Potter Parents Escape the Midwest Snow

February 1 Weekend

My parents flew out of Grand Rapids, MI early to avoid the upcoming snowstorm. When they arrived at Seatac, they saw that the rest of the flights were canceled. I guess the rain here is better than the snow in the Midwest right now. We stopped at Batdorf & Bronson coffee roasters in Olympia on Saturday morning for free tastings and education. Apparently coffee was discovered in Ethiopia when a farmer saw that his goats were dancing after eating the fruit of the coffee plant. Meg and my parents joined them after so many samples too. Then we had to stop for a restroom break on the road.

It was cold on the deck, but Michigan winter prepared them for pictures with Seattle in the background.

We boarded the car ferry to Seattle in Bremerton and chef Megan whipped up some gourmet turkey sandwiches with chips and of course, beer and wine.

We took a historical underground tour in Seattle and found that they had a bad sewer problem there in conjuction with the tide and poor city planning. This is one of the world's first flush toilets. The tank says, "Crapper's Valveless Waste Preventer." Insert poo-poo joke here.

We picked out some fresh sea bounty for our Superbowl party at Pike Place.

While Meg paid for fish, I found the deals. It was a real good hug too. I would have paid about $3.

The chefs got down to business... Cooking with wine..... Not using it in the food.... That's rare white King Slamon & pink salmon with ginger, asparagus, and sweet potatoes with rosemary, all market fresh.

Puget Sound Ferry & Seattle

January 26th, 2008

The Mule took its first damage this week as you can see. I know that you all are worried about the Mule and we don't write enough about it. Well, this week the Mule had a bar room fight with a Mack Truck, no less. You should see the Mack. Actually, the Mule was hit in a parking lot. That is such a lame story. We are sorry about that. A front bumper is only stuff, and in the end, stuff will only be inherited, and they probably don't deserve it anyway. If our parents are reading this.... Just kidding.


Meg, Goose and I went to the Island of Bainbridge and took the ferry across the Puget Sound to Seattle on an overcast day. It was so sweet no matter the weather. "White Lightening" is our new ride for home PT. We are renting it, so don't tell the rental Co. that our dog was in it.

Here is our first view of Seattle from the ferry. Goose didn't mind the ride. We had cheese in the car. The Space Needle. It was too cloudy, so we headed straight to Pike Place Market where they throw the fish. It was fun.

Goose was begging for fish scraps. Smoked salmon was her favorite and she won this guy's heart over with her brown eyes.

Goose and dad playing around. I have no idea of what this is a picture of.

Goose investigates a Monkfish below, with the support of the crowd.

Mt. Ranier National Park

January 13, 2008

The first time the rain and clouds cleared here we were able to see Mt. Ranier. Our jaws dropped. This volcano rises 14,411 feet (just under the tallest peak in the lower 48 states) and creates it's own weather. This is the view just outside of Olympia on our way to the park. Sunday was our first totally clear day and it was awesome to spend it here.

From no snow cover to 15 feet of recorded snowfall this season in about 25 minutes!

Classic Mt. Ranier, the south face on a blue sky day.

Snow shoeing in the deep. How deep? Ask Mark Kutilek. Without snow shoes I would be stuck past my waist.
The setting sun lights up the snow and the cloud formed by the peak (out of view to the left). This cloud is acutally crystalized ice formed from wind moving up and over the peak much like water flows around rocks in a stream. Note the Jackson visitor center second floor observation deck to the right. The first floor of the building is almost fully covered by snow.

Olympia, Washington

January 5, 2008

We arrived on Friday to rain, but it stopped long enough for us to unload. The recent weather has knocked down many trees in the area and has created mudslides, devasting homes and businesses. We realized how fortunate we are. Olympia is a beautiful town with legislators, the military and environmental activists all in one smaller city. Fresh crab and oysters dominate local fare, and of course there is a sweet brewery in town (Fishtail Organic Brewery). We are stoked to check the town out, not to mention Olympic National Park, Mt. Ranier, skiing, wineries, and ferries to Seattle, the San Juan islands and Victoria Island in B.C. Canada! Here are shots of Capitol Lake right downtown Olympia and Goose & I pondering the beauty of the sound.

Oregon

January 2nd to 5th

After resting in Grants Pass, OR we made it to the Pacific again and stayed at the Rogue Brewery Bed & Beer (instead of Bed & Breakfast) in Newport, OR where we were treated to two bombers and pint glasses upon arrival. The B&B is located above the original Brewpub. Here's Meg enjoying our first sample of fresh seafood at the brewery: clam chowder, halibut tacos, mussels, and cioppino. We washed that down with freshly brewed draught beer. Heaven is on Earth, somewheres.

Goose was not too sure if she liked the sea lions in the bay. We had long talks about them to explain that they were like deer, except they lived in the water, and made loud "Ar-Ar" sounds, and were much fatter, and slower on land. She was much happier when we continued on our morning run.

Wine tasting in the Willamette Valley, OR. Known for their Pinot Noir, Meg was enjoying her favorite grape... juiced..... and fermented. Goose hung out too in the tasting room, and the offices. She couldn't get away with that in Napa!!!

Next stop: Olympia, Washington

New Years in the Redwoods National Park

Pre New Years and News Years Day, 2008



The only highlight before New Years Day was stopping in Chico, CA at the Mecca of microbreweries. Here I am paying homage to one of my favorites. Non-beer drinkers just scroll down.

Check out the size of this Redwood base. "Awe" is the only adjective to describe it. This was the best New Years Day I have ever had. Goose and Megan too, fo sho......

This one was hit by lightening and burned from the inside. It fits a Megan (and a baker's dozen of circus clowns) inside.

Megan, between twins.

The Redwood Coast. There must have been a divine creator. Touching this beauty will increase your faith. Or look it up in the Bible. I recommend seeing it for yourself.

Same game, similar stick, totally different beach from the 3rd coast to the West Coast. Goose at our first contact with the Pacific Ocean, the mouth of the Wilson Creek. She drank salt water and was unsure of any water she came into contact with after that.

Want another video? Here is an insight on how we do it on the road...

Death Valley

December 28 & 29th

After driving several hours from Gold Canyon to Hoover Dam, it took us 90 minutes to cross the damn dam. The view was rewarding. It was dark by the time we reached the Nevada side. This marks our move into the Pacific Time Zone. We passed the time by calling friends. It was evident that other people enjoyed beers by the cases of empty bottles on the side of the road.

That sign says, "282 Feet Below Sea Level." The best time to visit here is in December when it is 40* in the shade. The white dust on the boardwalk and valley floor is ground up salt . It stuck to our boots like snow. This is the start of the Badwater Ultramarathon that starts at -282' and finishes five marathon distances away at the trailhead to Mt. Whitney (14,494' the highest peak in the lower 48 states).

This is the view for the first two marathon distances of the Badwater Ultramarathon. It starts in July at noon. Bring extra coolant fool!

The Devils Golf Course. A mixture of salt and silt raised off an ancient ocean floor. Goose found a ball. Just kidding, no one golfs here.

The oasis at Furnace Creek. There was a yoga class going on next to the pool. So much for "Nature's Murderer."

The dunes of Stovepipe Wells. They have claimed many lives, especially in the summer when temperatures can be greater than 125*. Notably, the original western visitors, or the '49ers (that's 1849 kids) survived with only one person dying from the elements.