Nature | Adventures On the Road

Off to the Islands….

22 07 2015

San Juans. That is.

Much to the surprise of many of our Seattleite-friends, I have never visited the San Juan Islands. It’s almost the equivalent of telling the locals that you’ve never been to Alaska – what??? You wouldn’t think that not seeing Alaska was out of the ordinary, but it appears that Alaska is a pretty common trip out here. And that too, is a place I have yet to visit.

For this maiden voyage to the San Juan Islands we decided to make it a family affair. With the 5 of us stuffed into the FJ we started our journey on a grey, drizzly Saturday – typically common for the Pacific NorthWest but after the summer we’ve been having it was not the type of weather I wanted or was expecting for my little family vacation. But we eased our way to Anacortes, WA – 1.5 hours north of Seattle and our first stop on our 4 day adventure.

After enjoying lunch at Gere-a-Deli‘s in downtown historic Anacortes, with giant portions of traditional deli sandwiches and fluffy slabs of cheesecake and tasty spiced oat cake, we eased our way to Mount Erie. Luckily for us there was a road up to the summit because after the lunch that we had, we were in no shape for a hike, or perhaps because of our shape, maybe we should have hiked….

At an elevation of 1300 feet, the summit at Mt. Erie is the highest point of Fidalgo Island and offers views of the San Juan Islands.

Great opportunity for photos with the best view points near the antennas. And if the scenic overlook isn’t good enough, you can always climb a tree like Nathan to get your shot.

Apparently this is a destination spot for rock climbers as well and hikers and view-gawkers are warned not to drop anything over the viewpoints.

Day 1 of Family Vacation: San Juan Islands edition. Unexpected Viewpoints. Check.

Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: Nature, Photography, Sightseeing, StayCation, Travel, Westcoast
Categories : San Juan Islands, Washington

Just a Little Bird Watching

23 06 2015

You just never know when wildlife is going to appear at your window. Recently there have been videos bouncing around with orca whale sightings in Burrard Inlet – which have made me SUPER jealous. One day I hope to be in the right place at the right time.

In the meantime, I shall pack the camera on random errands….just in case.

And although I do not have any whale sightings to report, we did manage to have quite the bird watching day recently.

First we enjoyed the sights of a sleepy Saturday morning aboard the Southworth ferry.

And although we had only planned to run some errands in Port Orchard and have lunch in Poulsbo, we took a little detour to Seabeck to enjoy the views.

We caught a Sea Gull enjoying some lunch…

And a Great Blue Heron that looks like she’s curtsying for an unseen audience…

And then we were WOW’d by a Bald Eagle sitting on a telephone pole, like he was overseeing his pride lands.

Photo 2 (1)

I am still impressed at how big these eagles are. You can’t really tell when they’re circling up in the sky. But, when this eagle started getting harassed by the crows and took to the skies for a little bit of size intimidation…well it’s pretty obvious he’s just a little bigger than the crow.

Photo 4 (1)

I’d be pretty intimidated if this was coming at me – talons first.

Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: Animals, Nature, Photography, Sightseeing, StayCation, Travel, Westcoast
Categories : Seattle, Washington

The Elusive Wildlife

27 05 2015

I don’t think I would ever make it as a wildlife photographer. I’ve come to realize throughout my experiences stalking birds, cats and bumble bees that I just don’t have the ‘spidey senses’ when it comes to spotting animals or the patience when it comes to catching them in some photo worthy action.

It may sound like I’m only focusing on the birds, cats and bumble bees BUT that is pretty much the only subject matter that shows itself to me. The other day I opted to not join Nathan on an errand. And what do you know, he sees a young humpback whale breaching in the water and a dolphin was chasing his ferry and playing in the wake. WHAT!?? Of course this happens, the one time I decide not to go. It is still my dream, and hopefully achievable goal, to see whales (orcas preferably) in the wild while not on an actual whale watching trip. You would think living in cities that consider ferry boats to be a normal mode of transportation would allow me tons of opportunities….unfortunately these whales have been playing hard to get….for the last 31 years.

Well I did manage to luck out with some wildlife photos during my last visit to Vancouver. Stanley Park is home to one of the largest urban Great Blue Heron colonies in North America. It’s pretty common to see them doing their long-legged strut in Stanley Park and along the seawall at Coal Harbor. And with Great Blue Herons it’s always nice to snap a couple of photos of them doing there thing, searching the water for their next meal, but rarely do you see them actually ‘fish’, much less catch anything.

But this time on an evening stroll with my brother and sister as we headed out to dinner, I took a little more time with a specific Great Blue Heron. Essentially, I had to be willing to be left behind because there was no way my siblings were waiting around for some bird to do something…possibly. And just when I was about to give up and resign myself to the fact that once again, I was only going to get the standard standing tall, maybe head cocked to the side, photo. Whoosh. Great Blue Heron headless – neck deep in the water. I honestly had put the camera down and started walking away, when I heard the water splashing and whipped the camera back up to see what moments I could catch.

Head whipping back and forth. Dinner dropped and picked up again.

Dropped and picked up again.

Another round of head thrashing to try to whip that eel into submission. And finally dinner gave up the fight.

An eel! Yeah! Good job Great Blue Heron! We’re eating EEL tonight!

Ta Da!

And yes, this is still in my normal range of birds, bees and cats but I felt just as triumphant getting these shots as that Great Blue Heron felt munching on his eel.

Comments : 1 Comment »
Tags: Animals, Canada, Nature, Photography, Sightseeing, Westcoast
Categories : Canada, Vancouver

Fields of Gold

14 05 2015

“Tulip Festival? Yeah, that’s exactly what a 16 year old boy wants to do”

I detected just a hint of sarcasm when my friend Kyle said this to me after I spoke of our detour plans to cap off our West Coast Spring Break adventures.

Heading back to Seattle after spending a night in Vancouver – it just made perfect sense to stop in at the Skagit Tulip Festival…especially on a week day.

The festival runs April 1 – 30 and hundreds of thousands of people visit each year to take in the immense colour story that takes place. But, mother nature has a way of marching to the beat of her own drum and there was talk of an early bloom in March. So since we were passing by anyway, we took a shot and although we were a little early in the season for the rows upon rows of colourful tulip fields, we did get to experience the fields of gold filled with daffodils standing tall….without the weekend crowds.

2015-03-13 19.04.37

2015-03-13 19.00.19

2015-03-13 19.01.21

Well, Kyle was pretty much spot on. After an initial nod of appreciation to the seemingly unending yellow fields, Jonathan followed me around the planters filled with early tulips and hyacinth and watched as I crouched down low to get up close and personal with these perennials and tried to capture shots of the buzzing bees busy pollinating up a storm.

2015-03-13 18.57.31

2015-03-13 19.01.40

2015-03-13 19.02.14

He thought maybe he’d have a little more luck of some sort of entertainment tagging along with Nathan, but those hopes were short lived – as soon as we crossed back onto US soil Nathan’s phone was back ‘online’ and without the fear of exorbitant roaming fees, he was back to work and could be seen ‘enjoying’ the view weaving through daffodil fields aimlessly while talking on his phone.

Jonathan found himself drawn back to me and my honey bee stalking. After some frustrating moments trying to capture my bees with a camera with no auto focus, I gave up, manual focus requires the guaranteed stillness of plants. But even that isn’t guaranteed – one stiff breeze, or even a gentle sway, and everything starts to get a little fuzzy.

2015-03-13 18.58.16

Well, there’s only so long you can drag a teenager around in the flower beds, so we headed out for lunch in La Conner – chowder and fish and chips by the waterfront – something a little more exciting than flowers to our ‘foodie in training’. Well, another visit during peak tulip season is in order, but perhaps we’ll leave the 16 year old at home.

Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: Nature, Photography, Sightseeing, Spring Break, StayCation, Travel, Westcoast
Categories : Washington

Spring Break: WestCoast Style

5 05 2015

Spring is here! And with Spring comes Spring Break.

Now, it’s been years since I’ve thought about Spring Break and that’s only because I happened to visit Lake Havasu City during Spring Break and got to witness the shenanigans that took place – drunk guys wearing boxes on their heads, girls sporting pasties and old men showing off what they’re working with in waaaay less clothing than they should be wearing. And before that, when I should have been one of those dancing beach bombshells (kidding) we didn’t really have ‘Spring Break’ – those of you at SFU know that what we had was ‘Reading Break’ – which doesn’t really inspire spontaneous trips to Cancun or Cabo or some other spring break sounding place.

Well this year, Nathan and I took Jonathan, who is now 16 years old, out for Spring Break – WestCoast style.

First up: Victoria, BC

After narrowly missing the Black Ball Ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria because we just HAD to stop for the ‘Best Fish & Chips’ at JJ’s Fish House in Poulsbo, we found ourselves basking in the sun on the upper deck as we motored our way across the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

After an hour and a half we found ourselves in downtown Victoria – which brought back memories of Spring Break like times from yesteryear….first year university and all the girls went for a road trip and found ourselves in Victoria. We all chipped in to stay at Paul’s Motor Inn (which I saw this trip) and after, probably more than a few drinks, found ourselves on the stage at a Karaoke Bar singing Girls Just Want to Have Fun. And I think we made it through a verse and a chorus before somehow the song was over already and we were being ushered off the stage….still haven’t figured that one out. Ha!

Well for this trip to Victoria, we took the opportunity to walk the harbor and take in the Parliament Buildings.

2015-03-13 18.37.17

After a quick overnight, we were back on the road and headed to Tofino, BC.

2015-03-13 18.38.55

Now, this is the second time we’ve been here with Jonathan so we knew the drill. Our first stop was to rent a couple of wetsuits and boogie boards. And after a quick lunch on the water we were suited up like seals with hoods, gloves and booties ready to brave the balmy 48 F waters of the Pacific Ocean.

Cox Bay Beach

An hour and a half later we dragged ourselves out of the water. I was still on an adrenaline high – for a girl who can’t really swim and isn’t the best at water sports, I was riding those waves all the way onto the beach! Now Jonathan on the other hand, well turns out his gloves had holes in them, so after an hour in the water he ended up with white hands and what locals would call ‘The Claw’. It took a soak in the hot tub and another couple hours inside before his hands started to resemble something other than an arthritic old man.

Our second day in Tofino we decided to ease back on the water activities, at least those as physically demanding as hurling yourself at an oncoming crush of water to see if it’ll let you go along for the ride or if it’ll twirl you around and spit you out on the other side. So we went on a boat ride in the middle of rainy/stormy weather to enjoy the Hot Springs.

And after a bumpy, slightly nauseating ride where we saw eagles, harbor seals, seal lions and a glimpse of a sea otter, we found ourselves at Maquinna Provincial Park and just a 2km walk through a WestCoast rain forest from the Hot Springs.

2015-03-13 18.47.56

We arrived to the Hot Springs platform and change rooms about 45 minutes later and although there was a slight sulphur smell in the air, the view was enchanting.

2015-03-13 18.47.23

There’s something about sitting in geothermically-heated hot springs with the rain falling down on you as you hear the roar of the waves crash against the rocks around you that just seems a little crazy.

After a soak and then watching some adrenaline daredevils jump from the rocks into the waves…we headed back to the dock…

…where we were greeted by our ride home! After enduring the hour and a half ride jostling in the waves to get there, the Sea Plane – with its 15 minute trip time – never looked so good!

View of the Hot Springs from above

It was a gorgeous way to see the coastline and a perfect way to cap off our time in Tofino.

The next day it was an early morning drive to Parksville – a stop in to see my parents – before hopping on a ferry to Vancouver, BC.

I always forget how beautiful and peaceful it is on the Island – I definitely took it for granted growing up there – but I never forget how fortunate I am to have called Vancouver home, even if just for a short time. It’s just gorgeous!

View of Coal Harbor from the Westin Bayshore

And so there you have it – ferry boats, boogie boarding in wet suits, marine life, Hot Springs, sea planes, mountain views and all you can eat sushi (not shown but definitely eaten): Spring Break – WestCoast Style!

Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: Boating, Canada, Hot Springs, Life, Nature, Photography, Random Life, Sightseeing, Spring, Spring Break, Tofino, Travel, Vancouver Island, Victoria, Westcoast
Categories : Canada, Tofino, Vancouver Island, Victoria

Beauty in the Mist

8 10 2014

It is amazing that on one day I can see this:

Seattle Skyline – View from West Seattle

And a couple of days later, I see this:

View of Elliott Bay – No Skyline in Sight and some very hardcore paddle boarders

The Fog did lift a little bit while I was out on my walk to reveal sights like this….

Can’t pass up a good photo op (of a photo op)

On this dreary foggy morning I had to force myself out of the house. The reason I gave myself: it’s not raining. Yes it was gray and foggy out, and there was a lot of moisture – some might say mist – in the air. But it wasn’t raining. And we’re on the cusp of the season where, if it’s not raining out it’s pretty much the equivalent of a sunny day in the summer – you have to take advantage.

But as I walked along the waterfront walkways, trying my hardest to see something, anything in the whitish gray fog, I found a couple of things that caught my eye.

On a normal day these wispy plants catch my attention long enough for me to trail my fingers along their tips as I walk by. But today, when they were heavy with dew – these dew drops earned at least 5 minutes of my attention. Hard to take photos when they’re swaying in the wind – and although you don’t see it in the photo – my fingers are holding these strands in place after one too many blurry photo.

20141007_091859

And then I came across something that I couldn’t resist. People probably thought I was crazy, standing with my back to the water, squeezed on a 6 inch ledge between the water and a tree. And although I hate…HATE spider webs – when they’re all glittery and sparkly with dew drops, they become irresistible to me.

Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: Nature, Photography, Seattle, Walking Tour, Westcoast
Categories : Seattle, Washington, West Seattle

Transitioning: Summer to Fall

8 10 2014

Now that green is starting to ease into yellow, orange and red and a crispness is starting to add a little snap to the air, I’m starting to reminisce on my summer moments.

Maybe I was ‘living in the moment’ and really living in the experience rather than thinking about how I was going to re-tell the story. Or maybe I was too busy trying to pack as much activity into the warm weather as possible that I rushed through one activity in search of the next. Either way, Fall is approaching, and with the changing of the leaves brings just enough transition that it’s made me pause in place and gather photos from the summer.

Everyone goes through the transition from Summer to Fall. Preparation for hibernation perhaps? The excitement to bring back over-sized sweaters, cuddly scarves and of course those Fall boots! I have a love-hate relationship with said boots. I spend my days admiring the different boots that I see prancing down the street – chocolate brown, black, wedge heel, flat stomping boots, sleek and stylish high-heeled boots. Needless to say, I have boot envy. I see everyone looking fantastic in their fall boots – really the perfect accessory for fall outfits. But whenever I find myself on the hunt for the perfect boots I end up frustrated and sad because, after all, I carry my height in my torso. I have short legs and athletic calves. The worst combination! Which essentially means that boots don’t fit me – even the ones with extended calf sizes 😦

But enough about the boots. I find myself on a tangent as meandering as the paths I hope to stroll through this Fall – stomping through all of the fallen leaves and hearing that satisfying ‘crunch crunch crunch‘ as I walk.

Finally I’m looking back at what took place this summer – a summer that took Seattle by surprise with day after day of 80+ degree weather.

Seattle Sights:

The Great Wheel

Kayaking around Alki

Making Discoveries!

Alki Sunsets

Great Friends…

And Ferry Boats.

Mt. Rainier Sunsets

Exploring the ‘wilderness’ of Port Orchard:

2014-08-17 09.04.53

20140817_081556

Whirlwind Work Trips in Chicago:

Chicago Art

Chicago Architecture

Home (Vancouver):

Vancouver Icon – ‘Canada Place’

Sunsets at Vancouver Harbour

Deer Lake Park

Food – delicious, beautiful, tasty morsels of goodness!

Neapolitan Style Pizza

Farmer Fresh Artisanal Snack Plates

Chocolate Covered Figs

It feels like the summer was over in a blink but at the same time, with so many consecutive days of sunshine, it seemed like it was gorgeous day after gorgeous day – which puts a lot of pressure on a person. Especially a person from the Pacific Northwest, where you cannot take sunshine for granted and on each sunny day you feel pressure to kick yourself out of bed and DO something. Anything really. You’ve got to head straight to those walking/running paths, be in or on the water, be at the farmers market every weekend, and eat and drink on every patio you come across. By the time Fall arrives you’re just exhausted from all of those sunny days and secretly wishing for a rainy day so you don’t have to feel so guilty for spending a day inside watching movies (or a How I met your mother/Orange is the new black/House of Cards marathon).

LOVED summer. LOVE summer. But (as I look right and left and duck my head) I’m kind of ready for Fall. I’m sure in a month, when Seattle descends into its Grey season and there are more rainy days than not rainy days, I will take back those words – but for now, after over 40 days of 80+ degree weather this summer – I’m ready for an excuse to have a lazy day.

Comments : 1 Comment »
Tags: Canada, Food, Friends, Nature, Photography, Random Life, Seattle, Sightseeing, StayCation, Westcoast
Categories : Chicago, Seattle, Vancouver, Washington, West Seattle

Just a little more pool time please

13 06 2014

There’s only so much sitting around the pool and soaking up the sun you can do……but I have to admit, I could have done just a little more.

We spent a long weekend in San Diego to celebrate our two year anniversary and it was fantastic! We’ve done road trips and quick trips to Arizona and San Francisco this year, but it has been a really long time since we took a trip with the sole purpose of not doing anything. We didn’t get a rental car because we didn’t want to feel forced to use it. So that meant wandering from pool to hot tub, to room for a nap, to an onsite restaurant for dinner and back again. Three days of heavenly, lazy bliss.

There were plenty of water sports to partake in if we wanted to. But, the pool seemed way too inviting. And there was a fitness center, and I even brought my running shoes. But did those shoes take one step outside of the room? Actually, did they take one step out of the suitcase? With mixed emotions, I say ‘no’!

It wasn’t until our last day when we had checked out of our room already and were looking to kill a little time, did we finally explore the resort other than the direct paths between the pools, restaurants and our bungalow. And we found a tropical jungle. There’s something very prehistoric feeling about some of this foliage.

Comments : 1 Comment »
Tags: California, Food, Life, Nature, Photography, Travel, Westcoast
Categories : California, San Diego

I Miss You Vancouver!

12 05 2014

When you catch it from its good side, it’s hard not to fall in love with Vancouver, and really hard not to reminisce on the great times you’ve had there and think about all the summer patio moments you’re going to miss. But again, you have it catch it from its good side. The previous times we’ve visited this year it’s been grey, rainy and made you want to get home and curl up under the blankets (even if those blankets are 3 hours away). But Vancouver when it’s sunny?

Ohhhh… It’s hard to drag yourself away.

Lost Lagoon – Stanley Park

Spring goslings

Brother & Sister Time!

Spring Buttercups

Nesting Trumpeter Swan

Balancing Turtles

Lost Lagoon – Stanley Park

Vancouver Skyline from Lost Lagoon

Second Beach Views

Nature’s Art Gallery

Balancing Rocks

Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: Animals, Canada, Family, Nature, Photography, Random Life, Sightseeing, Travel, Walking Tour, Westcoast
Categories : Uncategorized, Vancouver

An Afternoon in Chamonix, France

10 02 2014

When I think about Europe, I think about how everything is so close to each other. I grew up taking an hour and a half ferry ride from Vancouver Island to Vancouver, so I know that ferries can get you places, but they don’t usually get you that far. My last trip to Europe I took an hour and a half ferry ride and I went from England to France – the close proximity just blows my mind!

One weekend we decided to take a quick afternoon trip. From Geneva, Switzerland to Chamonix, France – just an hour and a half drive and you go from Lake Geneva to the French Alps.

On the way I saw signs for Milan and Turin. It’s a strange feeling to start an afternoon in one country, know that your destination is in a second country, but as soon as you cross the border there are already signs for cities in a third country!

Chamonix, France felt very French to me – for obvious reasons I guess. You can tell by the style of the buildings, the conversations around you and the number of restaurants that are trying to tempt you with crepes, fondue and tartiflette (a classic french dish made with potatoes, reblochon cheese, lardons and onions). I will say this though, we walked into a couple different meat and cheese shops and as we walked through the door I was bombarded by the shops’ smell. Stereotype or not – it smelled like feet.

I definitely enjoyed wandering around the snowy village, dodging the skiers and snowboarders while taking photos of my sister and brother in law, who made it look like we should have been in Antarctica with all of their fur.

I did add a little bit of North American spontaneity to the atmosphere though – a little bit of a snow ball fight, which was more of an ice crystal fight. My sister said it looked like we were dogs burrowing in the snow drift. I did manage to make 2 snowballs though – both carefully aimed.

And lastly, I tried to fit myself into a gondola car. My idea. At first I thought no problem, but maybe it was meant for kids or skinny french women to fit into because it was a feat to get both my front and my back through that narrow door. I made it – and that was after Soup a l’oignon gratinee, des frites and a taste of the tartiflette. But…..before the Speculos and caramel beurre sale macarons.