Wonderful Oaxaca

People simply shake their heads at our taking a vacation from Puerto Vallarta but....Oaxaca called.  Doug had never been and I was there in the mid 70's.  Definitely time to revisit this magical city.

Dinner our first night on the zocalo.  I ordered a favorite - chile relleno.  I was a bit surprised that they contained pumpkin seeds in the chicken mixture and the MORE surprised to discover the seeds
were really another protein source - grasshoppers!

Grasshoppers with garlic, Grasshoppers with Chile and Plain Old Grasshoppers!

Oaxaca's churches are beautiful.  This church took hundreds of years to build and is booked for weddings three years in advance!

Rodrigo and Fernanda's wedding was a community affair that we joined!

Mescal hearts being prepared for roasting.  An early step in a long process in an area that is noted for its craft mescals which are made in the old way!

If you saw Coco, you might recognize this as an Albrije from the most notable of the Albrejes village.

Traditional dress and Indigenous languages abound!

!

A visit to a weaving and embriodery village.

El Tule is the largest tree in the world with a diameter of 31 feet but redwoods are taller!

Do not think for a moment that grasshoppers was our main menu.  Our dinners were sophisticated and delightful.  The wine selection was expansive and excellent.

If you have the opportunity, do visit this wonderful city even if it means leaving the paradise of Puerto Vallarta!

Along the Way South

When we leave the boat, it is always a bittersweet time - another boating season has ended but also another Mexico season has begun.  There was much joy in our travels.  First, we welcome Miss Eleanor Rowan to our family.  First child of proud parents, Tammy and Ron.

Mother and Child Reunion

Papa Falls in Love Again

A Very Happy Day

We not only celebrated a new love but also celebrated an  old love.

Jerry and Valerie McVay Celebrate 50 Years

Before the Celebration

From Olympia we head to San Francisco to see Jim and Masa and hang out with Mila and her parents.

Hanging out with Melissa and Mila

Mila Gets Even More Beautiful

Then on the visit Shari and Ryan, Jude and Taryn.  What a wonderful time we had.  They are happily relocated to Arizona.  We spirited away the children for a day at Goldfield Ghost Town in the Superstition Mountains.

The Superstition Mountains still hide the Lost Dutchman Mine.

 Jude in Motion

 Nanna and Taryn on the Train

 Pretty Girl 

Our Very Own J-Bug

Here is the Unicorn but the Ninja Must Be Invisible

On to Mexico!

Jeff's Garden

As a child, Jeff was nowhere to be found when there was gardening to be done but now is a different story.  His gardens in the San Juan Islands are a special treat.  Take a short tour with us!

 A mixed bouquet

 A General Garden View

 Dahlias will always remind us of Aunt Vickie

 One of many heather varieties

 An unusual hydrangea

 Lilies anyone?

My favorite brother and me!

An August End to Summer

Our season came to an end a tat early this year but what a wonderful summernit was.  In late July, our friends, Starr and Glen, from Peace River, Alberta joined us for 5 days.  Delightful people who are just the salt of the earth.

Good Friends ad Good Food

Good Salmon Fishing

One Blue Lingcod, Two Lingcod and a Nice Coho!

Sea Urchins Abound

Our Friends, Nancy and Mike

Jan and Doug 

Sea Otters are Rebounding From Near Extinction

Fin Whales Common This year

Spectacular British Columbia

Gardner Canal is said to be the most spectacular fjord in North America.  We must concur.  Debra and Ralph joined us for our fourth trip and their second trip.  It is a remote area that has no outside contact including the Canadian Coast Guard.  But the risk is worth the cautionary measures.

Granite Cliffs in Chief Matthews Bay

A Gardner Canal Glacier

 A Hanging Glacier

Doug Enjoys Europa Hot Springs

Debra and Jan Looking for Grizzly Bears by Kayak

Doug Enjoying Europa Bay Hotsprings

Calm Morning Looking Out to Otter Passage

Mad Wet Eagle Drying Her Wings

Thoughtful Eagle Parents:  A Nest with a Covering

  Another Cougar Grad with a Unique and Beautiful Scarf Designed by Jan

Foraging and Feasting

One might think that all we do in the north country is forage and feast.  Pretty much true!  Fishing has been good, company has been great!  Life is good!

 Find the spot prawns!

Spot Prawns steamed over fresh halibut!

Catch the Halibut!

 Mussel Appetizer

New kind of Quarter Pounder!

Farmer Larson's Hydrophonic Herb Garden

Nice Big Chinook

Mostly Kings for Today!

 Ice Wine served in the Dancing Wine Glasses crafted by our World Famouns Turner Brother

Dale Edwin Larson!