.

Position: 42°22.35'N, -70°58.96'W

On his return flight back to Seattle, James flew over Fort Independence, the oldest fortified military site of British origin in North America. The first British fortification was built here in 1634, to fend off French Naval attacks, and the current star-shaped fort was constructed after the American Revolution. Today the fort is open to the public as part of Castle Island State Park.

Position: 42°18.62'N, -70°56.54'W

The view northwest across the Boston Harbor entrance on James' flight back to Seattle. Along the bottom, from left to right, are the tip of Long Island, tiny Nix's Mate, Gallops Island, and the tip of Lovells Island. On the other side of the harbor is Deer Island, where in 2016 we toured its sewage treatment plant while living at Charlestown Marina.

Position: 47°37.33'N, -122°21.24'W

A pre-game celebration for Seattle Kraken winger Jordan Eberle reaching 1,000 NHL games played. In a close and exciting match, the score was tied 1-1 in the third period. But the Capitals scored an unanswered goal with 8:24 left in the final period, and we ended up losing 2-1.

Position: 47°36.94'N, -122°21.04'W

Our apartment complex does periodic pub crawls which attract a super-interesting group of people that we enjoy spending time with. And we always end up discovering a few more interesting venues in the immediate area in which we live. Here we are at the third stop of four for the evening, Seattle Social.

Position: 47°37.00'N, -122°21.11'W

The spectacular flowers of a Magnolia tree along 1st Ave in Seattle.

Position: 47°37.32'N, -122°21.24'W

Jennifer with Fuego, the mascot for the Seattle's Kraken's farm team, the Coachella Valley Firebirds. It's "Mascot Madness" night at the Kraken hockey game, with NHL mascots Gnash (Nashville), Bailey (L.A. Kings), and Stormy (Carolina) joining Fuego and our mascot, Buoy, along with local mascots Mariner Moose of the Seattle Mariners baseball team and Husky from the University of Washington.

Position: 47°37.40'N, -122°20.28'W

The sculpture Dreamer, by Seattle artist and 2020 Smithsonian Visionary Award winner Patti Warashina, was installed in South Lake Union in 2022. We're out for a walk to enjoy some unseasonably sunny and warm Seattle weather.

Position: 47°37.40'N, -122°20.25'W

The 12-foot-high (3.7m) Beacon, created by University of Washington professor Jamie Walker. It is one of a three-part sculpture, Beacon, Cloud, Toto, all made of clusters of spheres, installed on Terry Avenue between Mercer and Republican streets.

Position: 47°37.59'N, -122°20.13'W

The striking aluminum sculpture Yaadachoon by Tinglit artist Robert Mills of Alaska, at the Lake Union Piers.

Position: 47°37.64'N, -122°20.05'W

Boats moored at Lake Union Piers (formerly Chandler's Cove).

Position: 47°37.75'N, -122°19.91'W

We were considering stopping for lunch on the terrace at The White Swan, but it was fully occupied on this sunny and warm Sunday afternoon.

Position: 47°37.80'N, -122°19.83'W

A particularly delicious lunch on the deck at Duke's Seafood Restaurant, with a view to Lake Union. We take every opportunity to have meals outside and really enjoyed this one.

Position: 47°37.80'N, -122°19.83'W

From our lunch table at Duke's, we noticed the MV Malibu docked nearby. Built in 1926, the ship's third owner was Thomas F. Hamilton, who built the Malibu Camp in at Princess Louisa Inlet British Columbia. The camp and adjacent Malibu Rapids are named after the vessel.

Position: 47°37.77'N, -122°19.86'W

Cherry blossoms are in bloom all over Seattle.

Position: 47°37.62'N, -122°20.24'W

Vibrant yellow daffodils outside the Museum of History and Industry at South Lake Union.

Position: 47°37.32'N, -122°21.24'W

We ended the day back at Climate Pledge Arena for the third time in four days, this time to attend the "Battle of the Sound" between the Seattle Thunderbirds and Portland Winterhaks Junior A teams. We often attended Thunderbirds games when their home arena was at Seattle Center Ice Arena, but in 2009 they moved to Kent, 20 miles (32km) to the south. The Thunderbirds won 5-4 in a super-exciting game that ended in overtime. Goalie Spencer Michnik did an amazing job, fending off 52 of an astounding 56 shots on goal.

Position: 47°37.22'N, -122°21.08'W

The Space Needle against a deep blue clear sky as we head home from the Thunderbirds game at Climate Pledge Arena.

Position: 47°36.98'N, -122°20.45'W

An Altor SAF lock, designed to resist angle grinders and conventional attacks, on a bicycle in downtown Seattle. The lock is a beast and looks pretty challenging to overcome but, at 13.2 lbs (6 kg), you might rather lose the bike than have to lug it around.

Position: 47°21.86'N, -121°47.08'W

The Chester Morse Lake/Masonry Pool reservoir complex, major contributors to Seattle's water supply, viewed from James' flight to Dallas on a business trip.

Position: 44°27.10'N, -114°46.50'W

Snow-encrusted mountains in Idaho, seen from James' flight to Dallas on a business trip.

Position: 32°46.86'N, -96°47.92'W

Looking south across downtown Dallas from James' room at the Hilton Garden Inn. At bottom left is The Eye, a 30-foot (9 m) sculpture of a giant bloodshot blue eyeball, by Chicago-based artist Tony Tasset.

Position: 32°46.86'N, -96°47.92'W

The spectacular cantilevered pool at luxury hotel, The Joulle, across from James' room at the Hilton Garden Inn in Dallas.

Position: 32°54.12'N, -97°2.52'W

Smoke billowing from a aircraft mockup as part of fire training at the Dalls For Worth Airport's Fire Training Research Center. Students from around the world attend the facility's airport/aircraft fire fighting training.

Position: 47°36.99'N, -122°20.58'W

Three workers suspended from the roof of our apartment building as part of our biannual window-washing.

Position: 47°18.03'N, -122°30.31'W

Back for another night at the newly-opened Silver Cloud Point Ruston Waterfront Hotel. We love the views to Commencement Bay and the Port of Tacoma, and enjoy taking in the activity along the Ruston Way Waterwalk below. And the Point Ruston complex has multiple restaurants, with other attractions close by.

Position: 47°17.74'N, -122°29.99'W

The historic Point Ruston ferry, moored along the Ruston Way Waterwalk. Built in Maine in 1936, the ship was initially the navy ferry Aquidneck YFB-14 between Newport RI and Goat Island. The Pierce County Ferry System purchased the ship from the navy in 1971, and ran it as the M/V Steilacoom on the route between its namesake city and Anderson Island. Shortly after the ferry was retired from that service and put up for sale, the developers of the Point Ruston waterfront complex purchased the ship. They renovated it extensively to become their sales office, renaming it the Point Ruston. The developers occasionally brought the vessel up to Bell Harbor Marina in Seattle to promote sales, where we photographed it in May of 2009 while living aboard there.

Position: 47°18.01'N, -122°30.27'W

The Point Ruston Ferry Big Toy, modeled after the Point Ruston Ferry, is an extremely popular attraction along the Ruston Way Waterwalk. We've never seen it without several kids (and the occasional adult) on board.

Position: 47°17.99'N, -122°30.25'W

Some of the appealing-looking condominiums in the Point Ruston waterfront complex. They all have large balconies and wonderful views to Commencement Bay.

Position: 47°17.97'N, -122°30.21'W

The 62nd Airlift Wing at nearby Joint Base Lewis-McChord operates 40 C-17 Globemaster III military transport planes. One flew overhead as we walked along the Point Ruston Waterwalk.

Position: 47°17.92'N, -122°30.44'W

We always find something new whenever we walk around the Point Ruston area. This is 1948 International Harvester (IH) Farmell Cub tractor on display outside the Waterfront Market at Ruston. The Farmell Cub, painted a distinctive IH Red or Federal Yellow, was the smallest tractor IH made and was designed to replace working animals on small farms.

Position: 47°17.98'N, -122°30.34'W

On No, Not Again by Pacific Northwest artist Pat McVay on display at Point Ruston. Carved from a single block of salvaged Sitka Spruce, the sculpture depicts a Makah whaling canoe being hurled by a Grey whale during a hunt.

Position: 47°33.00'N, -122°19.08'W

An early lunch at Fonda La Catrina on our way home from Point Rustion before James' flight to California for the annual MARS conference.

Position: 47°37.05'N, -122°20.60'W

A rental Honda CRV while our Honda Passport is in for regular maintenance. The CRV has similar styling, features and controls as the Passport, so feels very familiar, but is a smaller vehicle that overall seems less capable and well-appointed.

Position: 34°26.39'N, -119°15.53'W

The wonderful private patio off James' room at Ojai Valley Inn, CA for the 2024 MARS conference.

Position: 34°26.25'N, -119°15.56'W

A real-time video conference at the MARS 2024 conference with astronaut Jeanette Epps on the International Space Station.

Position: 34°26.24'N, -119°15.56'W

Onward Medical founders Jocelyne Bloch and Gregoire Courtine presenting at the MARS 2024 conference on their groundbreaking work to allow quadriplegic patients to walk again. Their technology uses brain-controlled electrodes that communicate directly with the limbs, bypassing the damaged portion of the spine.

Position: 34°26.29'N, -119°15.60'W

Revolute Robotics Hybrid Mobility Robot at the 2024 MARS conference. With a durable exoskeleton and the ability to fly, or roll to save energy, the robot is designed to navigate confined spaces and operate extreme environments.

Position: 34°26.28'N, -119°15.60'W

Walking Oligomeric Robotic Mobility System (WORMS) at the 2024 MARS conference. The system is designed by MIT's Space Resources Workshop to reduce robot proliferation in space by allowing astronauts to build task-specific robots from articulating parts that resemble arms, legs and backbones. When the task is completed, the robot can be disassembled and built into a new one for a different job.

Position: 34°26.26'N, -119°15.62'W

A Czinger 21C, developed using 3D printing, on display at the 2024 MARS conference. With 1,350 combined horsepower and weighing 2,756 lbs (1,250kg), it is the fastest production car in the world and has set the production car lap records at Laguna Seca and Circuit of the Americas. The Czinger 21C has a top speed of 235 mph (378 kph) and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 1.88 seconds. Compared to a Formula 1 car, the Czinger's top speed is similar and the acceleration faster.

Position: 34°26.26'N, -119°15.62'W

The Czinger 21C's frame shows the power of 3D printing, where great stiffness can be obtained through structural complexity rather than thickness of materials.

Position: 34°26.26'N, -119°15.62'W

The unusual interior of the Czinger 21C places the passenger behind the driver. This configuration allows a body with far less drag at speed.

Position: 34°26.26'N, -119°15.62'W

James with Divergent 3D CEO Kevin Czinger. Divergent 3D printed most of the mechanical components in the Czinger 21C parked behind Kevin and James. The car's styling and performance are off the charts impressive but it's also a real study in how 3D printing allows the production of far lighter and yet still very stiff components. It's a work of art.

Position: 34°26.16'N, -119°15.35'W

A Kuzma self-playing guitar by engineer Micheal Kuzma that can play any song, on display at the 2024 MARS conference. The first Kuzma was delivered in January of this year after seven years of development.

Position: 34°26.26'N, -119°15.60'W

A OneDrive system, designed by Seattle startup Overland AI, installed in an all-terrain vehicle at the 2024 MARS conference. The OneDrive system allows any vehicle to be deployed off-road autonomously.

Position: 34°26.24'N, -119°15.61'W

The conference logo spelled in the sky during a drone light show on the final evening of the MARS 2024 conference.

Position: 47°15.85'N, -122°32.71'W

Heading across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge on a wonderfully sunny afternoon to spend the weekend at Alderbrook Resort on Hood Canal. The resort is just under a 2-hour drive from our apartment.

Position: 47°23.37'N, -122°54.63'W

Looking across Hood Canal as we head south on State Route 116 to Alderbrook Resort.

Position: 47°20.87'N, -123°4.08'W

Our room at Alderbrook Resort on Hood Canal.

Position: 47°20.87'N, -123°4.08'W

The view at dusk across the hotel grounds to Hood Canal from the balcony of our room at Alderbrook Resort.

Position: 47°20.85'N, -123°4.09'W

The scent of cedar fills the air in the atrium within the main accommodation wing at Alderbrook Resort.

Position: 47°20.79'N, -123°4.22'W

Vibrant pink Rhododendron growing in the gardens at Alderbrook Resort.

Position: 47°20.80'N, -123°4.30'W

In 1924, Ed and Ethel Dalby bought a wheel from a Seattle cable car system in Seattle and placed it here to generate electricity for their property. It was one of the first hydroelectric plants on Hood Canal and operated until the 1940s. We passed it while walking to dinner at Hood Canalé wine bar.

Position: 47°20.87'N, -123°4.40'W

We had a fabulous evening over a bottle of Italian red from the excellent selection of wines at Hood Canalé wine bar, about a 15-minute walk from Alderbrook Resort.

Position: 47°20.87'N, -123°4.40'W

Hood Canalé has a wood-fired pizza oven, but we opted for their delicious charcuterie plate.

Position: 47°20.87'N, -123°4.40'W

A poster at Hood Canalé for the upcoming Hood Canal music festival: Hoodstock.

Position: 47°20.80'N, -123°4.31'W

Passing the Dalby Water Wheel, lit up at night, on our way back to Alderbrook Resort. It looks like they're having fun inside :-).

Position: 47°20.88'N, -123°4.08'W

View from our room at Alderbrook Resort across Hood Canal to the Olympic Mountains on a beautiful, clear morning.

Position: 47°20.87'N, -123°4.08'W

Coasters in our room with the images of Alderbrook Resort's CFOs (Chief Feline Officers), Alder and Brook. We saw Alder wandering around the resort later in the day.

Position: 47°20.89'N, -123°4.07'W

Low tide at Hood Canal. The shoreline slopes quite gently and the water goes out a long way.

Position: 47°20.89'N, -123°4.07'W

Native canoe reflecting into still waters on Hood Canal.

Position: 47°20.87'N, -123°4.08'W

An excellent dinner at the Restaurant at Alderbook, with a sweeping view to Hood Canal.

Position: 47°20.88'N, -123°4.07'W

Dusk looking across Hood Canal from the balcony of our room at Alderbrook Resort.

Position: 47°20.87'N, -123°4.08'W

The Easter Bunny found us in Alderbrook Resort. Here's James with his easter egg hunt haul.

Position: 47°20.87'N, -123°4.07'W

Breakfast on the balcony of our room at Alderbrook Resort. The fog was so thick when we got up that we couldn't even see the dock, but it's a little better now and later cleared to another beautiful sunny day.

Position: 47°33.14'N, -122°39.68'W

The USS Independence, foreground, in dry dock at the US Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility in Bremerton. Launched in 2008, the 418 ft (127 m) ship is the first of the Independence-class near-shore littoral combat ships, capable of speeds over 44 knots. The ship was quietly decommissioned in 2021 "due to public health safety and restrictions". Six others have also been decommissioned, with 19 in the class remaining active and 5 still under construction.

Position: 47°33.55'N, -122°39.30'W

Fire trucks don't typically fly the US flag, but U.S. Government vehicles such as this U.S. Navy truck in Bremerton do.

Position: 47°33.84'N, -122°37.61'W

Rather than drive back from Alderbrook Resort through Tacoma, we decided to take the ferry from Bremerton, where we'd not visited since our ferry trip in early 2022. With over an hour until the next ferry to Seattle, we parked our truck in the ferry line and spent some time in Bremerton, starting with a delicious lunch on the patio at Mezcalitos near the ferry dock.

Position: 47°33.85'N, -122°37.63'W

The bow of the USS South Carolina on display at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Memorial Plaza, dedicated to Bremerton's shipyard workers.

Position: 47°33.89'N, -122°37.63'W

Statue of shipyard worker Estber Bielmeier, based on a photo taken of her heating rivets in 1919. Women made up a large part of the shipyard workforce during the both World Wars, with the majority of men away on military duty.

Position: 47°33.73'N, -122°37.54'W

The striking Harborside Fountain Park in Bremerton features five copper-plated fountains in the shape of submarine sails that eject water in varying patterns and timings. The fountains were designed by WET Design of Sun Valley, California, creators of the famous fountains at the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas.

Position: 47°33.73'N, -122°37.51'W

Our ferry to Seattle, the Walla Walla, arriving into Bremerton.

Position: 47°33.64'N, -122°37.45'W

We arrived at the Bremerton ferry dock 1:20 before the sailing and were the first in line and the first to board the Walla Walla.

Position: 47°33.69'N, -122°37.50'W

Another view to the Harborside Fountain Park, this one from the ferry before we depart for Seattle.

Position: 47°33.68'N, -122°37.47'W

The Walla Walla departing Bremerton en route to Seattle.

Position: 47°33.60'N, -122°37.41'W

The ferry docks in Bremerton are adjacent to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, established in 1891. It is largest naval shore facility in the Pacific Northwest, employing 14,000 people.

Position: 47°33.83'N, -122°36.24'W

We've passed under the Manette Bridge near Bremerton in our boats many times en route to Dyes Inlet. Silverdale and Oyster Bay are popular stops for us.

Position: 47°35.25'N, -122°34.11'W

The Walla Walla heading eastbound into Rich Passage at the south end of Bainbridge Island (left).

Position: 47°34.02'N, -122°30.61'W

A Wellcraft 355 running westbound through Rich Passage. We’ve not been on board a Wellcraft before, but toured the similar Axopar and Arksen boats at the Seattle Boat Show earlier this year. We found the Arksen 30 layout more appealing, with another advantage of being certified RCD Class B, for winds up to force 8 and waves up to 4m. The Axopar has no rating that we are aware of, and an Axopar 37 recently lost a windshield to a wave in the San Juan islands.

Position: 47°34.11'N, -122°30.20'W

A great view to Mt. Rainier as the Walla Walla exits Rich Passage en route to Seattle.

Position: 47°34.19'N, -122°29.96'W

The pocket cruise ship American Spirit heading south from Seattle on a multi-night cruise of the Puget Sound and San Juan Islands.

Position: 47°34.23'N, -122°29.84'W

The Seattle skyline, viewed from the Walla Walla at the east end of Rich Passage.

Position: 47°34.32'N, -122°29.59'W

Rich Passage is lined with spectacular view homes, particularly along the south shore of Bainbridge Island.

Position: 47°36.06'N, -122°23.22'W

Looking down to our black Honda Passport, at center in the front, on the Walla Walla car deck.

Position: 47°36.12'N, -122°22.65'W

View to Seattle Center as the Walla Walla nears the ferry terminal. Climate Pledge arena, where we watch the Kraken NHL games, is at far left, with the iconic Space Needle at right.

Position: 47°36.08'N, -122°21.72'W

The Seattle skyline from the Walla Walla. Coleman Dock, where we will land, is at bottom right with another ferry already at the terminal.

Position: 47°36.06'N, -122°21.49'W

Our apartment complex, Insignia, viewed from the Walla Walla. Our unit is in the top left corner of the right (south) tower.

Position: 47°36.12'N, -122°20.41'W

Ferry workers readying for the arrival of the Walla Walla from Bremerton to Coleman Dock in Seattle.

Position: 47°36.14'N, -122°20.34'W

At Coleman Dock in Seattle, waiting for the ferry to Bainbridge Island. We'll be spending the weekend there and don't need a car, so walking on is the most efficient option.

Position: 47°37.19'N, -122°29.78'W

Entering Eagle Harbor, at the south end of Bainbridge Island, aboard the ferry Chimacum. The ferry terminal is dead ahead and to the three ferries visible at left are moored at the Washington State Ferry Maintenance Facility.

Position: 47°37.46'N, -122°30.85'W

We've not visited Bainbridge Island for years and are happy to be back.

Position: 47°37.37'N, -122°31.14'W

The view from VRBO-rented Eagle Harbor View Cottage, where we'll be staying for our weekend on Bainbridge Island. The cottage was an easy walk from the ferry and into town and made a great base for us.

Position: 47°37.28'N, -122°31.38'W

Dinner on the patio at our favorite Bainbridge Island haunt, Harbor Public House. Despite the 45°F (7.2°C) temp, we were plenty warm sitting outside next to the fire pit.

Position: 47°37.36'N, -122°31.32'W

A 1960s Volvo Laplander military vehicle, parked near the Harbor Public House on Bainbridge Island. Just visible to the right is Land Rover military ambulance from the same period.

Position: 47°37.29'N, -122°31.37'W

Back at Harbor Public House for a delicious lunch. The temperature was a little cooler today, and the heaters weren't on outside, so we sat inside.

Position: 47°37.29'N, -122°31.37'W

Nordhavn 475 Freya, viewed from Harbor Public House on Bainbridge Island.

Position: 47°37.29'N, -122°31.37'W

We were wondering why the Harbor Public House wasn't open on Sunday.

Position: 47°37.32'N, -122°31.57'W

The pocket park Town Way to Water near the head of Eagle Harbor, viewed on our way around the harbor to visit the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial on the south shore.

Position: 47°37.45'N, -122°31.57'W

Cherry trees in bloom on Bainbridge Island at Lowell Ave SW.

Position: 47°37.50'N, -122°31.63'W

Walking through Moritani Preserve, established in 2017 as Bainbridge Island's newest park. The property once was owned by the Japanese-American Moritani family, who farmed berries there.

Position: 47°37.51'N, -122°31.85'W

Looking into the head of Eagle Harbor from Strawberry Park. We anchored here dozens of times in our first boat.

Position: 47°37.58'N, -122°31.99'W

Walking a portion of the Waterfront Trail, a well-maintained network of trails, parks and roads that runs from the ferry dock to the head of Eagle Harbor. We're just about at the end of it now.

Position: 47°37.15'N, -122°31.77'W

Looking back across Eagle Harbor from the south shore, with the ferry dock visible in the distance on the north shore.

Position: 47°36.85'N, -122°31.02'W

We were getting thirsty on our walk and were excited to see a sign advertising Mac n Jacks, a Redmond brewery. But the establishment turned out not to be a cafe, but an auto garage, presumably named after its owners.

Position: 47°36.90'N, -122°30.61'W

At the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial, in memory of the island's 267 Japanese-American residents who were forcibly removed to internment camps in 1942. It was part of a larger nation-wide internment of over 125,000 US residents of Japanese descent, the majority US-born citizens, resulting from an executive order signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt following the attack on Pearl Harbor. In a tragedy that a 1970 presidential commission later concluded was based mostly on racism, most lost their homes, property, jobs, and invaluable personal items.

Position: 47°36.95'N, -122°30.62'W

The Departure Deck of the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial is at the exact location of the Eagledale ferry dock, once a second stop on the Bainbridge Island ferry route, where all Japanese-Americans were ordered to report in 1942. Metal footsteps dramatically represent their final steps off the island before being deported to the camps.

Position: 47°36.60'N, -122°30.62'W

Hopeful Alpaca, looking for a handout, as we walk south along Taylor Ave NE towards Blakely Harbor.

Position: 47°35.82'N, -122°30.81'W

View into Blakely Harbor, another favorite anchorage of ours.

Position: 47°36.28'N, -122°32.84'W

The whimsical sculpture Boys Night Out, by renowned Seattle artist Georgia Gerber, at Pleasant Beach Village. It is one of several commissioned by Pleasant Beach Village developer John Jacobi.

Position: 47°36.26'N, -122°32.84'W

An unnamed sculpture, of two cats fishing in a fountain, at Pleasant Beach Village.

Position: 47°36.32'N, -122°32.84'W

This was our favorite of the three animal sculptures, showing three mice spitting water towards a rather flumoxed-looking cat.

Position: 47°36.26'N, -122°32.83'W

During our walk, Bainbridge Island resident Peter Spiro spotted us on the road and we met up later at Earth & Vine Wine Bar. Peter and James worked together for years on Microsoft SQL Server and we haven't seen him for ages. It was super-fun to get together and catch up.

Position: 47°37.50'N, -122°31.16'W

We ended our Bainbridge Island day with an excellent pizza dinner at Bruciato back near the ferry dock.

Position: 47°37.33'N, -122°31.27'W

A delicious lunch with a view to the harbor at Doc's Marina Grill on Bainbridge Island.

Position: 47°38.12'N, -122°31.25'W

The sculpture Bay Otters at the Bainbridge Island library.

Position: 47°38.34'N, -122°31.21'W

Pia the Peacekeeper in Sakai Park on Bainbridge Island is the first of five giant trolls that Danish sculptor Thomas Dambo is creating in the Seattle area. The others locations are West Seattle, Issaquah, Vashon Island, and Fremont.

Position: 47°38.35'N, -122°31.09'W

Bainbridge Island has many wonderful trails and parks, large and small. After our stop to see Pia the Peacekeeper, we continued through Sakai Park along a boardwalk with views to Sakai Pond.

Position: 47°37.91'N, -122°30.87'W

Walking the John Nelson trail alongside leafy Winslow Ravine. The short loop trail extends from the larger Sound to Olympics Trail.

Position: 47°37.72'N, -122°30.90'W

Looking down into Winslow Ravine from a substantial pedestrian bridge as we walk south along the newly-built Sound to Olympics Trail. Part of the Great American Rail Trail, this is the starting segment of a planned 7-mile (11 km) trail that will extend from the Bainbridge Island ferry dock to the Hood Canal Bridge via the Agate Pass bridge and the Kingston Ferry terminal.

Position: 47°37.41'N, -122°30.89'W

Crossing a footbridge over the Winslow Ravine Creek estuary on the eastern portion of Bainbridge Island's Waterfront Trail

Position: 47°37.44'N, -122°30.79'W

With some time to kill before our ferry to Seattle departed, we stopped in for a beer on the patio at the gas station-turned-poke restaurant Hi-Life.

Position: 47°37.36'N, -122°30.62'W

Our ferry back to Seattle, the Tacoma, arriving at the Bainbridge Island dock.

Position: 47°36.80'N, -122°30.67'W

View to downtown Seattle from the ferry Tacoma as we pass through Eagle Harbor. We'd had a great weekend on Bainbridge Island and particularly enjoyed the many parks and trails in the area.

Position: 47°36.99'N, -122°20.58'W

Freshly baked "Grab-and-Go Egg Bites" to freeze for quick lunches. They are delicious both fresh and reheated after freezing.

Position: 47°36.51'N, -122°22.14'W

View to downtown Seattle from James' return flight on a business trip to Portland. The twin towers of our apartment complex, Insignia, are visible slightly left of center, directly left of the powder blue building.

Position: 47°36.99'N, -122°20.57'W

A package delivery to our apartment complex just barely fitting through the doors.

Position: 47°15.48'N, -122°26.46'W

Evening drinks at The Vault, a "secret" bar inside McMenamins Elks Temple in Tacoma. McMenamins is a Pacific Northwest chain of brewpubs, restaurants, music venues and hotels, many in historic buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. We visited one of their pubs on last year's trip to Portland. In Tacoma, McMenamins recently renovated the historic Elks Temple, built in 1916 for the Fraternal Order of the Elks. McMenamins Elks Temple includes a 40-room hotel with 6 bars and restaurants. We had a great dinner at their pub, then went off and found the "secret" entrance to The Vault.

Position: 47°15.57'N, -122°26.26'W

"The Mountain" is certainly out today. This is the view across Foss Waterway to Mt. Rainer from Rock the Dock Pub and Grill where we had lunch.

Position: 47°14.45'N, -122°26.43'W

Tacoma has a great microbrewery scene. Here we are at Black Fleet Brewing, the third of four microbreweries that we checked out in Tacoma's brewery district.

Position: 47°15.01'N, -122°26.05'W

A delicious fresh fish lunch on the patio at The Fish Peddler restaurant and fish market in Tacoma before we head back to Seattle.

Position: 47°18.23'N, -122°18.10'W

One of several M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) we passed on I-5 while heading north from Tacoma to Seattle. The HIMARS have been in service since 2010 and can carry either six Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rockets or one Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missile.

Position: 47°36.99'N, -122°20.58'W

Seattle-based Structure Cellars on-site our apartment complex, Insignia, for a wine tasting. Insignia has a very active social committee that arranges a variety of events. We particularly enjoy their pub crawls.

Position: 47°36.99'N, -122°20.59'W

The Norwegian Sun, the third cruise ship departure of the 2024 season, moored at Pier 91. The ship was scheduled to dock at Pier 66, where the Norwegian ships almost always dock, but for some reason is at Pier 91 instead.

Position: 47°31.64'N, -122°18.52'W

View to the Ship Canal between Elliott Bay and Lake Union, viewed from James' flight on business to San Francisco.

Position: 47°36.99'N, -122°20.59'W

The HMCS Vancouver, a Canadian Halifax-class frigate, arriving into the Port of Seattle.

Position: 44°5.28'N, -122°14.87'W

A spectacular view to Oregon's Three Sisters mountains on James' return flight home from a business trip to San Francisco.

Position: 47°49.14'N, -122°16.95'W

Snow-covered Cascade Mountains rising above I-5 as we drive north to spend a Saturday night in Everett.

Position: 47°59.98'N, -122°13.02'W

Our room for a night at the Hotel Indigo overlooking the Port of Everett Marina. We've passed through the area by boat many times, but have never spent any time here.

Position: 47°59.98'N, -122°13.02'W

The view to the Port of Everett Marina from the balcony of our room at the Hotel Indigo.

Position: 47°59.93'N, -122°12.95'W

An excellent lunch on the patio at Fisherman Jack's Asian restaurant overlooking the Port of Everett Marina. The weather is wonderfully warm today.

Position: 47°59.87'N, -122°12.95'W

Nordhavn 62 Roxia moored at the Port of Everett Marina.

Position: 47°59.77'N, -122°12.81'W

Walking the double-layer Grand Avenue Park pedestrian bridge over the railroad tracks between Grand Avenue Park and the Everett waterfront. In addition to pedestrians and cyclists, the bridge also carries storm drainage and sewer pipelines.

Position: 47°59.78'N, -122°12.84'W

View to the Port of Everett Marina from the Grand Avenue Park Bridge.

Position: 47°59.67'N, -122°12.87'W

We stopped for a delicious hazy IPA on the patio at Sound2Summit brewery in Everett.

Position: 48°0.07'N, -122°13.05'W

A group of ducks have taken over the dog water dish outside this Everett coffee shop.

Position: 48°0.08'N, -122°13.02'W

A great meal and a fun evening at The Muse Whiskey Bar near the Hotel Indigo in Everett.

Position: 47°59.98'N, -122°13.02'W

We noticed a small Easter Jesus statue on top of the door in our room at the Hotel Indigo in Everett.

Position: 48°0.04'N, -122°12.86'W

A boat that burned to the waterline sitting on a trailer at the Port of Everett boatyard.

Position: 48°0.17'N, -122°12.87'W

While walking around the Port of Everett this morning, we passed Dunlap Industrial Hardware. These huge hooks are part of their extensive commercial hardware inventory.

Position: 48°0.26'N, -122°13.28'W

The Port of Everett boat launch must be very popular in the summer. The parking lot is massive and there are 14 individual launch ramps.

Position: 48°0.20'N, -122°13.30'W

Nordhavn 47 Indiscretion moored at the Port of Everett.

Position: 48°0.02'N, -122°13.03'W

Ongoing environmental cleanup of contamination from the several mills that once operated within the Port of Everett property.

Position: 47°59.72'N, -122°13.40'W

View to the Port of Everett from our table for lunch at Anthony's Home Port in Everett. The restaurant chain specializes in good quality seafood at waterfront properties. We frequented one in Seattle overlooking our berth at Bell Harbor Marina when we lived aboard there.

Position: 47°59.71'N, -122°13.40'W

A Humvee (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, abbreviated as HMMWV and pronounced as Humvee) at Naval Station Everett, viewed from our table at Anthony's Home Port. Hummer vehicles are street-versions of Humvees.

Position: 47°59.66'N, -122°13.09'W

Pop-up security barriers at one of the Naval Station Everett gates. No vehicle is getting past those.

Position: 47°36.84'N, -122°20.82'W

Mike and Fletch Morgan, two of the four owners of Vindicktive Wings, are massive Sumo wrestling fans. One of the screens above the bar, visible to Jennifer's right, plays Sumo wrestling 24x7. We didn't think there was that much Sumo wrestling in the entire world. To show how truly massive these wrestlers are, a hand print from a large wrestler is mounted beside the TV. It's easily twice the size of Jennifer's hand.

Position: 47°36.98'N, -122°20.55'W

An Aston Martin Vantage parked outside our Seattle apartment building. As with the previous model, the new Vantage's twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 has AMG DNA. But it's been significantly reworked for increased output with new turbos, revised cam profiles, optimized compression ratios, and improved cooling. Output now sits at 656 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque, an increase of 128 horsepower and 85 pound-feet over the prior engine in the Vantage F1 edition, previously the most powerful Vantage variant. Power is transmitted to the rear axle via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Position: 47°36.99'N, -122°20.59'W

CV27 Qingdao, arriving from Zhuhai, China into Bell Harbor Marina, our old home port. Qingdao is one of 11 identical yachts competing in the Clipper Round the World Race, a 10-month competition that starts and ends in Portsmouth, UK. The fleet will stay in Seattle for about a week before embarking on the 7th leg of the race, down the Pacific Coast and through the Panama Canal to US east coast, before completing the final leg across the Atlantic and back to Portsmouth.

Position: 47°36.99'N, -122°20.59'W

James presenting at the annual TSMC Symposium in Santa Clara, California. TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited) is the largest semiconductor maker in the world by revenue and also by market share, producing 61% of chips worldwide. Amazon is a close partner of TSMC for their custom silicon work designed by subsidiary Annapurna Labs.

Position: 47°37.46'N, -122°20.37'W

At La Palmera Mexican restaurant in South Lake Union for dinner. We ordered a Margarita to share, and the waiter brought it out with two crazy long straws.

Position: 47°36.99'N, -122°20.59'W

National Geographic Venture arriving into Seattle on a foggy day prior to embarking on a 14-day trip through the Inside Passage to Sitka, Alaska.

Position: 47°37.05'N, -122°20.30'W

Dinner at Butcher's Table, one of our favorite Seattle restaurants. Here we are trying a new red not yet on their menu by Washington-based Cadence Winery. We quite enjoyed it.

Position: 47°36.98'N, -122°20.54'W

Our apartment building has a constant flow of packages arriving, and the delivery people manage to bring in a huge amount in one load.

Position: 47°37.05'N, -122°20.57'W

We're flying out to Budapest tonight for a one-week cruise along the Danube River and have laid out all the clothes and gear we will be taking with us. With just carry-on luggage, it was a tight squeeze to fit everything into the two suitcases at bottom left and the carry-on bag at upper left, but we succeeded.

Position: 47°26.55'N, -122°18.17'W

Watching the airport activity from the Delta lounge in SeaTac airport. In the brief time we've been sitting here, three planes have come and gone from the gate directly in front of us.

Position: 47°26.54'N, -122°18.17'W

We were wondering how the plane's nose gear was rolled onto the pushback tractor, and learned the answer. A strap pulls the nose gear onto the cradle at the front of the pushback tractor.

Position: 49°32.07'N, -115°45.84'W

On board our flight from Seattle to Amsterdam, where we will connect through to Budapest for our Danube River cruise. The Delta One Suites are very nice, but nothing can compare to the Qatar Airways QSuites. We are wearing sunglasses to minimize exposure to light as part of adjusting our circadian rhythm 9 hours ahead using the Timeshifter jet lag app.

Position: 52°18.50'N, 4°45.91'E

At the KLM lounge in Schipol Airport. This is our first time back in Amsterdam since we departed for Antwerp in February of 2020.

Position: 52°19.65'N, 4°46.41'E

A surprisingly tasty cold dinner of shrimp with noodles on the KLM Cityhopper flight from Amsterdam to Budapest.

Position: 47°35.98'N, 18°48.36'E

Budapest consists of two cities, Buda on the west side of the Danube (at right) and Pest on the east side. The cruise ship we'll be taking, the AmaMagna, will be docking this side of the bridge at lower right, and the Budapest Marriott where we will be staying the night is between the two bridges roughly at the center of the screen. The rightmost of these two bridges is the famous Szechenyi Chain Bridge, the first permanent bridge across the Danube River when opened in 1849.

Position: 47°26.00'N, 19°15.74'E

We've used Welcome Pickup a few times for airport pickups, but often have had to wait for late-arriving drivers. This time we tried a slightly higher-end service, Welcome Taxi, and and so far we're much happier with it.

Position: 47°28.42'N, 19°6.24'E

Passing the MVM Dome, the largest handball arena in Europe, en route from the Budapest airport to our hotel. The venue also hosts many concert and other entertainment events, and the Hungarian violinist Maga Zoltan is playing there tonight.

Position: 47°28.57'N, 19°5.87'E

Groupama Arena in Budapest, completed in 2017, predominately is used for football matches, but also can be used for concerts or private events.

Position: 47°29.67'N, 19°2.95'E

Enjoying a drink on the terrace at our hotel, the Budapest Marriot, overlooking the Danube River in the background.

Position: 47°29.68'N, 19°2.96'E

The view across the Danube River to Castle Hill from our room at the Budapest Marriott. We loved the view to the river, with its constant boat traffic.

Position: 47°29.68'N, 19°2.96'E

The Viking Modi, one of a constant stream of riverboats plying the Danube, viewed from our room at the Budapest Marriot. The ship is about to pass under the famous Szechenyi Chain Bridge, the first permanent bridge across the Danube River when opened in 1849. In the background is centuries-old Matthias Church atop Castle Hill. We'll be walking up there later today.

Position: 47°29.68'N, 19°2.96'E

The view from our room at the Budapest Marriot to the former Royal Palace, now housing the Hungarian National Gallery, the Castle Museum, and the National Szechenyi Library. The first royal residence was established here in the 13th century and the palace has since been extended, razed and rebuilt many times.

Position: 47°29.74'N, 19°2.91'E

The striking Vigado Concert Hall, completed in 1859, is the second largest in Hungary.

Position: 47°29.76'N, 19°2.89'E

The statue Little Princess by Hungarian sculptor Laszlo Marton, with the Royal Palace visible across the Danube. The work was inspired by his young daughter, who often dressed up as a princess in a bathrobe and crown made of newspaper.

Position: 47°29.86'N, 19°2.84'E

Monument to famous Hungarian painter Ignac Roskovics by Ukrainian-Hungarian artist Mihaly Kolodko, with the former Royal Palace in the background across the Danube.

Position: 47°29.89'N, 19°2.84'E

Bronze statue of Hungarian, statesman and writer Baron Joseph von Eotvos by 19th-century Hungarian sculptor Adolf Huszar.

Position: 47°29.87'N, 19°2.36'E

Since 1870, the Castle Hill Funicular has carried passengers between the Royal Palace complex and the west shore of the Danube. We were planning to ride it up the hill, but the line-up was prohibitively long, so we instead took some of the myriad walking paths.

Position: 47°29.86'N, 19°2.32'E

View from partway up Castle Hill to the Szechenyi Chain Bridge, the first permanent bridge across the Danube River.

Position: 47°30.11'N, 19°2.08'E

Statue in Fisherman's Bastion of Stephen I, the first King of Hungary from about 1000 to 1038. The bastion atop Castle Hill was completed in 1905 to celebrate Hungary's millennial.

Position: 47°30.17'N, 19°2.06'E

The sweeping view across the Danube River to Pest from Fisherman's Bastion atop Castle Hill in Buda (click image for a larger view). The two cites Buda and Pest, on either sides of the Danube, together form Budapest.

Position: 47°30.12'N, 19°2.02'E

The century-old neo-Gothic building that originally housed the Royal Hungarian Ministry of Finance is now one of the National Archive facilities. The building is being renovated and restored for the Ministry of Finance to move back in.

Position: 47°30.25'N, 19°1.93'E

The view as we walk north from Castle Hill down the street Tancsics Mihaly, lined with several former palaces. In the distance at center is the century-old main building of the National Archives of Hungary. And on the left is the spire of the 1895 Lutheran Church of Budavar, the oldest Lutheran church in Buda. (The two cites Buda and Pest, on either sides of the Danube, together form Budapest.)

Position: 47°30.29'N, 19°1.84'E

Vienna Gate, historically connecting the Royal Palace complex with the road to Vienna, was an entry to the palace grounds since the Middle Ages. The gate was demolished in 1896, but restored in 1936 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the recapture of Buda that ended 150 years of Ottoman rule.

Position: 47°30.31'N, 19°1.84'E

The defensive walls of the Royal Palace complex, viewed from just outside Vienna Gate.

Position: 47°30.31'N, 19°1.87'E

Monument near Vienna Gate to Jogaila and Jadwiga, the daughter of the King of Hungary. Jadwiga became the first female King of Poland in 1384 and they ruled together after their marriage in 1386.

Position: 47°30.31'N, 19°1.93'E

The park Europa Liget, near the Vienna Gate, was opened in 1972 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the unification of Pest and Buda into Budapest. As part of the celebration, a congress of the 29 European capitals was held, where the leaders of each capital city planted a tree native to their country in Europa Liget. Limestone plaques in front of each tree identify the donating city.

Position: 47°30.31'N, 19°1.92'E

Statue in the park Europa Liget of the Hungarian composer and music educator Zoltan Kodaly.

Position: 47°30.15'N, 19°2.30'E

Lajos Fountain in Corvin Square is a memorial to Buda soda-water-maker Lajos Millacher, who left his fortune to the town 1898.

Position: 47°30.10'N, 19°2.41'E

The striking Hungarian Parliament Building, the seat of the National Assembly of Hungary. Completed in 1904, the design is similar to that of the Houses of Parliament in the UK, a country Hungary hoped to emulate politically.

Position: 47°30.03'N, 19°3.05'E

A delicious pizza street-side at Tom George Osteria in Pest. (The two cites Buda and Pest, on either sides of the Danube, together form Budapest.) In the background in the distance is the Bascila of St. Stephen.

Position: 47°30.03'N, 19°3.05'E

We got a giggle out of this garbage can on the opposite side of the street from Tom George Osteria where we had lunch.

Position: 47°30.04'N, 19°3.13'E

The Bascila of St. Stephen is Hungary's most sacred Catholic Church. It is named after Stephen, the first King of Hungary, whose mummified hand is displayed inside.

Position: 47°29.80'N, 19°3.00'E

Vorosmarty Square is the start of Budapest's famous shopping street Vaci utca. The square is named for Hungarian poet Mihaly Vorosmarty, a marble statue of whom stands beyond the trees on the left.

Position: 47°29.79'N, 19°3.03'E

Marble statue of Hungarian poet and lyricist Mihaly Vorosmarty, erected in Vorosmarty Square in 1908. Beneath the seated Vorosmarty are figures representing various societal classes in Hungary at the time, such as a farmer, a student and a laborer.

Position: 47°29.89'N, 19°3.01'E

Monument to Archduke Josef Anton in Budapest, erected in 1860 in Vorosmarty Square.

Position: 47°29.52'N, 19°3.13'E

Crossing Erzsebet Bridge by taxi en route to our ship, the AmaMagna. Directly ahead is a statue of St. Gerard Sagredo Statue, a Hungarian bishop from 1030 until his death in 1046. The castle-like structure rising above the trees on the right is the private villa Schoch-Hegedus.

Position: 47°31.39'N, 19°3.13'E

Looking down the double-wide sundeck of the AmaMagna, our home for the next week. Launched in 2019 and purpose-built for the Danube, the ship is the largest on the river with roughly twice the beam of most other Danube river boats. But rather than increasing passenger capacity, the ship instead has roomier accommodations and extensive public spaces, including four restaurants.

Position: 47°31.40'N, 19°3.14'E

Dinner in sun-drenched Al Fresco at the bow of the AmaMagna.

Position: 47°31.40'N, 19°3.17'E

We don't sail until later in the evening, so we took a short walk around the area after dinner. The restaurant where we had dinner, Al Fresco, is visible directly above the boat name on the bow.

Position: 47°31.37'N, 19°3.14'E

Enjoying an evening drink on the balcony of our cabin aboard the AmaManga.

Position: 47°31.34'N, 19°3.09'E

The view to Budapest from the AmaMagna, moored along the Danube. Crossing the river is Szechenyi Chain Bridge, the first bridge across the Danube, and beyond is the tower of Matthias Church in the atop Castle Hill.

Position: 46°39.00'N, 18°57.61'E

The view from the balcony of our cabin on the AmaMagna as we cruise the Hungarian Danube from Budapest to Mohacs on a calm, clear and warm day.

Position: 45°59.86'N, 18°41.50'E

Captain Cristian Creteanu using a wing helm to bring the AmaMagna onto the dock at Mohacs, Hungary.

Position: 46°4.72'N, 18°13.40'E

The spectacular altar of St. Peter's Basilica in Pecs, Hungary. The cathedral foundations date from the Roman occupation in the 1300s, and the church as been extensively expanded, renovated and repaired over the centuries.

Position: 46°4.67'N, 18°13.47'E

The Christian Necropolis in Pecs, Hungary is a series of decorated underground tombs created in the 4th century when the area was part of the Roman Empire and is one of the most significant Roman burial grounds outside Italy. The site was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. The glass ceiling above is part of a public space that people can walk on to view the tombs from above.

Position: 46°4.61'N, 18°13.66'E

Szechenyi Square, the main square in the historic district Pecs, Hungary, was a market place during the Middle Ages. Today the cafe-lined square is full of historic buildings and statuary.

Position: 46°4.68'N, 18°13.29'E

The 15th-century stone barbican in Pecs, Hungary was part of the wall system of the Bishop's Palace.

Position: 46°4.57'N, 18°13.73'E

Enjoying a drink streetside at Nana in Pecs, Hungary before returning to the AmaMagna.

Position: 45°20.61'N, 19°0.75'E

The Vukovar water tower was a symbol of the Croatian resistance during their successful War of Independence from Yugoslavia in 1991-1995. The city of Vukovar was bombarded for several months and eventually overrun in a siege that inflicted extensive damage. The tower itself was shelled over 600 times, but remained standing, and was kept in its damaged form as a memorial to the conflict and those who suffered in it.

Position: 45°15.36'N, 19°50.72'E

Enjoying a refreshing cider in the plaza beside the Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church, the largest church in Novi Sad, Serbia.

Position: 45°15.21'N, 19°51.66'E

The evening view to Novi Sad, Serbia from the hilltop Petrovardian Fortress. Our river boat, the AmaMagna, is visible on the Danube at right.

Position: 45°15.20'N, 19°51.67'E

View into the underground tunnel system of Petrovardian Fortress in Novi Sad, Serbia. The initial fortress foundation were laid in the 17th century and it was completed in the late 1700s with 10 miles (16 km) of underground corridors.

Position: 44°49.51'N, 20°27.08'E

Kalemegdan Fortress in Belgrade, Serbia is the city's most popular attraction, with over 2 million visitors per year. The fortress, overlooking the confluence of the Danube and Sava (visible at right) rivers, was established in 279 BC and was extensively modified and expanded over the centuries to encompass 160 acres (66 hectares).

Position: 44°47.88'N, 20°28.14'E

The opulent interior of the Cathedral of St. Sava, the largest Serbian Orthodox church in the world. We were astonished at the level of detail, all mostly done in mosaic.

Position: 44°49.05'N, 20°27.84'E

Skadarlija, Belgrade's Old Town District, is full of restaurants and bars lining a centuries-old cobblestone street. We couldn't resist stopping when we spied this balcony table.

Position: 44°49.71'N, 20°26.73'E

Satellite imagery showing the AmaMagna departing Belgrade along the Sava River to rejoin the Danube. Notice how muddy the Danube is compared to the Sava. Our departure from Belgrade was delayed for several hours because port authorities closed all navigation on the Danube River due to high winds.

Position: 44°40.31'N, 20°55.28'E

Passing Smederevo Fortress in Serbia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and among the largest fortifications in southeast Europe. One of the Serbian military's last great projects, construction began in 1427 to replace Belgrade after it came under the control of the Hungarians.

Position: 44°39.67'N, 21°40.71'E

Golubac Fortress was built in the 14th century by the Medivial Serbian state. The fortress has changed hands many times over the centuries and has successfully repelled over 120 attacks. We were scheduled to stop here to tour the grounds, but had to skip it because we were delayed departing Belgrade due to high winds closing navigation.

Position: 44°37.12'N, 22°16.38'E

Passing throught the Iron Gates, a dramatic series of gorges on the Danube that separates Serbia and Romania.

Position: 44°38.33'N, 22°17.76'E

Massive 131x82-ft (40x25m) carving of the great Romanian folk hero Dacian King Decebalus. The inscription underneath reads "Decebalus Rex - Dragan Fecit", which translate to "King Decebalus—Made by Dragan". Dragan is not the artist as might be surmised, but rather the rich, and not notably humble, businessman who commissioned the carving in the 1990s.

Position: 44°39.95'N, 22°31.77'E

Iron Gate 1 is the largest dam on the Danube River and one of the largest hydroelectric stations in Europe. The plant's 12 turbines have a power generation capacity of 2,052 MW.

Position: 44°40.30'N, 22°31.18'E

Entering the Iron Gate 1 Lock, one of two locks spaced about 50 miles (80 km) apart along the Danube on either side of the Iron Gates.

Position: 44°40.02'N, 22°31.62'E

The AmaMagna uses very narrow fenders, and we can easily touch the wall from our stateroom as we pass through the Iron Gate I lock.

Position: 43°59.59'N, 22°53.20'E

Baba Vida Fortress in Vidin, Bulgaria dates to the 10th century and is the only fully-preserved medieval fortress in Bulgaria.

Position: 43°59.50'N, 22°53.06'E

When completed in 1894, neo-Gothic Vidin Synagogue was the second-largest in Bulgaria and reflected the prosperity of the burgeoning port community. The communist government seized the building after World War II and it fell into disrepair, particularly after the roof was removed in the 1980s during an aborted restoration project. Finally, a two-year restoration project completed at the end of 2023 brought the synagogue back to its former glory.

Position: 43°59.34'N, 22°52.93'E

Coin-operated coffee machines are quite popular in Bulgaria. We saw them frequently during our walks in the country.

Position: 43°59.29'N, 22°52.86'E

A well-maintained, classic Lada in Vidin, Bulgaria. Russian-manufactured Ladas were originally built with considerable Fiat design influence but with an extra dash of Eastern Block reliability.

Position: 43°59.19'N, 22°52.68'E

The gate Stambol Kapiya was built in the 18th century when the city of Vidin was fortified. The gate links to Baba Vida Fortress that we visited earlier, about a mile upriver.

Position: 43°51.64'N, 25°57.80'E

The Musuem of National Transporation in Ruse, Bulgaria highlights the region's train transport system with displays including engines, luxury carriages, railroad maps and model trains and stations.

Position: 43°51.13'N, 25°57.70'E

Ruse is a beautiful, green city with much public art and many parks. Here we are walking along one of the many paths through Renaissance Park.

Position: 43°51.03'N, 25°57.61'E

The Pantheon of National Revival Heroes holds the remains of revolutionaries who died fighting for Bulgaria's independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1877-78. The Pantheon was completed in 1978 on the centennial of the revolution.

Position: 43°50.94'N, 25°57.16'E

Enjoying a cold cider overlooking Svoboda Square, one of the main squares in Ruse, Bulgaria.

Position: 43°50.65'N, 25°56.92'E

Ruse, Bulgaria is known as the 'Little Vienna' for it's 19th- and 20th-century Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo architecture. This is the Regional Library, established in 1888 and the oldest cultural center on the country.

Position: 43°50.78'N, 25°56.69'E

Remains in Ruse, Bulgaria of the Roman settlement Sexaginta Prista, dating to the first century AD. The name implies a "city of sixty ships", suggesting this was a major Roman military or trade center.

Position: 43°52.20'N, 25°57.94'E

Our transportation for the day, booked with Daytrip.com. The service worked well on our Switzerland trip for a transfer from Turano, Italy to Lugano, Switzerland. This time we'll be transferring from Giurgiu, Romania at 9am to the Bucharest airport for a late afternoon flight. After an hour drive to Bucharest, we spent a few hours exploring the city on foot, then continued on to the airport, stopping at a few sites along the way. This arrangement worked out super-well, as we could leave our luggage in the car and travel lightly in Bucharest.

Position: 44°26.10'N, 26°6.04'E

Scholar George Lazar is one of four notable Romanians depicted in statues along University Square. Standing opposite the University of Bucharest, the square was the northern limit of the city in the 15th century.

Position: 44°25.98'N, 26°5.93'E

19th century Macca-Villacrosse Passage was built to connect Bucharest Old Town with Victoriei Street, then the city's main street. The striking passageway is lined with cafes that were just starting to open for the day as we arrived.

Position: 44°25.65'N, 26°6.15'E

Forty-four different fountains make up the Bucharest Fountains, constructed during the Soviet era. At night they are lit up in a spectacular computerized light display.

Position: 44°25.64'N, 26°5.47'E

The Palace of Parliament, the seat of the Parliament of Romania, is the second largest administrative building in the world after the Pentagon. Created starting in 1984 at the behest of Romania's former dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, the building has over 3,000 rooms and measures 3.5 million square feet (330,000 sq m). We were planning to take a tour of the building, but it was closed today due to a national holiday.

Position: 44°25.84'N, 26°6.01'E

A delicious lunch at Arcade Cafe in Bucharest Old Town. The cafe was lightly filled when we arrived, but every table was taken by the time we finished.

Position: 44°28.02'N, 26°4.69'E

Bucharest's Triumphal Arch was built in 1935 to commemorate Romania's 1918 reunification following World War I. The 88-foot (27m) structure is about half the size of its Paris namesake.

Position: 44°34.25'N, 26°4.84'E

Getting a little work down at the Bucharest airport lounge before our flight to Amsterdam.

Position: 52°28.29'N, 5°43.67'E

Ijsseloog is an artificial island in the Netherlands used to decontaminate polluted sludge. We passed right by it in Dirona in 2019 shortly after passing under the Swifterbant Bridge, but it wasn't nearly as obvious from the water as it is from the air on our flight to Amsterdam from Bucharest.

Position: 52°26.25'N, 5°26.84'E

Sunset as our flight arrives into Amsterdam.

Position: 52°13.92'N, 4°46.32'E

De Kwakel in the Netherlands reminded us very much of our trip through the canals in Dirona from Amsterdam to Antwerp.

Position: 52°18.59'N, 4°45.79'E

Jennifer checking out an aircraft landing gear in a KLM display at the Amsterdam airport.

Position: 52°18.53'N, 4°45.60'E

The soaring atrium at the Sheraton Amsterdam where we'll be staying for the night before our flight to Seattle the next morning. At center is a bar where we stopped in for a drink and a light snack.

Position: 47°36.65'N, -122°20.91'W

Mt. Rainier dominating the Seattle skyline on a warm and clear spring afternoon, viewed from our dinner table on the patio at Anthony's Pier 66 restaurant.

Position: 47°36.64'N, -122°20.91'W

The Norwegian Sun departing Pier 66 in Seattle. With more unseasonably warm weather, we had an early dinner on the patio at Anthony's Pier 66 restaurant to watch the ship depart.

Position: 47°36.99'N, -122°20.58'W

The Norwegian Bliss arriving into Pier 66 shortly after 5am this morning. The Alaska cruise ship season isn't yet in full swing, but we're loving seeing the ships back again.

Position: 47°37.01'N, -122°20.58'W

We've concluded that the HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) program we were following provided an insufficient cardio workout and are trying out a new program using the well-equipped fitness center in our apartment complex. So far the new program has been quite effective, and we have had no trouble getting machines when we need them.

Position: 47°37.55'N, -122°20.11'W

A spectacular iris blossom along south Lake Union.

Position: 47°37.54'N, -122°20.21'W

Enjoying a drink on the patio at Tapster, a self-pour bar where you can serve yourself as little as an ounce to try different beverages.

Position: 47°35.45'N, -122°19.98'W

A near sellout crowd for a Saturday night Seattle Mariners MLB game on an unseasonably warm May afternoon.

Position: 47°37.00'N, -122°20.60'W

The Celebrity Edge arriving into Pier 91 for its inaugural Alaska cruise. The 1,004-ft (306 m) ship holds 2,900 passengers and was launched in 2018 at a cost of roughly US$1 billion. The distinctive orange rectangle on the side supports the "Magic Carpet", a movable platform that facilitates tender embarkation and debarkation in port and otherwise functions as a restaurant or lounge.

Position: 47°57.04'N, -122°17.82'W

Our Honda Passport secured with a chock on the ramp of the ferry Kitsap that we're taking from Mukilteo to Clinton on Whidbey Island.

Position: 47°57.05'N, -122°17.83'W

The ferry Kitsap departing the new terminal at Mukilteo.

Position: 47°58.49'N, -122°21.12'W

The crossing to Whidbey Island is only 20 minutes from Mukilteo and it seemed like we'd barely gotten underway when we were arriving already.

Position: 48°2.47'N, -122°24.58'W

The spectacular Saratoga Suite at the Inn at Langley is the first place we've found that comes even close to the Shelter:One, the fabulous house we rented near Joshua Tree National Park.

Position: 48°2.45'N, -122°24.46'W

We had a delicious pizza over a bottle of wine with a view to Saratoga Pass at Village Pizzeria in Langley.

Position: 48°2.26'N, -122°24.29'W

After dinner at Village Pizzeria, we walked south along the waterfront bluffs and caught site of Nordhavn 40 Truly moored at diminutive Langley Harbor.

Position: 48°2.39'N, -122°24.61'W

Spyhop Public House in Langley is a great neighbourhood pub. We stopped in for a quick drink on our way back to our hotel.

Position: 48°2.44'N, -122°24.57'W

The Rob Schouten Gallery Sculpture Garden showcases some of Whidbey Island's finest sculptures. It's a real gem. In the foreground is Bowed Raven in bronze by Georgia Gerber.

Position: 48°2.48'N, -122°24.58'W

A gorgeous sunset overlooking Saratoga Passage, viewed from the deck of our room at the Inn at Langley.

Position: 48°2.47'N, -122°24.57'W

Bundled up to enjoy breakfast outside on the deck of our Langley hotel room, with a view to Saratoga Passage.

Position: 48°2.48'N, -122°24.57'W

Nordhavn 50 Truly, that we saw last night in Langley Harbor, northbound in Saratoga Passage.

Position: 48°2.89'N, -122°27.22'W

An afternoon hike in Putney Woods County Park near Langley. This hike is a little different in that we are trying "rucking", which is walking carrying a weighted backpack. James is carrying 23.8 pounds (10.8kg) in bottles of water and Jennifer is carrying 17 lbs (7.7kg). The idea is to improve strength, balance and cardiovascular capacity in a low impact way. Normally a hike like this would feel a little tame, but with the weight it was more challenging and interesting. We quite enjoyed the hike and are looking forward to trying rucking again.

Position: 48°2.44'N, -122°24.49'W

A delicious dinner on the deck at Primo Bistro in Langley overlooking Saratoga Pass.

Position: 48°2.45'N, -122°24.50'W

A live jazz band playing to an appreciate crowd at Ott and Hunter Wines, where we stopped for an after-dinner glass of wine.

Position: 48°2.47'N, -122°24.58'W

Another beautiful sunset, viewed from the deck of our room at the Inn at Langley.

Position: 48°2.47'N, -122°24.57'W

A final view to Saratoga Passage, this time at low tide, from our room at the Inn at Langley.

Position: 47°58.51'N, -122°20.99'W

Back on the ferry Kitsap to return to Seattle from Whidbey Island. We had a fabulous weekend in Langley and definitely will return.

Position: 47°49.91'N, -122°18.33'W

Exceptional tacos and delicious brews on the patio at Peace of Mind Brewing in Lynnwood on our drive back to Seattle from our weekend in Langley.

Position: 36°9.44'N, -86°46.85'W

James' beautiful suite at the 1 Hotel on a business trip to Nashville.

Position: 36°9.61'N, -86°46.70'W

Looking down Broadway in Nashville at the intersection with Rep. John Lewis Way. Historic Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, on the left, sponsors NASCAR drivers Daniel Saurez. The grey building behind it on the left is the Ryman Auditoriam, home of the famous Grand Ole Oprey. On the right is Honky Tonk Highway, a row of live music venues along Broadway.

Position: 36°9.44'N, -86°46.84'W

The fantastic pool at the Westin Nashville, viewed from James' room at the 1 Hotel.

Position: 36°9.45'N, -86°46.70'W

Countdown to the start of OpsLive 2024, a biennial Amazon-internal conference held this year in Nashville, where James will be presenting later today.

Position: 47°37.03'N, -122°20.62'W

A wine tasting with local Alexandria Nicole Cellars, organized by our apartment complex.

Position: 47°37.02'N, -122°20.78'W

A spectacular sunset, viewed from the top floor of the north tower in our apartment complex during the wine tasting.

Position: 47°36.99'N, -122°20.58'W

Ferry arriving into Seattle at dusk on an ultra-calm evening.

Position: 46°58.05'N, -121°17.15'W

Snow-encrusted Mt. Rainier rising above the clouds, viewed from James' flight home from a business trip to Nashville

Position: 47°36.99'N, -122°20.57'W

In the lobby of our apartment building before heading out for dinner.

Position: 47°36.16'N, -122°20.47'W

Our Honda Passport back on a ferry ramp, this one from Seattle to Bainbridge Island to spend the Memorial Day weekend in Port Townsend. The most expedient way to get there is by ferry further north from Mukilteo to Kingston, but we suspected it might be busy on a long-weekend Friday afternoon, so instead opted for slightly-less efficient route via ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island. If that was full, we could take the ferry from the same terminal to Bremerton, and if both those failed, we could drive through Tacoma. The route through Tacoma is actually the fastest, but spending so much time driving on busy I-5 is less appealing.

Position: 47°44.18'N, -122°34.06'W

An archway through sunlit new foliage as we pass through the Port Madison Reservation en route to Port Townsend.

Position: 48°6.00'N, -122°48.81'W

Port Townsend describes itself as "A Victorian Seaport & Arts Community". The city has many late 19th-century Victorian buildings dating from its prime as a major shipping port in the area. Today Port Townsend supports a thriving art scene and is home to many world-renowned marine trades craftspeople, particularly for wooden boats. The annual Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival is one of the largest of its kind in the world, drawing about 30,000 people annually.

Position: 48°6.60'N, -122°45.98'W

Our slightly aging room with a world-class view at the Tides Inn in Port Townsend for the Memorial Day weekend.

Position: 48°6.88'N, -122°45.42'W

Delicious tacos for dinner at La Cocina in Port Townsend.

Position: 48°6.61'N, -122°45.95'W

Breakfast on the deck of our room at Tides Inn in Port Towsend.

Position: 48°6.61'N, -122°45.95'W

A deer and her fawn were among the many creatures foraging at low tide just outside our hotel room at Tides Inn in Port Townsend.

Position: 48°6.61'N, -122°45.95'W

We've several times anchored off Tides Inn in Port Townsend, and our room was so close that we felt transported back to those times, as if we too were on a boat at anchor.

Position: 48°7.05'N, -122°45.67'W

A great lunch at the Uptown Pub in Port Townsend. Everyone seemed to know everyone else in this welcoming neighborhood pub.

Position: 48°4.63'N, -122°47.50'W

We enjoyed our first rucking hike and are taking another, this time at Fort Townsend Historical State Park. Rucking is walking carrying a weighted backpack, to improve strength, balance and cardiovascular capacity in a low impact way.

Position: 48°4.66'N, -122°47.66'W

The torpedo x-ray tower at Fort Townsend Historical State Park was built for the a World War II US Navy Explosive Laboratory used to inspect enemy submarine torpedoes and sea mines. The facility used a 2 million-volt x-ray machine, later moved to Bremerton Naval Shipyard, that could penetrate through 10 inches of steel.

Position: 48°6.91'N, -122°45.43'W

The Haller Fountain is a 1993 bronze replica, donated by Theodore N. Haller, of the original 1903 Galatea Fountain. The 138-step Terrace Steps behind the fountain connect downtown and uptown Port Townsend.

Position: 48°6.91'N, -122°45.43'W

Dinner at Alchemy in Port Townsend next to the Haller Fountain. The restaurant has recently changed owners and didn't live up to its positive reviews, but we had an enjoyable evening.

Position: 48°6.86'N, -122°45.35'W

We stopped into Sirens Pub on the Port Townsend waterfront for an after-dinner drink and ended up staying for hours to watch the excellent guitar work of Seattle-based artist BluMeadows. We had a fabulous evening, and got to know several locals and some of the staff at Sirens.

Position: 48°6.61'N, -122°45.95'W

To get started with rucking (walking carrying weight), we are carrying bottles of water in our regular hiking pack. We increased the weight a bit since our first time and James now is carrying 27.2 pounds (12.3 kg) in 8 bottles of water and Jennifer is carrying 20.4l bs (9.3 kg) in 6 bottles. We're liking the activity quite a bit, so likely will invest in specialized rucking gear.

Position: 48°1.18'N, -122°48.32'W

Out rucking (walking carrying weight) in Anderson Lake State Park near Port Townsend. Besides the exercise advantages of rucking, we're enjoying being out on trails that otherwise would feel a little tame if we were just walking without weight. We've been finding plenty of well-maintained and appealing trails that are ideal for rucking.

Position: 48°1.40'N, -122°47.71'W

Jennifer inspecting a very large rock during our ruck at Anderson Lake State Park.

Position: 48°7.03'N, -122°45.01'W

A delicious ahi tuna nicoise salad for lunch at Doc's Marina Grill in Port Townsend. We'd been to their Bainbridge Island location a few weeks back, and the food here also very good.

Position: 48°6.54'N, -122°46.26'W

An excellent afternoon in great company at the Pourhouse in Port Townsend with Paul and Kris Leathers. Paul worked with Jennifer on her last team at Microsoft, the Chakra Javascript engine, and now lives in Port Townsend.

Position: 48°6.86'N, -122°45.35'W

We stopped in at Sirens Pub for dinner and one last bit of live music before returning to Seattle. The featured band tonight was the Sofa Kings, made up of Sirens employees, several of whom we'd chatted with the previous night while watching BluMeadows.

Position: 47°52.01'N, -122°38.21'W

Returning back across the Hood Canal Bridge on our return from Port Townsend to Seattle. Today is Memorial Day and traffic is quite heavy.

Position: 47°47.70'N, -122°29.80'W

On our return from Port Townsend, we crossed the Puget Sound by ferry from Kingston to Edmonds. While waiting for the ferry, we walked the docks at popular Kingston marina. The Bremerton Yacht Club was holding Memorial Day long-weekend rendezvous, with some of their boats heavily decorated for the occasion.

Position: 47°47.71'N, -122°29.70'W

Boarding the ferry Spokane as we return to Seattle from spending Memorial Day weekend in Port Townsend.

Position: 47°36.99'N, -122°20.59'W

The superyacht Liva O moored off Elliott Bay Marina in Seattle. The 387-ft (118 m) yacht, launched in 2023 at an estimated cost of USD $250 million, is the largest and most luxurious ever constructed by German superyacht builder Abeking & Rasmussen.

Position: 47°36.99'N, -122°20.59'W

Modern construction techniques are incredibly efficient. We watched over lunch in our apartment as the forms for the next floor of a building under construction were craned up from the floor below. The crew is able to complete an entire floor in only a few days.

Position: 47°37.32'N, -122°21.25'W

Local Seattle band Deep Sea Diver on stage at Climate Pledge Arena, as the opening act for Pearl Jam. We quite enjoyed their music and performance.

Position: 47°37.31'N, -122°21.23'W

We were super-excited to see live for the first time one of our favorite bands, Pearl Jam, on the second of a two-night appearance at Climate Pledge Arena. This is the first time they've played in their hometown for nearly six years and they put on a fantastic show.

Position: 47°37.33'N, -122°21.21'W

Eddie Vedder, the lead singer for Pearl Jam, performing on stage at Climate Pledge Arena. Born and raised in Illinois, Vedder is wearing the number 34 jersey of Chicago Bear's running back Walter Payton, considered one of the best football players ever.

Position: 47°37.31'N, -122°21.24'W

After their main set, Pearl Jam played several encores to complete their last hometown show for the foreseeable future. We had a fabulous evening and really enjoyed the concert.