Find Willie's Orca Card, January, 2016

I love Seattle.

One of the fun things we like is riding the Rapid Ride public bus system.  Tym and June put us onto this a few years ago.  We can go from the north side of Seattle, Stimson Marina in Ballard, where Willie's Tug, is to downtown, transfer to the Light Rail, which will drop us at SeaTac Airport.

And many points in between.

So last year we went to the main bus terminal to each get a pass card, load about $20 on them for about 20 rides.  This could last a few years.

We are back now for the Seattle boat Show and riding the Rapid Ride.  Now I have a brilliant idea --  I used to have a thin wallet that held my Stimson pass and my bus pass, so with it, all I had to do is wave the wallet near the contact and the marina gate would open or the bus pass clicked off a $1 and marked me Paid.  

But today I use a different wallet, but think it would work to put the bus pass on top of my hand inside a tightly fitting glove.  I wave it at the contact and it works great for a smooth entrance to the bus.

While sitting in the seat, I get a text, reach into a jacket pocket for my phone and unbeknownst to me, my card falls out of my not-so-tight glove onto the floor.  I realize it as the '70 Bus' leaves the stop after dropping us at Lake Union for the Boats Afloat Show.   It would do no good to yell after the bus a block away now.   So Herb calls the Orca issuing company to cancel my card, but they will not transfer my remaining $14.50 to his card.  Neither can he pay my passage with his pass.  Bummer.   I can get a replacement card at the issuing station on Jackson, and remember I have the original receipt in my wallet -- which is not with us!

I travel light sometimes.

Ingenious:  We ride the shuttle from Lake Union to Century Link, walk to Jackson Street issuing station.

The agent laughs at my story, we pay our $3 replacement cost, and look around to see what is in the neighborhood.  Kitty-cornered is the Klondike Museum, a national park, so we go there and totally enjoy the exhibits, reliving our trip in the motor home to Alaska ten years ago.

Find the silver lining to my bad day....

Photo Taken While Riding the '40 Bus'

Willie of Willie's Tug,

   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake

   January, 2016

A Walk through the Seattle Boat Show, January 2016

A must in the life of Herb and Willie is attending the Seattle Boat Show, held in January.  Not only do we get a preview of new boats, boat accessories, and suppies, but it is a great opportunity for a Winter visit with our boating friends.  

Included in the category of friends are the owners of marinas where we have stayed in the past.  But first -- we visit Dockside Solutions, where Angela, Lisa and crew handle our mail. To our delight, we see Herb's photo on their banner at the Boat Show.  He is shown posing with his Dockside baseball cap at one of our anchorages on the cruise to Alaska last Summer.  We took a photo of him wearing the cap at every stop -- especially in Sitka AK!

Find Herb....

Soon we find George in his booth promoting his and Gail's marina, Port Harvey, in BC.  It is also known for its Red Shoe Restaurant, whose walls are decorated with red high heel shoes that guests have given them.    George is happy to say they are rebuilding after the barge housing the marina sank a few months ago.  We first visited in 2014 and look forward to the next cruise to Port Harvey.

Herb and George

Next we come to Pierre's Echo Bay Lodge and Marina booth, where Tove is busy answering questions for visitors.  I stand back and clap my hands in her unique cadence.  All look up, because they know a former guest of their marina is near.  

I recall Happy Hour being held in their large dining room, and when she announces dinner is served, she uses a hand clapping technique from her former school teaching days.  Sounds like clap-clap, clap-clap-clap!  It would get MY attention!

Pierre and Tove

Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
   January, 2016

Christmas in Houston, 2015

Herb and I had an opportunity to visit Houston Methodist Hospital at Christmas and were delighted with the Christmas concert in the lobby.  One group especially catching my attention is a trombone quartet.  A tiny ballerina steals the show as she dances in front of the musicians.  It is not known whether she is the daughter of a performer or a happy child taking advantage of the venue.

So cute!

Gingerbread House -- smells so good!

Merry Christmas

Willie of Willie's Tug,

   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake

   December, 2015

Joy Comes with the Morning -- November, 2015

Joy Comes with the Morning

(Contributors:  Nancy and Roxie)

Into each life some rain must fall,

Into each heart some tears must fall,

But some day the sun will shine….

Joy comes with the morning.

Vicki, Joey and Grandchildren

Roses In Memory of Victoria Ann Stark Wells
1963 - 2015

Willie of Willie's Tug,

   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake

   November 2015