Jenn Dolari @dolari@driveinsaturday.org

Where I am now.

Parentalpocalypse, Day 11: Forests

So after finding out that whale watching tickets are $150 a person, and that Fort Casey is a LONG ways away, we cancelled both these trips, leaving our itinerary completely open. I asked what they both wanted to do - and Dad wanted to see forests.

So I took them down some local forest roads. As you know, I haven't been forest road driving in over two years. After my car started acting up and the skid plate finally shredded to pieces, I did not feel safe on forest roads.

So I kept it local, I had my forest road survival kit with me, and just hoped for the best. Even though the local forest roads are far more maintained than the deep forest ones, there were a few moments I felt the road was too rough on my injured car...but as usual she made it through with flying colors.

Once I get a job - major car repair is in order.

We grabbed some burgers and came home and relaxed.

We really don't have anything scheduled tomorrow. Just relax, pack and get ready for them leaving Tuesday afternoon....

Parentalpocalypse Day 10: The Mother-Daughter Day.

Day began very VERY early with a breakfast at Sultan Bakery up in Sultan with Crystal, Lissa and a certain corgi pup. It was good to get together with the girls outside of work time. But an 8AM wake up is not ideal, and after getting back home, I fell back asleep to my normal wake up of about 1PM

When I'm president of the world, I'm making a law that breakfast must be available 24 hours a day.

Dad has been a lot of the focus these last few days, with his wanting to see a real fisherman's wharf. Today was Mom Day, and she wanted to see some of Seattle. Specifically the International District. I decide to take her on a little trip around town.

Back when I worked in downtown Seattle, there was this signpost near our office: "Scenic Route 4." I didn't know what that was, but after some more in the Fauntelroy area, I decided to do some research. Turns out during the 1962, Seattle created these routes for the Worlds' Fair. I found a map of the routes, but it was VERY vague and VERY hard to follow. But I did try to follow the routes and there were some good views and neat things to see, even in 2010.

I decided to take mom to a few a of them, first stopping off at this scenic overlook on Queen Anne Hill. Great views of Lake Union. We also made our way to Admiralty Point and the gardens there. But what blew the top off our day was Kerry Park.

I knew Kerry Park had a great view, and I tend to take people there, especially at night, to destroy their minds with the view. But not only did we have our view today - we got the Blue Angels. I'd completely forgotten that Seafair was going on today, and we had a great view of the planes taking off, buzzing the Space Needle and circling around to get to their SeaFair performance.

After we left, we headed to Pike Place Market. And with my folks being elderly and mobility impaired, we got a plush parking space thanks to their Handicap placard. Got some good samosas there, shopped for some groceries and saw some flowers. Sadly, mom's back began to bother her, so we moved along.

From there we visited the International District and saw some sites. Sadly, did not get out much becuase parking is expensive and she needed some back-rest. But we did get out for the Dr Rizal Park and it's great view of town.

From there, took a drive to West Seattle, specifically for another viewpoint of the town and Elliot Bay. Going home, I got all mixed up and we ended up taking the 99 Tunnel for some fun and getting lost trying to get back home.

In all, a fun day with unexpected highlights.

There are two more days with them. We're hoping for a little (light) forest road driving tomorrow (the car is not up to my usual forest driving shenanigans until I have a job where I can repair her). Monday will be packing up and a farewell dinner.

Gonna hate to see them go, but we're making plans for winter.

Also: I really need to load up those maps again and try to rebuild a scenic drive around Seattle. It's not the same as 1962, but a lot of the sites are still there, and would make a good driving route.

WAIT WHAT UNIVERSE DID I WAKE UP IN

Where I am now.

Parentalpocalypse Day 9

Dad wanted to see a fishing marina, I knew a great one. I needed to drop off some equipment with a friend. What did these two things have in common? CANADA.

We headed out to Abbotsford cause the Sumas crossing was quick, and I dropped off a package that was sitting in my foyer waiting for delivery for six months.

This is pretty far from Vancouver and the Steveston Fisherman's Wharf, so I kind of struggled with what to do between here and there. I decided to hot some of the spots I'd hit when I was considering emigrating to Vancouver.

First, a trip down Avenue Zero, where you drive on a road in Canada, and the border is inches to your left. Nothing between the countries to stop people from crossing over (except hidden camera, sensors, all manner of monitors and a big ole ditch). It's always neat to see how open a border can be.

We skipped Peace Arch, and headed through to White Rock so dad could add another fishing village. It was PACKED. Apparently there was yet another summer fair going on.

From there, we headed to Centennial Beach, where, after being complimented that I knew the area like an old pro, I proceeded to make a million wrong turns. Karma, man.

But we did make it and spent some time at the beach staring at Mt Baker and collecting shells for mom's craft work. From three I took them down to Tsawassen for some more water views.

We jumped over to Steveston Harbor where we finally enjoyed a real fisherman's Wharf with real fish and chips.

Sadly our time in Canada was short, and we really only saw three of my MANY cheap-to-free Vancouver haunts. But it was nice to be in my "Almost Home" for a bit. I've missed it.

And dad had his first Ketchup Chips! 78 and never had ketchup chips. We've been to Canada three times! How the heck did that happen?

(Alt text on the Android app is broken)

Where I am now...

It's time...

Parentalpocalypse, Day 7 & 8.

Light days, these days. We visited Summer Stage,v had a nice walk around town that evening, hit the farmers market the next day and then had an amazing dinner at the Melrose in Renton. HIGHLY recommended. Bring an extra wallet.

Our time together is growing short, so we're picking up the pace a bit, and for day nine, we're visiting my Almost-Home....

Where I am now.

I did. Will you?

Parentalpocalypse: Day 4, 5 and 6....

Day 4 began with a request from Dad to see a fishing village of some sort, and to grab some seafood. So we decided to start the day on a boat, with a ferry ride over to Whidbey Island. I've always liked the ferries. I've always liked the ocean. Very much like the salt sea air. So starting the day with all three was very nice.

Our first stop was Langley, a sleepy little town that was absolutely not sleepy at all. It seems that all these towns were having festivals this weekend, so it was packed.

We explored the area a bit, and moved along to our next town along the east coast of Whidbey Island to Baby ISland and Freeland (sorry to miss you Ashley and Eli!). Freeland was the quiet sleepy town I expected with not a lot going on. I did see four people hanging around a garage who looked AWFULLY familiar though.

We flipped over to the West Side, and found a lovely beach that I'M NOT TELLING ANYONE ABOUT BECAUSE IT'S THE ONLY PLACE I SAW WITH BEACH ACCESS AND I DON'T WANT ANYONE TO RUIN IT.

Seriously, though, we had the place to ourselves and a lovely view and I could just sit there and drink in the sea a ir and quiet. We just sat there for an hour, taking it all in (I was gonna say drinking it all in....don't drink that water).

From there, we stumbled into Fort Casey. We weren't expecting to see a pretty much completely intact fort, but the battlements, a freaking CANNON and a lighthouse. Dad's a Vietnam Vet and explained all the different buildings we saw. We're going to make a dedicated trip to Fort Casey so they're well rested and able to explore the battlements.

We made our way though Oak HArbor and ended up in Anacortes. Both towns fed my dad's craving for experiencing fishing villages and towns. But Anacortes also fed our tomachs, where we ate some great seafood on the bay at the Secret Cove restaurant. Great food, service...iffy. But I can't blame them. I think someone called in AND they were training a new waitress. We got some free key-lime pie without even complaining, so they took good care of us.

Day 5 and 6:

We were all tuckered out from roadtripping, and I had two meetings over two days to deal with, so we decided to relax these days. Day 5 we didn't do much. Mostly just watched movies.and grabed groceries.
Day 6 was much of the same, except they wanted me to cook. And I gave them six hours of cooking. With more to come soon. 🙂

And now we're here, waiting for Day 7....

Dang, y'all. Not even a day into my fiftieth and your already sending me applications?

And my lady, she went downtown
She bought some ber-ra-ccoli
She brought it ho-ome...
She's chop'in broccoli
Chop'in brocco-li
Chop'in brocco-la
Chop'in brocco-laa-aa

This Week's Fancy Pants Meal: Parentalpocalypse Edition

They wanted home made Hour and Sour Soup, Fried Rice and Beef and Broccoli. And they got it in droves.

Dad wanted Sweet and Sour Pork, but after six hours of cooking my back and neck said "we're done." Tentative plans to make that on Thursday....

For now, though... ::collapses::

This is what happens when mom buys the groceries. And I'm 100% happy with this decision.

Where I am now....

Parentalpocalypse, Day Three: One thing my parents and I enjoy, is roadtripping. And we are getting thos emiles in while they're here. Today we explored northwestern Washington State, and actually got to within feet of the Canadian Border.

Just took a small drive up the old Pacific Highway route. While in Marysville, we came across an antique car show, including a still running 100 year old Model A! Apparently, they just hang around this parking lot every weekend.

We took our time climbing the highway up towards Blaine, showing off some little ghostowns here and there, such as Bow, and slightly less ghost towns like Edison and others.

We came back, and I did something I wanted to do for a LONG time. Back in 1982, when I was a little kid, Saturday Nights were staying up late with the parents, watching Twilight Zone, Star Trek, and Battlestar Galactica. Occasionally with a black forest cake or A&W Root Beer Floats.

Under the guise of getting coffee for the morning, I snuck out to the grocery store, got coffee, and some cake slices for the folks. At 10:30, I switched over to Plex, and on came Twilight Zone. Then Star Trek. Then Battlestar Galactica.

I really wanted to do this. I missed out on the chance last time they were up here, I wasn't going to lose it again. So for two and a half hours, I got to be eight years old again, keeping my parents up, while we watched Sci Fi. And I wanted to have a night of those good times again.

Fifty is the new Eight.

Where I am now.

Fashion Goals: