So, every few weeks or months Nancy and I like to hop in the car and spend a half day or so crawling around new and familiar haunts, most often sampling creative craft beers and savory eats, and sometimes – like this past Father’s Day weekend – pursuing more heartfelt purposes.
On this particular Saturday, after a brief stop at the Woodinville Farmers’ Market for fresh strawberries, we arced our way over the top of Lake Washington, pausing for a quaff at the Project 9 Brewery in Lake City, then settling on the mideast fringe of Green Lake. After a pleasant 3-mile people-watching circumnavigation on the pedestrian footpath, we landed on barstools at Wooden City Tavern, to wish good friend Brock Lynch a fond farewell, as he departs next week to Tucson, Arizona, to open a Sonoran BBQ joint called the Lucky Penny.
I first met Brock 20+ years ago when he and my daughter Meghan opened the new Matador Tex-Mex restaurant in Redmond, he behind the bar and she serving tables. Nancy was traveling quite a bit in those days, so I spent many a late night there, sipping Gran Centenario Reposado tequila and snacking on carnitas tacos. Ten years ago Brock helped open the Shelter Lounge, managed that restaurant through Covid, then stayed aboard when Wooden City moved in a couple of years ago. Several times over those years he shared with us his goal to open his establishment in Tucson, closer to his wife Kirsten’s family.
And now they’re realizing that dream. It’ll take a full year to build out the current shell of a building, but when it’s done, we have no doubt the place will be perfect. And he promises an authentic Sonoran Hot Dog on the menu, which if you know, you know. Godspeed Brock.
And from there we drifted into the U-District to bid adieu to a longtime favorite, the College Inn Pub, who closed their doors on Sunday after five decades of business. They opened in 1974, the year I began school at the University of Washington, but I expect my peers and I began our entrenchment there a good 5 years later. And for us our purpose for settling into one of their long table booths with the single bulb light overhead wasn’t so much to drink beer – dominated back in those days by traditional American lagers – but to break out the padded cup and play endless rounds of liar’s dice, the loser buying the next round. Games would stretch ridiculously long as dice-play was often usurped by tall tales and grand jest.
In those earliest years there were six of us: Stan Lucas, Eric Edeen, John Kaschko, Rob Greenlund, Jack Talley, and myself, all having met at the University Christian Union quasi-fraternity on the fringe of Greek Row. But over the years Jack and Rob moved away, the burdens and beauties of life shifted our priorities, and our at least monthly visits progressively diminished, eventually settling on an annual singular commitment, that often postponed till next time. Great memories made, that’s for sure. And bonds deeply forged. (I leave in a few hours for 3 days with Eric at Stan’s cabin north of Leavenworth. Newer friend Matt Minton will be joining us.)
The place was packed on Saturday night, every booth full of raucous revelers, many of them noticeably in their later years. We sat at a booth adjacent to our usual, though I slipped in for a photo later in the night. And we met the man who carved his name first in the tabletop that eventually could withstand no more autographs, and was repurposed as a wall ornament some 20 years ago. That’s them in the photo above, bottom left.
And on Father’s Day itself I learned from my dad’s widow Angela of the passing of her first husband David Maslin, a long time great friend of my family on Grand Turk. When we first moved to the Turks & Caicos in 1973, David and Angela lived next door to our Salt Raker Inn, and became regulars at our Secret Garden Bar and Restaurant. He was always a favorite of mine, with his pronounced British accent, rakish presence, and wicked sense of humor. Angela shared with me this photo of him with my dad on the right and my youngest brother Jay, all three of them now gone. RIP David.
Okay, the countdown continues; we’re just under two weeks until we depart for South Carolina. Last Friday was my shopping day: a couple pairs of non-athletic walking shoes, primarily for Italy, and lightweight, quick-drying travel shirts, shorts and pants. Fitting 3.5 months of clothes into a single overhead-kosher suitcase required a wardrobe revamp. Not to mention a new half-zip fleece and rain jacket for our month in the United KIngdom.
We’ll be in touch.
Drank a Punk IPA on the top of a hotel in Bangkok!
Indeed, they are everywhere!
I would still be walking from the Firenze train station to your first airbnb!!!!
I’m sooo sorry you had to suffer through the gelato tastings to find the One. Somebody had to do it!
I totally agree about the sangiovese grape. One of my favorite wines is a Super Tuscan. Mainly made with indigenous grapes blended with non-indigenous vines like Cab Sauv and merlot. One of the top wines in the world! And a bargain price.
In Nancy and your honor, I made a Tuscan chicken dish the other day. Except it didn’t look like the food you pictured….and didn’t taste like it, I’m sure!
Enjoying your trip with you!
Hey Jim, love that you’re following along, and appreciate your comments. The Tuscan wines are truly a joy, though we did enjoy a Puglian red this evening while in Vieste. Awesome town. You’d love it!! A festival tonight with music or comedy every night a stone’s throw away.
Ah, the Pantheon, one of my favorite buildings, especially considering its age.
Yes, we’ll be back in Florence in Wednesday and Thursday next week. We’ll tour the Pantheon then.
Okay! I will have the house tagliere board for two! For myself! And 2 glasses of wine??? You can’t fool me.
Just read an article about the area where Nancy’s family lived. An area known for its unique buildings with a purpose to evade taxes!
Trullo buildings in Alberobello! Also, now B and B’s. May your safe journeys continue!
Ahh, the Trulli of Alberobello. We won’t be lodging in one, but plan to spend a morning or afternoon visiting Alberobello. Thanks again for your comments, Jim. We head to Montecino and Montepulciano today. Puglia in a week.
We loved Dublin (actually ALL of Ireland!) but didn’t have enough time there.
The library was amazing as well as the Book of Kells but I see the books are all gone! Must be renovating.
Big fan of Jamie…..sooo jealous!
Totally agree on Guinness tour.
They’re restoring (un-dusting) the books in the library at Trinity College; only about 10% on display. It’ll be a several-year project.
Glenn, not surprisingly your lilting eloquence embellishes the accompanying pictorial fare and invites one to pour a wee dram with which to enjoy both!
My hope has been to capture the spirit and flavor of the places and people we encounter on our journey. I’m glad you’re enjoying it.
Wow, that all sounds so lovely, except for the driving part! That would make me so nervous.
I’m really not trying to dominate the comment section but………
Where you are brings back sooo many memories of Derry (wife, not place!). She, also, was my navigator and her job was to pick the ivy off the passenger side mirror because I was so close to those damned rock walls avoiding a lorry coming at me @ 100Km/hr on a 1 & 1/2 lane road!
We went to Connemara National Park, climbed up most of the way, and went to visit the great love story that Kylemore Abbey represents.
The walled garden was amazing, too.
I have watched the very perplexing movie “The Banshees of Inisherin”
I agree, Galway is awesome!! We did indeed have a brew or two @ Monroe’s!
Keep your comments coming, my friend. We love having you along for the ride.
I love vicariously eating and sight-seeing with you two! And I’m glad I’m not splitting the bill!
Asheville and the Blue ridge Parkway were the some of the highlights on my trips around there. We, also, skipped the Biltmore tour. $50-head to see someone else’s ostentatiousness!
And I now have to put Curate on my list…..love me some Spanish tapas!
No doubt, our joy of good food has us reevaluating the dining budget! 😉
Have been hearing a lot lately about Charleston’s foodie scene!!!
I want a raclette burger and order me the trout with crawfish at Vern’s!
And be careful driving out there. Might get a little wet!
Stepping out of Vern’s last night it was dumping!! Thankfully they loaned us an umbrella for the short walk home, but with sandals . . . pretty sloppy. And yes, both of those food items were incredible.
Excellent post! I love how the architecture helps avoid the taxman… brilliant!
What a fun day!!! And then, to a Spanish restaurant serving some of my favorite tapas and vino!!
A new post after just 24 hours? You spoil us, and set a high bar for the detailed story-telling of your adventures! If the rest of your trip is half as enjoyable as your first day out to be, you’re in for a treat. Love you both and enjoy the humidity (and everything else, of course).
Hola to you two!!
A word of caution, kinda. Watch out for Travis Decker in Leavenworth!
Not that I have vast knowledge for packing for long trips, I would think taking along some “tradeable” clothing you can bargain with! Like a nice BBB shirt in exchange for a nice Italian sweater! And save room for souvenirs and fun stuff! No one will care if you wear the same shirt three days in a row, except Nancy!!
Also, I can partner with you about losing family. It certainly speeds up as we get older.
Yeah, definitely one of the downsides of aging!
What a great surprise it was to have you and Nancy swing by Green Lake, looking forward to hosting you both in Tucson next year! I had forgotten to mention during our conversation that there are two new Matador restaurants in S. Carolina if you are feeling nostalgic. Thanks again and safe travels, already excited to follow along!
Thanks for the heads up re. the Matadors. I see it’s actually a restaurant with a separate “Mezcaleria by Matador” next door. It’s 1.5 miles from our AirBnB. We’ll definitely go there. Glad to know you’ll be following along on our travels. Take care.
Wow! I bet you’re both getting excited for your continuing adventures. Love reading about them. We miss you guys!
So excited! Already loving our “vacationing” in our hometown, and chomping at the bit to truly hit the road. Miss you two, as well. Glad you’re following along. Hope your summer’s starting off great.
Whooohoo! You’re on your way! 👏🏼🌟
Looks like you two are loving and living life well. Love the narratives and the photos
Thanks, Sandy. Yes, life’s awesome.
(And Kirkland is just so cool, as I’m sure you remember.)
We love Kirkland, especially Isarn Thai 🤤🤤🤤 One of my favorite Thai restaurants! It looks like your adventures are off to a great start. Enjoy your time with family and friends!
Thanks, Kelsey. Isarn Thai is one of our daughter Kylene’s favorites, as well.
Hope you and Scott are enjoying your early summer.
Godspeed my friends. See you soon, hopefully it will involve libations and excellent conversation. Miss you guys!
So very excited for you two and looking forward to being on your adventure with you! I must be on your roster twice as I received 2 email notifications. Enjoy every minute and I hope to see you at one of your visits to BB!
Jealous…can’t wait to see and hear all about it
Bon voyage, and we’ll see you in Asheville!
I could not be more excited for you both! Have an amazing time in WA (wish I was joining for graduation) and on your stateside portion of this adventure. Can’t wait to see you in the Burgh in a few months. Cheers to new adventures!
Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge and experience, Best of luck Glenn and Nancy. Safe travels🙏🌺
Thanks, Al. Glad you’ll be following our adventure.
OMG this sounds absolutely amazing!!!!!!
Thanks, Lisa. See you soon!
Hello Nancy and Glenn!
What an exercise in travel planning and what a tremendously exciting and interesting journey it will be.
From reading your update, I’m not clear on the exact date you will be departing the US and/or Mexico and when you are scheduled to return. Could you confirm, please.
Are you going to be measured for your dress Gordon kilt while in Edinburgh?
Looking forward to ‘sharing ‘ your adventure.
Love, Angela
Safe travel and dr8nk a few for me!
Thanks, Michele. See you at the shop in a couple of weeks.
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I think I already signed up but…maybe not? Anyway, should be signed up now
You’re golden.
Add me to mailing list pls!
You’re good to go.