August Adventures!
Out of the gate, we started the month of August on a full run. The summer flew by this year! August was especially wonderful as our twin grandchildren celebrated their fourth birthday. Their Mom baked a three-tier “Funfetti” and chocolate cake topped with a ring of sprinkles (Josie’s favorite). They were joined by Buzz, Woody, The Dinosaur – Rex, Jessie, and Bullseye from Toy Story. (I had to look up those names!)
The summer weather in the PNW in August is perfect: clear skies, sunny mornings, cool breezes. We have taken Rocco on many long walks along the lake; the sunsets are glorious, and my tiny vegetable garden is out of control!
Auction of Washington Wines
We were invited to the Winemaker Picnic & Barrel Auction put on by The Auction of Washington Wines. This soiree is an outdoor summer affair on the spectacular grounds of Chateau Ste. Michelle. The A of WW raises money for Seattle Children’s Hospital and Washington State University Viticulture and Enology. We were there as media guests to share the outstanding work of this unique charitable organization.
The food and drink are provided by local restaurants from Seattle and surrounding cities, and it was fabulous. We talked with chefs and ate numerous delicious bites, including divine king salmon and spicy pork tacos! The dessert table offered handmade macaroons and creamy hand-churned ice cream sundaes. Mark your calendar for next year; this is a fabulous event for a great cause.
The Foo Fighters
In mid-August, we were thrilled to attend the Foo Fighters concert at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. They were AMAZING! I am a massive fan of Dave Grohl, the charismatic lead singer, and The Foos will be celebrating a 30-year career next year. The stadium was packed with fans singing their lungs out, and the opening act was our long-time favorite, The Pretenders. Chrissie Hynde, the lead singer, still sounds as good as she did in the 80’s. Watching a 72-year-old woman rock that hard is inspiring! Craig and I saw The Pretenders for the first time in a small venue in Santa Monica, CA, in 1980!
Family at Disneyland
We finished the month with an 8-day family adventure to Disneyland, California Adventure, and finished with some adult rest and relaxation in Encinitas, CA. This trip was the four-year-olds’ first visit to the Disney Parks, and it was a grand success!
We raised our kids in Orange County, and visiting Disneyland was just a 30-minute drive. Back when our kids were young, we bought annual passes for a fraction compared to what it costs to go to the Parks today. We had a blast and took a million photos.
The grandchildren and their parents then went to stay with their great-grandparents, and we all met up for a family brunch to catch up!
Adult R & R – Late Summer
While the kids swam and played with “the Greats” we headed south to recuperate from the crowds of Disney, 7.5-mile days in 88-degree weather. I am not complaining, but Disney is definitely for the youngsters in the hot summer! I have gotten used to the cooler temps in the Northwest!
We stayed at a favorite hotel on the beach in Encinitas, the Alila Marea, and we loved it there. With gorgeous beach views, the hotel design is unique, sleek, and super cool. However, a highlight for us was a revisit to dine at Jeune et Jolie, a phenomenal Single Michelin-star restaurant in Carlsbad, CA. The atmosphere is beach elegance, the food is beautiful and incredibly delicious. Jeune et Jolie is a notable restaurant that I highly recommend for every food lover.
If you missed it!
We were interviewed on Good Morning America! You can watch each of the two segments on the Home page of my website. It was certainly a career high for me!
Publishing on Friday, September 6th, on the Travel Connections Podcast –
Best of: Highlights of our Puglia Itinerary
How’s your summer going?
Suzanne
