Seatlle Part 1

The Ferry area in Bremerton has changed quite a bit since the last time I went. They have done some amazing things with the area and it sounds like there is more to come.

If you look closely, you can see that there are some etchings in the large propeller.





For some reason, I decided that I liked the Bird's Eye View of this photo.



It had already been a long day so we spent most of the 60-minute Ferry ride into Seattle asleep on one of the large benches. I woke up in time to get a picture of the city as we drew closer to it. Unfortunately, by the time we got to the city some of the main attractions (i.e. Pike's Place) were already closed.



But, I was still able to do what I wanted to do most...get some fresh clam chowder. While it is no secret it may still be a little-known fact that I have a strong affinity for clam chowder...and, the Pacific Northwest does it best. Each restaurant has its own variation of the delectable dish and each one seems to be just as good as the next. Ivar's was no exception. They have various locations but the one that I went to was at the Ferry Harbor/Pier in Seattle.



After eating our soup on the pier we took the leftover french fries outside to the hungry seagulls anxiously awaiting to be fed. Seagulls will allow you to get pretty close when there's a chance that you're bringing them food. I'll be the first to admit that I actually like pictures of seagulls but in this particular picture I like the blurred out boat in the background just a little bit more.



If you've never been to Seattle GO, if you have been GO BACK! I love that place.

Sunset in Seattle

Seattle is easily one of my favorite places to visit. In addition to the wonderful city, I have some of the most amazing friends that are just a ferry ride away. On the first night of my visit last week, some friends and I took the Ferry from Bremerton to Washington. Since it had been a long day I spent most of the ride to Seattle asleep on one of the long benches. After spending a couple of hours in the city we boarded the ferry for the return trip.

We made our way to the top of the ferry to get a better look at the sunset. As is often the case, the picture below will not do it justice. I believe it's because when you look at a picture, you're limited to your sense of sight...the others are left out except where imagination fills in the blanks. As you look at the picture below, try to use that imagination and picture yourself atop a large ferry in the middle of Puget Sound...you lean up against the cool steel railing as a soft gentle breeze caresses your face. You look out toward the horizon to see the sun bid a fond farewell to the day it leaves behind. Beneath you you can hear the sound of breaking waves as the ferry slowly makes its way through the water. You take a deep breath and fill your lungs with fresh air that cools and calms you as you do. A woman says more to herself than to you, 'I've never seen those hues of pink and purple in a sunset before,' and another man nearby sighs, 'this is what life is about...beautiful sunsets.' You silently agree as you grasp for your own elusive words to describe the sunset. You settle with the feelings of peace that it brings to you, and leave words for another day and turn your thoughts and attention to two sail boats drifting in the distance...

Hopefully that allows you to enjoy, at least in part, the wonderful Seattle sunset.

Firework Fun...

Of all of the blessings that I have in this life, my family has to be the biggest and best. I've got some amazing siblings...and my niece isn't too bad either.



We went to the fireworks up at Weber State on Sunday night and had a good ole-fashioned, fun-filled, family-oriented, Founder's day firework festivity.

5:16 Tee-Time / 8:16 T-Time

I've recently taken up golfing...and, if you've ever seen me play, you'll know that 'recently' is an understatement. My golfing buddy, Colin Bell, and I decided to play Central Valley Golf Course today...some people affectionately call it 'Stinky's" since it sits right next to the water treatment plant. Anyway, I called this morning to set up a tee-time for 5:15 and I was informed that they only had a 5:16 tee-time. It was a bit of an inconvenience to wait the extra minute but sometimes it's worth it. What can I say, when you're in good company and out on the golf course, Life is Beautiful. With that said, I think my next 'T-time' will be scheduled for 8:16...and that one I wouldn't miss for 'The World!' even if I don't play the full round, I'll be sure to be there.

Return to Slumber

Between the dark of night and the LIght oF day,
2:36 a.m.
awakEned suddenly.
a flash of lIght, a fleeting image, a fading memory.
trying to remember...
the only remnantS:
faint smell of smoke,
& the Brand of a rEd hot iron.
dry mouth Accompanied by thirst.
Up for waTer.
relIeF.
sUmmoned back to bed.
return to sLumber.

He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named

So, about a month ago, I was persuaded to open my mind (like artists should...not that I'm an artist) and to read the Harry Potter series. I thought that I was doing great and would meet the deadline of having caught up on all of the books before the Half-Blood Prince hit the theaters. Turns out, I was wrong. For whatever reason (probably my unfamiliarity with said series) I thought that it was the fifth movie that was coming out (I haven't seen any of the other movies). So, on my last trip to Texas, I finished up the fourth book (The Goblet of Fire). It wasn't until I spoke with a friend on Saturday and he informed me that it was actually the sixth movie...unfortunately, there wasn't enough time to finish the fifth book. I happened to be given a couple of tickets by Ferrari Color to see a pre-screening of the movie. Naturally, I accepted. I won't give any thoughts or opinions as there are some who may not have seen the movie yet. I will now finish reading the Order of the Phoenix, skip the 6th book (I can only handle so many 700+ page books) and move on to the seventh.



To those who have not yet seen the movie...enjoy.

Bzzzz!

I've never been a fan of baseball...in fact, I've decided that the only time it is even worth watching is when you're there in person. It also helps when you have awesome seats.

What's even better is the ballpark food...the hot dogs, the churros, and of course, the nachos. I was so hungry by the seventh inning stretch that I scarfed down the hot dog and churro before the girl even finished getting my nachos. I was thrilled to learn that she shared my affinity for over-cooked food (i.e. cookies and churros).

With that said, the best part of the game happens to be the people that you are with...






Especially when you decide to pretend you're a celebrity avoiding the paparazzi.




Go Bees!

Ensign Peak

One of my favorite places in Salt Lake is Ensign Peak. It's even better when you can share it with the people that you care about. I'm glad that Tami & Kurt let me tag along with them.

As you can see, the view is amazing from the top. I've been surprised to find out that there are a lot of people that have never been there. Take the time, it's worth it. It's even better at night. The city lights are beautiful and you don't sweat as much on the way up.

Ensign Peak

Friendly Fourth

These posts are not chronological...

Word on the street is that this was the last year for fireworks at Sugarhouse Park...we made the trek to see them. Afterward, we went Leatherby's for a tasty treat.

ah-ma-ree-yo

They say, 'everything is bigger in Texas' and that goes double for the steaks. Just south of the 'beef capital of the world' is the the 'panhandle' town of Amarillo. It is home to The Big Texan Steakhouse. On any given day 1 or 2 people will attempt to eat a 72 oz. steak...if they succeed, they get their meal for free...if they fail, it ends up costing them $72.

As we sat eating our much smaller meal, a young man from Las Vegas sat down to challenge the reigning heavy-weight champion...the 6lb piece of beef (only 4.5 lbs once it was cooked). In order to win the free meal he had to finish the steak in less than one-hour as well as a baked potato, two fried shrimp, a dinner salad, and a bread roll. That my friends is gluttony at its finest. The 240 pound kid from Nevada won the fight with over 10 minutes to spare. While that seems amazing, the record is actually held by someone who was able to eat the whole thing in less than 9 minutes.

But, the real entertainment was the small band that went from table to table playing for the guests. They approached our table, one with a guitar, another with a violin, and the third with a bass. We requested a couple of more modern songs that they weren't familiar with so they decided to play George Strait's 'Ace In The Hole'...a great song, lyrics below.

You've got to have an ace in the hole
A little secret that nobody knows
Life is a gamble a game we all play
But you need to save something for a rainy day
You've got to learn to play your cards right
If you expect to win in life
Don't put it all on the line for just one roll
You've got to have an ace in the hole

If you're headed down a one way street
And you're not sure its the way you wanna go
In money or love or all the above
Have a little more than what you show
No matter what you do
No matter where you go
You've got to have an ace in the hole

Sign, sign, everywhere a sign...

I always dreaded the idea of going to Texas...until I went. Now, I love Texas...maybe that's the 'lonestar' in me. It is a state with a lot of character and even more diversity.

As you travel from large city to large city there are a host of small towns along the way. There is something so familiar about each of the towns and yet so unique. That's why I enjoy driving so much.

If life happened to be a stretch of Texas highway, it would be fair to say that each of us is a traveler, and each of us is a destination.

For those that come at different times into our lives, we are the destination. We are afforded the privilege of showing them the tourist attractions of our small towns. Sharing with them our culture and our way of life.

Likewise, as we travel our own road, we come to stopping points along the way that beckon to us. We take time to familiarize ourselves with their customs and traditions and become the better for it.

As we share these experiences with each other, we grow and progress ourselves. Sometimes we are forced to leave and other times we are compelled to stay. Our small towns consequently grow together and create large cities...each city becomes interdependent in a tightly woven network of family, friends, co-workers, etc.

There are ghost towns left in our cities when some of those travelers leave but their hollowed out homes and overgrown greens leave a distinct impression on our cities and add to their character.

To those who leave, we bid a fond farewell...with open arms to receive them should they ever make it back. But, since there is 'far too much to take in here, more to see than can ever be seen,' it is not likely that they will visit the same town twice. As Robert Frost said of 'The Road Not Taken':

'And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back.'




So, to those who leave our cities, we send with you the best souvenirs that we have to offer...and wish you well on your journey to "A Better Place"

bon voyage!