The Last Canadian Photos

Here are some shots from our trip down the Strait of Georgia, the final stretch toward 'home'.

We are so grateful for the VERY smooth waters of this year's cruising. This is the Strait of Georgia, just south of Gorge Harbour, beginning our first day of two on this body of water.

In Tribune Bay, Hornby Island blocked our view of the sunset, BUT we were compensated with a wonderful moonrise.

Our second day on the Strait was just as gorgeous, but a little windier, so a little rougher.
As we approached Nanaimo we realized the timing was right to pass through Dodd Narrows, so we did and then continued about an hour to Decourcy Island. 

Ah, glossy water! And a heron looking for breakfast.

Another stop, and another moonrise! This one in Lyall Harbour on Saturna Island, home of one of our favorite coffee shops, Wild Thyme, which Al affectionately calls 'the Bus'!

Coffee is a Priority!

If you know us at all, you know we love coffee! Here are some photos to illustrate:

Those two bins on the left are fresh-ground, Regular and Decaf. The shelf above the stove is dedicated to coffee -- our Aeropress brewer and a dozen coffee ups, ALL 'favorites'!

The top shelf in the cupboard is also dedicated to coffee. A bag of fresh beans, a can of coffee recommended to us as a flavor booster, a french press, a moka pot, espresso cups and plates.....OH and insulated cups at the back. Notice MORE coffee mugs on the bottom shelf.

Now perhaps you can more easily understand why we went 'off the beaten path' to visit Wild Thyme on Saturna Island in the Canadian Gulf Islands. We lovingly simply call it 'The Bus'. A wonderful double-decker bus modified to a coffee shop, serving excellent coffee and food, as much as possible, grown on the island. YUMMY!

Cascadia Sail-In, Poulsbo WA

The last weekend in April we attended the Cascadia Sailing Association's gathering at Poulsbo WA. There was plenty of good food, drink, and socializing.  There were four educational presentations by members, with lots of information and photographs.

Though the focus was on cruising the northern waters, and this year we are going to the south Sound, we do plan to eventually go north, and it's nice to hear from others' experience.

Now.  You may wonder at the 'Coffee Shops' label for this post.  Fellow blogger Hira suggested some time ago that I should post reviews of shops we had visited.  So here is the first we have LOVED in quite some time.

Hot Shots Java Coffeehouse in Poulsbo is wonderful!  Though the gentleman barista produced the prettiest latte, the flavor was consistently excellent on each of our three visits, with other baristas brewing on other days.

There were food offerings available, though MOST customers appear to stop at Sluys Bakery, just across the street, first and bring their pastries to the coffeehouse.  It wasn't a problem.  So that's what we did too.

There was a nice flow of traffic, with plenty of seating, at various-sized tables.  We saw single people, and groups (one time 3 tables pushed together for a dozen or so people, who politely re-set them when they were finished).

They are definitely on the way to continuing their winning streak!

Enjoying the Coffee Oasis!

What have we been DOING since returning to Friday Harbor?  The most enjoyable thing has been DRINKING GOOD COFFEE!

You may recall that we dubbed the prairie of SW Minnesota a 'Coffee Desert'.  (see previous post here:  http://mvvikingstar.blogspot.com/2014/02/in-desert.html)

An update on that situation:  We now count 14 places where we can get espresso within a one-mile walking radius at Friday Harbor.  A couple have closed in the past year, but we add two that we didn't know of previously.  Friday Harbor is our coffee oasis!

It's funny how our favorite has changed every winter we spend in Friday Harbor.  Actually it is the barista that we follow most loyally.  Even within a location, taste can vary from barista to barista. Favorites from past years, Annie and Hannah are no longer serving espresso. This year our winner is Beth at the Rocky Bay Cafe.  

Steaming the milk that will become my 12-ounce double hazelnut latte

Today when I asked her name and for permission to photograph her for the blog, I also asked how many times she gets called 'Elsa'.  She says SOMEtimes little girls do, but she tells them she had the braid long before Elsa was known for hers.

I think this is the fourth time Beth has crafted my latte, and she has done a consistently excellent job!

In a Desert

Post by Kristi

One of my favorite websites is dictionary.reference.com.  Today I used it to look up 'desert' and found that the #5 definition perfectly fit what we have been thinking of the portion of the Midwest prairie that we now occupy:  'any place lacking in something'.

Followers of this blog know that Al and I love coffee, and visiting coffee shops!  And now, we realize we must finally acknowledge that we have become coffee snobs.

I was born here on the prairie.  I can remember my grandfather spooning coffee into my mouth when I was about 5 years old, sitting on his lap.  I learned to drink 'real coffee' while at college and studying for finals, drinking from a huge urn that had been on for hours.

But since 1986, I have been living in the Pacific Northwest, home of Starbucks, Seattle's Best, Peet's, Stumptown, and so many other quality coffee purveyors. There are many jokes about the 'saturation' of coffee shops in the Northwest.

When I came 'home' for a visit in 2006, I searched high and low for a 'coffee cart' on the square in Windom. If you don't know what 'dearth' means, look it up at dictionary.reference.com.   I was expecting some improvement in the situation over the past nearly 8 years.  But playing with Google maps, I have discovered that the nearest Starbucks locations are 80 miles away, in opposite directions!

A week ago, we were in Windom to get our Minnesota driver licenses and register to vote.  My sister-in-law said we should try the River City Eatery.  We sat down and opened the menu, when -- music to our ears! -- we heard milk being steamed at an espresso machine!  Our food was excellent (soup and sandwich for Al, lasagna for me), but we were quite disappointed with the coffee.  Served in a paper cup even though we were eating in, we couldn't decide if the taste was of paper, or staleness of coffee or milk.

Again turning to Google maps, I went to Storden MN and clicked on Search Nearby and put in 'espresso'.  It brought up 5 locations:  the River City Eatery (the closest at 18 miles away, and had already disappointed us), 2 in Iowa, a closed Starbucks location in Fairmont MN, and the Left Bank Cafe in Slayton MN, 28.2 miles away.

We have lots of plans for 'when we have better weather'.  We will have to get Mom and Dad out the door early one day and have breakfast in Slayton.

We'll let you know whether we were impressed or not.

OH!  The title of this post is 'In a Desert'.  You've probably guessed by now that the 'something' lacking in this place is 'espresso' or decent coffee shops.  When a disappointing one is 18 miles away, 2 more are out of state, one that MAY have promise is 28.2 miles away, and one is closed -- I think you can say the area is 'lacking'.  Compare to Friday Harbor WA (pop. 2162 in the 2010 census), where we most recently hailed from:  Al and I counted up all the places we could WALK to for espresso.  TWELVE!!!

A Taste of Italy

Ever since we returned from Europe -- NINE years ago! -- we have searched high and low for a cappuccino that could even hope to compete with the wonderful coffee we could get anytime, anywhere in Italy.  Something that would bring to mind the cafe on the shore of Lago Maggiore, or Sant' Eustachio il Caffe in Rome, or in Verona, or Venice.

July 2004, on the shore of Lago Maggiore, Baveno Italy

The other day we were walking down Main Street in Vancouver BC Canada.  It was time for some lunch and I had a hankering for pizza.  We passed many pubs, cafes, and diners, but no pizza.  Finally there was a sandwich sign that even said 'Pizza:  Two slices $5!'  It was Caffe' Rustica, at 16th and Main. http://cafferustico.com/

We went to the counter and chose our slices, and then saw (and heard!) Mario making and serving espresso to his customers.  This was a genuine Italian!  Al asked him to make him a cappuccino, telling him of our search for the last nine years.  When he asked Al how he liked his cappuccino, al said 'like the ones made in Italy, where everyone learns how to make them in grade school- like I could get on the shores of Lago Marriore'.   Mario simply replied "Those people learn how to make coffee from Rome.  And I am from Rome." and went to work.

Mario learned to make coffee in Rome!  His father was an olive farmer in Italy.  We had high hopes, and he did not fail.

One classic cappuccino, and a latte with 'special reserve cocoa'.

We are a bit older, but we are still as happy as Italy!  Thank you, Mario!

Al's comment:  I have noted that there is a difference between making coffee, and Making Coffee.   It may all be the same steps, but it is the care that goes into it that makes the difference.  In talking with Mario, he said the same - it is the attention, and care that makes it.    And I will say - Mario did good.  Without a doubt, the 1st cappuccino outside Italy that was the way it should have been.    Thank you Mario!

Having a 'Wild Thyme'!

Regular readers know that one of our favorite things to do is visit coffee shops.  'Wild Thyme' at Lyall Harbour on Saturna Island, BC is one of the most original we have come across.  The coffee is excellent!  We also approve of the Peach-Coconut muffins, and the salami/havarti sandwiches.  (The gluten free cookies, not so much.  But even the Grumpy Cat disapproved of them.)

A double-decker bus!

Chloe is an excellent barista.  They are looking for more employees, but you must fit a height restriction!  Their ceiling is only 5' 7"

This sign at the stairway to the upper level had me singing along

Comfy cushions, but the heater is not needed today!

All the BEST coffee shops have a take-one-leave-one bookshelf!

Sunny day, upper level, above the kitchen -- the fan helps, but much too hot for comfort today

We have visited the bus twice already, and we like the area so much we are staying another day.  We found the Anglican Church (St. Christopher's), where there will be a non-denominational service tomorrow morning.  (The bus is on the way!)  AND the island library is in the basement of the church.  We stopped in on our way to the General Store.

Saturna Island has only 300 residents, and perhaps fewer than that during the winter.  But everyone we have come across has been very friendly!

First 'Timmy's'!

We are in Ladysmith today, and we heard there was a Tim Horton's here, so we HAD to go!

For Al

My choices

We left Wallace Island for Preedy Harbor on Thetis Island.  We only had a brief stop there.  The ferry came in.  Geez.  We'd have to use a stern anchor to keep us pointed into the ferry wakes there!  So we pulled up and went around the point into Telegraph Harbor.

We dinghied up to the pub/restaurant -- no one around.  The store/post office was closed for training of a new postmaster.  We walked up the road to look for the coffee shop and pottery studio talked about in the guides.  Nothing.  There WAS a big beautiful property that we learned was a bible school.

The next day we took the ferry to Chemainus.  It was a cute town with murals everywhere and footprints painted on the sidewalk to steer you past them.  We enjoyed the waterworks park, and we sat on a bench and watched the workings of the lumber mill while tasting the fudge we had chosen.

After a day for chores, we have motored to Ladysmith.  Tomorrow is our 11th Anniversary, and the nicest restaurant we could find 'nearby' is here.  We are at the Page Point Marina for two nights, and going to the Page Point Bistro for dinner tomorrow night.

We are getting a surprising 'kitty fix'.  There are two boat cats here in the marina, and both have stopped by for visits!  Pearl is a fluffy grey girl, and Squash is an orange tabby boy.  AND there are about three pet stores in Ladysmith, so we saw several in town today -- two batches of new kittens too!

And the sun is shining!!!  We have been working on our first sunburns...

Coffee Shop View

After a shared cold kept us on the boat for several days, and the Thanksgiving holiday, yesterday morning I put my nose to the grindstone and really dug in to my current work project.  After a couple of very productive hours, I wanted a break, so I set out to re-visit the Churchill Coffee House.

Last year when we visited, there was an ice cream machine whose compressor was VERY loud.  I didn't see the same machine, but there was a drink cooler I could hear running.  I ordered my 'regular' drink, and a cup of soup from the very friendly people who run this shop.

I took a seat in the very corner, and discovered it is the BEST seat of the house!  It is away from the kitchen, and as far away from any coolers as you can get.  And the view, on a gorgeous sunny day!

The ferry to Anacortes is loading.  The inter-island ferry is arriving -- those garbage trucks are waiting for that one.  I can see Churchill's lights from the boat, so of course I can see the boat from here -- but I know what to look for......let me get you a closer view.

Look for the 'white cross' just left of center -- can you see it?  That's us!

After a side trip to the book store, I head back to the boat to get more work done.  It's Al's turn to go on walkabout.  When he returns, he sees 'sea horse' in the sky!

This shot also goes right back up to the Churchill Coffee House, though it's difficult to point it out.

Favorite Things

We came in to our winter port, Friday Harbor, on October 30th -- two days before our 'sometime in November' plan.

And we have been on a frenzy of enjoying many of our favorite things:  coffee shops, bookstores, and kitties.

There is a new coffee shop right on Spring Street (the main street in town) called the Crow's Nest.  It passed muster!  Al's true test of a coffee shop is a cappuccino -- still in the quest of the elusive quality we found in Italy, theirs was probably the closest we have experienced.  Their one drawback is quite limited seating.  There are three chairs at the bar, one table and two chairs, and a window seat with pretty pillows.  We agreed that one more 'cafe set' of tiny table and two chairs would fit nicely.  In just a week and a half, the Crow's Nest has become our 'on the go' choice for coffee.

We still like the Bean best for sitting and relaxing, and we still need to go to the Demeter Cafe, which is really more of a bakery (no flavored lattes here, but I hear they make a mean mocha).

Serendipity was at the top of the list of places to visit immediately upon arrival in Friday Harbor.  They are a fabulous used-book store that will give credit for books they 'buy', and we had been saving up volumes.  Ha!  After two visits, we have used up all but $1.00 of our credit!

I was greatly saddened to see that the Harbour Bookstore has closed!  This was my favored place to buy new books.  Owner Keith was inside and heard us lamenting outside the door.  It was distressing to step inside and see the jumble of the last bits of stock being readied to move out, and the bare walls further into the shop. 

This forced me to go to the only other new-book store in town -- Griffin Bay Bookstore.  Though we did attend an interesting author presentation while we were here last year, and had partaken of the coffee in the shop at the back of the store, I didn't feel quite at home in this store -- VERY unusual for me and any bookstore!  I am sorry to say that feeling was reinforced this week when I stopped to pick up the book I was looking for -- Nora Robert's newest release.  Not only did they not have it in stock, the salesperson had to look it up!  Being I hoped to find it and read it before going to Portland for the holidays, I did place an order, with no shipping charges added.  It got the call yesterday that it had come in.

I don't remember seeing any raindrops on roses, but I did find some whiskers on kittens!  I myself have made two trips to the animal shelter already, and Al came along for the last one.  There are many cats there, and presently six kittens.  The two smallest ones came in with their mother and are waiting a couple more weeks before they can be adopted.  On our last visit, we were unable to see them, as they were in the isolation room.  I suspect they may have been recovering from neutering.  Four other kittens that were brought in feral were noticeably tamer on the second visit.  I spent most of my time on my first visit in their cage, so I feel somewhat responsible for that fact!  The shelter has a Free Cat Friday where any older cat adopted on a Friday is free, and kittens are half-priced.  

We also do peek at the dogs when we visit the shelter, and there was a sweet girl about to give birth to seven puppies.  She looked to be some sort of terrier mix?  The prettiest dog I saw on my first visit was gone on the second -- I knew she wouldn't stay long.  Sadly, two pit bulls, one a mix?, I recognized from our visits last winter. 

No-one ties up brown paper packages with string anymore, but I HAVE ordered two items in the mail.  Al has been shopping too, but he will have his items delivered to Lindsay's house for pick-up at Christmas time.  I have sent a couple of postcards to the grandchildren, and will soon send out a few packages.  Easier access to postal services is appreciated here too.

Other favorite things we do in Friday Harbor:  attend church, attend Power Squadron meetings, rent movies (or view first-run movies in the theater), take advantage of the unlimited data of the local internet to watch videos and catch up on favorite TV shows, and walk!  

A Review of Olympia

Last weekend we spent a day driving around a bit in Olympia before we returned the car we rented for our trip to Portland.  We drove up to the Capitol building, where my mother worked in the secretarial pool in the late '40's (?).  We kept the boat at Swantown Marina, and drove past the boatyard there -- scoping out places to haul the boat this fall.  Moorage at Swantown is very reasonable, compared to the summer rates at most marinas in the area of the San Juans.  Plus, this is where Viking Star was hauled out before being put on a truck and brought down to Portland when Al first purchased her!

Last Friday, we returned to Olympia from Hope Island.  The refrigerator was nearly bare, and the shafts Al left at a machinist to be keyed were ready.

This time we enjoyed our stay at Percival Landing!  We had a great view of the Capitol building, and were just blocks from a grocery store , the Farmer's Market, the machine shop, a welder and much more.

Our visit got off to a good start when we went to the Community/Senior Center to use our credit card to pay for moorage.  We ran into a very friendly man in the lobby.  With just a few minutes of conversation, we learned so much about each other.  Roger had one of those sit-down walkers, even though he was only 50.  We suspect he had some sort of mild brain injury.  He is a self-described 'military brat', half Japanese, half Scandinavian.  His father was born in Canby, MN.  Roger moved here from Okinawa 5 years ago.

We picked up the generator parts.  We got lattes at Cafe Vita, and did some window shopping.  We stopped in at one of the MANY bookstores downtown and picked up a copy of River Horse, a book recommended by our friend Hira.

Saturday we went to Batdorf and Bronson for more lattes, and learned the legend of the Dancing Goats (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaldi )  A friendly customer outside with her dog recommended we also go to the Tasting Room just another block down the road at the roastery, so we did!  We sampled 4 brews and bought some beans.  Throughout the day, a soaking rain fell.  We walked to the grocery store and came back to fill the fridge. 

After dinner, the sun actually came out!  We took a walk along the waterfront at sunset.

Today we spent the morning at Starbucks, where I got my favored Chai Tea Latte, and also a Clover-brewed coffee.  We filled the water tanks, and motored up to Boston Harbor for ethanol-free gas for the dinghy and the back-up generator, and soft-serve ice cream.  Now we are at anchor just around the corner in Henderson Inlet.

Overall, we found Olympia to be a small town with just enough 'big town' touches for our satisfaction.