Photo above:
Stopped at Hood Canal one morning. On our way to the Pacific Coast.
Archives for category: Road Trip
Monday, Sept. 19th – Ruby Beach
Monday – Ruby Beach
From a bit north of Hood Head. A late summer (9/18/22) look across Hood Canal at Mount Constance with little snow.
From Ruby Beach
Local info:
Destruction Island Light shines for the first time on January 1, 1892.
By William S. Hanable
Here is an old photo I just found. Not sure when we made this visit:
Monday – Ruby Beach
In a recent blog, we shared about German beers being hard to find in Grays Harbor County.
Just back now from a road trip to Kitsap County. Happy to report that a good selection of German beers are available at the Silverdale, WA BevMo! store. Friendly staff too!
Dining out report:
We enjoyed dining out before COVID and have had mixed experiences since restrictions were lifted.
Happy to report that we found a nice Thai restaurant on our trip.
Quiet, uncrowded, nice atmosphere, attentive/good service and really enjoyed the food. We would try to dine out more if this was the sort of experience we could expect.
10404 Silverdale Way NW.
Ste#E-102
Silverdale, WA 98383
Back home.
It’s clear that most of the WWII generation is gone now.
The WWII generation did a better job of running a modern society.
Nothing new about highway rest stops. They have been around for a long time now.
Oct. 15, 2021 Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Washington closes several rest areas along Interstate 5 indefinitely due to vandalism, trash
“Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) announced the long-term closure of several rest areas between Everett and the Canadian border this week due to vandalism and ongoing maintenance issues.”
Long-term closure? No chance for a quick cleanup, ongoing State Patrol enforcement, maintenance & volunteer groups to keep rest stops cleaned up and ready to go?
49 other states operate highway rest stops. If I was Governor, I would insist on picking the top 3 states that are best at running rest stops and running WA rest stops in a similar manner until further improvements could be made.
These are federal highways. Publicly funded highway safety facilities will be shut down because of misbehavior? WTF?
“…some visitors have not been using the facilities for their intended purpose…”
Living at rest stops, illegal dumping, littering, vandalism and verbal threats against employees will keep gasoline tanker truck and HAZMAT transport operators from stopping to take a break for safety?
Oct. 15, 2021 Seattle Times
Five I-5 rest areas to close in Snohomish and Whatcom counties over trash, vandalism
“…another Snohomish County traveler mentioned filthy conditions in August, including sewage around the crowded RV waste-disposal areas, and suggested tighter State Patrol enforcement.”
A large number of comments follow the article.
From comments:
Oct 15, 2021 KING 5 News video:
Several rest areas along I-5 closed in Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom counties
Misbehavior will keep Mom & Pops, who are visiting from out of state, from getting a positive and welcoming impression of WA?
Welcome TF Home Troops
Related:
Growing Up In The Cold War Era
Washington State Ferries & A Press Release Style Of News Reporting
Remain in your homes and wait for further instructions
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt
Photo-
Symbol of a culture that was once strong (Man On The Moon in ’69). A culture that is now weak. A culture that will yield the right of way to violators while pushing good citizens to the side & collecting big tax money all along the way.
Photo above-
Potlatch State Park – Hood Canal
More from Washington State Parks:
Shut Off The TV And Get Outside For A Bit
Port Townsend – Trip Report
We spent some time today waiting on the Keystone Ferry. Ferry waits can be a little longer now, due to one boat service.
Port Townsend is a good walking town. We have visited many times to take a look around, go shopping, drink a couple beers, enjoy a local restaurant or pub, meet friends and family, etc.
Today we had to wait for the ferry and it was time for lunch. Several restaurants are within an easy walk of the ferry dock. Over the years, these restaurants must have done a significant business serving people waiting for the ferry or showing up in town just to visit.
We quickly realized that the county we were in would not let people enter to dine in a restaurant without proof of vaccination.
One of the restaurants closest to the ferry was clearly open, but the parking lot was completely empty.
The outdoor dining area was completely empty. There was no sign of life.
Like many other locations, they are looking to add staff.
The lunch rush appears to be dead. If the customers are gone, how will new hires serve customers?
Snohomish County – Trip Report
Later in this same trip, we visited a traditional Mexican restaurant.
A very active dining and cantina scene here. Customers and staff seem happy. Masks required to enter. We have been here several times over the years. Recommended for anyone who still wants to get out to a Mexican restaurant. It looks like the large cantina has a bit of a sports bar vibe too.
Visiting/Shopping at more than one Puget Sound area military installation
Installation number one:
Saw a Got Freedom? t-shirt. The concept behind this could be discussed for hours.
Installation number two:
On Oct 2nd, 2021, plastic bags are still readily available and in use. No extra fees/questions, etc.
Having/wanting a choice on plastic bags does not indicate a disregard for the planet.
Related:
COVID Restrictions Are Like Wearing A Seatbelt?
Sports Writers and Alternative Media – Still Free To Ask Questions
4 Stories The Puget Sound Press Will Not Question Or Report On
JFK – Voices of dissent and misinformation
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt
Hoquiam
Aberdeen, WA
Aberdeen, WA
Aberdeen, WA
Halloween candy now in stores, but it looks like a different season in Aberdeen, WA.
Several years have passed since our last road trip. Over the weekend, we traveled from the Keystone ferry terminal to Ocean Shores and back.
Ferry thoughts here:
Occasionally looking for the Coupeville Ferry
Another round trip ferry crossing. No security screening at either terminal.
On occasion, the press will do a story on a ferry security drill.
Question for newspeople:
If the Oklahoma City bomber rolls onto the ferry- how does the SWAT team help out an hour later?
More here:
Washington State Ferries Security
Recent fatality at Anacortes Ferry Terminal:
Washington State Ferries Security – Looking for Clarification
It’s about 145 miles from Port Townsend to Ocean Shores. On the way back, we went though Matlock, WA and on up to the south end of Hood Canal. This route is like getting home via country roads. I enjoyed it.
Lodging Night One
Days Inn by Wyndham Ocean Shores
Very strongly recommend avoiding this facility. If you took a chance on a Mom & Pop place and found out it was disagreeable, you could just be more careful next time. A nationwide chain/brandname would be expected to maintain some standards. Many issues here. Take a look for reviews on the web if you are interested.
View from room (no screen for window).
Lodging Night Two
Fled the Days Inn and checked into a spot where we have stayed before.
A clear step up:
Ocean Shores Paradise Hotel & Resort
Also to consider-
A nicer place up the road a ways:
Eating and Drinking
Years ago, we were very familiar with several Ocean Shores restaurants, taverns and pubs. We began to get away from Ocean Shores and were taking trips to Seaside Oregon, the last few times we went to the coast.
What we found on Friday was a combination of places that were fully open, partially open and closed or maybe gone for good.
Fully Open
Friendly place. Drank my first beer at a bar in maybe 18 months or more.
Friendly spot. Recommended.
Partially open:
Quinault Beach Resort & Casino Ocean Shores
Went out Saturday morning for breakfast. We had been here before and enjoyed it. Entrance to casino was confusing. Sign says masks preferred. Security staff meets us at entrance and asks us if we are there to eat/drink, gamble or are we staying there?
Not a welcoming vibe.
We said we wanted to eat breakfast. “It does not open until 8:30.” We said thank you and left, not to return on this visit. Why no security asking what we want at the grocery store?
Another casino on the way home:
It was time for a break. We rolled up to the Lucky Dog Casino.
Sign at entrance says unvaccinated people to wear masks.
We step in and the person assigned to the door immediately says: “You guys are good.”
A welcoming approach to running a casino. Love it. Clean restrooms are very well maintained.
Placed a couple dollars in the slots before we left.
Good vibe for us.
Other places:
Common for staff in restaurants to be wearing masks and for customers to go without.
Some places seemed so busy (or had imposed their own restrictions) that there was some sort of waiting line outside.
Bennett’s Fish Shack is a decent restaurant. Would go there again. They had a bit of a waiting line outside.
The COVID situation is confusing because Gov. Inslee ended statewide COVID restrictions some weeks ago.
Closed or maybe gone for good
We used to enjoy the Viet Hoa Restaurant. Building is now for sale.
Used to enjoy the cantina at Las Maracas Mexican Restaurant. Looks like it was closed while we were there. Still open?
Many years ago, we enjoyed Waves Restaurant & Bar. Gone now?
Small bar used to be here too. Closed for now.
Possibly of interest:
Americans were never meant to agree on matters of a personal nature. This is why we have so many different churches here and people who opt out on attending services.
JFK – Voices of dissent and misinformation
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The beach near North Jetty
Indian Beach, OR
Indian Beach, OR
Indian Beach, OR
A morning drive towards Astoria and the Oregon coast.
Stopped to spend a moment on Hood Canal.
The Pacific Coast at Ruby Beach
Somewhere in AZ
Indian Beach, OR
Oregon Road Trip
Created a new category to make a transition away from 2020. This category is meant to look at positive images and memories that have nothing to do with news, politics, TV, public policy, political parties, etc.
View this new category here.
Fidalgo Island road trip.