Wood Floor Restoration Vacation

Note: The dates on these posts are not accurate. Putting them in this order was the only way I could make them go from first to last. If you're new and would like to begin at the beginning, see: http://offtowhidbey.blogspot.com/. Also, when you get to the bottom click "older posts" which are really newer ones. .......dd

If you've been reading the blog all along, you remember, our wood floor that spans the dining area and kitchen was ruined by one of the developer's contracting people who forgot to hook up a hose to the dishwasher (details in former blog at: http://offtowhidbey.blogspot.com/2010/08/already-homeowner-disaster.html). We had to wait three weeks for the floor to dry before it could be fixed. That day arrived Tuesday, August 31st. Fixers came early morning to begin work........above photo of paper covering everything but kitchen and dining area so as not to spread sawdust everywhere else. (By the way most photos can be clicked on to enlarge.)

With no definite plans, and in such a rush that I forgot my laptop........eeeeeeek...........we set out in early morning rain that continued all day which made for great shopping :+}

Stopped in Oak Harbor to look at furniture, and headed toward Burlington east of Langley where, like CA, big box stores abound. We hadn't set foot in a Costco for weeks so that was our main goal; boy did we have fun over-consuming in the good ole patriotic American way. Grace (aka "the mother of all drives") would have been thrilled!

Stocked up on some winter clothes, and looked at typical Washington necessities shown here:

Stayed a second night at the same hotel in Burlington, because the room was way less expensive that those in Friday Harbor (rooms begin at $200 +) where we were headed.

Trip to San Juan Island

Left the hotel early Wednesday morning, and caught the 9 AM ferry to San Juan Island where Friday Harbor is located. The ferry ride through the San Juan Islands takes about an hour and 1/2; on our bright, sunny Wednesday it was one of the most beautiful we've ever taken. Here's a movie on our way.

We rented a car in Friday Harbor and drove around the island which is the most populated of all the San Juans. This video, shows most of what we saw: http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=kBQP8M09Lr0&feature=related , and here are some of our own photos: We stopped 1/2 way around the island and had lunch at Roche Harbor, once home to a productive lime industry, and now primarily a tourist attraction and harbor for some beautiful and VERY pricey yachts. While we ate lunch this swan swam by in SALT water which surprised us. Swans in salt water? The waitress told us she sees an entire flock now and then.

Driving on a bit we came to the island's famous Krystal Acres Alpaca farm. These critters have to be one of the cutest in the world, and their fleece every bit as soft as cashmere. The hat I'm wearing in the movie here, I bought in the store; couldn't resist. These guys actually lie down on their sides to rest!

Thursday was another big shopping day. We headed for Ikea, and along the way found a Miele vacuum store where we bought this little beauty. I've never had so much fun vacuuming. Its tiny, sleek body belies its power. Amazing little machine.

We bought a new sleeper sofa (comes tomorrow) at Ikea

for all of you who will visit next summer (or now if you enjoy cold weather which is slowly creeping upon us) and I got the little red love at first sight desk I wanted since I first saw it.

Looking to avoid Seattle (we'll come visit soon, Aaron!) traffic we drove a bit south and caught Hwy 16 north toward Port Townsend. Due to (re) construction of the Tacoma Narrows bridge (it was newly built and collapsed in 1940 just after completion! See the video;

it's terrifying http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-zczJXSxnw) we ran into traffic anyway, every bit as bad as LA. Gave me time on the iPhone to look for places to spend Thursday night though, and boy did I find one!

No Cabbages

No Cabbages, a B&B with 3 available bedrooms, is located deep in the woods of Gig Harbor. (http://nocabbages.com/bandb.html) If you're ever in Pacific Northwest and love magic woods, this is it! A serendipitous find for us (long story; I really think it found us!) we oooed and ahhhhd at the remarkable creations the owners have placed in every nook and cranny inside and out. You can see professional photos on their WEB site above, but here are some we took of our favorites.

The house itself.

Harley, the sweet sweet golden lab who will chase this ball until you stop throwing it.

Morning sunlight filtered through the trees, and, from a distance, the

labyrinth to walk and close up with instructions at the beginning to surrender..........

surprises along the way.

and at the end, gratitude.......

with a shrine of sorts where those who walk the entire labyrinth can leave a token. I had nothing in my pockets so found a leaf which you can see in the middle of the photo.

What a fun diversion. Oh, and the breakfast part of B&B was

FABULOUS.......fruit covered with custard, popovers, and a spinach/fetta omelette plus good conversation with hostess Jaimee.

Our next adventure is The Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival this upcoming weekend (http://www.woodenboat.org/festival/); Dave obviously looks forward it, and so do I really. I'm going primarily to see the beautiful wooden boats, hear the "guru" of small boat building Sam Devlin who designed the "stitch and glue" boat Dave built (http://www.devlinboat.com/) and especially to hear Larry Cheek's talk on Imperfectionism & the Wooden Boat based on his book "The Year of the Boat" which I'm now reading. It's terrific; MUCH like the 1960s classic Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance......... philosophical treatise on patience through craft..........and Cheek is a Langley neighbor somewhere!

We continue to unpack a few boxes a day, plant a few more shrubs in the garden now and then, and make the house a little more a home; it's a very slow process, though. Everything comes together a little more each day.

That's it for now. Hope you all are well. Will blog next week after the festival if it's warranted, and I feel up to it.

OH, and I start marimba lessons on the 22nd. Can't wait! http://www.rubatano.com/index.htm

Di........& Dave too