Nomad Life - Day 128

Unlike yesterday, I needed my alarm to wake me at 0430 so I could start teleworking.  I took a break for breakfast in the lobby of the EconoLodge (Edmonds) at 0715.  A bit later, Mollie called and we talked briefly.  After that, I went back to work.  Meanwhile, it was misty and foggy (almost raining) for most of the morning , with cool (30s) temperatures to boot.  By the time I was ready for my (late) checkout from the hotel, though, the temps had risen above 40 degrees and the sun had made an appearance.  At the seven hour mark of my telework day (1200), I departed from the hotel and drove a short distance to a nearby Chick-fil-A, where I used one of the gift cards that Erin & Austin had sent me for Christmas.  The restaurant was a "drive through only" establishment so I ate the food (chicken sandwich and waffle fries) in my car as I drove east around the north end of Lake Washington.  Before long, I was on WA-522 and passed through the towns of Kenmore and Bothell.  Along the way, I listened to audiobooks.  Sadly, I encountered more red light cameras...  Eventually, I got on I-405 and drove south, passing through Bellevue, and then got on I-90 (headed east).  I got off the Interstate at the first Issaquah exit and drove around the southwestern side of Lake Sammamish so I could access the eponymous State Park (1300).  After parking near Sunrise Beach, I walked around (weather still beautiful) while birding - I found lots of good places for photos and solitude.  I watched a kayaker on the lake (practicing roll drills) and noticed a little girl feeding a huge crowd of hungry mallard ducks - that image was very cute.  During my explorations of the park, I repositioned my car two different times and, in the end, managed to log more than four miles over about 90 minutes.  Afterwards (1440), I made my way towards my hotel (Motel 6 in Issaquah) but passed it accidentally.  This error put me on a road that crossed under I-5 and into a major traffic area.  There were lots of interesting stores but the place was so busy I did my best to extricate myself.  In the end, it took nearly 20 minutes to get back to the hotel.  Fortunately, I was able to check in when I arrived (1500).  I got in my room quickly and completed my last hour of telework for the year at 1600.  About 10 minutes later, I departed hotel so I could check out another nearby commercial area that Google Maps indicated was the Costco World Headquarters.  That place was even busier than the one I'd visited before but I explored all the streets nearby.  There was a vibe that reminded me of my visits to Bentonville, AR (Walmart) and Redwood City, CA (Oracle) - I guess corporate HQ towns are all similar...  There were lots of people shopping at an actual Costco store and others getting fuel.  This latter observation was a small wonder because the average cost nearby was over $4 and Costco's price was a major discount.  While driving, I noticed a restaurant near the center of the "Costco Campus" called "Masthi Bar and Grill".  Feeling hungry and seeking an authentic Indian meal, I went inside - within seconds, I noted that I was the only person who had no blood from the Subcontinent.  Thinking that boded well for the quality of the food, I ordered (through the Toast website) my dinner: I had Cheese Naan, Tandoori Chicken (medium spice) and Rasmalai (Tres leche cake).  Everything was excellent and I truly enjoyed my meal.  The staff told me they were having a huge NYE celebration (starting at 2000 and lasting until 0100).  That sounded really fun but I was full of food and the event hadn't even started...  At 1730, I said goodbye and made my way back towards my hotel - it took a while to get out of the Campus.  Arriving at the Motel 6 again, I closed out the year with messages, blogging, reading, puzzles, etc. Along the way, I also planned for my departure (i.e., packed) on the next day.  Bedtime was at 2215.  Happy New Year!!!!

Nomad Life - Day 127

I woke up (without my alarm) at 0400 and started teleworking.  It was cool (30s) and clear outside but I resisted the urge to go out for some activities.  Instead, I worked continuously until my late checkout time (of noon) except for one break (at 0745) for breakfast in the lobby of the EconoLodge (Edmonds) and to make a reservation for another night in the same hotel.  This reservation was for a different type of room (for less money) so I was required to check out of my room at 1200 and return later.  Taking a break from my telework day, I made an order online (using a gift card) at a nearby Panera and drove to pick up my food (1210).  I then drove west (across WA-99) until I found a quiet playground where I could eat one of my sandwiches "lunch").  After that, I drove to another park nearby called "Kayu Kayu AC" (arrived at 1235) - it had a beautiful waterfront view and I could see the entire Olympic Range on the other side of the Sound.  The day was amazingly clear, with temps in the low 40s, and it was so sunny!  Next, I drove to the Port of Edmonds (arrived at 1300), where I found a Marina and two beaches (Olympic Beach and Marina Park Beach, which included a dog-park.  During the next 45 minutes, I walked along the Promenade, checking out businesses along the way.  I also walked out on the dock (beyond the jetty) and encountered lots of crabbers there.  From the dock, I got more wonderful views of Mount Baker and closer angles of the Olympics - I also had a front row seat for the Kingston to Edmonds Ferry because the Terminal was only about 100 yards away.  During this time, I saw some float planes, kayakers, lots of fishing boats, sail boats, etc.  As I proceeded south along the Promenade, I encountered lots of people, heard sea lions and saw lots of sea birds.  Along the way, I encountered a guy with a huge telephoto lens and he told how great it was for birding.  It was fun to watch kids on the sandy beaches - they looked like they were having a great time as they built sand castles and skipped flat rocks in the calm waters.  Before departing the Port of Edmonds, I researched the Amtrak and Commuter Trains that depart/arrive the station - I also learned about the (more frequent) light rail train (stations located elsewhere.  Finished with my visit (1415), I drove back to the EconoLodge (Edmonds) and was able to check into my (new, smaller) room at 1430.  After that, I resumed teleworking until my day was officially finished (1530).  At that point, I ate my second sandwich ("dinner") before going out for a walk near the hotel (to finish my 10K steps).  This time, I walked the full length of the nearby Interurban Trail (between Mathay-Ballinger Park and the northern end of the trail at 228 Street SW).  During this time, the weather was still very nice (low 40s, clear, windless) and the area had great lighting as the sun set.  Encountered lots of bird species - very nice!  Back at my hotel by 1630, I killed time with reading until it was time for a phone call with my dad (1700 to 1815).  For the rest of the evening, I watched movies until it was time for bed (2240).  Not the most exciting day I've had but it was good to get so much time outdoors with such wonderful weather!

Nomad Life - Day 126

Last morning on Whidbey Island (sad)...  I woke up at 0425 (without an alarm) and began teleworking.  During a break, I made breakfast in my room at the Navy Inn.  Outside, I started hearing some jet noise on the base for the first time during my visit.  I continued teleworking until 0930 (half day with the rest of my time as PTO) and then spent about 10 minutes packing and loading my car.  Whidbey Island had great weather again (high 30s, clear, lots of mountains visible) and I reluctantly left NAS Whidbey Island at 0940.  For some reason, I was able to use the "Langley Gate" today and this made my drive through the northern Oak Harbor suburbs very easy.  After finding my way to WA-20, I followed very slow traffic all the way to Coupeville.  My impatience was dulled by an audiobook...  Switching to WA-525, I encountered more traffic and construction zones - it ended up taking almost an hour (less than 40 miles of driving, ugh) to reach Clinton.  At the Clinton Ferry Terminal (1035), I bought my ticket and, after parking, spent some time exploring nearby.  As I'd seen the day before, there were views from South Whidbey of Mount Rainier and some beautiful peaks of the Cascade Range.  I boarded "Tokitae" at 1055 along with a LOT of cars - somehow, we all fit onboard! There was time to get out of my car and walk around on the deck, even though the ride wasn't too far.  We departed Clinton (and Whidbey Island) at 1105 (a bit late, due to lots of cars, I guess) and had a great crossing.  Such a beautiful day!  We arrived at Mukilteo Ferry Landing by 1125 and I was one of the first cars off the ferry.  I texted my friend, Eric O, that I was on my way to his house and then followed WA-525 (AKA Mukilteo Speedway) towards the south.  Almost immediately, I started seeing signs for red light cameras (I don't like those) - thank goodness for Apple Maps!  Several miles later (after passing Paine Field in Everett), I got on I-5, which I followed until I reached the exit for the town of Shoreline (King County).  I easily located Eric's home (located across the street from tall trees and a beautiful golf course) by noon we had a great reunion (first since the late 1990s).  A bit later, we drove a short distance to eat lunch at Teriyaki Time on Greenwood Avenue.  The food was very good (I got some shrimp fried rice) and I had a lot of fun exchanging "sea stories" with my former S-3B crewmate.  We finished eating at about 1445 (by then, we were the only customers in the restaurant) and then returned to Eric's house.  I met his girlfriend and we looked at some cruise books before it was time for me to depart (1515).  When I entered the address for my hotel, the EconoLodge in Edmonds, I was surprised to see that I was less than three miles away!  This made my drive to my overnight accommodations almost leisurely (although the red light cameras and city congestion were conspiring against me...).  After checking into the hotel (1530), I unpacked the car and then made sure I was set up for a new telework day.  There was also some time to catch up on reading and Duolingo puzzles before a planned call with my daughter,  Erin (1700).  We had a nice talk about my trip, her activities in Virginia and her upcoming trip to Italy.  After hanging up with her (1745), I began walking around near my hotel, hoping to get the rest of my 10K steps.  By then, it was a bit cooler (30s) but the sky was still clear.  Along the way, I stopped for dinner at the Family Pancake House (1815), where I enjoyed a salad and a good club sandwich and resisted the urge to have pie.  There was a nice young Korean man working there and he had lots of recommendations for local Teriyaki restaurants - he assured me that "it's a Seattle creation!"  Once I was finished eating (1840), I resumed my walk along the sidewalks of WA-99 and explored some residential neighborhoods nearby.  Before I was finished, I'd discovered the Mathay-Ballinger Park and Interurban Trail - maybe I can visit them again tomorrow?  Finished with my walk and step goal (1945), I returned to my room and spent the rest of the evening watching movies and reading.  Bed time was at 2215.  It was another great day in the PNW, with a bonus reunion from my Navy Flying Days.  Life is good!

Nomad Life - Day 125

After such a nice time in Whidbey Island, I had thought I'd be ready to depart today (per my original schedule).  I was awake at 0630 (no alarm) and spent time reading, doing puzzles and completing Duolingo exercises.  Also, I bought airline tickets for my upcoming Viking Homelands Trip and communicated with my friends in Europe about the itineraries.  Along the way, I made breakfast in my room.  Outside, it was clear (with a high overcast), windless and temps were in the high 30s.  Figuring that there was still time for more fun on the Island, I extended my stay at the Navy Inn for another night.  With all morning Administrative tasks completed, I departed NAS Whidbey Island at 0930.  I was running a bit behind (per the church's schedule) by that point but was able to attend Mass at St Augustine in Oak Harbor (0945 to 1030).  The pews were filled with a very diverse crowd, including some folks who clearly were stationed at the Navy Base, and the building had a huge Parish Hall attached to it.  Like so many of my other experiences with church during my Nomad Life, it was interesting to see the many local customs and try to keep up with the songs. After the service was complete, I drove south on WA-20 and started seeking out sites that I'd heard about in brochures I've been collecting over the last two weeks.  To this end, I first stopped at the Price Sculpture Forest in Coupeville and went walking on the trails there (from 1040 to 1110).  There was a lot of amazing artwork, some of which blended in with the natural surroundings.  Also, the tall trees and cool PNW air made for some mist/fog effects that improved the ambiance.  I next made my way along the east coast of Whidbey Island until I was completely passed Coupeville - near the Navy OLF, I got on WA-525.  While continuing south down the Island, I made another stop at Greenbank Farm (1125), which I learned was actually an off leash dog area.  There were some historical and biological information on signs there, though, and I learned about Lake Hancock and its slow retreat into a bog and/or field.  Crossing to the west side of the Island, I made my way to Lagoon Point County Park (1135), where I got some spectacular views of Olympics - they were almost all visible and the line of snow-capped peaks on the other side of the Sound was breathtaking.  I continued down the coast until I located South Whidbey State Park (1145).  Once there, I realized that there weren't going to be any better views of the water or Olympic Range unless I walked all the way down to the water (from a high bluff).  Not wanting to buy a park pass (for $10), I only stayed long enough to explore a short nature trail near the parking lot.  After that, I resumed my drive to the south.  I located another lighthouse, Bush Point Light, in a nearby residential neighborhood.  The locals clearly didn't want me to park anywhere nearby so I had to take a photo of the building from my car (1205).  I had better luck when I reached the nearby Frank D. Robinson Beach (1215).  There was ample parking and I had nice views of the coastline, mountains to the west and activities in Mutiny Bay (saw a Bald Eagle grabbing fish and a huge Evergreen cargo ship transiting the Sound).  The temps were in the 40s by this point and I enjoyed my walk on the sand.  Nearby, I noticed that someone had parked a trailer that turned out to be a Portable Sauna!  There were people using the "Good Medicine: Sauna Collective" and I learned more from the owner, Jamie (1995 AT Thru Hiker,  trail name = “Freestyle").  His business sounded like a great idea for people (and I've seen them) who love the idea of a cold plunge in the Puget Sound.  After saying goodbye, I continued down the west coast of Whidbey Island until I reached the Double Bluff Park & Dog Beach (1245).  This place was VERY busy and I had to park a good ways down the road.  From the beach, however, I could see the appeal: from this point, I had marvelous views of Mount Rainier and the Seattle Skyline!  I didn't stay long but really enjoyed the nice weather while I took photos nearby.  Back in my car, I decided I'd head over to Langley to resume my tour of their "adult beverages" and cuisines.  On the way, I passed through Bayview Corners (a semi-historical shopping district) and passed the Deer Lagoon Grange (old meeting house).  Arriving at Langley by 1305, I parked my car and started looking for the Langley Village Pizzeria, a popular eating establishment recommended to me by Zachary (brew-master for Double Bluff Brewing Company) during my past visit to the town.  My first attempt to locate it (without using Google Maps) was unsuccessful - I walked into a bistro that seemed to advertise pizza.  The lady inside was nice enough to point out the correct location to me - sheesh...  I arrived at the correct business only to find the place packed.  Sitting down inside seemed like a hopeless idea so I settled on the idea of getting my food to go - I chose a slice of pepperoni and one of mushroom and then went over to the bar to order a beer (1310).  For some reason, there was a problem with the keg of Fremont Dark Star but I waited patiently on the staff to correct the issue.  In the end, the bartender gave me the drink for free ("because you were so patient).  Funny, it didn't seem like a long wait...  After getting my pizza, I made my way outside and sat at a table on a high bluff above the Saratoga Passage.  The pizza slices were huge, greasy and tasty - I can see why people love this restaurant!  As I was finishing my lunch, I ended up talking with an older couple from Colorado - they gave me advice about my transit east (recommending Colorado as the best route).  When my meal was complete, I started looking for another establishment that Zachary had recommended: the Misfit Island Cidery.  This time, I used Google Maps and found it hidden among lots of other eclectic shops and touristy places.  Inside, I found I was the only customer and had plenty of time to talk withe the "bartender", Cody (a school friend of Zachary).  Starting at 1415, I sampled several "Fifth Element" themed drinks: Super Green, Fhloston Paradise, Multi Pass, Big Badda Boom (mix of Reaper in Paradise and Fresh Hop Island).  I enjoyed all the drinks and even helped Cody make similar sales to other clients (mostly couples and groups of ladies).  I was done at 1500 and walked down the street to visit the Langley Whale Center.  The staff there told me that Gray Whales had been sighted nearby only a few hours earlier!  Dang...  After reaching the conclusion that my visit to Langley had been a success, I made my way back to WA-525 and started looking for the Whidbey Island Distillery.  Upon arrival there, I (again) found myself to be the only customer.  This gave me a chance to sample several (rye) whiskeys and berry liqueurs - all were very good.  After trying five drinks, I decided to buy a small bottle of Loganberry Liqueur (1600).  Before leaving South Whidbey, I made a final stop at Hierophant Meadery - I'd been seeing their drinks around the Island but had never tried any.  The bartender there, Alec, took me on a tour (with little tasters) of all the drinks they had.  Once again, the "small world" of the Island was clearly evident: Alex told me that he knew the guy at Whidbey Island Distillery and some of the folks in Langley I'd met.  Also inside the Meadery, I met an Army Corps engineer lady (we had some interesting talks about bridges, dredging and ferries), learned about how I could use the Dump (from a local guy) and enjoyed the Island vibe.  Strangely, a few people thought I lived on the Island and were surprised when I told them I didn't...  Reluctantly, I got back in my car and started driving north on WA-525 at 1715.  On the way, I called all three of my daughters and my dad - sadly, I had to leave voicemails for all of them.  Back on WA-20 near Coupeville, I drove straight through Oak Harbor and arrived at NAS Whidbey by 1800.  Once in my Navy Inn room, I organized, packed and made/ate dinner.  I also made some reservations for the next night (in Edmonds, WA) and finalized plans with Eric O (Navy friend from the 1990s).  During the course of the evening (1945), I had time for a work out in Navy Inn Fitness Center; over 20 minutes, I logged 4.10 miles on the stationary bike.  For the rest of the evening, I watched movies - finally went to bed at 2300.  It's been an amazing week on Whidbey Island and in the San Juans - I'll be sad to leave this place but it's time to get back to my Nomad Life on the Road!

Nomad Life - Day 124

Overnight, I didn't sleep well and was especially fitful towards the end of the night.  Fortunately, it was a weekend day and I didn't need to work at all - this allowed me to sleep until 0630.  After that, I enjoyed puzzles, reading and Duolingo exercises before making breakfast in my room.  During this phase, I also made reservation for a Washington State Ferry from Anacortes to Lopez Island - I'd heard good things about the place and hoped today would be a great day for a visit.  At 0830, I departed the Navy Inn at NAS Whidbey Island and headed north (via WA-20) towards Fidalgo Island.  Along the way, I could clearly see Mount Baker (pretty).  The temps were in the 30s and it was sunny and calm - perfect!  I stopped for photos from the bridge at Deception Pass and then drove through the State Park on my way to Anacortes.  Through the trees, I could see nearby Burrows Island and Allen.  I arrived at the Anacortes Ferry Landing at 0905 and purchased a round trip ticket to Lopez Island (the reservation only held my spot).  The Terminal much busier than when I was there on Christmas Day and the line for the ticket booths extended outside of the waiting area.  Surprisingly, I talked to the same ticket booth worker who I'd met on Christmas Day and we laughed about how I had a better plan this time.  After waiting for about 40 minutes (the parking lot kept filling), I drove on board “Kaleetan” (near the front of the line) and we departed at 1005.  Not surprisingly, the ship was definitely more crowded than it was on Christmas but there were still plenty of available seats.  I worked on fox puzzle that I found on one table and managed to finished the entire border - hope that should help someone later in the day... I spent the rest of the transit outside on the deck and was pleased by the many beautiful vistas I saw.  We arrived at Lopez Ferry Landing by 1045 and I was off the ship within five minutes.  From the dock, I drove south to Lopez Village and explored the little hamlet.  Almost everything was still closed but a small group of protesters had stationed themselves at a road junction - thankfully, I managed to get by them without incident and escaped the little "downtown."  From there, I repositioned to southern end of the Lopez Marina and parked at Setsunai, a noodle restaurant I'd read about in a travel brochure from the Ferry (1105).  The place was co-located with a pub called The Galley but neither were opened yet.  While waiting, I read in the car and then explored the docks across the street.  The weather was still marvelous and it seemed silly to be inside for any length of time.  However, I stayed on task when the doors opened (1130) and was soon sitting at the bar with a local (Lopez Island) beer and an order of meat dumplings (very good).  The bartender was very nice and we had some good conversations about life in the San Juans (she had grown up on Orcas Island).  For my main course, I ate some Karaage Udon Stir Fry (noodles) and also tried some of the tankotsu broth.  The meal was well worth sacrificing some sunny weather!  Once I was done eating (1245), I drove south to a place I'd seen on my paper map called Shark Reef Sanctuary.  Between 1300 and 1340, I walked on the nature trail (that began with a boardwalk through the rain forest).  The trail ultimately came out to a beautiful vista of the Shark Reef itself, which was a series of small rocky islands in the middle of a raging (rip) tide.  Across the water, I could see the Cattle Point Lighthouse on San Juan Island.  There were a few other folks nearby and we had some good conversation about the wonderful weather.  Back in my car, I made my way further south towards Agate Beach County Park.  Along the way, I noticed that almost everyone waved at me as I drove by - people, cars, etc.  And I mean EVERYONE!  I think it would get tiring to try to remember to wave every time...  When I arrived at the park (1350), I couldn't find a place to park so only took a short look at the beachfront scenery before continuing onwards.  At different times throughout the day, I found myself in the middle of large pasture land - very picturesque! I followed a series of back roads all the way to the east coast of the island and the literal end of the pavement.  I believe the place I stopped (ad the end of Sperry Road was called "Sperry" and the water off the coast "Shoal Bite".  From this location, I got an even better view of Mount Baker (1405) - unfortunately, I couldn't proceed further because the track to the road was private.  Backtracking to the west side of the island again, I parked at the Otis Perkins Day Park (1425) and walked along a strip of beach land to the Fisherman Bay Preserve.  All around me, the gulls and Herons were catching/eating shellfish and crabs.  The weather was still perfect and I would have liked to go farther up the beach.  Unfortunately, there are so many private beaches in Puget Sound...  Before I left, I was surprised to see people swimming!  Wanting to get some ice cream from the (famous) Lopez Creamery, I drove back into Lopez Village (arrived at 1500) but found the store closed (no reason given, the sign said it should be open).  Hoping to maximize the use of my remaining time on Lopez, I drove north and east towards the east coast again.  Along the way, I drove through small orchards with trees covered with apples (and more on the ground).  Washington definitely lives up to its reputation for apples!  I arrived at my goal, Spencer Spit State Park, by 1515 and walked around for about 10 minutes.  The park is centered around a sandy beach that seems to be trying to extend from the mainland to a little island in the channel.  Scientists don't believe the sand will ever reach its goal because of the currents, though.  Sensing that I needed to be back at the Ferry Landing soon, I made my way there.  The reason for my tingling Spidey sense was because there were no reservations allowed for the return trip to Anacortes ("first come, first served only").  I arrived in the boarding queue by 1535 and spoke with the employees who worked there about my chances to get onboard the next boat.  Since no one has any idea how many cars will board in Friday Harbor, the ride back to the mainland is never certain (although I noticed a local official who "cut the line" to improve his chances...).  Luck was with me, in the end, and I drove on to “Kaleetan” at 1610.  Inside the ship, I encountered LOTS of passengers who had apparently come from Friday Harbor.  A group of young ladies was working on the fox puzzle I'd started but they said everything had been destroyed when they got onboard...  We departed Lopez Island at 1620 and it was still light enough to see all kinds of scenery as we transited east.  I spent most of the ride walking around on the ship and enjoying the nice temperatures.  "Kaleetan" arrived at Anacortes Ferry Landing by 1705 and I drove off the ship five minutes later.  Hoping to get at least one night in town before I departed the area, I headed to town.  I was stuck behind a traffic jam (accident) for a little bit but made it to downtown by 1720.  The area wasn't too busy and I was able to park on the street one block from the Brown Lantern (1725).  This was an old hang-out for my squadron mates when I was still in the Navy and I've had some good meals in the restaurant.  Tonight was no exception - I ordered the Fidalgo Whaler (fish burger) and enjoyed my dinner very much.  Finished eating at 1800, I spent a little time walking on the city streets (reached my step goal) before heading south again.  I used city streets to reach WA-20 and made it back to NAS Whidbey Island by 1840.  By then, the temps had dropped into the 30s...  In the Navy Inn, I spent time shredding, packing and relaxing in my room.  After 1900, I watched a series of movies until it was time for bed (2215).  I had a great time on Lopez Island today and can say, without a doubt, that my appreciation for the San Juan Islands has greatly increased during this last week.  During my next visit, I'm hoping I get to visit the Sisters of Mercy convent on Shaw Island!

Nomad Life - Day 123

Today was almost a let down after yesterday's "go go go"...  I woke up (without an alarm) at 0515 and started teleworking immediately.  It was raining all morning, so that made it easier to concentrate on the post-Christmas work day...  I ate breakfast in room (snacks) and later made lunch in my room at the Navy Inn on NAS Whidbey Island.  After another half day (I used PTO for the other half), I finished teleworking at 1230.  By this point, fortunately, the sun had come out - score!  Unfortunately, it had also been getting progressively windier...  I was ready to leave the Base at 1310 and made my way out of the only open gate (Ault Field Road) before driving south on WA-20.  Next, I used Sleeper Road to reach Dugualla State Park, which I'd researched online after my failure to find it a few days prior.  At 1330, I parked my car at the end of the pavement (there were no State Park facilities) and started walking the well-marked trails (North Trail, Beach Trail, Big Tree Trail, Marsh Trail).  Along the way, I had to descend a very big hill and crawl under some huge downed trees.  Eventually, though, I reached Skagit Bay and was able doe some birding.  Throughout my hike, the trail conditions were very wet and my boots (and the base of my pants legs) were drenched by the end.  At times, I was a bit worried about how windy it was - the trees were all shedding evergreen boughs and I hoped none would fall on me...  I finished my walk at 1445 and, once in my car, I backtracked to Taylor Road.  Next, I used Silver Lake Road to reach Strawberry Point Road so I could check out Strawberry Point Preserve.  I'd already gotten enough steps so I didn't hike there.  Instead, I made my way to Mariner's Cove County Park / Boat Launch (1500).  That part was located in a very nice neighborhood - every home had a slip, almost like Danny L's home in Virginia Beach.  There were also some open lots and homes for sale.  Hmmmm...  There were incredible views of Mount Baker, shrouded in low clouds, and Camano Island - nice!  I moved on by 1510 and drove farther into Oak Harbor.  As I'd done on Christmas Eve, I caught an early dinner (Esteban's Combo #6; chimichanga, enchilada, rice, beans, guacamole) at at Esteban's Mexican Restaurant (1520).  The food was great and the staff remembered me from my previous visit.  I was done eating by 1600 and then went next door to Wicked Teuton Brewing Company.  Like I'd seen on Wednesday (two days before), there was a lot of good beer and comradery.  The bartender was nice but the group at the bar wasn't as fun as the last time I'd been there - still, I got to try several more good beers before I was done (1645), including the Flagship ("Terry's") IPA.  Next, I went shopping for groceries at Walmart - I had finally used up all the food I got in Oregon...  I was finished at 1700, got back on WA-20 and drove back to NAS Whidbey Island.  After getting on Base again, I stopped at the NEX Gas Station for a gas fillup (1720) before reaching the Navy Inn by 1725.  By this point, it was very windy and much colder (low 30s).  Inside the warm building, I reorganized my room and worked on my blog before I started watching movies (and TV series).  Finding some good things, I ended up going to bed much later than I'd planned (2300).  There is no doubt that I've a ton of great weather luck for December in the PNW - hopefully, the (mostly) sunny days will continue through the weekend!

Nomad Life - Day 122

Christmas Day!  This morning, I was awake by 0630 (no alarm) and had lots of Christmas messages to send and/or reply to.  On the health front, I still felt tired but no longer congested - maybe I'm almost better?  I made breakfast in my room and took several peaks outside the window of my room at the Navy Inn on NAS Whidbey Island.  The weather was still dry so I decided to take a trip to the San Juan Islands.  Fortunately, I was mostly prepared to make an immediate departure and started up my Subaru just after Morning Colors (0800).  Only one gate open again so had to drive to WA-20 via Ault Field Road.  On the way to Anacortes, I passed through Deception Pass State Park and then used back roads around the west side of town.  Ultimately, I arrived at Ferry Terminal by 0835.  Not having a firm idea of what I wanted to do, I sked where the next ferry went.  There was actually one just about to depart for Friday Harbor but I had already been there twice.  Instead, I chose the following Ferry, which was heading to Orcas Island.  The ticket agent seemed to think that it was funny that I didn't know where I wanted to go but then he said he wished he wasn't working so he'd have that kind of opportunity...  The Orcas Ferry didn't depart until after 1000 so I had time for walking, birding and research on how to use the ferry (driving and walking on) for other other islands.  From a friendly gate agent inside the Washington State Ferries office at the Terminal, I learned that three ferries do all the work for the San Juans.  It sounded like very complicated schedule of direct and interisland but they keep things going day in and day out...  I also discovered that that the ferry to Sydney, BC (which appears on several transit maps) hasn't been in operation since COVID began.  I found some good brochures for my day on Orcas while I was in the building too.  At 0940, the ferry "Kaleetan" arrived and started loading cars.  For some reason, there was a delay after I was given the green light to start driving.  No explanation was given but I noticed that there was an angry older lady complaining to police officers (about someone who boarded the ferry?) nearby.  In any case, the first cars allowed onboard were bound for  Lopez Island stop and then I got on afterwards.  The boat wasn't very full when we departed (1005).  Christmas Bonus: we had great visibility and the temps in the 40s!  I could see Mount Baker and lots of snowy peaks to the north - we also had full views of the San Juans themselves.  Regarding Orcas Island, I got to see Mount Constitution for the first time in several trips I've done in the islands.  While we were transiting, I got some lunch (cheeseburger) from the ship's galley (1035).  We arrived at Lopez Island (first time docking there) by 1045 and I watched while lots of cars disembarked.  There were a few people who also got on our ship, including some nuns.  I talked to them and learned that they had spent the previous day spreading out from their Convent on Shaw Island to support Masses on two different islands.  When "Kaleetan" departed from Lopez, we passed (but didn't stop at) Shaw's Island - the nuns had to do some creative scheduling to get home.  The ferry was at Orcas Island Ferry Landing by 1120 and I was one of the first cars off the boat.  I started driving north on the island (Orcas Road) but soon realized that my CarPlay apps were having problems - worse, though, my gas gauge was showing empty when it wasn't close to that before.  As a result, I stopped several times to try to resolve the issues.  Eventually, I fixed the gas tank problem and gave up on using my phone for navigation.  Instead, I tried to follow the paper map I had.  During this window, the weather had remained good but the forecast predicted rain by 1300.  I wanted to get the best views so immediately headed towards Moran State Park.  On the way, I passed through East Sound Village (a small town on the northern end of East Sound, a fjord like body of water in the middle of the island) and then continued south on Olga Road.  I entered the State Park at 1150 and soon located the road up that would take me to the top of Mount Constitution.  During the climb, I passed a few places where I was able to get photos - there were very nice views of islands to the south.  Along the way, I passed over Little Summit (2200 feet) and started to see some big snow flakes.  It was also a lot colder (low 30s) and I was driving in and out of clouds.  It didn't look like I'd get the great views from the higher summit and, sure enough, when I arrived at parking lot for the Main Peak (1205), the whole area was obscured by fast moving clouds. Though I did get occasional glimpses of white peaks in the distance, I never get the nice vistas I'd desired.  A lady nearby (who said she was from Wisconsin) told me "you just missed the perfectly clear views - I got a video in the last few minutes!"  Oh well...  I found some places with a lot of snow on the ground and spent a bit of time walking around near a big tower on the summit but stayed only a short time.  Hoping to get more sightseeing in before the rain arrived, I began my drive back down Mount Constitution.  Along the way, it started to sprinkle and, soon, there was steady mist/rain.  Undeterred, I decided to visit nearby Obstruction Pass State Park.  To reach it, I had to use Obstruction Pass Road and then Trailhead Road (a dirt track near the end) - I successfully located the park by 1235.  I was disappointed, however, because the parking lot was very crowded and there was no immediate view of the sea.  Instead of hiking to find better vistas, I returned to Obstruction Pass Road and drove to the Lieber Haven Marina Resort.  Fortunately, I was able to see a lot more when I got there (1245) and spent a short time walking near the docks.  It continued raining so I backtracked to Olga Bay and got on Point Lawrence Road.  I'd seen an interesting place to the east to Doe Bay on my map and was pleasantly surprised by the Resort & Retreat that I found there (1300).  The little hamlet was very sleepy but the misty views to the east were perfect.  Even though the Retreat seemed to mostly be closed, I ended up talking with some folks there (about life on the island) before backtracking to the west.  During my second transit of East Sound Village (1330), I detoured towards the airport and made a short stop at North Beach.  Unlike the other places I'd visited, it was very windy there.  View-wise, though, I could definitely see all the way across to Canada and I noticed some interesting islands to the north (I learned later that they were called Patos, Sucia and Matia).  Next, I continued west (using back roads) towards Deer Harbor.  Along the way, I stopped at the Turtleback Mountain South Trailhead.  This was a place where I really hoped to hike but, by then, it was raining steadily so I never left the trailhead.  Instead, I drove into the town of Deer Harbor and explored the Marina (1405).  Just as I finished that walk, Brenna called.  I'd already started driving east again and had to stop to keep cell signal while talking to her.  After we hung up the phone, I realized I still had a lot of time still left before the ferry back to Anacortes departed.  For the rest of my time on the island, I decided to try to find a view of the East Sound (from the west side of it). First, I drove to Orcas, which I passed , and then continued east.  Eventually, I was denied by "Private Road" signs.  Backtracking to the Ferry Landing yet again, I drove north on Orcas Road and figured out that a few of the back roads took me to an area near the town of Dolphin. I saw plenty of farmland along the way. During this phase, I got several glimpses of the East Sound but never could access the waterfront at any point along my drive of Dolphin Bay Road.  I was also unsuccessful when I tried to access White Beach - I kept encountering private neighborhoods.  After driving around on dirt and gravel roads in the rain for over an hour, I ended up back where I'd started: Orcas.  By that point, I was tired to exploring so I entered the Ferry Landing queue (on hill above the town) at 1540.  Just after I parked, the rain stopped - I ended up spending the rest of the time walking and birding.  Along the way, I also talked to the staff of the Washington State Ferries and learned more about ferry operations.  Before my ferry arrived, I enjoyed watching "Tillikum" in action - it was serving as the Interisland Ferry for the day.  I also saw a sea lion or seal poking his head out of the water close to the dock.  At 1620, it was finally time to board my return ferry, "Issaquah".  Fortunately, my early arrival made it easy to get a parking spot.  We departed Orcas at 1635 and made a quick trip over to Shaw Island, where no one got off the ferry but one car got onboard.  This vehicle was full of the same nuns I'd met in the morning!  This time, I learned more about their Order (Sisters of Mercy) and convent on the island.  We talked for a while and I enjoyed the encounter.  A bit later (1625), I got some dinner (hot dog) from the Galley.  Because it wasn't too cold outside, I walked around on the ship and concluded my 10K step goal by the time we arrived in Anacortes (1745).  Once "Issaquah" was docked, I got off the ship quickly and started driving south (skirting west of town).  As I've seen several times already, Google/Apple Maps was not very helpful on getting on base.  I managed to locate the correct (and only open) gate for NAS Whidbey Island and arrived at the Navy Inn by 1815.  Not wanting to stop a pleasant habit, I got more cookies and cocoa in the lobby before returning to my room.  Feeling very tired, I basically just rested and watched movies for the rest of the evening.  Bonus: Katie called.  At the end of my busy Christmas Adventure day, I went to bed at 2200.  What a great day of exploring and learning about life in the San Juans!

Nomad Life - Day 121

Fortunately, I was feeling a bit better when I woke up at 0430 (alarm required) this morning.  I immediately started teleworking but took breaks for reading, puzzles and Duolingo.  Along the way, I also ate breakfast (snacks) and exchanged lots of texts and social media check-ins (friends and family).  Working off and on until 1230, I pieced together four hours of billable time and then took leave for the rest of the day.  Before leaving my room at the NAS Whidbey Island Navy Inn, I made and ate lunch.  After that (1245), I departed the Base by using the "Auto-Gate" at Banta Road.  This worked out OK but then I got stuck at a rotary almost immediately.  I finally got on WA-20 and headed south - a short time later, I turned east and (using back roads) made by way towards the Whidbey shoreline of the Saratoga Passage.  With roads going East-West and North South in most places, I easily found the coastline and soon (1300) located Ala Spit County Park.  The weather was overcast and cool (high 30s) but windless.  The conditions seemed good for walking on the spit and I spent almost 45 minutes near the shore of Skagit Bay and found some great new species of birds along the way.  The tide seemed unusually low but there were plenty of marshy/puddle areas away from the sandy areas.  Lots of huge tree limbs and trunks covered the Spit and it wasn't easy to walk in a straight line...  After getting done (1345), I made my way south (along the eastern coastline of Whidbey Island) in hopes of accessing Dugualla State Park, a place I'd seen on my paper map.  Unfortunately, I was never able to find a way to enter the "green zone", even though I approached the boundary from the north and the south.  One surprising thing I DID find, though, was the pretty (and high end) Dugualla Bay neighborhood.  By the end of my exploration of the northern end of Whidbey, I found myself near the huge Base Housing complex east of Oak Harbor.  Feeling hungry and worrying about curtailed restaurant hours (due to Christmas Eve), I stopped at Esteban's Mexican Restaurant and ordered "dinner" (enchiladas suizas).  I sat down at 1440 but their sign said they closed at 1500 - as a result, I hurried to order and eat.  In the end, I finished up my meal inside the available window and then went next door to check out the Wicked Teuton Brewery.  Starting at 1515, I enjoyed some beer tasting (assisted by a friendly bartender lady).  The establishment had an interesting vibe that I l really liked.  They also had a mug club with the same name as my friend, Ed B, and I sent him photos (he liked them).  After sampling four beers, I ordered a pint. Feeling tired after I'd finished that drink, I closed out my tab (1550) and drove down to the Oak Harbor Waterfront.  Hoping to continue my daily pursuit of 10K steps, I parked at the Water Treatment Plant and went walking on the "boardwalk" between Windjammer Park and Flintstone Park (1600).  Along the way, I found a memorial to several EA-6B crews who'd paid the Ultimate Price (including my friends from the 1998 crash) and got to watch another amazing sunset.  I was finished with my step goal by 1645.  After that, I drove back to the base.  After successfully getting onboard the post, I figured out that the 24/7 entrance (just off Ault Road & Goldie Road) is called the "Charles Porter Gate".  I arrived at the Navy Inn by 1715 and grabbed more hot chocolate and cookies in the lobby (a very nice perk during my visit!).  From my room, I did laundry, watched movies and communicated a lot with my daughters.  By the end of the evening, I'd finished up the last of my day/night cold and flu medicine.  I sure hope I don't need anymore! My bed time was at 2300.  Happy Christmas Eve!

Nomad Life - Day 120

Still fighting the cold/flu when I woke up at 0430 (alarm needed) this morning.  I managed to start teleworking and, during a break, made breakfast in my room at the Navy Inn on NAS Whidbey Island.  With many of my colleagues already on leave, it was a very slow work day.  I might have taken some time off, just because I was so bored, but it was raining and windy outside.  I took some more of my medication - it seemed to be helping.  At mid day, I ate lunch (snacks) in my room and then was able to finish my work day at 1300.  By then, fortunately, the weather had improved.  As I departed the Navy Inn (1310), I got some amazing views of snow covered mountains in all directions.  On the way off the base, I stopped at the Air Terminal to check on Space A passenger opportunities during the coming week - sadly, there were none.  After that, I ended up having to try a few gates before I was able to leave (there was construction at the main gate but it was also "holiday routine".  I eventually managed to get outside of NAS Whidbey Island by following other folks.  Before leaving my room, I decided that I wanted to find out the answer to the question "what is the Southern half of Whidbey Island life?"  In all my travels to the area, I've never been south of the Coupeville Ferry Landing - today that changes!  With this goal in mind, I drove into Oak Harbor and got on WA-20, which I followed towards the south.  On the way to Coupeville, I passed the Navy OLF.  When I saw signs for the Ferry Landing, I realized I was no longer on WA-20 (I'd changed to following WA-525).  I continued all the way to the Clinton Ferry Terminal (arrived at 1355) and, after getting some photos, I used back roads to find my way to the southernmost point of Whidbey Island.  I was surprised the by number of big trees that surrounded the roads and the remoteness of the area where I was.  Along the way, I checked out a neighborhood along Cultus Bay.  After that, I drove to Possession Point, stopping first at the Possession Beach Waterfront Park.  I parked my car there at 1425 and then walked on beach.  The weather was very nice: high 40s, clear and no rain.  However, all of the walking surfaces were very muddy from the recent rains.  Along the way, I went hiking on Dorothy Cleveland Trail and was able to get some good views of the trees, waterfront and roads well below me.  Sadly,. there were also lots of "private property" signs so I had to turn back before I could see Cultus Bay clearly through the trees.  After descending down to the road again (east side of the ridge), I walked on a paved road to Possession Point State Park.  Even though the gate there was closed, I was able to access the beach (and walk some more).  During my birding in these two locations, I encountered 32 bird species (a bald eagle fishing and two huge herons, standing stock still, were the highlights).  I enjoyed the views I got of Possession Sound and Mount Baker.  It was also interesting to watch the Kingston to Edwards Ferry (visible to the south of my location).  After a wonderful hike (despite my lingering cold), I reached my car (1555) and retraced my drive (via Cultus Bay Road) back towards civilization. I was able to cross WA-525 and then drive north.  Before long, I found myself in the town of Langley and got several great views of Saratoga Passage.  Finding an interesting looking downtown area, I parked and made my way to the Double Bluff Brewing Company.  Inside, I found a seat at the bar (1610) and joined the other (older guy) patrons for their "Tasting Tuesday" event.  Apparently a weekly event, customers brought their own cans of beer for other people to sample.  One guy, named Jim, had even made several cheese, meat and nut pairing combos for his beer.  I learned all about the mug club, the good beers that are locally made (I sampled a flight) and even met one of the brew masters (Zachary).  During the evening, I talked to a realtor (Steve) and two other locals, who told me all about "South Whidbey" politics, real estate, activities and the kinds of people who live, work and visit the area.  There is, apparently, a divide (Red & Blue for politics, working man & retiree, military & hippie) at work north and south of Coupeville.  By the end of each of the conversations, I was told I was more than welcome to return for a night with the guys.  They added that I needed to make sure that, next time, I also visited a nearby pizza restaurant and a cocktail lounge with "Fifth Element" themed drinks (it all sounded like fun!).  My wonderful time in Langley ended at 1735 and I started making my way back to NAS Whidbey.  Without using my iPhone map, I followed the coastline north towards Bells Beach and then cut across the peninsula to Beverly Beach.  This route was obviously not direct but gave me more of a feeling for the area.  I eventually got back on WA-525 (in Freeland) and continued north to Oak Harbor.  Along the way, I talked to Kerith (nearly a 45 minute call) and got dinner at Arby's (1840).  I ate the food in my car and somehow managed to locate the correct gate to enter NAS Whidbey; I arrived at the Navy Inn by 1900.  Emboldened by my apparent "discovery" about the North and South Whidbey differences, I talked to the lady was was working at the Front Desk and, surprisingly, she agreed with me.  It turned out that she had been born on the Island and knew exactly the vibe I was describing.  I'm intrigued to learn more about this strange cultural divide...  Before heading back to my room, I got some more cookies and cocoa (the Lobby has been very generous this week!).  Starting at 1915, I spent the rest of the evening resting, relaxing, reading, etc.  I also watched movies until it was time for bed (2200).  Despite my foray out into the woods this afternoon (and my possibly ill-advised beer tasting), I'm till not feeling 100% myself - maybe by tomorrow this cold/flu will be gone...

Nomad Life - Day 119

This morning, I woke up at 0430 (alarm required) and realized right away that I was very sick.  Like I'd feared the night before, the cold or flu was nasty.  Fortunately, my throat wasn't as bad as it could have been and I had already retrieved some medicine from my car.  Somehow, I started my telework day.  Along the way, I skipped breakfast but, feeling hungry by the middle of the day, I made lunch in my room.  Meanwhile, it was raining off/on outside, with temps in 40s.  Work continued from my room in the Navy Inn on NAS Whidbey Island.  When the weather was nice, I thought about going outside but never felt well enough.  Finally, after struggling through the full day of work, I crossed the finish line and shut off my computer (1430).  Exhausted and still feeling sick, I took a much needed nap (until 1645).  When I got up, I took a call with my FAA friend, Randy D - it was good to hear from him.  Later, I heard (through a medicated fog) loud neighbors upstairs.  Strange: there was almost no one else in the building but, somehow, I got screaming kids over my bedroom...  At one point, I went downstairs to get some cookies and cocoa in the Lobby; after that, I went walking around inside the Navy Inn (3 miles) and rode on a stationary bike (4.15 miles) in the Fitness Center on the third floor (my exercise started at 1700 and was finished at 1815).  Still feeling sick, I skipped dinner and desperately tried to stay awake until a reasonable bedtime.  To aid this goal, I watched movies on my tablet.  I turned off the lights at 2130.  This was one of the slowest days of my entire experience with Nomad Life - I sure hope I start to feel better tomorrow...

Nomad Life - Day 118

It was a tough night, with the congestion and sore throat affecting the quality of my sleep.  As a result, I stayed in bed until almost 0630.  I was still under the effects of the cold or flu but my sinuses apparently drained overnight.  Now, it was just a matter of hydrating (hopefully).  Once sufficiently roused, I spent the morning reading, doing puzzles and Duolingo exercises.  Later, I started packing for departure from Naval Base Kitsap - Bremerton.  Along the way, I skipped breakfast.  By 0930, the weather had let up enough (it had been raining earlier) that I was able to start loading up my car - it took several trips.  When I was finished (0950), I checked out of my room at the Navy Inn, got in my car and headed out of town.  I made my way west towards WA-3 and then drove north.  Just past the exit (Silverdale) for the Kitsap Mall, I found the exit for Naval Base Kitsap - Bangor.  After passing through the front gate, I immediately discovered that this was a much different property than the Bremerton part of the base.  Everything was much more secure, green and expansive.  Hoping to attend Mass, I checked at the Base Chapel - unfortunately, there weren't any services pending.  Next, I stopped in at the package store for a holiday drink (1040) and then made a swing by the Commissary to pick up a sandwich for my lunch (1050).  I departed the Base soon after that and returned to the freeway - I drove north until I reached the end of WA-3.  From there, I continued (with dry conditions, mid 40s) to WA-104.  While crossing Squamish Harbor on the Hood Canal Floating Bridge" (into Jefferson County), I watched to Bald Eagles fighting with a Red Tailed Hawk.  Continuing on WA-104, I made my way west until I was able to get on WA-19.  Just before reaching Port Townsend, I merged on to WA-20.  I got a gas fillup at the Safeway in Port Townsend (1145) and then drove to the nearby Ferry Terminal.  After paying (no reservation), I entered the "standby" queue at 1145.  Fortunately, I had no trouble getting onboard the Ferry "Kennewick" at 1220 and we departed for Coupeville at 1230.  By this time, the wind had kicked up tremendously and the ferry rocked back and forth.  The whitecaps in the Admiralty Inlet were substantial and we were driving perpendicular to the swells.  There were a lot of interesting birds nearby and I enjoyed watching them through my binoculars.  We arrived at the Coupeville Ferry Terminal (on Whidbey Island) by 1310 and I was one of the last cars off the ferry.  Once on land I turned left (north) so I could get away from the rest of the traffic.  Almost immediately, I took a detour through Fort Casey State Park and got a good photo of the Admiralty Head Lighthouse.  Next, I made my way (via back roads) into Coupeville and got on WA-20.  I then continued west and then north until I arrived in Oak Harbor.  After locating the old town center, I stopped for a snack and some local ciders at Barrington's Irish Pub.  The drinks and food ("lunch") were good and I enjoyed the quiet bar with some football playing on the screens nearby.  Finished at 1440, I went walking in Oak Harbor Marina (Flintstone Park) .  By this point, the temps had risen to nearly 50 degrees!  I made it to 1.5 miles of walking before departing the area.  I'd been communicating with the daughters of my friend, Chris C, who had told me about a "pink house" their family had lived in when they resided in the area.  With their help, I went looking for the old home - in the end, I found that it had been repainted green (and sent a photo to Amanda, Ashley and Bridgette).  After that (1510), I made my way to the gate for NAS Whidbey Island and arrived at the Navy Inn by about 1530.  Once I was checked into my room, I unpacked my belongings into my (2nd floor) room (no elevator) and enjoyed some cookies and cocoa in the lobby.  Meanwhile, it got dark.  With everything settled inside, I went walking outside (2.5 miles).  Along the way, I encountered my first New Hampshire License Plate since I left the East Coast - I wonder if I can meet the person...  The evening weather was pleasant (40s and clear).  Finished with my 10K steps (1830), I returned to my room and watched movies for several hours.  In the end, I skipped dinner.  Bedtime was at 2130.  Hoping for a great week of fun on Whidbey Island!

Nomad Life - Day 117

Sadly, my streak of good health ended overnight and I woke up at 0545 (no alarm) feeling very sick.  I was NOT pleased with the sore throat and congestion...  With difficulty, I worked on puzzles, reading and Duolingo.  Looking outside, I noticed that it was not raining yet (though it temps were in the 40s with wind).  Hoping to avoid a situation where I sat inside all day, I decided to get some exercise and explore the Base.  Heading downstairs to the lobby of the Navy Inn, I went walking around on Naval Base Kitsap - Bremerton.  Along the way, I stopped for breakfast at Wendy's (0855).  The place was crowded with young sailors from the ships nearby - as a result, my food didn't arrive until 0935.  I was happy to scarf down the meal, though - especially the orange juice.  Afterwards, I continued walking and got close up views of the USS Nimitz (soon to be decommissioned), some repair ships (and some "small boys" under repair) and some strange-looking Littoral Ships.  Walking towards the Shipyard, I found the USS Reagan, almost completely under wraps - I guess it's undergoing some kind of SLEP.  Throughout my explorations, I didn't encounter any submarines at all.  There were lots of shore birds in the area and I think I heard Sea Lions.  Sadly, it started raining by about 1045 so I shifted away from the pier and went walking inside a parking garage.  After nearly reaching my 10K step goal. I returned to my room (1100).  While the weather outside was frightful, I worked on more finances, blogging, etc. I also signed up for excursions for my upcoming Viking Homelands Cruise.  I ate snacks for lunch but started to become very uncomfortable - the cold/flu was getting worse all day.  Unfortunately, there wasn't anything to make me feel better...  At 1400, I joined Mollie and Ella on a Zoom call so we could continue planning for the 2026 Family Thanksgiving.  We were very productive during our 45 minute conversation.  For the rest of the afternoon, I continued stumbling along with movies and reading.  I also made a call to my Navy friend, George.  By dinner time, I already felt ready for bed...  Instead of succumbing to these urges, though, I forced myself to walk to the All American Cafe for some dinner (1715).  The food (sweet & sour chicken - pork loin, veggies, rice, roll and cookies) was very good and I stayed in the restaurant until just after 1800. Back in my room I continued trying to stall my bed time.  I had zero motivation and mindlessly watched movies.  At 2130, I finally allowed sleep to overwhelm me.  Hoping my health will improve during the coming day...

Nomad Life - Day 116

For the first time in recent memory, I took a random Vacation Day from work!  My reason for this was the good forecast for today - I hoped I'd be able to have a nice adventure in Seattle.  Even though it wasn't a work day, I woke up at 0415 (no alarm) and spent some time reading, doing puzzles and completing Duolingo exercises.  After that, I finished my Christmas shopping for the family.  I skipped breakfast.  At 0745, walked from the Navy Inn (Naval Base Kitsap Bremerton) to Naval Gate and exited the Base.  I then walked down Burwell Street (and some neighborhood alleys) to the Ferry Terminal.  When I arrived (0805), I realized I'd just missed the Kitsap Fast Ferry - dang...  While I was exploring the area, a guy (Dario, Shipyard worker) asked me if I needed help.  He ended up helping me to understand how the ferry system worked.  Together, we boarded the next Kitsap Fast Ferry (0830).  While getting on the boat, I paid a small fare (cash) to go eastbound.  We departed by 0835 and sailed east through the Sinclair Inlet, Rich Passage and into Elliott Bay.  Overall, it was a great ride (30 minutes), although there was water on the windows so I couldn't get good photos.  We got dropped off at Pier 50 in Seattle - very convenient location!  The weather was good - cool (40s) and overcast but there was some sun.  After I'd disembarked and said goodbye to Dario, I checked out the Washington State Ferry Terminal (thinking of using it later in the visit to the PNW).  By 0920, I was on my way north and west along the Waterfront.  During this whole time, I was thinking of "Larry Gets Lost in Seattle" - I'd bought a book for Mollie when I visited in 2008 timeframe and she'd memorized the locations described enough that she practically led us around the city when our family arrived in 2009...  I snacked on some food I'd brought while walking along Alaskan Way.  The biggest surprise was the absence of the old Viaduct - there was a brand new park in it's place with lots of interesting historical and cultural signs.  When I arrived at Pike Street, I completed the Hill Climb, walking up stairs (Western Market) to the Pike Place Market.  Almost immediately, I found the Gum Wall in Post Alley.  It was still quite early, I guess, so business was slow.  I made a quick run through the shops - most were just setting up for the day.  By 0930, I continued north towards the Space Needle.  When I arrived (0955), I got some good photos.  I briefly explored the Seattle Center area and then walked down to the waterfront again (passed Climate Pledge Arena).  After finding a place to cross the railroad tracks, I reached the shore of Elliott Bay (1015).  From there, I walked on the (under construction/renovation) Elliott Bay Trail.  By the end of the day, I'd seen almost the whole thing from the Cruise Terminal (Pier 90) and back to the Kitsap Fast Ferry Terminal (Pier 50).  I was having a good time but, suddenly (1030), realized I needed to get back to meet my cousin, Ben S, near the Pike Place Market.  Reluctantly, I turned around and walked (still using the bike path) all the way back to Pike Street.  On the way, I passed through the Olympic Sculpture Park.  I continued walking in a northeasterly direction until I was able to cross under the Interstate (I-5).  After circling the block, I finally located Ananas Pizzeria, which Ben had called a "hidden gem".  I sat down inside (nice server) at 1130 and waited for Ben - he arrived about 10 minutes later.  I tried some local beers and we later ordered half/half pizza (Ananas and We Meat Again).  Overall, we had a good conversation and the food was good.  We were finished eating at about 1310 - I then said goodbye to my cousin and started walking back towards the waterfront.  On the way, I detoured back towards Pike Place Market.  This took me past the "Hammering Man" in front of the Seattle Art Museum (1330).  At the Market, it was much busier than it had been in the morning.  I wandered around, hoping for some kind of interesting activities, but nothing happened...  I did locate the first Starbucks (1350).  Reversing direction, I walked south and later used the Harbor Steps to go downhill (1355).  Next, I continued through Post Alley (and other side streets) to reach Pioneer Square.  Along the way, I passed lots of streetcars.  After exploring the holiday-themed venues there, I made my way back towards Pier 50 (got close to the Sports Venues).  When I arrived, I bought a return tucket for the Kitsap Fast Ferry.  When I tried to investigate the return process, I found a HUGE line (1420).  Reluctantly, I decided not to wait to go back to Bremerton because the following ferry was scheduled for more than an hour later.  Fortunately, I managed to get onboard when they departed (1430).  After that, it was another quick ride - this time, there was some rain and a bit of rough water.  There was also a troubled (mental health?) passenger who made almost everyone uncomfortable...  We made it to the Bremerton Ferry Terminal by 1500.  Seeing some nasty weather approaching from the west, I walked quickly back to the Base - I made it just in time (rain started) and was in my room by 1530.  Looking at my pedometer, I discovered I'd walked 10 miles!  Feeling quite tired, I lounged around for the rest of the afternoon and evening - I ended up watching movies.  For some reason, I felt sore and congested - I hope I'm not getting sick...  I ate snacks for dinner and capped off the day with some reading, puzzles and Duolingo.  My heart wasn't really in the movies I watched before turning off the light (2130).  Glad to have had a good day in Seattle with out the drive!

Nomad Life - Day 115

My alarm woke me this morning at 0430 and I started another telework day.  During a short break, I ate snacks for breakfast.  Meanwhile, the weather outside was cold (low 40s) and dreary (cloudy with mist).  At 1130, I took the elevator from the 9th floor of the Navy Inn on Naval Base Kitsap - Bremerton and walked across the parking lot to the All American Cafe.  For lunch (they called it "brunch"), I was offered eggs, sausage, biscuits & gravy and chicken fried steak.  Even better, I got to load up on fruit (strawberries, blueberries, cantaloupe) from the salad bar.  The food was quite satisfying!  After finishing my meal, I returned to my room and continued teleworking until 1400.  After that, I caught up on blogs (finally have all preceding days of my Nomad Life recorded!) and reading.  The weather outside improved tremendously (reached high 40s and the sun appeared).  Since I'd made plans to meet up with my old Navy friend, Lee, his wife (Kristie) and their daughter (Lilly), I departed the Base and drove through town towards the Silver City Taproom (1530), where we'd coordinated to meet at 1600.  On the way, Lee called to tell me we needed to go to a completely different location (also called Silver City) because the taproom didn't have any food.  As I struggled to avoid red light and speed cameras (seemingly everywhere nearby), he directed me to the town of Silverdale and the area near the Kitsap Mall.  Fortunately, my Google Maps cooperated and helped me to reach WA-3.  From there, I made my way north, passing a horrendous traffic jam (related to the Shipyard) on the way.  Fortunately, I didn't have a lot of traffic of my side of the highway...  When I arrived at the Kitsap Mall, I found the Silver City Restaurant (1600) and went inside.  Lee, Kristie and Lilly were a bit behind schedule so I had time to order a flight of four beers (all house brews).  The server was very and gave me some additional tasters before friends arrived (1620).  It was fun to catch up (we'd last seen each other when I was in Tacoma, with Mollie, in 2018) and I enjoyed meeting Lilly (two years old and in the prime of Pre-Schooler life).  For dinner I ordered another Tillamook concoction, this time with rigatoni with andouille sausage) - it was rich and delicious!  Lee gave me a card from Erin (she'd sent it to his house at my suggestion) and we talked a lot about my plans for visiting the Pacific Northwest during the coming month.  With Lilly needing to get home for some (much needed) sleep, we wrapped up our dinner and said goodbye (1800).  After that, I walked from the restaurant, across the huge parking lot, and entered the Kitsap Mall, where I spent the next 90 minutes walking around (to get my 10K steps).  Along the way, I bought a travel book (for my Scandinavia trip) at Barnes & Noble (1845).  By1930, with my step goal completed, I returned to my car and started my drive back to Naval Base Kitsap - Bremerton.  As usual, Google Maps tried to send me to a place I knew would not work (the many gates close in the evenings).  Fortunately, I recalled enough from my earlier explorations that I was able to locate the Farragut Gate.  Just as I made it inside successfully, it started raining.  It was also colder by then (low 40s).  Needless to say, I was very happy to be back in my room at the Navy Inn again (2000).  I spent the rest of the evening resting, reading, doing puzzles and completing Duolingo exercises.  Feeling tired from the week of driving and early telework start, I struggled to stay awake.  As a result, I turned the lights out at 2130.  I'm very glad I was able to meet up with my friends!

Nomad Life - Day 114

After another relaxing and restful sleep (I've had a string of these lately), I awoke at 0430 (alarm required) in my room at the Pacific Beach Resort & Conference Room.  Almost immediately, I saw evidence (blinking lights on clocks) that the power had gone out overnight.  Fortunately, none of this prevented me from beginning my telework day... I had a series of early meetings to keep me busy for a while.  Meanwhile, it was quiet outside.  Later, though, it started to rain hard and also got really windy.  Snug, warm and dry, I made breakfast in my room and continued teleworking,  My phone reported that the temps in Pacific Beach were in the low 40s.  At about 1000, I could see some sunlight peaking out of the clouds to the east and noticed that the rain and wind had vanished suddenly.  Within 30 minutes, I knew it was time to depart Pacific Beach.  Feeling like I'd missed a chance to truly experience the Resort fully, I spent a bit of time walking around on the property (got photos of the ocean and located the RV park and homes for rent).  When I returned to my room, I got locked out (my key no longer worked) - the Front Desk staff assisted me in getting my belongings and, by 1045, I got in my car. The short period of time with no rain and clear skies to the east didn't last and, as I backtracked towards Gray's Harbor (via WA-109, Copalis Beach Road and Ocean Beach Road), the rain started again.  By the time I was back on US-101, I'd begun to believe I'd have a full repeat of the previous day.  I stopped for lunch at a Dairy Queen in Aberdeen (1115) but ate the food in my car.  Meanwhile, I drove east (US-101 to US-12) and listened to audiobooks.  It continued raining off/on - sometimes, though, it was actually sunny.  Temps were in the mid 40s while I drove - those 50s I'd been seeing are likely done for 2025...  I had to make my way through a lot of road construction and traffic but saw several birds in the Montesano Marsh as I passed.  Near that location, I got a call from Brother Jim and stopped (to hold cell signal) so I could pay attention.  Following the short discussion, I resumed driving and listened to audiobooks.  Before long, I switched on to WA-8 (when US-12 diverged) and then WA-108 to get to US-101.  Following that road towards the north, I soon arrived in Shelton.  During this time, the weather continued improving - yay!  After getting on WA-3, started seeing clear views of the snow-capped peaks of the Olympic Range (very pretty).  I stopped a few times, looking for parks and a place for a break.  Eventually,  I was able to pause, on the shoreline of North Bay, at Allyn Waterfront Park (1240).  I did some birding there and then continued driving towards Bremerton.  After passing Gorst, I switched to Charleston Boulevard and soon arrived at Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton (1325).  Even after I got on base, it took a while to find the Navy Inn (Google Maps gave wrong directions).  There were also lots of restricted roads and one way streets on post.  Worse, the Naval Shipyard apparently off limits for me.  I managed to locate the Front Desk by 1335 but was then unable to check into a room ("they haven't been cleaned").  The clerk suggested that I wait for an hour.  Hiding my disappointment, I went back to my car and resumed teleworking (using my phone as a hot spot).  Somehow, I got another hour of work done.  Meanwhile, the weather was perfect and I really felt the annoyance of not being able to go on a hike.  Obviously, though, work and checking in were higher priorities...  During this time, it became clear that parking on the Base was at a premium.  At 1445, my second attempt to get a room key was successful; the clerk thanked me for being "surprisingly patient".  His colleague asked if I had enjoyed my last visit but I explained this was the first time I'd been on base - my "Doppelganger" is hot on my trail!  After dropping off my bags in the room (9th of 10 floors), I went for a walk nearby.  While looking at signage near the entry gate, I discovered that the USS Nimitz and USS Reagan were stationed at the base - sadly, I couldn't figure out how to visit them...  Instead, I explored the housing area and found a few other access gates.  Most of this walk was intended as research for my Ferry ride to Seattle on Friday.  Once I arrived at an area near the Navy Inn, I found the NEX and got a haircut (1520).  I also picked up some snacks and other groceries (1530).  After that, I returned to my car and dropped everything off so I could take a walk outside the base.  Before leaving, I talked to the Security guys (to make sure I was following the rules) and then walked out of the Navy Gate.  I used Naval Avenue to reach Burwell Street, walked east (passed the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard) and eventually located the Bremerton Transportation Center (1600).  Behind this building, I checked out the Ferry Terminal (both for Kitsap Fast Ferry and Washington State Ferries).  Inside, I talked to the people at the Kitsap Ferry Desk and learned how to buy tickets (including electronically).  There was also more information there about the schedule than I'd been able to discover online.  After getting done with my in-person research (1620), I backtracked to the Naval Gate and reentered the base (1645).  Back in my room again, I finished up the last half hour of my telework day.  At  1730, I headed downstairs and across the parking lot to the All American Cafe, where I was able to get some dinner.  They were serving Fettuccini Alfredo with shrimp and a side of broccoli; I also got a roll, a drink and some dessert (cookies) for one price.  With all that food, I skipped adding a salad bar... After dinner was completed, I walked out side to find that the temps had dropped into the low 40s again - fortunately, there was no rain.  I arrived at my room by 1800 and intended to be very productive for the rest of the evening.  Unfortunately, my body wasn't very motivated to do much for the rest of the evening - I ended up just reading, unpacking and stalling until I was able to go to bed.  Again, my body decided the evening activities and I immediately fell asleep at 2130.  It was an interesting day - I'm hoping all the repositioning and research will pay off during the next few days!

Nomad Life - Day 113

For the first time in weeks, I was almost 100% certain that the weather conditions were not going to allow me to have an outdoor adventure.  Coupled with those thoughts, I still had to drive north from Astoria to my lodging for the evening (on the central Washington Coast).  Deciding to make the best of things, I got up for work at 0430 (alarm needed).  I then spent the early morning (except for a short break, at 0700, for breakfast) teleworking from my hotel room at the Holiday Inn Express (Astoria).  Outside, it was rainy and overcast but not too miserable. At 0900, I went to hotel gym to walk on the treadmill - I managed to get my entire four miles done before a single other person came into the room.  Back at my computer again (1020), I teleworked some more, watching the weather to see when a trip across the Astoria Megler Bridge might be possible.  At one point, the visibility allowed me to see the shoreline across the river (in Washington) but then this image started to disappear into clouds/mist.  Hoping to get started on my drive before a steady/nasty rain began, I checked out of my hotel (1050) and departed Astoria.  I used US-30 to get on US-101 and was soon crossing the Columbia River.  I'll admit that this was not an easy task...  On the Washington side, I took WA-401 (towards the east) to VA-4.  Along the way, I encountered more Lewis and Clark signs but the "angry" waves on the Columbia River, added to the wet road conditions, made me keep driving.  Before long, I merged with US-101 again.  The rain was steady but my defroster/wipers kept up with the conditions.  Outside, the temps were still in the 50s - surprising!  I passed through the town of South Bend at 1145 and arrived in Aberdeen by 1225.  In this latter town, I parked my car (in the lot of a building that seemed to have been demolished/removed) and conducted a work meeting for just over an hour.  Meanwhile, it continued raining intermittently.  Once finished with the meeting (1445), I resumed my drive to the north on US-101 again.  I stopped for lunch at McDonalds in Hoquiam (1355).  I was able to take my lunch in the car with me and, a few miles later, turned off of US-101 and followed Ocean Beach Road (through Tulips and Copalis Crossing) towards the town of Pacific Beach.  After switching to Copalis Beach Road and WA-109, I arrived at the Pacific Beach Resort & Conference Center (a Navy Getaway property) at 1435.  There was nasty weather when I checked into my room and my second floor room (the lack of an elevator) made me reluctant to unpack too much of my car.  Once dry and warm inside, though, I was able to do some more teleworking.  Since the weather never improved, I didn't leave the room again.  With work completed, I researched flights for my upcoming trip to Europe (also exchanged emails/WhatsAp with Angela and Inka) and made calls to the Bremerton Navy Inn (confirming tomorrow) and texted several friends and connections in the Seattle area (planning for the upcoming weekend).  The online news had all kinds of dire warnings (mostly for people east of Pacific Beach) about the Atmospheric River hammering the Pacific Northwest...  Still feeling secure in my own location, I cooked dinner in my room at the Resort and then spent the rest of the evening watching movies.  As I wrapped up my night with some reading and Duolingo exercises, it occurred to me that I'd not taken any pictures during the entire day - that's the first time that's happened in several months!  I drifted off to sleep at 2220 after a rather mundane day.  Hopefully, the weather will improve in the morning and I can resume my Nomad Life adventures in the great outdoors!

Nomad Life - Day 112

Back to work...  This morning, I woke up at 0400 (without an alarm) and started teleworking. Meanwhile, the Atmospheric River raged outside - there was some poor visibility early but then a nasty storm (heavy rain and high winds) began and continued through the rest of the morning.  At 0700, I took a short break for breakfast in the lobby of the Holiday Inn Express (Astoria).  Otherwise, I kept working and watched the birds birds hunkering down under the Astoria Megler Bridge.  I skipped lunch and kept an eye on the weather outside.  At one point (1200), I could see the other side of the Columbia River (i.e., Washington) so started to hope for improvement before the sun set.  At 1420, I knocked off work for the day and spent time working on addressing some (generic) Christmas Card for the folks I couldn't send the Family Card to (we had too many interested parties).  There was also a bit of time for some financial organization and blog catch up before I was ready to depart the hotel (1500).  Tentatively, I drove across Columbia River on the Astoria Megler Bridge (i.e., US-101).  Not surprisingly, it was very windy and I noticed that several gulls were soaring - stationary - above the guardrails of the highway.  The visibility was still low and there was a steady drizzle/mist. After reaching the other side, I turned west (still following US-101) and drove through a tunnel.  Almost immediately after this, I exited the highway and turned left into Fort Columbia State Park (1530).  The park road looped back over the top of the tunnel and I soon found myself on top of a high hill above the Columbia River.  I would have liked to stop but I noticed some new serious looking Washington State Park pass requirements.  With these as a deterrent, I only took some photos from the hill and then drove back down to US-101.  Containing north and west, I saw lots of signs for the Lewis and Clark Trail (there seemed to be lots of National Park and State Park Units).  As it has been for the last few days, the temps were in the 50s.  Along the way, I stopped in Chinook to drop off my Christmas Cards at the US Post Office.  Across the street from there, I noticed that gas prices much higher than I'd seen in Oregon.  Next, I drove through the town of Ilwaco and got on WA-100 so I could drive into Cape Disappointment State Park.  My route took me in a counterclockwise direction around "Loop 100".  By this point, the rain had stopped, the wind had died down and the sun had appeared for the first time all day.  I took full advantage of this lucky break and made a stop at Beards Hollow Overlook (1550) - such beautiful views!  Next (1555), I stopped to visit the North Head Light.  There were only a few other cars in the parking lot there but I did meet one person who congratulated the two of us on choosing the perfect day for a visit.  With these pleasant thoughts in mind, I took a nice walk to the lighthouse, where I was treated to more amazing views of the Washington Coast.  There were lots of birds soaring overhead and the waves and wind made for a wonderful memory of a December day in the Pacific Northwest.  Knowing I had very limited time left to see more of the State Park, I reluctantly departed North Head by 1610.  I then drove towards Cape Disappointment Light.  Along the way, I saw signs for Waikiki Beach (that was a surprise).  When I reached the parking lot for the Lighthouse, the tall trees made it seem like early evening - undeterred, I started walking as soon as I arrived (1620).  It seemed like the nearby Coast Guard Station would have a better access to the ocean and Light and this ended up being true.  After using a walking a State Park walking trail (down and then uphill), I passed through a fence and on to Coast Guard property.  This allowed me to get some amazing views of a chasm called "Deadman's Cove" - behind the opening in the rocks, the brilliant orange ball of the setting sun blazed across the rolling seas...  I arrived at the lighthouse just after sun set - the orange remnants of Sol descending behind clouds and water were still striking.  A Coast Guard watch-stander arrived at about that time, checking on the lighthouse.  I stayed for some photos of the good views but then quickly returned to my car.  I had been afraid to be locked in the lot by the State Park personnel (or, worse, to get a ticket for blowing off their electronic pass requirements) but, when I got there (1650), the waiting person in his truck just waved.  It got darker almost immediately after I started driving out of the State Park.  Earlier, I'd thought about stopping for food but then decided to drive back to Oregon while I still had a bit of daylight and good weather.  The Columbia River crossing was a bit easier (less windy) and I was following some careful drivers - as a result, I never felt concerned about the high, narrow bridge.  Soon, I was in Astoria, got on to US-30 and arrived at my hotel (1715).  I went to my room, swapped out some items and then went walking on the streets near the hotel (to get the rest of my 10K steps).  I checked out businesses along US-30 and explored the Astoria Riverwalk.  I found a trolley line and followed the tracks between Bay Street Station to warehouses across from Hume Avenue.  Along the way, I passed Maritime Memorial Park, which was full of memorial stones for local mariners.  Eventually, I decided to have dinner at El Tapatio, a family-owned Mexican Restaurant close to my hotel (1745).  It ended up being a very good experience (both for price and food) and I felt very good after I was done eating.  At 1835, I resumed my walk in the area - I walked more of the Astoria Riverwalk (past Basin Street Station to Portway Street) and reached my step goal by 1900.  By then, the rain had started again.  Back in my hotel room, I watched movies, relaxed and read books.  Bedtime was at 2225.  Feeling very good about being able to take advantage of the break in the weather today!  

Nomad Life - Day 111

My Oregon Coast trek is nearly at an end - along with the good weather, I'll be reaching the end of the drive soon...  It was another weekend day so I didn't set an alarm.  After waking up at 0620, I spent time working on my blog and then did some packing and organizing.  I got breakfast in the lobby of the Hi-Tide Oceanfront Inn (Seaside) and then, back in the room, caught up on finances.  It was raining when I loaded up my car but the forecast said the day would be mostly clear and dry.  Hoping to attend Mass at the nearby Catholic Parish, Our Lady of Victory, I departed the hotel (1045) and successfully found a parking spot at the church.  Mass began at 1100 - the building wasn't very big and was also not too crowded.  I enjoyed the Homily a lot, though, and was pleased with yet another good choice of church.  When the service ended (I150), I started looking for a gas station that might have air for my tire (it was reporting low on my dashboard).  Fortunately, a nearby Shell had a free tube for air - I filled all four of my tires and finally got rid of pesky warning light.  After that, I drove back to Hi-Tide and parked (they said I could stay in the lot until the end of the day).  From there, I went walking on Seaside Promenade (started at 1200).  By this point, it was dry and temps were in the mid 50s.  Along the way, I saw lots of cool vacation homes and pretty yards.  At the southern end of "The Prom", I turned around and visited the Lewis & Clark Salt Works (replica built on a spot that Native Americans reported had been used by the Expedition).  As I made my way north, I passed a statue of the Explorers, which seemed to imply that they ended their journey nearby.  I continued walking, passing a busy Aquarium and finally reaching the end of the Promenade.  In the end, I completed the entire (paved) trail in both directions (end to end).  At one point, I could see Tillimook Rock Light in the distance.  Before returning to my car, I sopped for lunch at Mo's, a seafood restaurant franchise I'd been seeing all the way up the Oregon Coast.  Inside, I ate a good Grilled Cod Sandwich and enjoyed a good local beer.  Afterwards (1340), I walked back to the Hi-Tide and retrieved my car.  By 1350, I was driving north on US-101, looking for a way to reach Fort Stevens State Park.  After a few aborted attempts to drive west to the shore, I ended up on OR-104 and it took me where I wanted to go.  Along the way, I stopped and checked on several historic, engineering and other points of interest.  Highlights included: getting a glimpse of the "Peter Iredale" (abandoned shipwreck on the shore) at 1430; climbing a tower next to the Columbia River South Jetty (windy and misty) at 1440); visiting the Columbia River Beach(birding) at 1450.  Throughout my travels in the afternoon, I saw lots of raging surf and the current of the River looked dangerous at its mouth - signs confirmed the treachery of the Ocean in the area.  Eventually (1510), I located the Fort Stevens earthworks.  As I'd already been thinking throughout my drive on the Oregon Coast, State Park passes would definitely be a boon for anyone who frequently visited the area.  Meanwhile, it began to get more overcast, with temps starting to drop.  The latter could have been more my perception, since the wind definitely began to get stronger.  Fortunately, the visibility was still OK.  Soon, I was driving east again (used side streets to get back to US-101).  A bit later, I started to get glimpses of the Astoria Megler Bridge in the distance.  Upon entering Astoria, I got on US-30 and headed east down toward the Waterfront.  Almost immediately, I arrived at my hotel, the Holiday Inn Express (Astoria).  I had made a reservation using IHG Rewards points and was soon set up in my fancy King Suite (1545).  By then, a steady rain (with high winds) had started but I was warm and dry - I spent several hours relaxing, working on blog, etc. I'd thought about going out to the car again to get food (to cook in my room) but never did.  Instead, I read and watched movies until I started to get sleepy.  Somehow, I managed to stay awake until 2200.  It's been a great run of good luck on the weather but I think I'm now going to experience the "normal" PNW weather...

Nomad Life - Day 110

With a weekend day ahead of me, it was a relief not to have to get up early and/or race around the Pacific Northwest to get all of my telework days.  As a result of the lack of pressure, I woke up at 0600 (no alarm) and had time for reading, puzzles and Duolingo.  When I was finished with that and had gotten ready to depart, I went outside to pack my car.  It was a colder morning (40s) than I've been seeing recently but the forecast was good.  I was ready to check out of my room at the Travelodge by Wyndham (Newport) by 0850 and got snacks in the lobby ("breakfast") as I was departing the hotel.  Before leaving Newport, though, I drove a short distance to visit "Historic Nye Beach".  As usual, parking was a premium and I ended up stopping (0855) at Don & Ann Park to get views of the waterfront and learn more about whale sightings in the area.  At 0905, I drove back towards US-101 (passed a Chowder Bowl restaurant nearby) and got a photo of the US-20 sign that showed the mileage to Boston (~3,300) - I shared this with my dad.  Next, I drove north to visit the Yaquina Head "Outstanding Natural Area", where I'd noticed another Oregon Coast Lighthouse on the map.  I arrived at the end of the headland (and the Light) by 0920.  The weather was marvelous!  By then, the temps were back in the 50s, it was sunny and there weren't any clouds in the bluebird sky.  While doing some birding (Merlin App and Binoculars), I met a retired NOAA researcher (also birding) who asked me a lot of questions about my New Hampshire license plates and Nomad Life.  I guess there were so few cars in the parking lot that it was obvious who wasn't a local...  I learned that his wife was from Massachusetts and, together, they told me about additional places to visit north of the Light.  At around the same time, a BLM employee stopped by to chat with his friend (the retired NOAA guy) and I ended up going through my whole story again.  Perhaps I passed some kind of "sniff test", because I was then offered an opportunity to sign up as a volunteer (at the Natural Area) for three months in the Summer of 2027!  Sounds like an interesting gig - maybe it would work for me?  After letting the folks know that I had "miles to go before I sleep", I resumed my sightseeing.  There were lots of fishing boats and some huge rocks that broke the powerful Pacific ocean waves.  The latter were barely visible under the water and looked like surfacing whales when the surf exposed them.  (I learned later that this is a local point of humor for the employees at the park).  I briefly considered hiking up to the highest point of land but decided I needed to save my walks for something more substantial.  Instead, I made my way back to the BLM Visitor Center and learned why the park had signs about "Fee Free Day": they were hosting a Victorian Holiday Celebration!  I spent some time with them, enjoying hot chocolate, cookies and barbershop quartet music.  There was also time for me to walk through the museum and get information about some of the unique sea birds I'd seen (and about some who only visit during Spring).  At 1015, I departed the Natural Area and drove north (on US-101 again) to the town of town of Otter Rock.  This location, recommended by the NOAA guy, featured high cliffs with views of the coast.  There were a lot of surfers gearing up in the parking lot and many more in the water below.  I walked around nearby and found the Devil's Punchbowl, a large cave-looking hole below the westernmost cliff (1050).  It was sunny and warm (high 50s).  Again following the recommendation of the NOAA guy, I drove north along the coast (back roads) until I reached the Otter Crest Viewpoint, located on Cape Foulweather (1105).  From there, I got a better view of the large (intermittently submerged) rocks that disturb the waves on the way to shore.  The signage at the viewpoint said they were called (from south to north) Whaleback Rock, Otter Rock and Gull Rock.  When I turned around from my vista, I was surprised to find myself alone at such a beautiful place.  I headed back to US-101 and drove north again.  Along the way, I passed the 45th Parallel North, which is close to the border with NY, VT, NH and Canada.  The dichotomy of temps in the high 50s and my life-long experiences at this latitude was amazing... Before long, I reached Pacific City and got off of US-101 so I could drive the Three Capes Scenic Route (ultimately, I followed the entire route).  My first stop after this was at Cape Kiwanda - it was a busy beach and parking cost a pretty penny.  I got back on the Three Capes Scenic Route and kept going north - the roads were horrible.  During this time, I reviewed all of my experiences over the last few days on the Oregon Coast and concluded that an annual Oregon State Park pass would be VERY valuable.  With this thought in mind, I was pleasantly surprised to locate a place that didn't require a pass; starting at 1230, I went hiking and birding at Sitka Sedge State Natural Area.  Almost immediately, I met folks from Portland (who also had a vacation home in Pacific City) who helped me find the best routes to hike (Beltz Dike Trail, Kinnikinick Woods Loop) and also helped me ID the many kinds of birds we saw. With such beautiful weather, I gladly hiked nearly three miles inside the park.  Along the way, I found the beach, made my way around standing water that was blocking the trail, encountered lots of dogs and had another great Oregon experience.  When I reached my car again, I immediately noticed that the internal temperature gauge was reporting 60 degrees.  Unfortunately, it was also showing low tire pressure on one of my tires.  This has happened several times since I got the new tires in Albuquerque but I believe it's a function of the temperatures and elevations - we'll see.  Back on the road again, I continued north to Cape Lookout State Park.  There were side roads that I could have followed for some waterfront fun but I chose to continue on to the town of Oceanside.  Near that location, I passed expansive tidal flats, fishing boats that were fighting tidal currents to make big-time catches and more bad roads.  After this, I made my way to Cape Mears NWR.  When I arrived at the parking lot (1420), I made my way to the lighthouse and found some tremendous views.  After getting some good photos, I went walking nearby - I located the Octopus Tree, a Sitka Spruce that was apparently almost 300 years old.  All around, I got great views - especially of the Cape Lookout rock formations (one had a tunnel).  When I was finished exploring (1445), I made my way towards Tillamook.  This wasn't as easy or scenic as I'd hoped because some of the roads were closed to the north.  Instead, I drove on a fancy paved route ("Cape Meares LP Road") to cross the high ridge.  There were all kinds of warnings about the high (18%) grade and chains but I had no trouble.  I also didn't pass one car until I reached the old road ("Bayocean Road NW").  From there, I followed the southern end of Tillamook Bay (more birds) until I intercepted OR-131.  I arrived at US-101 (and Tillamook) by 1515.  Almost immediately after this, I stopped for gas at Fred Meyer and was surprised to find they offered self serve (did the law change since my 2018 visit?) - after my recent discovery of Fred Meyer's connection with Kroger, I was pleased to be able to use a fuel discount there.  I'd hoped to get some air for my tire when I finished fueling (1520) but I couldn't reach tire pump due to fuel truck).  Oh well- there will be time to get air later.  I continued north on US-101 until I reached the Tillamook Creamery, a place that had opened about a week before Mollie and I had passed by in June of 2018.  This time, I stopped and went inside!  There was a self-guided tour and I got to sample four kinds of cheese - I really liked the "smoked black pepper white cheddar".  It was possible to observe assembly lines in the factory and the tour offered a lot of interesting information.  At the cafeteria (1535), I ended up ordering Tillamook Mac & Cheese and a Pelican Brewing Company Beach Beer.  Everything was excellent!  When I finished with my "dinner" (1550), I departed to the north on US-101.  By this point, I was racing to try to get to Haystack Rock (Cannon Beach) by sunset.  For some reason, Google Maps took me on Miami Foley Road, a sketchy side route through a deep valley.  During this phase, I passed along the edge of an overflowing river and drove through water on the pavement.  This route was apparently trying to bypass Cape Margaret and the bay in at the mouth of the Nehelem River...  In any case, I reached OR-53 and, shortly after that, found myself back on US-101.  From there, I followed the coastline.  Along the way, I kept making up time but, in the end, couldn't beat the sun.  In the distance, I marveled at several peaks that were painted bright red by the sun.  In the end, I arrived at the parking lot above Haystack Rock at 1640.  It was already too late to see the sun go down but there was still good light and plenty of people enjoying the ambiance.  I was able to see Tillimook Rock Light in the distance as I walked down to the beach.  I chatted with some folks, took some photos and quickly climbed back to my car.  After that, I only had about eight miles to drive to the town of Seaside (after I got back on US-101).  When I arrived at the Hi-Tide Oceanfront Hotel, where Mollie and I had stayed in 2018, I checked into the hotel and was issued a room with a partial ocean view.  Almost immediately, I opened the window - weather was very nice!.  Even better: I got some good views of the deep reds on the horizon (1720).  I spent the rest of the evening watching movies in my room and did some blogging.  With all of my stops today, my eBird entries took a lot of time too!  With some reading and planning for my next day of activities, I didn't get to bed until 2240.  There is no doubt that the weather has been wonderful for three straight days (unusual for December) so you can understand why I was shocked to learn I might get more good weather again tomorrow!