2019 WHAT A YEAR IT HAS BEEN!

My last post ended when we got back from our BC to BAJA and back.  Once we got home it was time to catch up with friends, family and computer work!  Come May we were on the road again and pretty much for the next few months we came home did laundry and left again for all sorts of wonderful adventures.

BANFF ALBERTA was our destination in May for Arnt's residency with his gallery www.mountaingalleries.com On the way we stopped in Jasper to meet up with Wendy who owns the four galleries and check out the Jasper Gallery.  The drive from Jasper to Banff is unbelievable! The vistas of mountains incredible. Once at Banff Arnt works for a week in the art room next to the gallery and he chose to plane wood, work on hand cut dovetails and make maquettes from some of his drawings while encouraging conversations with the hotel visitors. The rest of the time we get to sample the wonderful restaurants, pools in the hotel and walk or bike around the town and area.  I use that time to help Arnt a bit every day in the art room by talking to people and the rest of the time I set up somewhere in the hotel for a bit of art making.  This residency is graciously sponsored by his gallery and the hotel.  We cannot thank them enough.  

the view from the Jasper Lodge where Mountain Galleries is

 

BC to Baja and Back (part two) scroll down a bit for part one

We headed north up to Loreto where we stayed for 4 days.  Spent the time hanging at the Zocalo (square), toured the mission, walked all over the town and one day we went on a day trip to San Javier. Our hotel was comfortable but Loreto is a very noisy town.  The bells at the mission go off all the time starting at 6 in the morning and sometimes whole songs are played.  I would have to live out of downtown for sure.

hanging out at the square sampling margaritas, craft beer and food

Lots of teens and families hang out at the Zocalo

BC to BAJA and BACK (part one)

This is another travel blog.  My husband Arnt turned 60 Dec 2018 and I asked what he wanted to do for his birthday and "surf in Baja" was his answer.  So we loaded up our truck with camp gear and headed out.

Coast of Oregon via the number 1 highway was our choice of route.  First stop was Astoria which I don't think we had been back to since we sailed there 39 years ago.  We stayed at this fab motel called Atomic Motel. 

Entrance to the Columbia River ... pretty challenging port to enter.

 

Fabulous Maritime Museum

Lots of boats and marine history. There was an incredible display about World War 2.  I normally don't go to these but this one really struck me.  The flags below were carried by the Japanese soldiers with names and sayings from their homes.  The US is now returning these to the families they can find.  They were war souvenirs taken by the US soldiers.