So, I experienced again last night the realization that I’m N-O-T an experienced webmaster. More likely somewhere between webcraft journeyman and proficient figure-outer. Which still leaves plenty of room for the occasional catastrophic blunder. (Sorry, Nancy, for the abrupt awakening last night to my wee-hours richly-worded frustrations.)
Here’s the lesson learned: it’s all well and good to load your website’s Media Library with a plethora of potential blog images, but you MUST remember that once an image is actually published, the only way the wonderful WorldWide Web can show that image on your blog is to access it from that Library. Makes perfect sense, right?
Sooooo, come tidy-up your website day – you know, the day you think you’re doing the right thing by wading through your Media Library’s vast array of images to make everything less cluttered and more navigable – well, remember that ANY and ALL images deleted from the library will no longer be accessible to the Web. As in permanently deleted.
In a matter of mere minutes, I completely stripped my blog of half its images. @#$%&!
Luckily, most of them were still in the Cloud, so I was able to recover with only my pride damaged. But it took me a few hours.
In the meantime – and in sharp contrast to that unfortunate hiccup – we’re absolutely loving our “nomad life”. It didn’t feel very nomadic at first, seeing as we’re enjoying familiar stomping grounds and visiting best friends and family. But then Nancy reminded me we’re living above a stranger’s garage and rummaging around suitcases for half our clothes. You know, like the way nomads might live.
Fantastic AirBnB, by the way. All the necessary amenities. And a perfect location: a 3-minute drive or 11-minute walk to the always popular Kirkland Marina Park, where we tend to finish every evening, sitting on one of the benches, spooning bites of Sirena Gelato, and watching people be people. For 25 years we dreamed of living in Kirkland, but the crazy price of homes here always made it undoable. This feels like the next best thing. (That’s the Carillon Point Marina in the photo above, another 2 miles south along Lake Washington.)
Okay, a few highlights of our first 18 days of nomad life:
• In contrast to Baja Sur, it’s insanely GREEN here, and on our regular 4-5 mile walks it actually feels like the air is hyper-vegetation oxygenated. Yeah, I know . . . but it still feels that way.
• As we expected, there are so many great eateries within a 7-minute drive that our vow to cook in a bit has been tough to realize. A few of our favorites so far are Rock Creek Seafood & Spirits, Isarn Thai Soul Kitchen, Bottle and Bull, and Vovina wine bar. Oh, and Nancy enjoyed her first true smash burger at the local Shake Shack. Like a true smash burger, where with each bite little crusty crumbles drop off the edges into your lap. Sooo good!
• We met up with good friends Matt and Lisa at their recommended Sparrow restaurant for delicious food and live music. We’d seen Joshua Red Uttech at a Big Block Brewery event a year ago, and were thrilled to watch him play again. And we also enjoyed making fun of Lisa drinking her cocktail from the tail feathers of a glass bird. They call that a Fancy Feather, in case you decide to try one. And here’s a quick video of Joshua’s latest song. (You’ll need to up your volume.)
The biggest joys of our time here have been watching grandkids Jaxon and Ava in their District and State track championships, Jaxon in the 300 meter hurdles, Ava in the shot put, and both in their 4×400 meter relays. Congrats to Ava on her relay taking 4th place, and Jax was oh so close to making the finals in both his events.
And then, of course, Jaxon’s graduation from Cle Elum-Roslyn High School. We could not be any prouder of the young man he’s become, as proven by the many honors, accolades, and scholarships he was awarded, including his senior class Warrior (Student) of the Year. He’s such an awesome kid! And we’re excited for him to join us next summer for a segment of our nomad life travels, probably in Budapest for the World Athletics Ultimate Track & Field Championships. But that’s up to him. We’ve given him anywhere in the world from which to choose.
Okay, that’s it for this go ’round and it’s late. We’re meeting friends Bryan and Crystal for breakfast in the A.M., and I need my brain fresh for Big Block trivia tomorrow night. The reunion last Wednesday of the We Drink and We Know Things team won the night. Woot woot! And we’re hoping for a repeat.
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.