McMenamin's Merriment December 2016

My sis Linda, and myself, plus Joy,  her mom-in-law, found ourselves recently on this little holiday adventure, enjoying a Willamette Valley favorite.....

The McMenamin's hotels of the PNW are a whimsical world of fun and merriment in community gathering spots.  Add music, theater, food, art, history, trendy libations and you have the inn that we visited, Edgefield Historic Hotel, a short drive east of Portland.

These grounds and buildings were previously y'old "Poor House" of  Multnomah County. It had 600 residents  during the depression years.  The last resident faded away in 1985. Soon after that it was purchased and repurposed by Portland McMenamin brothers. They added it to their growing brewery  mini-empire.

Apparently, 60's era deadheads never die. And, this all harkens back slightly to that sweet film, "Back in Time".   Kind of romantic, kind of funky. Plus a big dose of the Grateful Dead.

Garden, kitchen and/or maintenance chores were mandatory for any of the early poor-house residents that were capable.  Skills, so they say, were not mandatory, just a good attitude.

Lucky's  pool hall, snookers, rocking porches, card tables and art activities remain. The stables and infirmary are now exotic gin joints.

Long ago many infamous, penniless eccentrics supposedly found their way there. Now a'days there does seem to be one remaining historic resident. Wild looking, she has long red hair. She shuffles along with her steaming thermos in the early mornings. Shortly thereafter this is exchanged for a salt-rimmed glass of some suspicious morning concoction from the bar.

Here are a few of the local hotel sights.....and the feelings that pop up....
Jerry Garcia garden of the absurd
Down the rabbit-hole hallways
Magical mystery tours
Alice in wonderland murals
The gift shop selling Grateful Dead cookery.
Doors to hotel rooms are painted with murals of a "poor house" resident whose room it use to be.
A secret garden to wander and wonder.....
Pleasure Palace Inducements
Glass blowing workshop creating whimsical and overpriced art
Led Zeppelin songs coming from the black rabbit bar
Ruby's soaking pool
Ruby's (very tiny) tea house bar
Special infusions steeping in the ragged looking "red shed".
Cigar lounges
Women's lounges
Brewery winery distillery herb gardens veg gardens flower gardens.
Power station pub,  serving great PNW meals
Film theater showing the latest Star Wars saga, with cameo performance by Princess Leah and that forever prince of the dark stars, DarthVadar.

Quite the odd cultural scene....   Do go enjoy it sometime!

NW Biking Adventure, ISLAND style loop, six ferry rides!

September 2016
Many bike buddies asked for details, so here they are.....

This is one of my fav bicycle journeys, a great vacation here in this norther part of the Pacific NW.....
Most of your distances traveled will be along the Salish Sea.  With a little pedaling tossed in the middle. Ferry travel with a bike is easy-peasy!

Last summer I rode this route alone.
This past month I enjoyed it with my island buddy Jeanne.
And, next year, I am hoping a few more friends might want to share it, join me!

Six ferry rides
Five nights
Four islands
Three easy days of pedaling
Two spectacular tiny cities to enjoy (Victoria and Port Townsend)
And one great adventure .......

Enjoy lots of treats each day (all that exercise, and all that scenery!)
Carry a credit card, not a tent, good food frequently available, no need to carry even a sports bar!  This is a city-slicker event. Minus the hassle of a car.  This classic cycle route takes you through pasture land, farm land, along ocean vistas, frequent views of the glacier capped Olympic Mountains on one side, the North Cascade peaks on another, and almost always surrounded by sparkling water ways.

Morning departure from Orcas, start by connecting to Vancouver Island, BC, via short stop over on San Juan Island, at Friday Harbor.  From there, your charming ferry ride is one and half hours to Southern Vancouver Island.

Arrive Sydney BC, around noon, then bike the 17 miles from ferry dock in Sydney, via the Lockside Trail, right into downtown Victoria. Victoria is full of bike commuters, and is chris-crossed with biking lanes/trails/bridges/right-of-ways, most notable is the famous Galloping Goose Trail.

Check in to your Victoria lodging....Helms Hotel, a great location on edge of downtown, or, this time for us.... The Turtle Guest House,  a funky and colorful traveler's hostel. Several other hostel choices are more "normal" but less interesting!

Take two days to explore this very British tiny city.....eat, sight see, museum hop, pup crawl British style.

Depart Victoria at noon, cross over the Straights of Juan de Fuca aboard the Black Ball Ferry Line, M/V Coho, two hour crossing to the NW tip of Olympic Peninsula, Port Angeles.

Pedal 25 miles east along the Olympic Discovery Trail, to Sequim,  rails to trails, dedicated, all your pedaling is off the road way.  From Sequim, five more miles to reach Port Townsend, this part you must ride on Highway 20, VERY unpleasant, BUT instead, you have the easy option to catch a city bus these last miles.

Port Townsend, a couple of nights here is perfect for this classy old historic sea port. Jeanne and I were able to visit with our buddy, Traveling Paul, The Thoughtful Wanderer", in PT.  We joined Paul in his favorite past time, goofing off!  Go barefooting and smell that sea spray....

PT Aquarium Critter, Fort Warden State Park

Depart PT on a short ferry ride, arrive to Whidbey Island, aboard The Keystone Ferry.  Here is your one slightly demanding cycle day.... 50 miles to reach your last boat ride, the Anacortes ferry. All of this section is pleasant, quiet country roads, a few ups and downs, nothing steep, great scenery. Historic Coupeville and Oak Harbor are both excellent for R&R, plus mandatory fresh java & wholesome eats.  Many day trippers are out there on Whidbey Island spinning their sprockets.

You will only ride on the main highway for two very short stretches. At the end of Whidbey Island is Deception Pass State Park, a great place for a scenic break.  An old historic bridge is the causeway connection here, short and spectacular.  The bridge is narrow, so be sure to "take the road",  to slow any cars behind you to your bike speed, which is easy to do, since all vehicles will be also be enjoying that salty scenery under the bridge.

Next stop, home-sweet-home!