Saturday, June 22, 2013

On the Road Again...

Retirement - Or, "Away we go!!"

Finally!! My last day of having anything to do with work was Friday, June 15th. Free at last!! 

To celebrate, and knowing I would be leaving Seattle for a while, I went to Dick's for a delicious and hearty meal. 

Loved the fries!! Soggy, salty spears of savory satisfaction!! I got, to continue the 'S' thing, the Special Burger and it was, OK. I'm gonna try and remember its taste and compare the Dick's Burger to a In-'N-Out Burger. (I tried the In-'N-Out and I think Dick's beat'em in both areas.)


Bucky and I headed off to new adventures on Thursday, June 20th. 

Finally got all the, "This and Thats" done for renting Amy's house and we were On the Road!! Jack Kerouac look out!! 

Smilin' Jack and Bucky Moosetucky are heading down the highway, lookin' for adventure and whatever comes our way!! Like a true nature's child, we were born, born to be wild!! Hooah!!



The weather wasn't cooperating. It was just more of that overcast Seattle Sunshine. Headin' out Rainier Ave., towards my final stop before the open road you can see the Sunny Skies of Seattle.



Yep!! Had to stop and make a deposit at the Metropolitan Credit Union for Amy. That's it!! Here we go!! Second star to the right and straight on 'til morning!!


'Cept I wasn't seeing too much clear sky.


In fact, it was off and on rain all the way through Washington


To the bridge over the Columbia


Past Portland...


Down some highway....


And into Oregon...


I had my Garmin to keep me company and keep me on a steady 70 as I rolled on down that two-lane blacktop...


Through the rain...


past the rollin' hills...


And into the future....


I made it to California before I pulled over for the night. I caught these views of the setting sun at a rest stop along the way.



Just a little night driving before I called it a day.


After a good night's rest what better way to start a day than with a hearty, old-fashioned Big Breakfast with Hotcakes at Mickey D's!!




Yeah, I admit it, I'm a sucker for the Golden Arches.


One of the kids that worked at that Mickey D's had actually learned something in Art Class because they had these plates of wrapping paper made up to look like McDonald's Meals on the counter. Pretty creative, eh!?!

  



I finally made it to my first destination....SeaLube in Redwood City.


It's Friday Night in Redwood City and that meant,


And this Friday night was Mustache playing some yacht music. But first we had to get Smiley McSmileyPants ready...


"No, please," Smiley said, "make me go and listen to some 'yacht' music."


She was a pretty good sport about it all. The thing with babies is if you keep 'em fed and watered they're pretty much down with anything.


We got to the Courthouse Square and got ready to listen to some good music...




Course, that meant we had to have some good food, too. Chipolte's was doing good business that night. 




This one wanted to go for a walk so I took her for a stroll around Redwood City. 





It's a nice looking downtown. They've done a good job of keeping the old and adding some new.



   



   

Then we had a fabulous dessert...seriously, don't that look good!?!



After the concert, and the music was good, it was toe-tappin', head shakin'' music from the 70s and 80s, we headed back to SeaLube.

It's good to be in Redwood City. 

"Climate Best by Government Test"


(and you know the Government never lies!!)

Hooah!!


Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Lunch with the Kids

April, 2013. 

Amy and Kristi swooped into town to spruce up the ol' Homestead and brought along Quinn. I was lucky enough to take Quinnie and Anthony out for lunch one day.


We took a walk to the Station at Othello where we ate lunch at the Deo Valente.


They've spruced things up since the last time I was here. It's looking nicer these days. Getting a personality.


Anthony was admiring the artwork.


Quinn gave it the once over, too.


I'm guessing she's hungry.



Wha'chu doin' Anthony!?!


"So, are you gonna feed me or what!?!"


Actually, the kids acted very well considering I made them walk a half mile just to get to the restaurant. Maybe they were tired?


"I could use some grub, Bub!"


"Is the food comin'?"


I think we all had a good time.


Ain't she pretty?


Huh?


Smile, Anthony!!


Lookin' good!


"Aw, Gramps, you're funny."


Finally, something to sink your teeth into.


The sandwich, and this was a breakfast panini, was sorta dry. I didn't think it was as good as the last one I got. Still, the kids seemed to enjoy them. Quinn and I shared one.


And the kids walked ALL the way back home. I was impressed. It was fun to spend some time with just the kids. I think I'll be walking Quinn over to the local In-N-Out for lunch.