High Tea in Victoria, BC

Dear FFF:

Now I know how Royalty live!!  Jacque and I took a four day trip up to Vancouver Island to see a bit of England.  We drove onto the ferry boat up in Anacortes, WA and sailed for three hours through the beautiful San Juan Islands (which by the way was voted fourth best in the world by National Geographic) and landed in Sidney.  We drove about twenty miles to the famous Butchart Gardens and spent several hours meandering through some of the most beautiful flowers and landscaping I have ever seen.  The winters are so mild out here that grow some really gorgeous stuff!!!  From there we went to the Butterfly House (similar to the one on Mackinac Island) and saw more beautiful tropical plants and butterflies all over.

We then drove a few more miles to downtown Victoria and checked in our hotel.  We were only 10 blocks from the waterfront so we set out to find a fabulous dinner.  We weren't disappointed when we found Barb's Fish right down on the wharf.  Sat outside in the sunshine and had fish & chips with malt vinegar. 

The next day we walked downtown again, this time to the century old Empress Hotel which has had guests like The Queen, Princess Di, Hemingway, Teddy Roosevelt, and on and on.  What a grand place it is!!!  The most beautiful interior hand carved wood!  We had reservations for "High Tea" at noon and pointed our baby fingers when we drank from our English Bone China.  Absolutely delightful and absurdly expensive, but now I know what it used to be like, and I think I'm glad I am in the 21st century!!

Spent the rest of that day and the next walking and checking out shop and after shop, many with English, Irish and Scottish goods.  Like Vancouver, it is a very vibrant city alive with people and dogs walking or riding on every imaginable mode of transportation.  Could live there in a minute but boy is it expensive....17% sales tax!

Very relaxing ride back home on the ferry.....I am so thankful I am getting to see so much while I am out here.  The Pacific Northwest is definitely one of my favorite adventures.  And then...................today I had the opportunity to take a tour to downtown Seattle to see the underground city.  Now that was fascinating.  Hard to explain but I'll try:  Just before the gold rush, Seattle was in a lumber boom but had so many problems because the city was built right at sea level so there was always problems with the tide coming in. At that time, the hills were at a 47% incline and so traversing was difficult.  They used water sloths to push all the dirt off the hill (after the timber was cleared) down to the waterfront where they built high walls of rock to hold the water out. All the buildings were built of wood and they had a fire as bad as the San Francisco one and the entire city burned to the ground.  They put in pilings and huge support poles and built the city 30 feet off the ground.  It was now law that buildings had to be of stone or brick, no more wood structures.  A block at a time was built (up high don't forget) and the only way to get from one block to the next was to climb down a ladder to that original level, cross the street, then up a ladder to the next block of businesses.  The next step was to build abutments across that ground level and put in streets and sidewalks!  Today, eleven miles of underground city still remain with partial remnants of the old buildings.  It was so cool!!  Man I am getting so smart.  Just wish I could remember all the history I have been learned since I came here!

Well, next step is 30 days in Michigan in July, then back here and off to Alaska.  Will try and keep everyone posted!  Love and miss you all..................GJ 

Pictures: gardens, Empress Hotel, High Tea, Wind surfer down on the beach, House boats along the waterfront.

Trip to Vancouver

Dear FFF:
Finally got up to Vancouver...........and what a city it is!!!  Several million people and all healthy and vibrant.  There is so much energy! 

Jacque and I took the Amtrak from Stanwood (just 7 miles from here) and enjoyed beautiful scenery going all the way up the coastline.  We got a really nice hotel room on the seventh floor over looking downtown.  Walked a few blocks down to the waterfront and took an "Aqua Bus" across the water to Granville Island.  A tourist attraction for sure; I heard people speaking French, German, Russian, Chinese, and a few languages I didn't recognize.  Center focus was a huge market with all kinds of exotic fruits and vegetables, meat and seafood stands, bakeries, and a great food court with everything from soup to nuts.  Surrounding the market were many shops with lots of unusual and beautiful things.  Fun place to shop and eat!!!!

That night we met up with my dentist from U of M.  I knew he lived in Vancouver so contacted him and we had a great reunion!  He sent us to The Cactus Club, which was right on the beach!  While waiting for Kevin to join us, Jacque and I had the house specialty.... a Bellini....Yummy drink made of peach schnaps, white rum, sparkling wine, peaches and Sangria.  Could have had six of those!!!
We were sitting, looking out on the water, and saw a swimmer doing laps; would be normal in the summer, but it was 50 degrees out and raining!!!  Following him was what we thought was his dog, but with further examination, we realized it was a harbor seal!!  Kevin said it was a common scene that the seals like to play with swimmers.  What a fun thing to watch.

Came home the next day but decided we need to go back again to see Victoria, sooooooooo this Sunday we are going to drive onto the ferry boat and go over to Vancouver Island and Victoria which also has some fun things so check in again and see what we find.  So much to do out here and I am enjoying every minute!!

Love, Gypsy Joyce

HAVING FUN IN WASHINGTON

Dear FFF:

One thing nice about being a gypsy is that you can change your mind as often as you like....and I have done just that!!  I am no longer going up to work in Alaska.....however....I am still going.  I have three lady friends who want to join me for a road trip (three widows and a gypsy) We are packing up my van and driving up to Bellingham, WA about an hour north of here and driving onto the Kennicott Ferry that will take us 5 days to get to Whittier, Alaska.  Believe me, this is not a cruise ship!  Mostly backpackers will walk on board and set up their tents and sleeping bags on deck.  We, however, have a 4 person berth with 2 bunk beds, and full bath.  The ride takes us through the inside passage and will be making stops at Ketchikan, Juneau, and Yakutat.  When we disembark in Whittier, we will drive to Anchorage, spend a few days, then down to the Kenai Penninsula with layovers in Kenai, Homer and Seward.  Then up to Denali Natl. Park to view Mt McKinley and then north to Fairbanks.  We will spend about two weeks checking all this out (salmon fishing, raft riding, panning for gold, cruise out to the glaciers, maybe even zip line, and anything else that looks interesting.  THEN an 8 day drive home through the Yukon Territory and British Columbia.  The Alcan highway is now paved all the way so we should be fine.  We all have cell phones, but apparently there isn't much of a signal, so pray for our safe journey,  All in all, we will be gone about a month. I will post some awesome pictures all along the way!!

UNTIL THEN.....Jacque and I are having a ball!  I have gotten quite involved with our church and volunteer for the food bank, attend Sunday school and service every Sunday and breakfast club with other seniors twice a month  .....oh, and two days a week with the exercise group. This weekend Jacque and I are going out of town for a quilting retreat then when I get back, I am cooking corned beef and cabbage for 30 and organizing the St. Patrick's day party for the over 50 singles group at church.

I am picking up some part time work.  I have requests to help a neighbor clean out, pack for a move, and organize a garage sale.  Also I am going to cook for a memorial service that is coming up soon.  Did I mention? I'm not bored!!!

Hope all is well with everyone out there!  I know my Michigan friends are going to hate hearing that I was outside the last two days working in the garden, planting primrose and cleaning out winter debree.  The sun was shining and temperture was in the high 50's.  And you should see my view from our back deck...beautiful sunsets!

My love to everyone and hope to see a few of you this July when I head to Michigan for a few weeks.

Love, Gypsy Joyce

Back Home

Dear FFF:

Well I am back in Washington State after a wonderful month long visit to family and friends.  When I last wrote a note, I was in Paris, TN with my cousin Rita.  Spent the night at her senior apartment complex (they have a beautiful guest room) then had New Year's Day dinner in true southern style with black eyed peas to insure good luck for the coming year.  We then went down to Camden and she was kind enough to drive me all over Benton County to visit relatives.  I did learn the Kentucky Lake, which is in Camden, is the only fresh water pearl factory in North America!!  They place seeds in mollusk shells, put them in a wire cage, then lower them into the lake, where they stay for 3 to 5 years until they harvest the pearls.  It was really interesting and of course I had to get a new pair of earrings before I left!

Spent a day with Abbey at her campus and then the same with Haley in Cincinnati.  After that I went up toward Dayton and met Tracie, her three kids, and Carol for a weekend of swimming, card playing and a great p.j. party at the Hampton.  Then back to Nashville to watch Ryan and Ross bowl and play some cards.  Flew back to Seattle the 16th of January without any hassle at the airport!

It is so good to be back in my own bed after sleeping in 9 different ones on my trip.  Anyhow, meet Jacque my new roomie.  I met her through a friend at church and she invited me to move in with her. She is my age but lost her husband about a year ago, so we are two single gals ready to have some fun.  And what digs I have!!!!!  My own apartment on the lower level of her house (walk out basement with lots of windows) that has a living room, big bathroom and huge bedroom...all furnished and everything.  We have lots in common like quilting, eating out, exploring and just having fun!!  We are already planning a few excursions for this spring.  We both attend the same church and she has introduced me to so many great gals.  I plan on getting more involved over there.

Plan is to stay here until early May when I hope I get a job up in Alaska.  I have a phone interview with Princess Cruise Lines tomorrow and I will find out what they have in mind for me.  I will keep you posted.

Hope all is well and happy.................love Gypsy Joyce

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Dear FFF

Happy New Years to all...........I wish nothing but happiness for 2013!!!

I am slow to add new post because I have been too busy having fun.  My first story: I guess I look suspicious because before I even got out of Seattle, TSA kept me in security for 45 minutes.  After I set the alarm off (my knees do it every time) they had to wand my legs which they have done a hundred times but THEN, I was told I was still coming up as an "alert".  When I asked what that meant, I was told they couldn't say.  I was pulled aside and another security person came and wanded my whole body.  I was told I was still an alert but again didn't know why.  I was told to walk down the corridor to a private room where they would do a more "thorough" search.  As I started to walk away (in my stocking feet) I reached for my purse and she grabbed my arm and told me not to touch. They said someone would bring in in a few minutes.  After I refused to leave my things out of my sight, they called yet another TSA person and they followed to my "private room" where two more security women came in and put on vinyl gloves.  I had to raise my shirt, unzip my jeans so they could feel around my waist and then they removed the insoles of my shoes and and continued to search everything.  They emptied my purse, computer case, and carry on tote.  Every time I asked what the problem was, got the same answer....we can't comment.   Finally, they released me and I went to my gate.  Have no idea what was going on but I laughed through the whole thing because I was afraid if I protested I would look guilty and be held up even longer.  Anyhow, made my plane and went on to Nashville.  

Spent the week at Suzie's baking and getting ready for the gang to come.  Everyone arrived Friday and we had a wonderful Christmas.  Unfortunately, Dave and his family couldn't make it home from China but we got to Skype them on Saturday and had a good chat.  Sunday, I followed Michele(in a rental car) back to Columbus to spend Christmas day with them.  After Santa came, we met up with Mark's daughter over in Canton and went bowling then to Chinese dinner with his mom and family.  Back to Columbus that evening and spent some quality time the next day playing cards and games with Abbey, Michele and Mark.

Left Friday am and drove to Knoxville to stay with my good friends Lin and Doug.  Saturday was their 50th anniversary and I was a guest at their party at the country club.  It was beautiful, the food was divine, and I got to see some old friends from Clarkston, MI.  Also, Lin's kids and their families were all there and I had  a great time getting caught up with them.  Was a GREAT weekend.
And now I am off to spend New Year's Eve in Paris (Tennessee).  My cousin Rita is having me at her place and then I will spend a few days seeing as many cousins as I can.

I am so blessed to have so many good friends, such a wonderful family and my health so I can go on all these adventures!!

I have a place to stay at when I get back to Washington, so I will tell you all about it after I return on January 16.  Love you all and wish you well...............Gypsy Joyce

Moving on

Dear FFF:

As this assignment comes to an end, I am looking forward to the next......just don't know what it will be!  Annette's family has found a lovely assisted living apartment right here in Stanwood.  It is close to her doctors and she has many friends in the area.  I am in the3 process of packing things she want to take with her, and the moving van is schedule for November 30.  I will be here 2 weeks after that time to unpack her things and help her get settle to a new life. 

It has been an enjoyable four months but I am ready to try something new.  I will be flying to daughter Susan's house in Nashville December 14 to spend a whole month with my family.  The rest of the gang will also join us the weekend before Christmas.  We are looking forward to a Country Christmas.  After Christmas, I will rent a car and make visits to granddaughter Abbey at her new college in Lexington KY and granddaughter Haley at her college in Cincinnati.  I also will make a side trip to Camden, TN where my folks were born and raised.  I still have oodles of cousins living there.  I'm looking forward to good catfish and hush puppy dinners. On my way back to Nashville, I am stopping in Knoxville, to help celebrate 50 years of wedded bliss with friends' Lin and Doug Carlson.

I fly back to Seattle on January 16 and hope to have a place lined up by then.  I am looking for a house sitting position, or just a room to rent here on the island. I will be here until May 15 at which time I hope to be flying up to Alaska to work for 5 months.  Princess Cruise Lines owns several lodges and hotels in Alaska and they will start receiving applications the first of the year.  I have talked to their human resources director and she feels confidant they can find something for this ol' innkeeper to do!  The lodges have dorm style living for the the employees at a reasonable cost; $5 a day for lodging and $10 a day for all your meals.  I think they only pay $10 per hour but hey, I'll have a great view and should have some fun working with other retirees

Would love to hear from any of you guys so drop me an email and tell me what YOU are doing. 

Love Gypsy Joyce
backyardegypsy@yahoo.com
734-788-2799