Rings, Trains and Mushrooms

Olympic rings at Whistler Village

 The drive to Whistler on the Sea to Sky Highway was beautiful, despite the rain and clouds. We traveled through the mountains that were spilling numerous waterfalls due to the rain that had been continuous for the past month. The road followed the coastline for the first half of the trip. The coast was lush, mountainous and squiggly with inlets and coves overlooking islands and peninsulas. It looked like you could never cruise in a straight line to get from one town to another. The town of Squamish looked particularly interesting and the hub of rock climbers and hikers. But Whistler was still a bit farther down the road.

We found our condo, a small but well appointed one bedroom in Whistler Village. We could walk anywhere for dinner, groceries, bars, shops, or hikes in the woods from our place. Whistler installed a comprehensive network of walkways for the Olympics to help keep road traffic manageable.

Our first excursion was a hike to the train wreck! In 1956, a speeding train loaded with timber derailed near the Cheakamus River in a section of the track that was under repair just south of Whistler. The wrecked train cars that  blocked the tracks were dragged into the woods and left to rust because the cost of removing them was prohibitive.  Since then, these mangled steel box cars have been painted by local artists, hikers, mountain bikers.  The local government just built a wooden suspension bridge to help hikers reach the wreck without climbing the rocks to get across the river - which was raging when we were there due to the rains.

Turk on suspension bridge

Water was FAST and LOUD

brightly painted train cars everywhere

I found a bunch of spray paint cans, so...

When in Rome....

Turk was mostly interested in the mushrooms

Gigantic mushrooms!

 We visited the architecturally beautiful Audain Art Museum in Whistler. It houses the private collection of British Colombian First People's masks, and art by BC artists. 

 There was a visiting exhibit of luscious kimonos of a geisha and recording artist named Ichimaru. She lived through the 20th century and had an international following. And she had amazing kimonos!

 We spent one afternoon at the Scandinave Spa. A Scandinavian style spa where you could get heat treatments: hot tub, steam room, wood fired sauna; cold treatments: cold plunge pools with waterfalls; and relaxation spots with amazing mountain views. The treatments locations were spread along several outdoor walkways. Note that it was raining and in the 40's. We were wearing bathing suits and bathrobes, until we got into the outdoor hot or cold tubs. We had no shoes, so walked barefoot. That's when I noticed the sidewalks were heated!  there is a no talking policy, so it is very quiet and relaxing. After several rounds of treatments, we had a massage. It was all a wonderful experience - even with the cold rain.

Whistler Village, a bit of snow up top

sculptures are everywhere in the village

part of the playground in the village. Amazing tree house.

Mark hangs with the locals

I also found a new friend

 

I love that they have an alligator on the sign

They seemed particularly proud of this new sign

Turk samples whistler pastries

Ski Cows

Oh Canada!

Go North!!!  Vancouver awaited so we headed north. Mountains to the east and north were so pretty to these flatland Florida eyes. I keep forgetting that driving to Canada means driving to a different country, requiring passports and border guards. When we realized this, we went into the trunk to dig out the passports and global passes, and repack some of our Washington wine bottles since I was sure these weren't all allowed in.   I was impressed when our Google GPS politely welcomed us to Canada as we waited in line.

Border crossing into Canada

  Then it was our turn to talk with the border police. A few basic questions and then, THE question - do you have any alcohol with you?  The Turk's eyes got big, he started stuttering, and I jumped in and said, 'oh ya. We have a couple bottles for Whistler'.  He asked if we were giving any of the bottles to people in Canada, and I said 'no'.  Well...I planned on drinking at least SOME of every bottle, so nothing was completely being given away.
The Turk did a great job getting us into Vancouver despite crazy Friday traffic and we got to our hotel. The Sunset Inn and Suites was a wonderful haven. A very comfortable efficiency apartment in a great location with friendly and helpful staff.  The Turk and I headed out to Davies Street to check things out. I miss city-access to international foods! Around the corner were restaurants for Pho, Himalayan cuisine, bakeries, Italian, health foods, and more. I just wanted to eat my way around the block!  But we had dinner plans with good friends - so no eating!

Art? outside our hotel (not our hotel in the picture)

WHAT is Transylvania food?

Why are the vegetables wrapped in rubber bands?

Car2Go is Vancouver's answer to Uber which is not allowed. You drive yourself  and drop the car off at nearby lot.

Vancouver has got to be one of the friendliest cities in the world. I wanted to take everyone we met home for dinner. The city is getting ready for the holidays and decorations were going up everywhere - in stores, on the streets, on the buildings. Those lights help brighten up the rainy cold that we had each day.

Decorating the hospital walls

Dinner with friends went by too quickly as we reconnected, and introduced husbands into the mix. Also introduced - a Mexican liquor called Ancho Reyes. The flavor of chilies with a balanced sweetness and alcohol. Quite an interesting and delicious after dinner drink.

bridge from Vancouver heading north

Alas, after a rainy night in Vancouver, and a chocolate croissant for breakfast, we were on our way to Whistler.

A Bottle in Bothell Anyone?

One of the more creative wine labels we saw

A whole MONTH of driving around the Pacific Northwest visiting family, friends and wineries. What could be better? Two months, because a month just isn't enough when you realize there is so much to see and do... and drink.
We arrived in Bothell, WA to a drizzly, cold day. Instead of feeling disappointed, we were thrilled. Florida doesn't have this kind of weather. And now there would be a purpose for things like boots and fireplaces.  Despite the weather we could still see mountains, pacific northwest greenery, and polite people.
Our hotel is a renovated 3 story brick schoolhouse built in the 1930's that was Bothell's main school.

School-Hotel

Our headboard with human heart

First Doctor of Bothell staring at us in our room

The McMinimus brothers from Portland own a number of properties like this in Oregon and Washington. Their signature seems to be renovating locally significant structures in a creative and artistic manner, and creating as many opportunities to serve alcohol in as imaginative locations as possible.  Our property was surrounded by gardens with walking paths that led to a Whiskey hut - complete with roaring fire and amazing assortment of whiskys; and then led to a brewery with outdoor seating around roaring firepits (remember it is cold outside); and then led to a building that originally housed the Olympic sized community pool. Today it still houses the community pool, which is now owned by the McMinimus brothers and shared with both the townsfolk and hotel guests. But it is transformed into an Hawaiian environment complete with bamboo walls, tropical plants, waterfalls, stone heads and, upstairs overlooking the pool - a tiki bar that serves rum flights and pan-asian food.  Did I mention the salt water pool is heated to 90 degrees, creating a steamy fog over the water because the air is a bit cool from the partially open roof.
Of course they have a regular restaurant, gift shop and many fireplaces. I understand from a friend who's family lives in Bothell (unbeknownst to me when we stayed there) that this property has helped transform the formerly sleepy town into a desirable place to visit and live by 'outsiders'. Bothell is going through an obvious building 'boom' with multistory condos above retail shops, a new mall, and major roadwork all happening.  We wish the best for little Bothell in hopes they don't lose their small town warmth that we enjoyed so much.

a MAN tree we saw while wine tasting

the vacuum cleaner robot hanging out on the bench

But why did we even go to Bothell? Because it is near Woodinville where Chateau St. Michelle and wineries and numerous tasting rooms are located.  We were on a wine tasting mission to taste Washington state wines.  And I think we succeeded.

Chateau St. Michelle

Ready for Christmas at the winery - complete with elf feet peaking out

Most of the tasting rooms are located together, surrounding a roundabout in an area called Hollywood Hills that includes an old school and a couple of nice strip mall type buildings. You can park and just walk from tasting room to tasting room with restaurants scattered between. Pretty ideal!

Ready to taste

Walking between tasting rooms sometimes requires going across the street and using the mandatory pedestrian flag!

We ate at Purple for lunch and the Barking Frog for a small dinner. Both restaurants were excellent and the wait staff was extraordinary.
Since we had a sunny day, we headed out for a hike along the Sammamish River. It was a lovely trail and parkland with bald eagles and ducks.

a hiking bridge over Sammamish River in Bothell

crossing one of several bridges

train tressel is part of the trail

We couldn't stay in Bothell too long because we had friends to see in Vancouver!

Glass and Dance in Atlanta

Chihuly exhibit at Atlanta Botanical Gardens

We headed to Atlanta to attend a 'family' wedding - cousin Jan's son. Stayed with good friends Judy and Dave and went to the Chihuly exhibit at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. We got to see the exhibit in day and night and it was a very different experience each way.  This makes me want to go to the new Chihuly gallery in St. Petersburg which is near some breweries. Hmmm.

Same as above, but in the day

this is installed on a fountain

 

looking straight up to these glass flowers

another water installation

detail of a very large column installed next to reflecting pond

I thought this was amazing

While at the botanical gardens we snuck into the orchid pavilion while it was still light. I felt at home since it was warm and humid - just like Florida! I wasnt disappointed in the collection. In fact I was envious that I cant grow these at home.

abundance

these looked like slippers

dark plum colors

so delicate

And then we had the wedding. A truly unique and personalized wedding that fully reflected the couple who got married. Since they are self professed nerds, there were references to Star Wars, Princess Bride, science and astronomy. A joyful evening.

Groom's sister Kennis and bubbles

 

Turk and Kennis hit the dance floor

our official picture from the wedding

Hot Art

The second Saturday evening each month in St. Petersburg the city holds the Artwalk.  Forty studios around town open up for 4 hours to visitors to view, experience, and buy their art. The city has a free bus service that covers the disbursed group of studios. I quickly realized that there was no way all of these could be visited in one or two visits. So the Turk and I focused on one area so we could check out the experience.

all handblown glass

First, it was hot. Not warm. Not balmy. Just hot. So that trolley came in handy. And the heat became an issue when we visited the Duncan McClellan Glass  studio where we could watch them make glass, in a hot oven, in the hot evening air.! But they had amazing pieces there from many different artists.

a heat source, in addition to the sun

examples of some of the amazing glass at this gallery

Of course the Turk was more fascinated by the garden around this studio compound. This is because there were huge mango trees with the largest mangos he's evern seen.

extremely large mangos EVERYWHERE

beautiful glass art in the gardens

 And I was fascinated with the succulent wall in the patio area.

why cant my succulents look like this?!

We headed over to the Morean Arts Center located in an old train station. There were many artists located here and we saw mostly different styles of pottery work. Outside of the station was an large area where a number of kilns are located. One of them was HUGE!

Not an ancient ruin. This is a huge kiln.

And of course I found pigs!  I like the sense of whimsy of this artist. 

Pigs with instructions

Overall we enjoyed the experience and will do it again, when it gets a bit cooler. We discovered areas of St. Pete we didnt know about. I saw so many little restaurants to try that I dont have enough St. Pete days to try them all. And there are so many breweries!  We'll be back.