These past two weeks of our trip have been filled with visiting friends and extended family, soaking in beautiful scenery, and being entertained. We arrived in Seattle on August 10, overlapping just for a morning with college friend Jen Spatz and her family (see previous post), enjoying paddle boarding on their canal and playing with their poodles (didn’t try poodle boarding). Doug’s long lost cousin/godson Jeff Flint (world traveler, English Language teacher in China) came from Portland, Oregon for a visit, sharing some interesting Southeast Asia travel tips.
Then it was off to Vancouver, British Columbia to visit dear Timothy Hearsey. I lived with Timothy’s mother Diana for my last two years of high school, so Tim and I shared a Mum in that way. It was heartwarming to reconnect with Tim and a total blast hearing him perform with his New Orleans style band Cannery Row http://www.canrowmusic.com. We both thought how much Diana would enjoy knowing we were visiting one another.
Vancouver is beautiful, chic, and full of friendly people. The pacific northwest forest fires affected our views in both Vancouver and Seattle, though they did clear for our last couple of days. This visit was a bit of a teaser, luring us to return for a longer stay.
Clear roads were ahead for our trip to Santa Cruz, CA to visit dear Aunt Phyllis, and cousins Suzy, Barbara, Nancy and Dick, as well second cousins Laura, Eleanor and Theodore. This was the first time for Ella and Helen to meet most of these cousins. Phyllis’ ranch is always a sight to see, with peacocks calling and walking about, and mounds of interesting plants creating lovely canopies. It is a place where everyone is welcome, and so many come to enjoy the revolving door of extending family and friends. Walks, talks and art were highlights–it was a big family love fest! https://suzynorris.com
Ella attended her first college tour at UC Santa Cruz, where Doug and many family have themselves studied and taught amongst the Redwood filled campus. Helen and I spent time exploring the amazing UCSC Arboretum, getting previews of many New Zealand and Australian plant species. (Thanks for Helen for most of the photos at arboretum and peacocks). https://arboretum.ucsc.edu
We headed out of Santa Cruz enjoying the stunning Big Sur coastline, (always a treat for the eyes!) and arrived in San Francisco where friends Andrew, Jeanne and their daughters Erin and Jade Ichimura hosted us. Funny how years can go by without seeing friends, but then it’s as if almost no time has passed once you’re together, isn’t it? The four adults had a night on the town, laughing at the musical comedy “Beach Blanket Babylon” until my jaw hurt.
Next morning–lung bursting spinning class with the gang, which helped prepare for indulging at the shi-shi MacCrostie Winery in Sonoma later. macrostiewinery.com College friend Ken Lindell recently became a sommelier, and scored us a fancy sitting amidst the vineyards tasting delicious wine. Such fun hearing descriptions and being tutored on the science of grapes, while relaxing in the warm sun with friends. In true Ken fashion, he along with wife Althea and 3 adult children hosted a party for us and some 25 friends at his home in Cloverdale, overlooking rolling sienna hills and vineyards.
And what could make a family trip more complete than a wedding?! Cousin Ben Norris and his lovely wife Francesca Spinardi Norris celebrated in style at a scenic winery in Napa, where 140 family and friends swarmed them on the dance floor. We’ll have the good fortune of seeing them when we’re in their current home of New Zealand! Photo credits to Barbara Gaskell.
More soon to come on Hawaii and Samoa. Stay tuned…
Strout Family Year of Travel 
Love reading this! Can’t wait for the next installment!
LikeLiked by 1 person