Sequim, Wa

20 Feb 06,
I am certainly glad that we brought the feather bed cause under the covers it was roasty toasty, but let an extremedy escape and it froze. Needless to say, new bed, new surroundings, new noise, we were awake for most of the night.
About 0630 Roy braved the cold, and dressed. He was the one who told me to turn off the heat so I was perfetly willing to let him get up and turn it back on. Fifteen minutes later it was still cold as a witches tit, but I needed coffee and so I forced myself out of bed and into some clothes.
Our very first breakfast in Casita was hot oatmeal with raisins and cinnamon. The milk was frozen solid so that tells me the refrigerator works, I just need to find the settings to turn it down.
But Casita has some short-comings. We have no cable outlet so I guess well have to get the domb for the TV. The sink leaks, Roy is going to get a new fauset for it, but now I have heat and thats mostly what I am concerned about. The bed was comfy and the toilet seat when sat upon, even in the cold, wasn't bad at all.
We left Casita in the good hands of Buster at Erics and set on foot to explore Sequim. The first stop was coffee at Burger Kinds. I bought a copy of the Sequim Gasette and the front page had a story about where Sequim got its name. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find it online, but here is the link to the paper. http://www.sequimgazette.com/index.php?menu=1
The article said that there are a few possible places that Sequim got its name. On authority said that it came from Suxtcikwi'in' a tribal word for "quiet or calm waters". The first letters mailed out from Sequim were post marked Seguin and the first book written about the are called it Squim. Another theory is that there was an onion type bulb that grew in the area and gathering these bulbs were called 'going skwimming"
We killed about an hour at Burger King and then headed for the drug store as I am getting that scratching throat/chills/stuffy nose feeling, a sure indicator of a cold coming on. Betty was over on Saturday and she had a horrible cold so I guess its my turn. Roy also needed a hat and of course there is always a list of things that we forgot to bring, hair brush for one.
Lunch was a a great Mexican Restaurant. We had a carne verde burrito that was very good. Also their home made salsa was perfect.
The rest of the day was spent at Eric's. When she was all done, and strutting her stuff we drove about a mile to an RV park and the nice folks there helped Roy set up. I turned the heat on and spent a very comfortable night.

Sunday 19 Feb 06
Milage 122
Destination Sequim, Washington
Gas $2.08 a gallon, $72.
We did it, I actually drove Casita on her first shake down cruise and we both did very well.
We drove to Sequim, to Erics Auto and RV Repair as Casita needs headers and has an exhause leak. It will be expensive but well worth the money with gas prices the way they are.
Most of Hwy 101 is designated as a senic highway and that is not a lie. We went from forest, to water views (Puget Sound) to small farms. The Sound was like glass and except for being a tad bit cold, it was a perfect day from traveling.
We arrived at Erics about 4pm. They have some electric outlets there so we plugged in and made ourselves at home. The TV didn't work but thats because they have no local stations in the area, so we ate left over split pea soup and watched videos on the lap top. 

Finally

Well poor old Casita has been thru the mill with all this rain. She sprange a few leaks, the step went out but not back in, the lights didn't work, but finally we are taking her on our first shake down cruise on the 20th. Destination Sequim, Wa where she is going to get new headers and a back up camera.
I am not sure why we have to drive all the way to Sequim, but that's okay, I haven't been to Port Angeles in ages and I have never been to Neah Bay, where I am sure we will get some wild pictures. While we plan to just follow our whims, I would also like to do the Dungeous again and check out Port Townsend. We might do the loop and might not. Sequim is kinda a great place to visit in the winter because it happens to be in what they call a rain shadow. It gets only about 10 inches of rain a year there while just around the corner in the Hoh area, they get over a 1oo inches. But its a small town that unfortunately lost all its personality when WalMart and Safeway moved it. There is a couple blocks of quaint little stores, but most of it is now strip malls.
I can give you a better picture when I return.

Household Goods Arrived

Well, the furniture made it over the ocean and all in one piece, but his, mine and ours doesn't fit in this little home. Retirement is a time for downsizing and I seem to be accumlating instead. We are talking seriously about selling the house and building something out on the property, but something has to fit all this stuff.

But most of the boxes are unpacked, some are still sitting on the back porch, but if I opened them I wouldn't have any place to put the stuff anyway so let them sit. I am still missing a few important items, but nothing that I need to go digging for. Opening boxes is a little like Christmas, little gifts to unwrap. BUT, the Japanese really wrap stuff. First there is a thick layer of paper around what ever and then a layer of that white wrapping paper and finally a layer of bubble wrap. The problem is it takes forever to unwrap stuff and there is so much stuff that needs tossed. I'm filling up a landfill.

The more it rains here in Washington, the more heading south sounds like a plan, so it is now time to get Casita on the road. First, we need to fix the electric step that has stopped working and while it could have been something as simple as a broken wire, Roy bought the whole works and again as soon as it stops raining, we will start work on it. Also, we need a new front window I noticed, we have a major crack and the skylight in the bathroom is leaking. Its never ending I guess.
Once I get on the road, all will be right with the world

Rain Rain Go Away

According to the news, today is the 24th straight day of rain in the Pacific Northwest and I believe it. The rivers are overflowing their banks. The roads are littered with Water Over Road Signs and to make matters worse, my whole yard is like a sopping sponge.
We thought about getting into the Motorhome and heading to the frist dry spot we can find but we have doctors appointments, and committments to deal with, so here we sit and wait for the sun to shine

Wow, this rig is getting expensive

DH and I drove over to Sequim yesterday. Sequim is on the Olympic pennisula and what a magnificent drive, we drove thru the forests, we drove along the sound and the road twisted around thru quaint little towns. It rained some, but not alot.
The whole purpose of the trip was to locate Eric's RV and Service. It was recommended to us by another RVer and we drove over there to check on the price of Headers, leaverlers, (sp) a dish, solar and the bill got up to about 12,000. I almost gaged cause I need to get tires also.
So, I think we will take the dish and solar off the list for now and see what Camping World wants for the levelors.

Tacoma Museum of Glass

Tacoma? Noted for art?
Today, friends and I went and checked out the new exhibit at the Tacoma Glass Art Museum and I was not disappointed at all. I went a few years ago and thought it was good, but this time, I found it to be fasinating and interesting, and of course the glass was amazing.
We first checked out the "hot room' where they actually blow glass. Last time we just watched, but this time, they talked about what they were doing and why and how. It was fasinating.
OOOh and there is a glass organ there which is on loan and will only be there a couple more days. The glass blower/engineer made an organ with glass tubes and fire and it actually plays eerie notes and a magical sounds comes forth. It was worth the entrance fee alone.
Next time you come up to Tacoma, lets plan to go there. I could go over and over again and never get tired of it, it's so wonderful. I know that you will really enjoy it.
Our friend is up from Portland and it has rained every day since he came. He is use to the rain but I would really like to show him something other than rain clouds and dark skys. Tomorrow we plan to ge to Mima Mounds and play in the mud. Also Ft Lewis has a nice small museum that is well worth the trip.

Casita is coming home

The motorhome has been in storage for the past year and today Roy and John are going to go get it and bring it home. Sitting hasn't done alot for the old girl and so I know we have tons of stuff to do to her, just to get her on the road. She is going to get new tires next week and levelors and headers and thats just a start cause there are probably other things that she needs done. I know there are other things that she needs done.

Home

WE MADE IT, not without trails and troubles, but none the less we made it home and spent the first day sitting on our couch, looking for something to watch on TV. For those of you who are in Japan and think you have nothing to watch on TV, we have a 100 channels of nothing to watch on TV.....Never complain, at least you have a couple decent movie channels.

SOOOOO, we get to the airport on Tuesday night, thanks to Bev and Berry who graciously took us up there and delivered us at the airport hotel. It was a very luxorious hotel and worth every penny to stay there and not have to take a 0430 train that might or might not get us on time to the airport. BUT we went down to dinner and they had a western side and a Japanese side and as Western on our last night in Japan was unconcievable, we went to on the japanese side. Well, the waitress must not have had foreigners in there before as they were so gracious and helpful ( and didn't understand a word) but we ordered the Special Set thinking it would be cheaper than the regular menu. WRONG answer. First of all the set came with raw fish. (I see your nose Sallie) but while I was perfectly willing to eat Roys, he did manage to eat it. There was the obligatory rice, cut in the shape of a star, there was an egg drop like soup which was very pretty but tasteless. There was also this snotball, tinted orange, the was perfectly discusting, which I had to try, and there was about a half dozen other tidbits. Our bill though, almost made me faint 6832 yen. OMG Then we went upstairs to bed and it was like sleeping on rocks, hard wasn't exactly the word, hard and lumpy. Neither of us got much sleep.

The next morning we were on the first shuttle to the airport and the gal at the ticket counter looks at me, my passport expired in July. My stomach suddenly was naucious and racing, trying to decide what to do. I pulled out a copy of my orders and military ID which expired today and hoped that that would work. She faxed the copies to someone in Tokyo and told me to check in with the ticket agent when I got there.
So I stayed in panic mode until I got to Tokyo and tried to see the ticket agent. They don't open until 1130 and its like 0930. More panic. I'm thinking I can probably go to the Embassy in Tokyo and get it there for lots of money.

Finally 1130 comes around and the ticket agent shakes his head at me, and calls the State Department and because I am on military orders and a US citizen, he or she said to let me on the plane and that was the last time anyone noticed that I had an expired passport. Even the immigration office at SeaTac didn't look at it.

The plane ride was smooth and because of the lumpy hard bed in Japan I slept thru most of it. The food was nasty but you knew that. We made it thru customs in about a blink and then after a short wait, got the shuttle and then got home.

There was a little mouse sitting on the livingroom rug waiting for us.

So, we get home and the phone that I have given everyone the numberto, is disconnected. The kid that stayed here probably didn't want to pay for both lines so now I don't have a phone. I am hoping that we can get it reconnected. (Turned out to be a broke line with Roy repaired in a flash.
Also, to Roys massive frustration, the kids girlfriend gave him a computer keyboard and moved the letters around to spell I LOVE YOU JR, so Roy can't use the computer because he looks when he types. LOL serves him right.

Promised you pictures that you don't normally see and this cute fellow is a temple "gate keeper". Carved in wood and painted in gold this fellow is probably over 100 years old.

This last week has really flown by, and in 4 days I will be back in the US. But tomorrow we go to see the last sumo match of the season. I am so excited as Kotooshu, the big guy from Bulgaria (big and cute and tall and handsome and narry an inch of fat on him) has done great this last bascho. He beat the yokosuna in one of the most exciting matches of the year. Tomorrow there is really nothing to descide as Assashoriu has already won, but thats okay. I might get another doll. Did I mention I collect sumo dolls?

Sallie, Roy and I have been going out to eat just about every night. Tonight I had tofu salad which is delicious. Going to eat in the States just isnt going to be the adventure it is here.
First we order food from pictures on a menu as most menus are only in Japanese (as it should be) Tonight Roy ordered a noodle dish and it was cold, and had squid in it. He didn't mind the squid but the cold noodles wasn't to his liking.
I remember going to eat and ordering a sandwich once It turned out to be a potato salad sandwich with catsup. Actually it really wasn't bad. They also have strawberry cream sandwiches. Squid ink is popular pizza choice here in Japan. It looks just about like you would think it looks, black. ( I haven't tried Squid Ink anything)
One of my favorite places to go get a good cheap meal in Japan is at 7/11. Yep, same folks as in the US, but not the same food. We stop every Tuesday night after pottery. Charla got corn soup in a can and it smells absolutely delcious. You can get canned goods either hot or cold. They also sell bento boxes which is tidpits of assorted foods. I am going to miss 7/11 also.

This is our famous Kintai Bridge, and about the only tourist attraction in Iwakuni. It was build in the 600s but has been rebuild often, and actually most of the wooden part has been all replaced since we came here. 

Every home in Japan has a garden, it might be in pots along side the road, it might be a 3 foot square under a window, but they all have one thing in common, they are beautiful
Roy and I found this beautiful pink plant along side the road. It just made us smile and Roy took a picture.
I have so many beautiful pictures of Japan that I would like to share so as I download them I will share them with you.

We are in a hotel now, out of quarters and just waiting for the big day. My friend told me that I will probably be bored. I don't think so, I have to much to do, friends to visit, a house to deal with, and the motorhome to get into shape. 

Chogen no Sato is a reconstructed antique village in the mountains above Yamaguchi and we were lucky to arrive at the same time they were having the Momiji matsuri (fall leaves?) festival.
This village was originally built in 800 something by the same Buddhist monk who settled Mt Koya. He came looking for lumber to build more temples.
There are craft shops to make paper crafts, bamboo crafts and much more. We watched them make paper and Roy was fasinated by the wood shop, ofcourse.
The trip was sponsored by the City of Iwakuni so half the participates were Japanese and there was one family from the Netherlands. Now picture this, they had us singing songs on the bus, some in Japan and some in English. We sang Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and I think in all the years, I never knew there was more than one verse to Twinkle Twinkle. There are three. We also sang Row Row Row Your Boat in round, but it was pretty bad.
It was a great trip and we enjoyed the new friends that we made. 

Anyone want to guess what this is?

Steam locomotives are still in use in Japan but mostly for the tourist trade. We took this train to the apple farm. What a nostalgic trip that was, just listening to the whistle brought back so many memories.

lynne_hammonds@yahoo.com

Apple Picking

We had a great time picking apples. Fuji apples are large and sweet and beautiful. Japanese like to peel off the skin on apples so when you arrive at the farm, they give you a knife and a bag. You can eat all you want off the trees, but you have to buy the take home ones. I bought 4 and they cost 730 yen, about $7.00 

Next Adventure

Well, orders have arrived, tickets are purchased and we will be home, the same day we leave here. This weekend, we went out and shopped, getting some things for the motorhome, gifts and Roy found another clock for our mantel. (That makes about an even half dozen, but what can I say, the man likes old clocks.) At least this one was made in Japan. The last one he bought here, is German I am sure. None of them work very well.....
I am very disappointed. I ordered a Buddhist Chant off ebay, won it for $4.99 and the guys said that it was returned damaged from the post office. What a bunch of crap. I bet he never had it in the first place or found another buyer. Oh well, I will keep trying.
So most of our time is going to be spent cleaning out and sorting and getting ready for the big move. We do have three more trips planned. We are going on a day trip with the City of Iwakuni, (Its a Friendship trip) to a little town that is noted for its crafts. We are also going apple picking next week and going to ride in an antique steam engine/train thru the mountains and best for last, we are going to go to our last and final Sumo match. I am going to take lots of yen so I can get some great sumo stuff, to go with my great sumo doll collection. I have 4 or 5 dolls now and I love them all.
And then we will be home and busy with the holidays. My bud is coming up for Christmas and we have a lot planned for when he comes. I am thinking about throwing a Retirement party for myself at the same place that we had a goodbye party for me in 1995. It would be fitting.

This is a picture of our room, at night the futons were laid out by the staff. A snack was waiting for us when we arrived, cookies and hot tea. 

Kukai

Kukai, known as Kobosaishi through his posthumous honorific name, sailed to China at the age of 31 in the year 804. In the ancient capital of Chang'an, he studied Tantric Buddhism under priest Keika and was granted a master title. After returning from China in 806, he had been spreading the Shingon (True Word) Sect of Buddhism.
He founded Mt. Koya (Koyasan) as a religious retreat in 816, when the then Emperor Saga granted him the land. It is said that this was the start of Kongobuji Temple.

The Taste of Mt Koya

Buddhist are vegetarian and so our three meals were all vegetarian. I must admit that by the end of the trip, I was thinking about big juicy hamburgers and carnage. But the meals were very good.
Dinner (pictured) was about 10 different items, maybe even 12. The tofu, which is generally made from Soy beans was made from Sesame seeds and had a very creamy taste and texture. (Well, as much taste as you can get from tofu) I bought some dried to bring home and if it doesn’t get confiscated by customs, we will have it at home. The tofu was served in a soy sauce and with the obligatory wasami. There were pickled things and noodle dishes, and some were delicious and others just okay, and still others not edible to my tongue. Of course there was the rice bowl and the green tea. That was funny, for just at $6.00 you could by one large beer or some hot or cold sake. That’s expensive beer, but those who order it were not disappointed. Dessert was melon and a slice of persimmon that is grown in that area and just delicious. I was more than full and the only thing that was difficult was sitting on the floor. The paper cone that you see is a hot noodle dish with mushrooms and veggies and it boiled right in the paper. It looked pretty but not much taste.

Breakfast was about the same except we had Miso soup. This miso didn’t taste like the normal soup that I have had in the past and the interpreter said that it was because Miso is generally made from fish sauce and this was not. It was good and I wasn’t disappointed and enjoyed all my meals. (But you know me, I try anything once and sometimes more than once.)

(Just to tell you about the cost of living in Japan, I went out and bought some Persimmons and 5 cost me just under $5. but they had some better ones for $10.00. $2 a piece for a persimmon. Amazing. I am going apple picking next week and if its anything like last years, the apples which are Fuji's, are sweet, juicy and also about 2 bucks each. I spent $12.00 on a bag last year and I am sure this year will be no different. )