Monday to Leavenworth

 

Madeline made waffles, two types: Belgian and Norwegian.  She used a different batter for each one. They were both good. 

Pumpkin on their doorstep

Charging the Tesla.  They have to unplug the dryer to charge the vehicle.

It had taken us a while to come up with a plan for today but once decided we moved pretty quickly.  We decided to go to Leavenworth.  Roman was staying home.  We took 2 cars.  We were packed up and on the road by 9 am.  Not bad.

The first stop was the Iron Goat Trail.  

I can't say that it was the best weather for a walk.

It was a beautiful trail

Am I having fun yet??

We did not walk the trail as long as we had thought that we would.  Oh well.  The steady rain was a deterrent, plus it was cold.  I had not worn the proper clothes for rain.  My shoes and socks were drenched.  At least I had my rain pants on.

We headed off to Leavenworth.  While driving we were trying to come up with a restaurant plan.  We decided on the Rhein Haus.  We wanted to get some German food.

First we were seated outside with the heaters but it wasn't too long before they could move us inside. 

I went with the currywurst (bratwurst with curry ketchup), crispy onions, beer cheese fondue, and fries.  What a meal.  I couldn't eat it all.

Cozy place.  

After lunch we wandered around for a short time.

Ivan had his fortune told by Zoltar.

Then we headed off to check in to the Alpine Rivers Inn.

View of the river from our room.

Once we had gotten settled, Madeline, Ivan, George, Nathan, and I went to check out the Alpine coaster.  Madeline drove. 

I signed up for 1 ride and Nathan for 2.  Madeline and Ivan were going to wait and decide.  George was just watching.

Nathan had the controls.

Me and Nathan

Great views at the top, if we could only stop to take pictures.  Plus it was foggy.

Once we got back we talked Madeline and Ivan into doing it as well.  

Madeline & Ivan

Nathan went with them for his 2nd ride.  

Madeline & Ivan

Nathan

We tried to get pictures when they came in at the end but it was getting dark and the reflection on the glass made the pictures blurry.

There was a sample car which Ivan could sit in.  I think that he liked this a whole lot more than the actual Alpine Coaster. 

When we got back to the hotel we played a round of Uno until it was time to go for dinner.  

We picked Prusik.  

I had a very good pasta dish, "paccheri pasta, romesco cream sauce, artichokes, roasted baby heirloom tomatoes, burrata, and toasted bread crumbs." We also shared a cauliflower dish and an pear salad.  George and Nathan had a Prusik pizza which was honey roasted wild mushrooms, thyme, cream, and aged balsamic vinegar.  It was all quite tasty.  Ivan didn't like any of it because it wasn't his mom's cooking.

Dorothy joined us for a round of Oh Pshaw while Madeline tried to get Ivan to go to bed.

Portland to Kirkland

 Today was a full day.  I played with the handbells for church in the morning.

Connie, Kathie, Karen, Mary P, Joanne, Sharon, Mary G, me, Alice, Audrey, Michael, and Gabi (our director)

It was Pastor Scott's retirement bash so there was a lot going on.  After the service we had a fabulous potluck.  

We took a pasta salad and a banana upside down cake, which we had made the day before.

There were many familiar people who came back for the service, so that was very nice. A lot of people spoke both during the service and at the potluck.  

Naveen spoke

Nadira loved to clap everytime others were clapping.

We decided that it was time to head home so that we could pack up the car to start driving to Kirkland.  Nathan, George, and I.  Dorothy and Ed were visiting Madeline, Roman, and Ivan.  So we were joining them for a few days.  We were on the road by 1:15 pm.  Not too bad.  

It was a foggy day

We got to Madeline & Roman's at 4:45 pm.  The traffic was not bad.  

Their house.  

Madeline made tomato soup and salad for dinner.  

Bill (husband of my neighborhood walking partner, Giselle) used to be a trimet bus driver.  He gave me an official bus driver shirt to give to Ivan.  

Ivan was thrilled.  He had to wear it and his bus costume.

Soon he was making a triple decker bus.

Which grew to 9 levels.

Story time before bed.  Grandma Dorothy got to read to Ivan.

We got to have some Ukrainian honey cake.  It was delicious.

Ivan is stalling with going to bed.