Keeping my Hand in

In the Port Townsend Leader this week

Occasionally I write articles for the local paper. It's fun to get out and about, especially when I get to write about things that I care about!

This is the yearly Home & Gardens supplement and Patrick, the editor, asked me to do something on drought and deer resistant gardening. It was rather odd, though, as I trudged through muddy fields and gardens, trying to stay dry,  thinking "drought". And it was almost impossible to find anything flowering that I could use for photos! The red hot pokers shot is from last summer.

But I really enjoyed meeting the garden people - the landscapers, native plant aficionados and growers. My favorite visit was to Far Reaches Farm, a phenomenal plant resource for the area and around the country, as a big part of the business is the mail order side. Can't wait until spring to go for another visit and see all the blooms!

I also did the Dream Kitchens on the next pages, which was fun to do as well. And once again, super nice people.

Not Everyone's Choice of Adventure

 

I've lived down here for almost 12 years now, and in all that time, I haven't taken the time to watch an operation that happens down here far too often.

This location is pretty remote, at the end of a dead end road which ends where the old ferry dock used to be. It was, at one stage, the only way to get across the Hood Canal. And not that many years ago, while the floating bridge was under repair and closed to traffic, a foot ferry operated from there. Before my time, there was even a local saloon. Now, all that are left are large, paved parking lots.

Large and unobstructed. Perfect as a helicopter landing site, which it has become for emergency airlifts. An ambulance ride to Seattle for major medical care is a couple of hours; by helicopter, a mere 15 minutes.

So a few days ago, as a large Airlift Northwest red machine swept in low over the house, and after hearing numerous sirens screaming down the upper road, I decided it was time to see how this system works. Speed walking the half mile or so along the dirt road that runs above the beach to the landing site, the helicopter had landed and three emergency vehicles had the road blocked off and were unloading someone from one of the ambulances. There are only 5 or 6 houses down there, so very little traffic, but of course just when things should be shut down, a Fedex truck had to get through!

The transfer took a few minutes and it was a surreal scene in the late afternoon, the  vehicles red flashing lights illuminating the bush alongside the road. The helicopter and its light reflected from the enormous puddles in the parking lot. After several minutes, the pilot did a pre-flight check, climbed in and rotated, lifting straight up, then banking east, headed off over the Hood Canal, becoming a tiny speck silhouetted against the sky and Cascade mountains.

I think we are all grateful to have the service so handy. However, it is not one I plan to make use of any time soon!

[su_box title="Airlift Northwest" style="glass" box_color="#cde3ed" title_color="#0f0d0d"]Airlift Northwest, a program of the University of Washington School of Medicine and Harborview Medical Center, provides flight transport via helicopter and fixed wing aircraft for patients needing intensive medical care in Washington, Idaho, Montana and Alaska.[/su_box]

Seattle Distilling Company

 

I love gin! Everyone who knows me, knows it is my booze of choice. A couple of years ago, I wrote about San Juan Island Distillery on Orcas Island which really tickled my fancy and really opened my eyes to the complexities of distilling. Since then, I have tried a variety of craft gins plus some very expensive imports which have made me appreciate the art of distilling even more.

So when Ryan came to visit recently, we decided to get back from the Seattle Airport via Vashon Island and the Seattle Distilling Company. What a treat that was.

Vashon Island is between the mainland (Seattle) and Bremerton (at the base of the Olympic Peninsula) with ferries to and from. In fact, you only pay when you go to the island as they know you have to leave! And because it is a short ride to an agricultural island, the ferries are small and the rides short. But in the all the time I have lived up here, I had never made that detour and it ended up being a wonderful day trip.

Ryan's flight from LAX arrived mid-morning, so we had plenty of time before the distillery opens at noon to drive around Vashon. Such pastoral settings and a lovely, old cemetery that we explored in the rain. The business center of the island has interesting small stores, well-preserved buildings, coffee shops and restaurants. I imagine in the summer it is a busy place. But the day we visited, it was raining so very few people were out and about.

The Seattle Distilling Company is situated just off the main drag, a bit north of The Vashon Island Coffee Roasterie, which we saved for a different visit.

Here's my review on Tripadvisor:

[su_box title="Tripadvisor Review" box_color="#eddfcd" title_color="#090909"]Seattle Distilling is a tiny place producing a huge product. Or products!

A recent visit to the distillery, located on picturesque Vashon Island shows you don't need a huge space to create amazing spirits.

We arrived at opening time - 12pm - and were greeted by Paco Joyce, the VP and Master Distiller. The next hour was spent getting an education about the fine art of distilling; viewing and touching the steampunkish copper and steel stills, pipes and gauges; and really getting a feel for what goes into making a great bottle of whiskey, vodka or gin.

After the tour, we tasted the products - gin, vodka, strawberry-infused vodka, Idle Time whiskey and the Coffee Liqueur. My favorite, and my son's, as well, was the gin which is unlike any mass-produced gin you can buy at the liquor store. The flavors are carefully melded and include local lavender and juniper berries. The only ingredient that is not from the island, is the lemon peel that comes from, if I remember correctly, California.

Perhaps the most interesting fact to take away from the visit was understanding the symbiotic relationship between the distillery and the island community. As an example: The remaining mash left from the grain used for the base alcohol is fed to island livestock on nearby farms. The farms, in turn, provide some of the other ingredients needed, or the farmers apply their talents, like welding, to keep the stills and machinery running.

Although it is all local and very small, the Seattle Distilling Company is making a name for itself, winning Best of the Northwest from Evening Magazine, among other prestigious awards.

Well worth the visit.[/su_box]

Close to Home

Actually AT Home!

My latest adventure isn't actually taking me anywhere! It is going to bring adventure right into my home in my new Airbnb venture.

It's something I have mulled over for a while and finally decided to do it. In some ways, it's exciting; in others, scary! I'm not used to having anyone, let alone strangers, in my home as I have lived alone (except, of course for Hinckley and Buddy) for several years. On the other hand, it will be fun to meet new people and of course, the added income will be very helpful. But the process seems secure and Ryan has done it with his guest room with no issues, and he uses the service when he travels, as do Mardelle and Jim.

So I am biting the bullet and getting things prepared. It's not just a matter of putting clean sheets on the bed! The bathroom is being spruced up, something I have wanted to do since I moved in here 11 (yes 11) years ago! MiracleMethod came in and in 2 1/2 hours made the tub/shower look like new! And with all new fixtures that Danelle (Susan's daughter) and John installed, it's magic! I know, lots of exclamation marks because it is so amazing seeing the difference.

Then the bedroom. New duvet cover, sheets, pillows, window shades. With Mardelle's help, decided how to set the room up; where to put the small chairs I hope to score at Habitat for Humanity today; where to put the coffee maker, microwave and small fridge so they are unobtrusive but handy. Some airbnb people offer use of the kitchen, but I don't want to do that except under special circumstances, hence the small appliances in the room.

As soon as the setup is complete, I will post pictures and the link to my airbnb page.

Wish me luck - and nice guests!

Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival 2015

 

Boats used to be pretty much my whole life - I worked on them, sailed and cruised on them, then wrote about them and photographed them. I guess I got burned out, but it sure was fun to immerse myself in them again - for a short while this weekend.

The 39th Annual Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival this year, and every year is on the second weekend of September. More often than not, it is cold, gray, wet and windy. But this weekend was amazing! Mid-70s, sunny, a light breeze - perfect. Brought the spectators and visitors out in droves.

As usual, Point Hudson Marina was jammed with boats of all sizes, shapes, colors and vintage. There were small home-built sailboats and rowboats; schooners, ketches and sloops side-tied at every dock and slip. Trawlers and classic power boats like Deerleap, shared fenders and boarding ladders. There were acres of varnished teak, tons of polished brass glittering in the sun. What a pleasure!

Most of the boats on show are ones I have seen and boarded many times. I was happy to see Spike Africa, a beautiful schooner built in Costa Mesa, California in the mid-70s by Bobbie Sloan, a well-loved mariner in Southern California. I remember watching the boat being built in a vacant lot next to his house, and once launched, going aboard and accidentally losing a prized pocket knife in the bilge! I expect it's still there!

My old boat, the Wild Rose, was not there and is not on the Classic Yacht Register so I wonder what happened to her and where she is? It sounds like a project to me - tracking her down and making sure she is in good hands.

In recent years, the Festival has grown and is now produced under the auspices of the Northwest Maritime Center. It includes seminars, classes, yacht races, rowing races and kids' activities. But thank goodness, the hippy, Port Townsend funk is still very apparent

And long may it continue.

Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival 431 Water Street Port Townsend, WA 98368 Phone 360.385.3628 ext 104 Fax 360.385.4742 E-mail: info@nwmaritime.org

Granny Susu has been lagging

The last few months have taken me away from this blog. Sometimes life gets in the way of what I would prefer to be doing and that's what happened. But I'm back and will post more frequently, bringing in some of my trips and getaways from the last few months.

I just needed a little kick in the pants to get me going again - and the possibility of a family reunion in Australia next year was just the motivation I need to get me posting again. The family - my two brothers and spouses from South Africa, my sister from New Zealand and myself from the U.S are hoping to meet up in Brisbane, where I have three nieces and a nephew, plus their numerous offspring! So you can look forward to some international postings in the future.

Plus there is the possibility of a Belize trip in the not too distant future. It's been 15 years since I was there; so taken with the place, I rented a tiny shack and was ready to move there but once again, life here in the U.S got in the way and I didn't take the leap. It was the early days of blogging and Go Left at the Mango Tree was one of my first.

I haven't been totally lagging, though as I have been having fun with my iPhone 6+ and all the associated apps, one in particular called Steller which I love! Plus writing a couple of articles for our local rag has kept me busy.

Change in Plans

A change in plans and a slight delay. As much as I would love to do the Route 66 portion of the trip, some time constraints (and dollar constraints) have cropped up. So I have decided to simply go the most direct route, which is US15 through Las Vegas, Utah and into Colorado.

Of course, at Ryan's urging, I will drive the strip in LV as it has to be more than 40 years since I was there and much has changed. I might even throw some quarters in a one-armed bandit - oh wait! It's all electronic now! I guess I will buy a card and try my luck anyway.

The delay, which isn't a biggie for me, is I am waiting for the plumber to show up at Ryan's house to replace a blown water heater! Hopefully I will be out of here by noon and miss the outbound Los Angeles traffic.

Getting There...

 

Getting there is usually half the fun, but this flight was not the best. I was on Air Tahiti Nui which was a code share with Air New Zealand, so I assumed it would be as good as, or better than, ANZ. The flight itself wasn't bad, a bit bumpy at times, but I was completely unimpressed with the food and the service. Los Angeles to Papeete was 8 hours. We were served cold meals with very old, dry rolls. The flight attendants were almost invisible, barely coming round at all. I know it was the middle of the night but not everyone sleeps. And I didn't, with a huge family of Tahitians in the seats beside me and for three rows in front, all of them coughing and sneezing and wheezing the entire night!

It was wonderful to get my feet on Tahitian soil again and it was so tantalizing - I did not want to get back on the plane for the last 5 hours. The traditional dancing as a greeting got my memory banks going. The airport is much larger than when I was last there, and the smell of flowers couldn't compete with the smell of jet fuel.

I spent a little time in the Duty Free store, bought a couple of bottles to take to New Zealand. The Tahitian rum was VERY good!

It was good to be able to stretch a bit and walk around before the next leg, where the service and food was marginally better.

Once again, the flight was jammed, not a free seat anywhere, but it was a relatively short flight. Immigration and customs took forever, as I understand there were 7 international flights that arrived at the same time. So Zoze and Jenni's faces were a welcome sight in the arrival area.

Jenni took the scenic route home to Tauranga, with a stop for coffee and a walk along a river (name to be determined). I did find, though, that although I was tired, I was not jet lagged as technically I had just skipped a day - a 20 hour forward flight. So it was easy to get back into a normal routine, after a good nights sleep.