Deception Pass

On Tuesday of last week I put my tour guide hat on yet again and picked up my group to head to the north end of Whidbey Island. You can access Whidbey Island at the north by crossing a couple bridges and when you travel all the way south on the island you cross the Salish Sea/Puget Sound via a car/passenger ferry from Clinton to Mukilteo.

We stopped on the north side of Deception Pass on Fidalgo Island before crossing over the Deception Pass bridge.

“A group of sailors led by Joseph Whidbey, part of the Vancouver Expedition, found and mapped Deception Pass on June 7, 1792.George Vancouver gave it the name “Deception” because it had misled him into thinking Whidbey Island was a peninsula.The “deception” was heightened due to Whidbey’s failure to find the strait at first.” I thought it was called Deception because of the whirlpools and strong currents that can give boats quite a run for their money.

You can read the history of this Bridge and area if you click here.

We crossed over the bridge and found a parking spot at the State Park property on the Whidbey Island side of the bridge. I was happy I zipped over to Fred Meyer to pick up a Discovery Pass before I picked up my passengers. You need a Discovery Pass to park at the State Park lot.

On this side of the bridge there were several trails you could hike to get down to areas below the bridge with nice beach areas.

We had some fabulous weather and views for our “Island Day”.

We headed up on the bridge deck to get to the center to get more views of the Skagit Bay and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

The North end of the island is also home to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Oak Harbor. Oak Harbor is the largest city on Whidbey Island. We stopped in two cities on Whidbey Island, Coupeville, where we had lunch and Langley, my favorite city to visit on the Island. That will be another post.

It’s Sunday afternoon and just about 20 minutes until the U.S.A. v Portugal game kicks off. I’ll be glued to the t.v. hoping for a good result. The bathroom renovation continues, too, around here. I have told you in the past that I’m the sports fan at my house not my Dear. He’s putting in can lights and a bathroom fan and heater today before he seals up the ceiling with drywall. Fun times. Hope your Sunday is going well.

Good Fences ~ George Washington Inn

The George Washington Inn is situated on the Strait of Juan de Fuca between Port Angeles and Sequim with views of the Olympic Mountain Range in Washington State on the Olympic Peninsula. It’s a great choice for a getaway with easy access to Hurricane Ridge and the Olympic Mountains or Dungeness Bay. The third weekend every July Sequim is known for their wonderful lavender festival. This would be a great spot to overnight for the festival.

My daughter, girlfriend and I attended a George Washington Tea here on Washington’s birthday in February a couple years ago. On that day we were treated to a rainbow looking out the back of the Inn and onto the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

We were happy that George Washington was the special guest at the tea in his honor.

I will be linking up with TexWisGirl at Run A Round Ranch for Good Fences #12.

My Feedly source has been attacked for the second time in 2 days and I’m not getting my usual updates on the blogs I enjoy visiting. They are working on developing some protection and getting back online. If I haven’t visited you can blame it on the attacker!

Looking Back ~ Buster Brown

The Bellefontaine Cemetery had a great system for finding all the notable famous and fascinating people buried on their grounds. There was a clear white line in the middle of the road that you could follow and then each of the 58 notables were marked with red markers. Black markers showed Civil War notable people.

When I heard that George Warren Brown (1853-1921) the maker of Buster Brown shoes was buried here I wanted to see his grave site. When we were young my siblings and I would be taken to a shoe store in Montebello on Whittier Blvd. that carried Buster Brown shoes. Even though we always struggled to make ends meet my pop was determined we’d have good shoes to wear. We would get our new Buster Brown school shoes every year and a pair of shoes for church.

George’s brother Alanson (1847-1913) is buried across the road.

The Journey Through History book we bought at the front office at the cemetery gives the history of all the notables buried on the grounds. It was worth the $5 to purchase it. Here’s what is written about the Brown brothers…

“Traveling to St. Louis for a church convention, Alanson Brown found the city centrally located and populated with ambitious citizens. Seeing opportunity, Alanson decided to invest in a new wholesale shoe business in St. Louis.

His brother George Brown worked as his star salesman but found the shoes he had to sell did not meet the needs of his customers. When George could not convince Alanson to manufacture shoes in St. Louis, George set up his own company making shoes, including the still popular Buster Brown children’s line. Recognizing George’s success, Alanson’s company also began manufacturing shoes in St. Louis – then a city known for shoes, booze, and news and last in the American League.

Both brothers supported St. Louis institutions and focused on improving the lives of others. George’s widow set up the George Warren Brown School of Social Services at Washington University.

With parallel lives, the two brothers rest across the lane from each other at Bellefontaine – Alanson in a 1910 domed mausoleum by World’s Fair architect Isaac Taylor and George in a 1928 hexagonal tomb by the St. Louis firm of Mauran, Russell, Crowell.

I put out the call to my friends from Montebello on Facebook to help me remember the name of the shoe store on Whittier Blvd. in Montebello. They pulled through big time with more information than I ever knew about the couple who ran this store. Here’s how the conversation went…

To my Montebello friends…does anyone remember the name of the shoe store on Whittier Blvd. (on a corner) that sold Buster Brown shoes??? My brain will not bring it up.

Lana: Was it Kinney shoes?

Nancy: I can see it but I can’t remember the name!

Nancy: Lana would remember since she”s MUCH younger than us!!

Randy: It wasn’t Kinneys,that was up on 20th st and Beverly Blvd. Sorry

Judy: Was it Sandlers? It just popped into my head so it may be totally wrong.

Lynda: That sounds right Judy.

Ellen: Yes..Judy thank you!

Anne: It was Sandlers! Judy is right!

Tania: thanks for shaking up my brain Ellen. Maybe when it resets I can remember some of this stuff.

Gloriya: Sandlers sounds correct.

Steve: Sandler’s Shoes was on Whittier & I believe 5th Street, right across the street from the Deluxe Cafe. They had one of those old X-Ray machines where you put you feet into a slot and and Mr Sandler could see if my toes were touching the end of the new shoes in the mid 1950’s. Needless to say, the poor old man died of cancer in the early 60’s, which we now know was radiation poisoning from that machine X-ray device.

Ellen: Steve, thanks for the info. That is so sad about Mr. Sandler. Did his wife work along side him. My dad remembers a man and woman team in the store. They always commented to my dad that he only bought shoes for his kids never for himself…

Linda: I also remember my mom taking me to Sandler’s store to get Buster Brown shoes. She had my feet x-rayed there and trusted that the shoes fit better than anywhere else. She instilled on me that need. I have never had bunions or crooked toes thanks to her.

Steve: Ellen, yes there was a blond lady that worked there, that was probably his wife. Linda, I always wondered why my toes would glow in the dark when I was younger – LOL

Facebook bugs me in a lot of ways but when I can interact with old friends and get good memories like these it redeems itself for me.

Do you use Facebook and have you found some good ole friends there? Did you wear Buster Brown shoes when you were growing up?

Good Fences #10

My fence this week is from Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri. My daughter and I spent a few hours here on our road trip from Seattle to North Carolina. If you like cemeteries this really is a worthwhile one to visit with many wonderful monuments and so much interesting history.

I’m joining TexWisGirl at Run *A* Round Ranch for Good Fences.

Thank you for being a fabulous hostess!

Established 1985!

On May 3rd during our cross country road trip from Seattle to Jacksonville, N.C. Katie and I were able to spend two days in Asheville and on one of those days we toured the Biltmore House and Gardens including Antler Village and the Biltmore Winery. Our Katie was born in 1985 so we thought we’d pause at the door to the Biltmore Winery and snap a photo of Katie under the sign. The tour of the winery including a wine tasting was free.

Before it was Biltmore Winery this was Biltmore Dairy. This might be interesting for Judy at My Front Porch!

The tour was short and informative. The wine tasting was extensive and gave you a full range of what the winery has to offer.

After our long day at the Biltmore Estate we decided on finding a grocery store to purchase items for a picnic dinner in the hotel room. It was good just to put our feet up and enjoy our picnic.

So thankful for Katie and my time together on our road trip and stops along the way. Also thankful for our time together in Jacksonville, North Carolina working hard to get things set up for Andrew and Katie’s reunion and short time left there.

Back to Washington State and this old house. I’ve been able to do enough around home that I seem to have found my comfort zone again. Such a good feeling to be able to relax amidst any turmoil that comes my way.

I’m joining Mrs. Olsen for Share Your Cup Thursday #104.

The party where you share things that make you happy.

Adventures with my children and husband make me happy along with sitting down to a nice meal.

Biltmore House Azalea Garden

These photos are from our time at the Biltmore Gardens on Saturday May 3rd.

I want to finish up my posts from Katie and my cross country trip before June. I still have a few posts from the Biltmore House and Gardens. A few of these posts are visual with no need of commentary. Remember if you visit the Biltmore to wear comfortable shoes and clothing. There are lots of trails to explore.

It’s amazing to think of all the miles we logged and all the beautiful sights we were afforded on our cross country trip.

Today I’m home again home again jiggity jig. Dear and I got home at about 11:00 P.M. on Tuesday night. Dear was off to work on Wednesday at 5:00 AM and I had my annual doctor’s visit just after 8:00 A.M. on Wednesday. On Thursday I will be mowing our overgrown lawn (mostly weeds). I’m pleased with the Spring growth that has bloomed while I was gone. I’ll have to take some photos of some things that surprised and blessed me on my return. I’ll share my sweet memorial azaleas for my dear mom that bloomed so pink and pretty.

How are things in your corner of the world?

Why Florida?

So why am I in Florida instead of being home by now? Dear is working his company’s booth at the AUA conference which means I would have been home alone if I traveled there so we made the plans for me to meet up with him in Orlando, a sort of side trip to Seattle from Jacksonville, North Carolina. I didn’t want to be away from Dear for a full 25 days! The hotel room and his food are all paid for by his company. All we pay for is my food and expenses so I get to see another part of the U.S.A. for a bargain.

AUA American Urological Association

This is the hotel that Dear’s company booked for their conference attendees.

You could rent a cabana for $125 a day. I opted for a massage instead.

These are the views from our room. I zoomed in to get the city scape. I was hoping to see an alligator in that marshy area but I never did.

Walking along International Blvd. proved true to it’s name. We heard so many languages as we walked along. I personally spoke to a Russian couple from Moscow who thought my Russian accent was very genuine. I also talked to a gal from Romania and a few gals from Britain and another young lady from Los Angeles, which is an international city all it’s own…

We didn’t stray much from the hotel to eat because of Dear’s busy schedule but we enjoyed a meal at the Pub and their kilted staff. Is kilted a word? You know what I mean the staff wore kilts…the guys and the gals.

We didn’t drink these all in one sitting. They were an interesting photo op.

On Monday I scheduled myself a massage at the Hotel Spa. I went early enough for my appointment to enjoy their steam room, whirlpools and lounging areas. I was the only person enjoying this private spa area at the hotel on this morning. This was my only lounging outside experience in Florida. Sunny, hot, humid climes are not on my “go to” list. I am crossing Florida off my U.S. States to visit list.

This is a photo of the sunrise on the East Coast. I am very happy to say that by the time the sun sets on the West Coast on Tuesday I should be home.

Psalm 113:3 (ESV)

From the rising of the sun to its setting,
the name of the Lord is to be praised!

Biltmore Shrub Garden

We managed to see a lot in one day at the Biltmore but we were pretty tired by the end of our time. If you are going to trek through the gardens and property I would suggest wearing good walking shoes and if it’s a warm day carry some water with you. I mentioned before that I love Wisteria so I was pleased to be able to see it in bloom. I’ll still be sharing the Azalea Garden, The Bass Pond, and Antler Hill Village.

Now back to the future. Yesterday was my most exhausting air travel experience ever! My flight from Jacksonville was supposed to leave at 3:54 then I got an email saying it was changed to 4:54 then when I was at the airport the time was changed to 6:04 and then the time was changed to 6:41. My connecting flight in Atlanta was at 6:10 so I knew I was in trouble. After lots of juggling and kind talking to the agents I got on standby on a 6:04 flight to Atlanta. When I arrived in Atlanta I ran quite a distance to get to a gate with a flight to Orlando leaving at 7:55 (missed that one) but the agent kindly secured me a seat on the 8:55 flight to Orlando. I arrived 45 minutes after Dear and he was in baggage claim waiting for me. What a great sight it was to see his face after 19 days apart. I was really pleased to find my suitcase, too.

Our taxi ride was harrowing. I don’t know if the driver was falling asleep but he had trouble staying in a lane. He straddled the lanes and braked and accelerated for no reason. I think the best way to describe the ride being so close to Walt Disney World is to stay it was “Mr Toad’s Wild Ride”. I thanked the Lord when we pulled up in front of the hotel alive. I’m going to lay low today and recuperate from my day yesterday.

Is this a long weekend in Canada?

Biltmore Walled Garden and Conservatory

We were at the Biltmore on Saturday May 3rd so the flowers that were blooming well at this point were the Azaleas and the Wisteria still hadn’t lost it’s glow. This walled garden will probably be spectacular when all the roses bloom.

Today is my last day in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Katie will be driving me to the little airport for my flight to Orlando, Florida this afternoon. I won’t be escaping the heat in Florida as the forecast is calling for temps in the upper 80’s the 5 days that I’m there. I’m happy to report I was able to jam everything into my one medium suitcase for this leg of my trip. I’m leaving a small suitcase here for Katie and Andrew to use on their return trip to Seattle. I wasn’t sure I could shlep around 2 suitcases, a computer bag and camera bag around the in Orlando while I wait for Dear to arrive on a later flight than mine so I’m pleased that I can leave a suitcase here.

Can you believe it’s the fifteenth of May already?

Biltmore ~ America’s Largest Home

Part of Katie and my hotel package in Asheville, North Carolina included a two day pass to Biltmore House and Gardens. Biltmore began in 1895 as George Vanderbilt’s vision and continues today under the stewardship of his descendants.

The family still owns 8000 acres of Blue Ridge Mountain land and this is just a fraction of what they started with. They sold thousands of acres to the Federal government which is now the Pisgah National Forest.

A view from the Loggia. No photography was allowed in the house but they had an area for a photo op that the house provided.

You could pay for a larger copy for $30.00, pricey. We opted for the free little version!

This is just a taste of the Biltmore. You can imagine with 8000 acres that there is more to share. The gardens were bursting with color from thousands of Azalea bushes. We ended our day at the Biltmore House with a meal at Antler Hill Village and a tour of the winery. Stay tuned!

My time is winding down here in Jacksonville. Tomorrow I’ll board a plane for Orlando and meet up with my Dear. Looking forward to it. I leave knowing our daughter will soon be reunited with her beloved and that makes me happy and oh so thankful.

One thing I know is that the Pacific Northwest is a very good location for me. I am quite intolerant of heat and humidity in my older years. My hair is very intolerant of the humidity, too. The “South” is fun to visit but I’m not looking to buy property here.

The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b.

To honor and encourage

Category Archives: Travel