Arles and Avignon, France

Man riding bicycle on hilly street in Arles

Today was a tale of two cities with very different histories and looks, united by their dependency on tourism. In the morning we took a walking tour of Arles, known for its relationship to Van Gogh.  He lived in Arles for one year, but during that time he created three hundred drawings and paintings. There is a trail through town … Read More

Marseilles to Arles

Woke up this morning to bright sunshine and a gorgeous view of Marseilles’ old port.  We started the day with the most typical of French breakfasts, a croissant and café au lait. We walked around the area, stopping at the morning fish market. I wish I could have bought some of the fish, it could not have been fresher. From … Read More

Travel Travails

It’s 9:15PM and my friend Sue and I are in Marseilles, France.  We just enjoyed a glass of wine and wonderful Bouillabaisse dinner, in a restaurant with a view of the old port.   But since last evening it has been a crapshoot as to whether we, and our luggage, would make it here. It started with a gate change … Read More

Bainbridge Island, Washington State

Arriving at Bainbridge Island with Seattle in the background

The ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island takes less than thirty minutes. But step off the ferry and you feel as though you’ve been transported much further than that.  It’s easy to walk to town, passing by several trailheads, unusual sculpture, and lots of green. Once in town, the pace is slower than across the bay. There are several museums, … Read More

Seattle, Washington

NW Coast mark

No trip to Seattle is complete without a visit to the Pike Street Market. Though it is touristy, it is also great fun to wander around.  I love taking photos of the flower bouquets and always regret I can’t take them home with me.  After seeing so many tulips growing, it was nice to see them mixed with other flowers … Read More

Pacific Northwest / Washington State

Glass and painting juxtaposed

Rain and sunshine played tag the entire day—one minute pounding rain (not the gentle mist the Pacific Northwest is known for) the next intense sun.  I kept looking for rainbows, but never saw any. We started back at the tulip festival at Tulip Town.  They’d had a flood and most of their crop had been destroyed so their display was … Read More

San Juan Islands, Washington

Entering Friday Harbor

Despite rain forecasted for all day, we decided to head to the San Juan Islands.  A friendly waitress had given us a tip to take the state ferry to Friday Harbor, where we could walk off the boat and into an artsy town. When we left the hotel, it was misting. During the twenty-minute drive we passed through bright sunshine, … Read More

Tulips — The Skagit Valley Washington State

Field of tulips with mountains as backdrop

I had been scheduled to travel to Amsterdam April of 2020 to see the tulip festival.  The festival is globally renowned, especially Keukenhof Gardens. Covid cancelled those plans. Last fall I learned about a tulip festival in the Skagit Valley, north of Seattle.  That would be easier and safer, so I wrangled my friend Judy into going with me. The … Read More

Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania

Tulips

I am a lover of gardens. There is no such thing as too many tulips, orchids, roses, trees, or bushes. Each garden is unique in the way it is laid out, the design of the plantings, water elements, structures, rocks and so much more. Despite visiting numerous gardens while on this road trip, my final stop had to be at … Read More

Richmond, Virginia

Tulips

Murals and street art have definitely become a thing.  Or maybe it was always there, and I’ve just become very attuned to it. Drive or walk around Richmond and the murals are everywhere. When I went to Mamma J’s for dinner, I had to wait to get a table. While waiting, I walked around the area.  At every turn there … Read More