All good things must come to an end……it was a very difficult decision to make but after 17 years of cruising we have decided it is now time to pursue new adventures. Our last day aboard Idyll Time was bittersweet as we transited Haro Strait crossing from British Columbia into the United States for the last time. The new owners, Jim and Judi, were waiting […]
November in Seattle
November brought winter weather to Seattle, with heavy rainfall and temperatures that brushed around freezing. We escaped the cold weather, but not the rain, on an Amazon River cruise later in the month. Temperatures there were in the high 90s F (32 C), with the sporadic downpours typical of the tropics. Preparing for the trip…
Amazon River Cruise
The Amazon River is the largest river in the world by discharge volume and second longest in the world (after the Nile). Originating in Peru, the Amazon flows 4,000 miles (6,400 km) eastward drain into to the Atlantic Ocean in Brazil. The river has two seasons, high water and low water, with a 35-45-ft (10.6-13.8m)…
Merry Christmas
“Take a moment to reflect and look back – but only a moment because new possibilities are just over the horizon.” -Author Unknown
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our family and friends. We spent another wonderful year dividing our time between Rockport, TX and Ithaca in upstate New York. We took a trip to Puerto Rico and quite a few smaller trips this year…we seemed to find somewhere special to go almost every month. But our favorite thing to do is spend time with our family.
Our kids are doing well and our grandchildren are growing up way too fast. We don’t have any small ones left. It’s fun watching them grow and their unique personalities emerge. 2023 has been another good year and we are ready for new adventures to come our way in 2024.
Merry Christmas
“Take a moment to reflect and look back – but only a moment because new possibilities are just over the horizon.” -Author Unknown
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our family and friends. We spent another wonderful year dividing our time between Rockport, TX and Ithaca in upstate New York. We took a trip to Puerto Rico and quite a few smaller trips this year…we seemed to find somewhere special to go almost every month. But our favorite thing to do is spend time with our family.
The Boys in the Boat
The #1 New York Times-bestselling The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown chronicles the true story of Joe Rantz and his working-class teammates on the University of Washington rowing crew who, against all odds, competed for the gold medal at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. The book was recently made into a movie…
Fresh Hop Season
October is the height of fresh hop beer season in the Pacific Northwest. We didn’t plan a fresh hop tasting tour to Ballard this year, but ended up doing a small one with a tasting flight of fresh hop beers at Fremont Brewing in Ballard after a late Friday afternoon appointment nearby. While Ballard remains…
Back to Warm Weather
The Pacific Northwest often has wonderfully clear fall weather, with temperatures warm enough to eat outside, and this year was no exception. Except for a couple of days of heavy rain, we experienced September temperatures that often were above 70°F (21°C) and enjoyed many meals outside under a cloudless blue sky. And the wonderful weather…
Victoria
In late September, we made a long-planned weekend trip by floatplane to Victoria to celebrate the 70th birthday of James’ uncle Neil. We spent two nights in our home town, exploring the city, visiting old haunts and new places, and catching up with the Hamilton clan. Taking a Kenmore Air floatplane from South Lake Union…
Reykjanes Penninsula
The Reykjanes Peninsula, also known as the Southern Peninsula, juts into the North Atlantic Ocean from Iceland’s southwest corner. Lying directly over the Mid Atlantic Ridge, one of the larges tectonic plate boundaries in the world, the area is prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity. Recently, much of the peninsula is under volcano watch after…
