Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Petropavlovsk, Part II..................


Continuing the day in Petropavlovsk, Kamchatka..............


Back at the kennel we were introduced to the many Siberian, Alaskan and Kamchatka huskies.........



......these were the lightweight sleds they pulled - important for transportation in this area where snowfall is heavy in Winter.


Lunch was served outside, fortunately it warmed up so was decidedly pleasant in the sunshine.........


....and if you WERE cold there was plenty of the national drink available. Above, our jovial Russian lunch hostess.....who may have sampled the vodka ahead of time!


The salmon was so delicious...........thankfully the bears didn't catch and eat the entire supply, and I loved the freshly made slightly chewy buckwheat blinis.


Paula and our group - as you can see there was still snow underfoot, it was about 42F.


We stopped in here for a coffee..............you made your own with instant and it was not that good! The fire and fur throws were warming though.



Then it was song and dance time!  What a fabulous show - the traditional folk dances by local young Koryak people in their native costumes, accompanied by drums fashioned from stretched reindeer skin - brilliant in the sunshine. To learn more about this interesting indigenous people from Kamachatka Peninsula go HERE.





The mens' boots made from reindeer hides.





We left the kennel and charming people, quite surprised that we were privileged to experience such a great time in the Russian countryside. Needless to say, Dr. Zhivago (one of my all time favorite stories/movies) came to mind when surrounded by this scenery.


Petropavlovsk, Russia

Coming soon: More of the city, and stunning views of the volcanoes.

Today I am in Washington State looking across to Mt. Baker. Lately, besides water, I have been viewing and loving so many mountains. Could one ever become tired of mountain scenery? I doubt it.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

On the 'Oregon Trail'.....................


Can't wait to tell about my fabulous visit to Portland, Oregon yesterday.............not only seeing the beautiful places of the city that some tourists never get to visit, but also.............


.............being 'led up the garden path' here to visit one of my long time, most dear blog friends!!!!!

I'm not letting the cat out of the bag this morning as Bob is cracking the whip to get me back on the road within the hour as we head to Bellingham, Washington...........but soon I'll tell more.


Meanwhile, this was the magnificent view yesterday - a perfect day in Portland.  Looking out across the city to awesome, snow-covered Mt. Hood.

I'll share more of the lovely Pacific Northwest soon.

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Lure of the west......................


.............California truly is a beautiful state, 
as anyone who lives there or has visited there 
knows only too well.


4th of July, 2013

We spent much of Independence Day in the air - 
leaving the rains of the southeast behind - Raleigh to 
Atlanta to Sacramento.......
to visit dearest friend Paula at her Summer lake house.  


This visit we flew into Sacramento rather than our usual destination of Reno. The scenery was stunning, the fertile fields of the San Joaquin Valley were laid out below like a jigsaw puzzle as we made our approach.


Picked up our rental car and were soon on our way northeast. 


Three plus hours driving through orchards as far as the eye could see - trees laden with peaches, apricots, walnuts and almonds - so beautiful, and a long drive through hairpin switchbacks through an amazing canyon and an ancient forest of tall pines................


.................on toward stunning Lassen National Park presided over by towering Mount Lassen volcano. As we drew closer to our final destination, beautiful Lake Almanor, friends were waiting including dear ones visiting from Australia.......so exciting!


Mt. Lassen - Lake Almanor, California
July 5, 2013

We're having a fabulous time on the water including celebrating Bob's birthday yesterday. Tomorrow we head to Oregon, a long day's drive to meet a lovely blog friend at long last.  
More soon dear friends.


Linking today to A Favorite Thing Saturday at Claudia's Mockingbird Hill Cottage.