Exploring Wildlife of the San Juan Islands Aboard the Odyssey with Captain Pete

“If we can teach people about wildlife, they will be touched…Because humans want to save

things that they love.”—Steve Irwin

We had a great time aboard the 65 foot Odyssey with Captain Pete and two of his amazing and knowledgeable naturalists on Puget Sound. The Odyssey was originally a US Navy search and rescue vessel built in 1941 that was later converted into a private yacht. The wildlife is quite diverse. The first sighting was that of a bald eagle, the most inspiring birds in nature. Nearly on the brink of distinction in the continental US they have made an amazing recovery. Though we didn’t see the majestic and powerful orca (killer whale), we did see Steller sea lions hanging out on rocky outcroppings and harbor seals lounging around, and soaking up the sun. Sometimes referred to as “dogs” of the sea, these adorable, playful, little animals resemble dogs swimming in the sea, often with their heads barely above water. Other more elusive creatures in the San Juan Islands that we got a glimpse of were minke whales that come up for a breath of fresh air and as quickly as they arrive, they’re gone again. Minke whales will often stay under water for 20 minutes or more and are considered the most populated whales in the world. We also saw the abundant Dall’s harbor porpoise often mistaken for the much larger orca whale due to their black and white coloring. They are very playful and tend to ride the waves of the boats bows with little effort. For us bird lovers, we spotted the gangly Double-crested Cormorant, a prehistoric-looking, matte-black fishing bird with yellow-orange facial skin. They resemble a combination of a goose and a loon.

Postscript: Thanks to San Juan Island Excursions for providing us all complimentary copies of the photos of the wildlife they took with their large zoom cameras. The other photos of sunrises and sunsets, the live crabs catch including a video clip were taken by us at the dock of Anacortes.

The Famous Pike's Place Market in Seattle: The Final Leg of our Cruise & a Bit of Beatlemania

“Seattle is for people who love culture, but refuse to sacrifice their wild nature to attain it.”

—Kimberly Kinrade

The final leg of our San Juan Islands Cruise took us back to the vibrant city of Seattle. Our tour bus driver dropped us off several blocks from Pike Place Market. On the way there we passed the nation's first Starbucks where people were patiently waiting in a long line to get their coffee fix.

Pike Place is a vibrant neighborhood that serves as Seattle's largest incubator of small, independent businesses, including shops and restaurants, craftspeople, farmers and permitted buskers (entertainers/street performers). For more than a century, it is the oldest continuously operating market in the country and one of the most popular places to visit. One of the most notable performers is the Accordion Cat, who has entertained visitors with his accordion playing such classic renditions like “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" for over 13 years, while wearing a cat-head mask all year-round as seen in the photo. After perusing the shops and markets Nelson and I dropped in at the Locust Cider & Brewing Co. for a beer. We also took advantage of a photo-op with the 7 foot and 4 inch wood carved Bigfoot Statue (aka Sasquatch) inside Pike’s Place Market.

Considering the frequent rain Seattle gets during the course of the year, Susie, Nelson, and I had an abundance of sunshine and needed to seek refuge in the shade, We found it on the front yard patio of Kells Irish Pub and Restaurant. Cecile had a cold and rested aboard our cruise boat where we would all stay another evening before our flight home the next morning. All except Nelson, that is, who planned a trip to Walla Walla, where he hooked up with his two brothers to go wine tasting.

Postscript: One of our tour guides named Spencer Fairbanks shared a little Beatlemania story. In 1964, during their first world tour, the Beatles stayed at the Edgewater Hotel at a time no other hotel in the city would accept them as guests. Beatlemania consumed Seattle. It was so chaotic that the Edgewater had to install cyclone fencing around the hotel to keep screaming fans literally at bay. Some die-hard fans tried to swim across Elliott Bay to reach the FAB FOUR. After the concert, the Beatles were rushed back to the hotel in an ambulance. Meanwhile taxi cabs and stand-ins were cleverly used as decoys. During their stay at the hotel, they famously fished from the window of their suite. The attached photo of them doing so became legendary.

A Self-Directed Tour of The Picturesque Town of Poulsbo also known as "Little Norway”

“Travel gives you a new perspective…and lets you meet some great people along the way.”

—Richard Tinkler

Who better than our guest speaker throughout our cruise, Brian J. Walsh, to give us a brief overview of our next port of call,

Poulsbo, where he and his wonderful wife Gayla call home. Brian is an environmental policy expert with a passion for nature photography dating back to his early childhood in Pennsylvania. Cecile and I, and our friends, Nelson and Susie Bye had the pleasure of having them join us for dinner one evening and connected with them several times throughout our cruise.

Poulsbo, a small town of over 10,000 is nestled in between the Olympic and Cascade Mountain ranges and the Puget Sound in Washington State. Historically, it was inhabited by the Suquamish people, many of whom moved to the Port Madison Indian Reservation. Poulsbo was settled in the 1880s by a group of Norwegian immigrants led by Jorgen Eliason who felt that the shores of Liberty Bay where our cruise ship—the American Spirit was docked—reminded them of the fiords of their motherland. Because of their Nordic roots Poulsbo is referred to as “Little Norway,” or “The Norway of the Pacific Northwest." It holds an annual Viking Festival and has a prominent "Sons of Norway lodge" of which Brian and his wife Gayla are members. Front Street is the center of a colorful historic downtown district where many of the shops sell Norwegian goods. Smack in the center of Poulsbo’s Front Street lies Sluys Bakery, which has become a staple of Poulsbo life since 1966.

We were told it was the best place in town to satisfy our sweet tooth with donuts to die for. It didn’t disappoint. This would be our breakfast along with a cup of coffee at the Coffee Haus that has a big mural facing their front patio that read: Velkommen [meaning welcome] til Poulsbo.

As we were ready to make our way back towards our ship, Nelson and I noticed Brian walking towards us with a big smile. We were happy to see him too. He wanted to say goodbye. Nelson took a photo of Brian and I in front of a mural before we all bid each other farewell. In the short time we had come to know him, it brought to mind a quote by Jim Henson: “There’s not a word yet for old friends who we’ve just met."

Postscript: A bronze statue of Viking King Olaf was installed at a small grassy park at Muriel Iverson Williamson Waterfront Park after a visit by King Olav V of Norway in 1975. Critics felt the statue with the mangy coat and pot helmet didn’t fit the fantasy of a Hollywood heroic Viking figure however historically accurate it maybe, so in 2012 Poulsbo erected a second more satisfying 12-foot-tall concrete Viking statue with the familiar horns was installed at the edge of town.

Enjoying the Charm and Scenic Beauty of Port Townsend, Washington

We docked at Port Townsend, Washington, which was discovered by Capt. George Vancouver in 1792. He named it after his friend, the first Marquis of Townshend. This small coastal town community prides itself on historic charm and scenic beauty. It is known for its many Victorian homes dating back to the 19th century. Cecile and I had lunch at the Light House.

I later explored the Jefferson Museum of Art & History and enjoyed homemade Italian Ices at Elevated Ice Cream and Candy Shop on Water Street. Fort Townsend is well known for finely crafted wooden boats, and the artisans who build them. The ceder welcome totem pole at the Northwest Maritime Center pays homage to them both. This historical marker was erected in 2019 by Jamestown S’Kallam Tribe was a gift to the Northwest Maritime Center, to celebrate their shared love and respect for the Salish Sea and the vessels that ply its waters.

Our friends Nelson and Susan took a half hour public bus tour of the town and vintage homes in the area.

Visiting Lake Crescent Lodge at Olympic National Park & a Solitary Hike in an Old Growth Forest

The Lake Crescent Lodge is located within the Olympic National Park west of Port Angeles where our cruise ship was docked. It is owned by the National Park Service. The historic lodge hosted many celebrities back in the day including President in 1937, Henry Ford, Frank Sinatra and Robert Kennedy. The latter was purported to have received a phone call from his brother JFK after the death of Marilyn Monroe that was reported to have lasted two hours. The phone booth where the phone call took place still sits conspicuously in the corner of the lodge. Afterwards, I took a solitary stroll along the pristine, glacially formed Lake Crescent and entered a quiet and majestic old growth forest where for thousands of years Native America Indian tribes lived and traded.

Celebrating Rosh Hashanah Aboard the American Spirit

Thanks to the two pastry chefs from American Cruise Lines who made a special apple and honey plate for Susan Bye and my wife Cecile in honor of their Jewish heritage. Though apples and honey can be eaten throughout the Jewish holidays, they are almost always eaten together on the first night of Rosh Hashanah. Jews dip apple slices into honey and say a prayer asking God for a sweet New Year. Shana Tova to all our Jewish friends and families everywhere including Rabbi Mendel Weinfeld and his family

A Port Friday Harbor Adventure on San Juan Island aboard the Jolly Trolley

After a morning spent whale watching we hopped aboard Jolly Trolley which felt like a hippie bus from the 60s. The driver had a chihuahua named “Trippy” sitting on a pillow above the dash board next to the windshield. The guided excursion made stops at the Pelindabra Lavender Farm, where a young laborer was using a curved blade sickle to cut back lavender stalks used to make healing balms, lotions, hand sanitizers, and shampoos that were for sale. We also visited Lime Kiln State Park to view a lighthouse and spend time feeding and petting adorable Alpacas at the Crystal Acres Alpaca Farm. Last but not least we we stopped at the Roche Harbor Resort which featured the historic Hotel De Hara and an incredible ritzy yacht harbor.

Born To Be Wild: The Oyster Run Motorcycle Festival in Anacortes—20,000 Strong

We are at the Oyster Run: The Largest Motorcycle Festival in the Pacific Northwest in Anacortes in the San Juan Islands. Cecile and I, and Nelson and Susie Bye hit it right. This is our first stop on our American Cruise Line tour. Over 20,000 motorcycles from all over the USA and Canada are in attendance to strut their stuff and party on into the evening. We met a lovely couple from Canada that let Susie and I try one on for size. This Harley Davidson road warrior makes the old Honda 500 CX I use to ride and own look like a toy.

Hungry in Seattle: Dinner with Friends and Family at Purple Cafe & Wine Bar Before our Upcoming Cruise

Cecile and I flew to Seattle with Nelson and Susan Bye, our dear friends, neighbors and traveling companions. The purpose of the trip is to board a seven-day cruise of Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands. Due to the magic of serendipity we discovered that our niece Annabel and her childhood friend Devin—whom we met before—were vacationing nearby. We invited them to be our guests for an early dinner at the Purple Cafe and Wine Bar that was a few blocks from the Crowne Plaza Hotel where we are staying.

Cecile found this gem of a restaurant on the internet. It boasts floor-to-ceiling windows and is anchored with a massive and elaborate Central tower that is lined with Purple’s favorite stock-in-trade-wines. At the tower’s base is a well stocked bar that is wrapped with a majestic circular staircase. Nelson, a wine connoisseur ordered a bottle of Amavi Cabernet Sauvignon for the table. The name Amavi translated from Latin means love, life, and wine. The grapes for this wine are grown in the high-desert climate of Walla Walla Valley, where Nelson will be wine tasting with two of his brothers after our cruise.

For starters we shared Crispy panko-breaded Artichokes with scallions, garlic salt and lemon arbor aioli. We also shared Gorgonzola Dates, chives, pine nuts with aged balsamic. For our entrees we collectively feasted on handmade Black fresh fall Truffle Pappardelle pasta; a Braised Lamb Sandwich with melted provolone cheese, white bean spread, moroccan aioli, handmade pickled cucumber and Fresno chili, red onion, fresh mint and cilantro, on grilled ciabatta; Fusilli pasta with Vodka Sauce, sautéed asparagus, garlic, shallot, chili flakes, and, parmigiano-reggiano cheeses; Pesto Linguine with creamy white wine sauce, English peas, melted shallot, olive oil, shaved radish, mint, pecorino Romano, and chili flakes; Beets and Goat Cheese Salad with arugula, pickled red onions, toasted pecans, fresh mint and basil, champagne vinaigrette, and aged balsamic, and Pan Seared King Salmon with prosciutto, grilled zucchini, heirloom fingerling potatoes, roasted peppers and corn soubise.

For dessert, Susan ordered Stone Fruit Trifle, Nelson ordered Banana Bread Pudding with vanilla gelato; Annabel and Devin shared a Flourless Chocolate Cake and Cecile and I shared an assortment of Mini Desserts that included creme boulle, banana bread pudding, and flourless chocolate cake.

Bicycling 23-Miles to Downtown San Jose & Lunch at San Pedro Square Market

It was 1968 when the popular song: “Do You Know the Way to San Jose” was written and composedfor Dionne Warwick by Burt Bacharach. I graduated from Hoboken High School in New Jersey that year. Never did I think I would wind up in San Jose with Cecile opening up a Podiatric Medical Practice specializing in minimally invasive foot surgery in 1975. I also never thought I would become an avid bicyclist in my mid 60s, a half a dozen years ago.

Bill and I began our 23-mile roundtrip bicycling adventure to downtown San Jose by hopping on the Los Gatos Creek Trail that ends at Willow Street. We turned left at Three Creeks Trail that is marked by a 30-foot water tower tank that is marked with the number 3, that serves as an iconic reminder of the city of San Jose cannery days. The four year old trail celebrates the valley’s former railway and canneries it once served back in the day when Silicon Valley was known as “Valley of Heart’s Delight.”

Some of the points of interest were the Giant Mammoth with husks exhibit outside the Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose; the San Jose McEnery Convention Center of Innovation; San Jose Museum of Art; The magnificent Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph which was constructed in 1877 and is listed as a California Historical Landmark. The Cathedral was also made a minor basilica by the affable Pope John Paul in 1997. It has majestic domes and thirty-nine exquisite stained glass windows. There is a beautiful gold Holy Water Fountain in the back of the pews. It is open to the public and photos of the interior are allowed. One of the docents who was outside watched our bikes while we explored the interior where another docent who was sitting at a desk shared some facts about the history of the museum. We also visited San Jose City Hall and rode through the silver rings in front. We had the most fun riding through the shooting vertical water fountains on Market Street.

Bill and I had lunch at the colorful San Pedro Square Market. There are a number of exciting food vendors. I had pizza and salad from Pizza Bocca Lupo and Bill enjoyed a pork Bonh Mi sandwich.

Early Morning 28-Mile Beat-the Heat-Bike Ride to Guadalupe Reservoir

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.”

—Albert Einstein

My friend and biking buddy, Bill Rothenberg and I enjoyed a nice cool early morning climb from Kennedy Road to Shannon Road to the Guadalupe Reservoir, reaching an elevation just below 1,800 feet.

We had a number of deer sightings, a pleasant encounter with a guy who was kind enough to show us how he maneuvers his black Remote Control Electric RC truck with the name OJ Rain on driver’s side door up a hilly granite wall off the side of the road above the reservoir. You could tell he was as passionate about his hobby as Bill and I were about biking. He told us that there are other hobbyists who spend up to $20,000 in parts to build their own remote control trucks. I took a number of photos of the reservoir showing the contrast between the water level and the dry beds due to the continued drought. On the exhilarating ride down on well-paved surfaces we stopped at a mountain wood carver place who has sold Bill partial tree trunks and thick saw-cut wood in the past that Bill utilized as raw material to make tables and chairs for his back yard. Our two hour ride got us back home at 10:30 AM, early enough to avoid the near triple digit heat wave that is said to continue the next few days.

Postscript: The quote attributed to Einstein that I used below the title of this post is said to have been something the famous physicist wrote in a letter to his son Eduard in 1930. Recently, Bill gave me a laminated poster of Einstein on his bicycle (photo). With the help of my next door neighbor Vladimir, an engineer who is also a fan of Einstein we secured the poster to the only free space on the wall in the corner of my garage just above where I park and charge my e-bike. Bill too has one in his garage which makes him smile whenever he goes for a bike ride.

Guys Night Out: Celebrating Decades of Friendship at the Mint Leaf Thai-Asian Cuisine

“Everybody’s got to believe in something. I believe I’ll have another beer.”

—W.C. Fields

Larry Fried and I were the first to arrive at the scene, followed by our dear friend Mark Brodsky, former mayor of Monte Sereno & TJ, whose friendship with Mark goes back to their college days at the School of engineering at San Jose State. Dressed in their Hawaiian shirts they brought a little Aloha Spirit to our gathering. Larry and I brought a different type of spirit-enough beer for a small bachelor party:)Fortunately, Mint Leaf encourages patrons to bring your own beer and wine. While I brought some more familiar names like Pacifico, Mango Cart and Heifenweizen, Larry’s offering-a 32 ounce dark jug from Devil’s Canyon Brewing Company from San Carlos-definitely stood out, and was a welcomed sight in the midst of this heat wave we’re in. Our friend Bernie Weinzimmer who couldn't join us for dinner, made a cameo appearance toward the end of our outdoor dining venue and joined us for a beer and stoked some lively conversation. For our two and a half hour gastronomic event we shared imitation Crab-Cream-Cheese Avocado Wontons, and a refreshing Green Papaya Salad with peanuts, green beans, tomatoes and a tangy pungent Chili-lime dressing. It definitely made your mouth pucker and was delish. For our entree TJ had a Spicy Garlic Noodles with New York Steak; I enjoyed a Steamed Tilapia on Fire with Thai Chili sauce, green beans and basil with brown rice. Mark feasted on Basa Fish Fillets with Penang Curry with zucchini, green beans, red peppers and brown rice, and Larry had Prawns with sautéed yellow curry with egg, garlic, carrots, zucchini, green beans, and red bell peppers. We were perfectly satisfied without needing dessert.

Postscript: Since I hadn't taken a photo of Bernie as he wasn't able to join us for dinner, but did join us for drinks afterwards, I included a photo of him from another venue.

Clebrating My 72nd Birthday at our Daughter Michelle & Kyle's Home

“God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well.”

—Voltair

“Life should not only be lived, it should be celebrated.”

—Osho

Birthdays are a blessing. Once a year we gather with family and friends. Celebrating each others life is a good reminder to be grateful for what we have. When we honor our birthdays, we’re honoring our mothers who gave birth to us. Special thanks to Michelle and Kyle who cooked up a storm for the occasion; to my dearest Cecile, the best life partner and friend I could ever hope for, who brought the birthday cake from “Icing on the Cake," our son Jason and his partner Alex, Kyle’s mom, Kim and Al Chien and last but not least our loving and entertaining granddaughters Lyla and Emmy whom we all cherish and adore and are the light of our lives.

Speaking of light, I would like to share a wisdom story by Naomi Ramen, bestselling author of Kitchen Table Wisdom, a modern retelling of a timeless story about The Birthday of the World:

“In the beginning, there was only darkness, and then a great ray of light ended the darkness and the world was born—the world of a thousand things. It was filled with light. Then something unexpected happened, and the light of the world broke into millions of sparks of light. These sparks

fell everywhere. They fell into everyone and everything. This is why you were born and I was born, and everyone was born—to find the light…”

Love and light to all,

Dennis

Dinner at Bodega SF with My Cousin Joey and His Family Following Their Hawaiian Island Cruise

“Cousin to cousin, we’ll always be, special friends from the same family tree."

Cecile and I were so happy to have the opportunity to hook-up with my cousin Joey Micalizzi, his wonderful wife Natia, and their lovely twin daughters Victoria and Allyssa in San Francisco following their seven-day cruise to the Hawaiian Islands aboard Norwegian Cruise Lines Pride of America. The love birds who reside in Staten Island, NY, renewed their wedding vows as they sailed by the stunning Na Pali coastline of the island of Kauai this past weekend. Joey’s late father Nino and my late mother Maria were brother and sister and both grew up in Roccalumera, Messina in Sicily before moving to Hoboken, NJ. Joey’s mother, my zia Maria, at 85 is my last remaining family member from the old country.

We all met at Bodega SF, a Multi-Generational Vietnamese Restaurant that specializes in authentic Northern Vietnamese cuisine that Victoria found online. It had been almost three years since we saw them last. We could tell just being in their company how they were filled with the Aloha spirit. We talked about their exotic trip and trips to come, as well as their visiting the local sights like the Golden Gate Bridge and Muir Woods. After sipping Asian style cocktails, a tasty dinner and desert, my cousin Joey made it clear that he and Natia were treating us and they also surprised us with some colorful outfits for our granddaughters Emmy and Lyla. They fly back today to the East Coast. They will be missed.

Lunch at Auntie Mame’s Cafe in Scotts Valley Celebrating the Owner’s 30 Years of Food Service

Little did Cecile and I know we walking into a celebratory event marking owner Norma Corona’s 30 years at the popular eatery, Auntie Mame's in the Santa Cruz Moutains. The reason we wound up in Scotts Valley—25 miles from our home in Los Gatos—is I had to exchange a gift T-shirt at Cycle Sport. Across the way we saw decorations and a big Banner that read "Auntie Mame’s 30 Years with Norma: CONGRATULATIONS to our mom Norma."

Cecile had a BLT on toasted bread and I had a lean cheeseburger, fashioned to fit a long french roll rather than your typical round patty with a side of fruit. After lunch, we went to look at the colorful murals of Camp Evers, a historic settlement dating back to the 1920s right at this very spot that consisted of a small store, gas pumps, dance hall and tents that became a resort and rest stop for travelers. I especially liked the 3D effect of the antique cars.

Interesting History of Auntie Mame's:

Norma’s daughter Ashly Garcia, had written on Facebook “this restaurant is my mom’s world. She eats, breathes and sleeps Auntie Mames." And, Ashly should know, she grew up in Auntie Mame’s. Her mom was pregnant with her while she was waiting on tables. When her mom had her, she sat at the bar barely able to look over the counter. As the years passed she remained at the counter while watching her brothers Marco and Ivan bus the tables. Now, she helps her mom run the place. Norma began working at Auntie Mame’s in Scotts Valley in 1993 and in 2002 she purchased the restaurant. Ashly and her brothers are so grateful to all the customers for supporting their mom during some challenging times, especially during the pandemic, where they had to jump through all the bureaucratic hurdles in order to survive. The silver lining was outdoor seating being permitted and Ashly and her siblings willingness to hold down the fort with one cook and work without pay to get through the crisis of COVID-19 that affected so many restaurants.

A 15-Mile Bike Ride with My Daughter Michelle for the First Time Since Her Childhood

“Surprise is the greatest gift which life can grant us.” —Boris Pasternak

I was pleasantly surprised today. I led my daughter Michelle on a 15-mile bike ride on the Los Gatos Creek Trail. The seed for such a happening was planted yesterday when Michelle and her husband Kyle brought our granddaughters over for a visit yesterday. The subject of bicycling came up. Kyle, an avid cyclist had recently bought Michelle a Trek bike that she hadn’t had the opportunity to ride yet. The last time she was even on a bike ride was while attending a wedding in Colorado recently where she and Kyle rode about seven miles on rental bikes with the kids. I told Michelle I look forward to the day when we could ride together. Kyle offered to watch the kids, and before I knew it Michelle and I hit the Los Gatos Creek Trails this afternoon. I don’t remember the last time I was able to be with her, never mind ride with her without having to worry about attending to our beautiful granddaughters. I have to say when our beautiful Michelle was riding right behind me in the bike lane for the first time ever, I felt emotional and grateful at the same time. The last time I rode with her was when she was a toddler sitting on a child seat on the back of my bike.

It is pretty special when moments of unexpected joy come our way. “It is not that we seize them,” said the late British-American anthropologist, Ashley Montagu, “but that they seize us.” Michelle and I agreed we will do it again. She found it as joyful and relaxing as I did. Thanks Kyle for paving the way to make this happen.

An Awe-Inspiring Viewing of Sharks & Other Underwater Creatures at Ripley's Aquarium Invoked Memories of My Shark Cage Dive in South Africa

"Many people continue to think of sharks as man-eating beasts. Sharks are enormously powerful and wild creatures, but your more likely to be killed by your kitchen toaster than a shark!

—Ted Danson

Cecile and I along with friends Nelson and Susan Bye had quite an amazing experience seeing a collection of 20,000 aquatic wildlife on display from around the world at the Ripley’s Aquarium in Toronto recently. They have one of the most extensive jellyfish exhibits, Pacific Sea Nettle jellyfish, stingrays, and an assortment of mesmerizing sharks in their 135,000 sq. ft. interactive aquarium that immerses its visitors in a thrilling underwater adventure.

One imaginative exhibit is described as a “heart-pounding Journey through Dangerous Lagoon,” where we stepped onboard a moving sidewalk that transported us through North America’s longest underwater viewing tunnel. This is the home of the most fearsome-looking animals like Sand Tiger Sharks, Green Sawfish and Green Moray Eels. Kids and adults alike were emoting oohs, aaahs, and wows as these majestic creatures were gliding mere feet from the top of our heads.

There were also a kaleidoscope of colorful fish and coral that is home to over a 100 species of fish. They also have a Discovery Dive for those who wanted to swim with sharks with their public S.C.U.B.A dive program where you can get up close and personal with the sawfish, sharks, turtles and fish on a 30-minute guided dive in Dangerous Lagoon.

As if that weren’t enough stimulation for you, you can spend an evening exploring and learning about marine animals that grace its waters and tuck into your sleeping bag for an unforgettable evening beneath the “Dangerous Lagoon” shark tunnel protected by the glass enclosures. It’s a slumber party to remember.

Postscript: I had my extreme adrenaline-inducing adventure cage diving with great whites with my brother-in-law in South Africa to satisfy my curiosity and I got sea sick from the swells:). See photos of the shark cage and a great white.

Biking 25-Miles Roundtrip Along the Sheltered Los Gatos Creek Trail to Lexington Reservoir

“You don’t stop doing things because you get old. You get old because you stop doing things.”

—Rosamunde Pilcher

After Bike riding the Los Gatos Creek Trail to Lexington Reservoir County Park located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Bill and I rode around and above the 338-acre man made reservoir clockwise. This is one of our favorite rides as it is totally sheltered from car traffic. The first half the loop is quite steep, but settles to a steady climb after a couple of miles. The downhill part with all its twists and turns is quite exhilarating with a top speed of around 27-miles an hour. The last leg of the ride is under a wooded canopy of cool shade. The views are spectacular as can be seen by the photos. There is a narrow opening that enters onto a dirt road that takes you further down to the waters edge where people in small numbers fish and set up their private little picnic areas. One section runs below and along the side of a curvy area of Highway 17. The side of the supporting structures below are filled with paintings from graffiti artists. Bill spotted wild turkeys, a deer and a coyote that ran off into the brush. The heat and dry winter months has taken its toll and water conservation is in effect, especially between certain canyons where water level is usually more shallow and is consumed by evaporation by the sun. The Smoky the Bear sign along the upper part of Highway 17 near Bear Creek road was out warning people that the FIRE DANGER WAS VERY HIGH TODAY!

We Had a Pleasurable Dining Experience with Friends at Michelin-Rated ASA Restaurant

“The kitchen manages to infuse a bit of fun into its repertoire of serious food. There’s something for everyone on this wide-reaching carte especially if you love fish which is sustainable harvested.”

—Reviewer dining notes

Cecile and I had intended to have dinner with our good friends Nelson and Susie Bye this passed weekend at another restaurant that was all booked. So we settled on ASA which turned out to be an exceptional first time experience for all of us.

Cecile and Susie had a Lemon Drop cocktail while Nelson had an Almanac Love Hazy IPA and I had a Third Window, Merci Perre Wit Ale. We all ordered an entree-sized Exotic Rigatoni Pasta Dish with mushrooms for an appetizer for the table to share. Susie had a Chilled “Cocktail” Cup of Fresh line caught halibut, lime bath, tomato, avocado, cilantro with tortilla chips. She also had roasted Spanish-Style Yukon potatoes, paprika bill, with lemon aioli dip. Cecile and Nelson had a Sustainable Sourced Halibut with Fennell seed dusted, summer squash, Yukon gold potato puree, and I had a tenderized and marinated Spanish-style herb chimichurri marinated Argentinian Steak with sautéed spinach and mash potatoes. I also shared a Rainbow Orange Beet Salad with apple, orange segments, black pepper and caraway seed dressing with Cecile.

For dessert we were blown away by the Banana Bread Pudding with rum, vanilla, cinnamon, brandy caramel glaze and whipped cream; a Strawberry Rhubarb Galette and Vanilla a La Mode, and a Carrot Cake with golden raisins, walnuts, whiskey cream cheese frosting, carrot caramel sauce and shortbread crumble. ASA earned a “Bib Gourmand” write up in the prestigious Michelin Guide 2021, which in our opinion was a hundred per cent well deserved. I can wait to go back to try some of their other entrees.

ASA which is named after the son of Silicon Valley Restauranteur, Andrew Welsh features a chic dining room with sleek furnishings with a painted portrait of his son on the wall. The horseshoe-shaped bar out front is an ideal perch for a sip and or a solo meal. Outdoor dining is available which is what we requested. Asa is located off the beaten path from restaurant row in downtown Los Gatos. It is tucked in next to the Best Western and across the street from the Los Gatos Inn. But that hasn’t kept diners from discovering their location formerly occupied by 57 Grill on Saratoga-Los Gatos Road. The place was bustling.

Participating in a First Nations Drum Music & Dance Ceremony on Little Current (Manitoulin Island), Ontario

“For native people, the drum represents the Universal Heartbeat of Mother Earth, the Universal Goddess and Mother to us All.”—Native American Wisdom

The port of Little Current is quite literally the gateway to the world’s largest freshwater island of Manitoulin, in Ontario, considered sacred by the native Anishinaabeg (Ojibwe) people. The only land access to the island is the iconic swing bridge. It is also recognized as one of the best freshwater boating regions of the world. A stroll along the boardwalk reveals boats from all over the Great Lakes Basin, the eastern coast of Canada, as well as the United States.

Cecile and I and our friends Susan and Nelson visited the Church of Immaculate Conception along with other travelers from our Great Lakes Cruise. I was struck by its distinctive tepee-like architecture to discover where rituals converge. We learned how the Jesuit and Ojibwa community came together to create a unique place of worship. Here, we enjoyed an informative presentation on the religious beliefs of the Ojibwa.

From there our bus driver took us to the Qjibwa Cultural Foundation where we received a traditional welcome ceremony before embarking on an interpretive tour of the center and participating in an authentic smudging ceremony. This involved the burning of the Four Sacred Medicines; tobacco cedar, sage, and sweet grass, which is common in many First Nation ceremonies. Smudging allows people to stop, slow down, become mindful and centered in the event, task of purpose at hand. Think of it as a cleansing or purification process.

Finally, we got a glimpse into a tradition of the First Nations people as we were invited to participate in an Aboriginal Drum and intertribal dance. They are considered an important part of a powwow. As visitor guests, we were offered to dance in the arena. Susan accepted the invitatio. I didn’t realize until it was announced after the completion of the ceremony that I was being congratulated for my courage of being the only male from the audience to participate in the dance. I have actually participated in indigenous tribal dances, smudging rituals, and sweat lodges on a number of occasions.

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