We embark on our 30 day trip in a week and I wanted to share thanks to those of you who have helped with suggestions. I can’t thank all, but many helped greatly. Danke to Russ and KGC, Nigel and Fritz for our upcoming sojourn to Germany’s Mosel River valley, some of the —ingens (near Stuttgart), and the Black Forest. Merci to avirosemail - whose wonderful TR this past winter first put Musee Jaquemart-Andre on my radar. And to Ordenbill, EmilyofNotreDame, Mardee, Balso, Pam, Jojo Rabbit, Judy, LaurieC and Janettravels44 for help in France: Alsace, Burgundy, Lyon and Paris. TY to Hank for inspired cycling reports. And to Rick and crew for this forum.
As much as we look forward to our upcoming 30 days of travel, we’ve personally had a great 90+ days since mid-May, both here at home in the Pacific NW and on our visit to see friends and family in California. So, I’m feeling a tad reflective and contemplative.
Here on the left coast, home is pretty nice. This morning, we cycled 16 miles and spent time at a lakeside park. Seattle is blessed with 86 miles of shoreline including 34 miles along Lake Washington on one side of the city. 50+ years ago, local voters acted to create an adequate and modern waste management system to save Lake Washington.
Last week, we visited friends on the Olympic Peninsula, rode bikes a couple of days (32 and 24 miles) and we saw newly built bridges on US Hwy 101 (the result of a lawsuit by the tribes and environmentalists to help restore salmon habitat by replacing culverts with proper stream beds). We also walked along the lower Elwha River Valley where trees are now growing where a dam used to hold back the river, and we viewed Mt. Olympus’ receding glaciers from Olympic NP’s Hurricane Ridge.
In May we got up to Victoria, BC. Great biking and friendly neighbors to the north, hurt feelings notwithstanding.
Later in May and early June, our trip to California to see family and friends allowed us to see some great national parks that we enjoyed, while we also took in staffing shortages and wildfire legacies. We also saw how too many of us have to navigate hardships in what should be a land with an adequate safety net for folks like one of my family members. Thankfully, I was finally able help her to access benefits that are presently available for disabled seniors.
Summer in Seattle has been great. Lots of upper 70 and low 80 degree days. And no significant wildfire smoke, unlike too many years in the recent past.
So, we are able to count many personal joys and satisfactions in these troubling times on our shared planet.
Enjoy your travels, all. Enjoy your homes, family and friends. Do whatever you can to help make our communities and our planet thrive.
All the best.