Another Seabourn Cruise

It had been 3 years since our last Seabourn Cruise, so we decided to take the Coast Cruise on the Odyssey. It left San Pedro on May 19 and ended in Vancouver, B.C. on 5/27 with stops at Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Seattle and Victoria, B.C. We stayed on the ship for all the ports, since we have been to all of them numerous times. As you know, the Seabourn ships are very luxurious, so we just enjoyed the ship, scenery and delicious food. The weather on this cruise was not the best: cool to cold, windy, rough seas (especially between Santa Barbara and SF) and some rain. We don’t mind not having hot summer weather, but did have a problem with trying to eat dinner on the Patio. We toughed it out for 2 of our favorite dishes: bouillabaisse and brazen lamb shanks.

Observation Bar

Bouillabaisse on Patio

Arriving in San Francisco

Going under the Golden Gate Bridge

San Francisco Skyline

Cold Jim

12 Hour Brazed Lamb Shank

Colonnade Dining

Our favorite waiters

Jim and I don’t get sea sick, but some did. The bouncing of the ship did keep us up one night. Part of our Gold class perks was a massage each and a full day on the Serenity Deck. We enjoyed the former, but not impressed with the later. We found 2 new chardonnay wines that we enjoyed: Starmont and Virgina Dare. I was able to convince Jim to watch a couple of movies; we both enjoyed “Respect.”

Leaving the ship in Vancouver was the least enjoyable. We had to arrive early to have a CoVid Test at the airport and then had to wait 3 hours. We flew coach which was full and arrived at LAX at 5 pm on Friday night of Memorial Day weekend. A friend picked us up, but the traffic made the trip home twice as long. Too bad we couldn’t have cruised back! Sigh……

September trip to Northwest

Again, health issues interfered with keeping up to-date here. So many doctor and tests appointments for both of us. In addition my condition sapped my energy and motivation levels. I am doing much better and got all good tests results, so trying to do post of this really fun trip.

We left on September 2 and returned 2 weeks later. We avoided the fires in Northern CA and Oregon by going the coast route on PCH and Highway 1. It took us 8 days to arrive in Anacortes, WA at our friend Sheri’s house and we saw beautiful scenery along the way. The return route was fast down I-5 and we saw destruction from the fires and heavy smoke.

Our first night was in Morro Bay, one of our favorite spots. Then we drove #1 through Big Sur. The highway is very curvy and hilly, can’t believe we did it in a 31 foot motor-home, many moons ago.

We also stopped in Carmel, with white sandy beaches and spent the night in Gilroy, on the 3rd.

On the 4th we spent a brief time in San Francisco, just passing through. It was very busy since Saturday of Labor Day Weekend. We decided to go Mill Valley for lunch and Tiburon peninsula.

Fisherman’s Wharf

Golden Gate Bridge

Mill Valley Fish House

Tiburon Bay

We continued along the Pacific Coast, stopping in Fortuna, CA and then on into Oregon with nights spend in the North Bend of Coos Bay, Seaside and then Lacey and Bothell, WA. Photos are of beautiful Redwood Trees, pink flowers (which are called Naked Ladies), coast views and Jim eating Cioppino at Mo’s in Newport, OR.

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We spent 3 days visiting with Sheri in Anacortes in her lovely home. She is newly widowed and we wanted to come and give her support. She has a fantastic view of the San Juan Bay area. I’ve posted 2 different ones, morning and sunset. Her dog, Aja is 18 years old and is a real comfort to her. One day we took the San Juan Ferry to Friday Harbor on one of the islands. It was a grey day and turned to rain, so basically had lunch and returned. Jim had a bad fall on the ramp leaving the ferry when a lady lost control of her large rolling suitcase and it knocked him down. Luckily, he was okay, just some bruises and scrapes. I’m sure I would have broken something.

As I said, we drove the central route home and saw a lot of evidence of fires. On the way home, is when I developed my heavy, wobbly legs problem, after a 2 second fainting spell. So glad, that I felt well while visiting with Sheri.

By the way, I am better now and relieved that all the tests on my heart and brain/nervous system came out good. One doctor feels I need to add protein to my diet and work on building muscles, so I am doing exercises and walking more.

Saturday, we are going on our first cruise in almost 2 years. We will be doing back to back cruises (two 7 days) on the Majestic Princess. Just the Mexican Riviera out of San Pedro, CA. We plan to stay on the cruise ship at most ports, and relax. It is strange packing after all this time, but looking forward to it! Stay safe and Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Coastal Cruise on Seabourn Sojourn

As we pack and get ready for our Carnival Freedom cruise, this month, I realized that I had not blogged about last month’s cruise!  It was another deluxe one on a Seabourn Ship.  We started in Vancouver, October 8 and sailed slowly down the west coast; the first stop was Seattle, WA.  Since we had been there many times before, we just enjoyed staying on the ship.

On Deck 9 looking away from Seattle

Deck 9 entrance, Terminal and city

On Deck 9 with view of Seattle

Our next port was Victoria, B.C., on the 10th.  We had not been to Butchart Gardens in 40 years, so we decided to take a tour and have another look.  Since it was fall, the roses were not in bloom, but many other flowers were, especially the Dahlias.  The Sunken Garden was spectacular.

Mrs. Butchart’s masterpiece

Many colors in this garden

No dead flowers are allowed

A cool day, but sunny

Many varieties of Dahlias

After 2 days at sea, we sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge prior to sunrise and docked in San Francisco.  There, we walked to Pier 39 and people watched.  It was the end of Fleet Week, so very crowded and many navy personnel.  We talked with a few of the females and some from Australia.

View of San Francisco as we sailed into port

Sunrise over Oakland Bay Bridge

We docked next to Military ship

Blue Angels show for Fleet Week

While on the ship, we enjoyed the good food, meeting new friends and wait staff.  Always enjoy the Observation Bar and Patio for dining.

Shared Paella with friends

Yummy Paella

She is 6 ft. 3

Jim and Steve, waiter from UK

Bruno, Observation Bar Tender

Niny was our Colonnade waitress on Quest

For the last 2 ports, we again stayed on the ship:  Monterey and Santa Barbara.  The cruise ended in San Pedro on October 18.  It was a great experience.  We will see how well we like a Carnival Ship after 38 days of luxury cruising this year.

Eight days on coast highway, San Francisco and more

Again, we decided to hit the road to enjoy our beautiful California coastline and see how the Big Sur highway had been repaired.  We spent nights in Pismo Beach, Santa Cruz, South San Francisco and 2 towns in wine country:  Vallejo and Fairfield.  Then we visited with cousin Dale and wife Diana for 3 days in Stockton.  She has had 3 chemo treatments and was feeling pretty good before her 4th in this series.  While with them we spent part of a day in Old Sac, downtown Sacramento.

The weather the whole way was beautiful and the coast was clear with hardly any fog (which is unusual)  This was especially nice in the Half Moon Bay area, southwest of San Francisco.  They are still working on Highway 1 through Big Sur.  It was closed for over a year due to massive mudslides.  You could see where they had bulldozed the mud and debris away and work is still being done.

In San Francisco we enjoyed Fisherman’s Wharf (and clam chowder in bread bowl) and drove around the city to see some of our favorite spots.  Crazily, in wine country, we did not visit any wineries!  We enjoyed touring in the area around these 2 towns and seeing new scenery.   We also went to a movie, “The Old Man With a Gun” with Robert Redford.  It was very enjoyable.

Right now, at home in So CA, we are having another heat wave (hopefully our last for the fall).  92 degrees in late October is too much.  We still hope that some of the rain that is hitting east of us will come our way!  Happy Halloween!

Town of Cambria had Scarecrows everywhere

Jim, Van and Coast view

Coast view

Both of us with CA coast

Newly opened Big Sur Hwy 1

Bulldozers high on cliff

One bridge was not damaged

Zebras at Hearst Castle Ranch

Elephant Seals north of San Simeon

Pigeon Point Lighthouse being renovated

Lighthouse and Cheryl

Pigeon Point Lighthouse viewpoint

Clam Chowder in Bread Bowl

Lunch and Shopping at Fisherman’s Wharf

Fun visit with Dale and Diana

Cheryl made paella with Jim’s help

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Cruise to BC

Another week on the Crown Princess (5/3-10) from LA to Vancouver, WA went very well.  We only got off in two ports of call:  San Francisco (always love this city) and Victoria, BC.  Even Cheryl got up at 6:00 a.m. to see the entrance into San Francisco Harbor, under the Golden Gate Bridge.  It was fantastic and the sunrise on the bridge gave it a “golden” glow.  

In SF we walked the pier area, Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf and had the obligatory clam chowder in a bread bowl.  It was a perfect day; sunshine and comfortable temperatures.  Even with Cheryl still nursing her broken little toe and Jim as always with ambulatory issues, we managed a couple of miles and enjoyed it immensely. 

Back on ship, Jim used the jacuzzi on deck 17 and we watched the Gold Princess leave the harbor.  Our exit from the harbor, later with the lights on in the city was again beautiful.  Sorry for the lack of focus.

After a day at sea, the weather turned, and it was rainy and cold in Astoria, OR, so we decided to stay on board.   We hope to get back to this area, because it looked lovely and everyone who has been there recommends a visit.

Next, on our last day, we docked at Victoria, BC.  Since we have been here a few times before, we decided to try a new area.  It was walking distance to Fisherman’s Wharf and the floating houses.  Although it was chilly, the sun was shining and the flowers were all in bloom; amazing colors.  The floating houses also are very brightly painted and we enjoyed the Salmon fish and chips at Barb’s.

We got off the ship at Vancouver, BC.  The next week we visited with friends in BC and Washington state, more on my next post.