Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Palm Springs Serendipity


Serendipity means a "fortuitous happenstance" or "pleasant surprise". It was coined by Horace Walpole in 1754. In a letter he wrote to a friend Walpole explained an unexpected discovery he had made by reference to a Persian fairy tale, The Three Princes of Serendip. The princes, he told his correspondent, were “always making discoveries, by accidents and sagacity, of things which they were not in quest of”.

That is Gig Harbor over there, I keep hearing about it, may have to check it out.

The Port of Tacoma is much bigger than Seattle's

Mt. St,.Helen's sticking through the cloud cover.

As you fly into Palm Springs you find yourself dropping in between the mountains.

If you zoom in on this oic you see Palm Springs and the little tiny airstrip we will land, hope the brakes work!

A tiny Airport with welcoming Palms.

Our Room at the Parker

Surprise!

I had to call my sister but that is Lonnie Anderson's (remember her boyfriend?) and of course Arnold

We took our wine and went exploring

A little Croquet?

Checking out the pool area but it is pretty hot out here.

The Admiral likes the water temp but that means it is like bath water temp, not for me!

Yes

Youcan bring your Pet to the Parker, this is Sophie, who has deserted her owner in the background for the Admiral's attention.

Palm Shade

Somehow it is cooler under here

The Sunset from an Oasis

Breakfast at Nadia's, how about Breakfast 


We were not sure what to do with these dried orange slices but you are to use them to Clean the Palate, the Admiral tested it out and promptly ejected them.

A great Conversation pit complete with fireplace, Well it does get cooler at night.

Random views of the mountains

Never really knew what was behind the door.

The perfect plant

Palm Springs Yacht Club
b
PSYC is our kind of place, indoor water.

Our babysitting Headquarters

Yeah we can hang out here for a while with a couple of babies.

Normal Palm Springs Behavior, 

Yeah so you just stay indoors till the sun starts down.

This is the time


Lighting for the stars.

Our third breakfast spot by the Bochi Ball courts


Palm Springs Serendipity

What are the chances we would be in Palm Springs ever? Well I can answer that now "1". Definitely Serendipity was at work here.

The last Male in our Daughter and Son in Law's inner circle of friends bit the bullet and finally got married. My daughter called it the wedding of the year since it was such a long shot this guy would ever get married. He was the last hold out from their close friends from college days and before since he was friends of Russell's since High School. 
They decided to have a destination wedding in Palm Springs which is a big commute for the wedding couple since they both have jobs in China. All the rest of Family ad friends are spread between California, Washington and who knows where else? The other piece of this picture is our daughters next door neighbor has a Palms Springs home so they and one other family were invited to stay at their winter home for the wedding. The last piece of the puzzle who was gonna take care of two babies while the parents attended the three days of wedding events?
So our daughter bought us tickets and found us suitable Accommodations at the Parker at Palm Springs: http://www.theparkerpalmsprings.com/index.php During our time we wold just take care of our  grandson and a 3 month old son of their close friends  for a couple hours during the Rehearsal Dinner and then for the Wedding/Reception. 
We did a little research and learned that Palm Springs became the Play Ground of LA's and Hollywood's Rich and Famous. We really did not know where we were going since this has never been on our Destination List. We checked out the web site for the Parker where our daughter found a deal on http://www.jetsetter.com/hotels/palm-springs/california/99/the-parker-palm-springs?nm=Search-TopNav&type=Dropdown&source=TopNav-nofollow and I was a little concerned since I did not own a Pink dinner jacket.All that was quickly laid to rest as we entered the hotel Lobby the guest were in the 30's and wearing flip flops and shorts. We know how to do 5 Star and enjoy it for all the perks without working out the credit card.
Our fantastic host for the baby sitting duty knew exactly how to welcome guest into their Palm Springs winter home stocked with  the best Mango Salsa and Sangria made the tow  evenings a perfect end to our spa days at the Parker Yacht Club.
What are the chances we will ever return to Palm Springs? Somewhere between 0 and 1.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

May in Seattle

Just another example 

Zoom in on this pic, You can send anything you want to Alaska on a barge like this, just bring it to Seattle.

Serengetti, Johnny Carson's Yacht under new Command at Shillshole.
t
Just another Seattle fireman's Day

Our condo building had to be evacuated

"But we have to go in and eat our Pizza!

Drew 1st Pond Boat rental.

Everywherer you look in Seattle are fantastic Blooming Flora

The Seattle Aquarium has become a hangout with the family membership.

Can I Chew on these?

Just Groovin on the Grass

We finally saw a mushroom they all talk about growing in the city.

Digging the Pacific Science Center's Music room.

Mothers Day at Pike's Market

The Skateboarders hitting the rail at the Fisher Pavilion, Seattle Center

Real Man Overboard Drill at the Center for Wooden Boats

Good Golly he is Heavy!

With the creative assistance of a dockline turned into a sling step we get him aboard finally.

Checkin out the latest Mega Yacht

The 314-foot-long superyacht VAVA II has a helicopter pad, six decks and a swimming pool. It’s longer than some Washington State Ferries.

One more Example

Gas Works Park

Always a new vessel on Display at the Center for Wooden Boats "Dolphine"





Find your on Parking

Another Free Sail at Windworks

That's David on the foredeck working Hard
ard!
He is really good at spotting the Sealife though!

You know what they say, A bad day on the water is way better than anything else.

Several of these Fantails in the Seattle area





Collecting Raffel tickets from those that leave early at the Best Damn Happy Hour at the Armory in Seattle Center.


The 70' Obsesion returning from the evenings sunset Sail.

The Cruise Ship Season Starts May 1 
Chris and Christine go sailing with me on the Capri 22 and we make it all the way to Kingston Harbor 

A new Sculpture is added to the Seattle Sculpture Gardens

The second boat from the left is a Diesel Duck, old friends we met when we bought Wand'rin Star

And a sunset walk on Alkie Beach in West Seattle
May in Seattle

Two huge changes occur on May 1:

1. Winter is Over
Like a light switch going off the weather changes. All of a sudden the highs are in the 50's and the low's are in the 40's. A big 10 degree change in both directions .Less Rain, more Sun. Millions of blooming plants every where, Tulips are a huge deal but all sorts of flora is bringing color to the city. All the trees announce Spring is here. There is a clear distinction between the four seasons which we have never experienced living most of our lives in the two season Texas which is either hot or cold and sometimes both on the same day. This brings a lot of people into the city and it is the beginning of the Tourist Season.

2. Boating Season officially opens May 2
The Three cruise ship terminals were full May 2 which is also the opening day of Boating Season. All of a sudden Elliot Bay is constantly full of all kinds of pleasure vessels, and all the sport fisherman are out in hoards. All the various sailboat racing fleets begin their racing series. I was already having fun with the Winter Sailing season but now you can shed the heavy jacket and the rain clothes. More people are out sailing so you have new opportunities to make connections to increase those sailing moments.The water and all types of marine activities both commercial and recreational are celebrated all across the city, You can see what I am talking about from the short film I got to participate in titled "Sea Folk" produced by the local film production company Digital Kitchen for a competition sponsored by the Seattle International Film Festival:
http://vimeo.com/96914500