Mike and Beth's Adventures

T his summer’s exploration was meant to focus on the Puget Sound and Canada’s Gulf Islands. As every traveler eventually learns, flexibility is part of the adventure—especially when plans change without your permission. Ours certainly did. A wheel bearing on our boat trailer failed while we were rolling north on I‑5 near Salem, Oregon, abruptly transforming us into involuntary explorers of the Willamette Valley. If you’re going to get stranded somewhere, though, this is not a bad place to do it. More than 160 years ago settlers flocked here for its famously fertile land, and they chose well. The valley remains an agricultural powerhouse today. The Willamette Valley is known globally as the grass seed capital of the world , producing most of North America’s cool‑season forage and turf grass thanks to its wet winters and dry summers. But grass seed is only the beginning. The region supports more than 170 commercial crops , making it one of the most diverse agricultural areas in the count...

 Historic Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge across the Connecticut River Vermont and New Hampshire are GREEN in the summer time.  This is special to a California boy who is use to the "golden hills of California" once spring has morphed to summer.  It is also the land of covered bridges.  Sure we have a few rare examples back home, but in this lush and gorgeous section of the country they are everywhere!  You have to be cautious however.  Vertical clearance must be checked prior to entering a covered bridge.  Not all were designed to accommodate taller vehicles.  The Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge caused us to stop and select an alternate route when we spotted its height limit. Some bridges have pedestrian walkways, but most are too narrow to allow vehicles and pedestrians to mingle and cross. Sugar River Trail There are even covered bridges on the bike trails.  Between Claremont and Newport New Hampshire you can ride or walk the Sugar River Rai...

Sidney has captured our hearts as the most lively, bustling, compact, everything you could want town on Vancouver Island.  Beacon Street is their main street and from the dock with the fabulous view of Mt Baker, to the many bakeries, restaurants, gift shops, grocery stores, and large grassy common area it invites you to slow down and spend the day.  If you range a bit further you will find excellent chandleries and boat yards,  We especially enjoy the Sea Glass Grill at Van Isle Marina.  It is our favorite lunch stop with many tempting and tasty menu selections. Sidney celebrates their waterfront location by preserving the view with extensive parks and broad walking paths along the shoreline.  It is a relaxing location to walk and enjoy the seaside ambiance.  No more than a couple of miles offshore is Sidney Spit.  This is an island that is almost entirely a Provincial Park and a day or overnight destination for boaters, sailors and kayakers,  The...